Thank you if you're still following my story.

I updated Balkov's name (was Volkov in the previous chapters)after I made a little investigation.

Tala = Yuriy/Tala

Bryan = Boris

Spencer = Sergei

Boris = Vladimir Gregorovitch Balkov*

*Vladimir Gregorovitch - This is Balkov (=Boris in the Canadian version). Some of you already may know that Russians have patronymics, and the most respective compellation in Russia is calling the person on her/his first name + her/his father's name. Of course, Volkov's father's name is unknown, so Gregorovitch is only my imagination.

Chapter 10

The tournament in Dubai had finally started, every team arrived to the great oasis. The setting sun was the sign of the start of the championship's next stage. Both of the audience and the competitors were excited when entered the stadium. Except Tyson. He was a bit annoyed by the fact that Dragoon had been demolished. The way things were it seemed he could not participate on the 8th-finals. He knew Chief worked really hard to fix his beyblade as soon as possible but even he can't do a miracle. Tyson still had hope that he was going to battle on the next day when their set participates, thus he followed Chief all the time like a puppy, expecting that this annoying method urge the reparation of his beloved Dragoon. The two boys whispered sharply a lot together and it didn't stay unnoticed before Ray, Max and Hilary, and it was sure Kai also saw it, however, he simply ignored them as always.

They already occupied their seats on the grandstand when the stadium darkened then the only and one referee and commentator DJ Jazzman announced the beginning of the 8th-finals. He explained again the rules modified this year to the audience not to leave anyone in the dark.

According to the new rules, teams had minimum three members but the championship organizers highly recommended at least 4 members per team because a competition between two teams has three rounds to fight for the victory and getting on, and a plus round for deciding which team can have the advantage nominating the competitors for the fights. Each team has to nominate its members for the fights but the team which loses the fight for the advantage has to name the three playing competitors for the three beybattles and they cannot change their competitors, nor their order. Meanwhile, the team that wins the fight for the advantage already knows the players and order chosen by the other team for all rounds, and has to name its competitor just right before the actual round. This makes possible for them to adapt and build up a strategy according to the circumstances. Therefore, the plus round for the advantage could matter as much as the three rounds for the victory on this tournament.

After the short reviewing, Jazzman loudly announced the competing teams for today, which was the Justice Five, F-Dynasty, Miguel Battalion, Blitzkriegs, The Psykick, Savage Slammers and two new teams – Restless Hornets and Outrageous Privilege. The line-up was randomized by a computer and the eventual matchup were the following:

F-Dynasty vs. Restless Hornets

Savage Slammers vs. Miguel's Squad

Outrageous Privilege vs. Justice Five

Blitzkriegs vs. Team Psykick

"Team Psykick, woohoo! So great to see again Kane and the others!" Tyson and Hilary cheered them in the crowd and Kenny relieved, he had now ten minutes to enjoy the championship and not listen to Tyson's whining about Dragoon.

"Yeah" Said Ray bitterly, looking at Salima's back covered with her red hair. "Too bad, they will be dropped out today."

Tyson immediately stopped the cheering.

"Damn, it's hard to cheer when you have this many friends."

Kai was not interested in cheering at all but wanted to see the Blitzkrieg newbie to play. He needed all the information he could get to defeat her. But not only that, since their fight Kai felt something off about this girl. Her aura reminded him so much of Brooklyn and his dark bit-beast, but also, they were so different. It was hard to explain and capture the essence of his problem about her.

"Those Savage Slammers guys are so familiar to me." Max murmured, touching his chin, thinking hard.

Kenny helped him out.

"No wonder. We had battle with them on our first tournament, 4 years ago."

"Really?" Ray joined in the conversation. "I don't remember them."

"Oh my god, I do!" Max said and he covered his eyes like he could save himself from the flashing memories. "They were the ones who told us random bullshit stories about their beyblades during the fights."

Tyson and Ray sweatdropped and sighed – the definite sign of realization -, meanwhile Hilary just rolled her eyes. Another thing she can't remember.

"I do remember. They were not bad, though. Maybe they've made some progress since we last met them. But I honestly hope we don't have to face with them again."

"We'll see how the Miguel Battalion can handle them. Now, that they got rid of that strawman Barthez I'm sure their play will be more powerful." Tyson proudly looked at the mentioned team like the duck mama does at her little ducklings.

"I always forget how sentimental you can be sometimes, Tyson." Kai grunted. The 8th-finals hadn't started yet but he was already irritated.

"Hey, at least I have feelings, Mr I'm-always-in-grumpy-mood."

"I don't know." Spoke up Ray, turning back to the point. "Demolition Boys was also in this situation and Tala's team just wasn't the same after they left Balkov. They were lucky that there was Kai on their side in the last season but without him I don't believe they could get into the final."

All eyes on him, Ray knew he had just changed the atmosphere in the conversation. He sensed a critical glare on him and turned to Kai who really was staring at him. He didn't show anger or offense, though. Not that he showed any emotion ever. Yet, Ray had a feeling that Kai was actually grateful for saying these words. If Kai had such high-toned feelings at all.

"Wait, wait, wait! You've just said that Tala and his team is weak?" Tyson was scratching his ear, he didn't want to believe what just heard.

"This is a strong expression, Tsyon –" Ray tried to explain but Kenny disrupted to save and clear the situation.

"At some point, I agree with Ray. Blitzkrieg Boys had a hard time last year. First in their life, they were free and had the right to take their own decisions. It comes with a big responsibility and don't forget that they had been always said what to do."

They fell silent but this time not because of empathy but to understand the situation that Kenny has just described them.

"So you expect Blitzkriegs to be our biggest opponent again?" Hilary asked Ray.

"I'd definitely surprised if they were being dropped out before the final." Ray nodded.

"Did you think the same when you were with them?" Tyson asked Kai in an oddly gently voice.

Kai spectacularly turned his head away from him to the stage and said nothing. His friends knew too well this body language of him. It meant not to ask more questions of him and he considered the conversation closed.

Max was who eventually put an end to this case – of course, in his cheerful style.

"I think we talked enough about the Russian team. Let's focus on the forthcoming fight. F-Dynasty against Restless Hornets, a new team!"

As if Jazzman heard Max's words, he started to announce the first match set of the day.

"Give a warm welcome to one of the finalists of the previous year, the F-Dynasty!"

The audience went crazy, they loved the talented twins. The Italian team, Julia, Raul and Romero entered the hall while the Restless Hornets were already waiting on the opposite side.

"F-Dynasty has still only 3 members? Shouldn't the team represent 4 members for all matches?" Max asked, confused.

"The 4 members are recommended, not required." Kenny corrected.

"Since the F-Dynasty is almost a family, I guess it's easier for them to participate in the tournament with only 3 members than accepting a new incomer in the team. My village is thinking the same way, I can understand their reason." Ray shared his thoughts.

"Brave decision." Max summarized.

"Rather foolish." Kai growled.

"I'm surprised you agree with such a close-minded way of thinking, Ray. You always remind us of being open for the new things and opportunities." Hilary said.

"I said I understand their decision, not accepting it." Ray repeated himself.

Jazzman continued shouting in the microphone.

"The F-Dynasty's opponent is none other than the Restless Hornets! I know their name is unknown yet but here they are and ready to fight for the qualification to the quarters! Don't let them fool you, ladies and gentlemen, they got a temper for this tournament!"

Now, the applause was modest but cheerful for the two boys and two girls of Restless Hornets.

Jazzman asked the competitors to step up at the dish and fight for the advantage. Romero was already waiting for his opponent, his cocky smirk provoking them. The Restless Hornets member who stepped up to the dish seemed to be a little bit shy. It might be the lack of their experience as this was the first time this team participated in the championships. Though no one could deny their talent which led them this far that they can fight with F-Dynasty, one of the finalists of the previous year.

"Are you ready, my dear?" Romero asked the girl standing in front of him.

"I am not your dear!" She murmured peevishly, then the clicks of her beyblade indicated that she was ready to fight.

Dj Jazzman counted back and let the first fight of the day begin.

F-Dynasty easily won their round, everything went as planned. Romero won the fight giving advantage for his team then Julia made the Restless Hornets to fight a tag match with his brother, Raul. The dénouement of the battle was not a question, of course. Julia was even a little bit disappointed, itching to fight with a worthy opponent at last.

"The next fight, ladies and gentlemen, will be Miguel's Squad against Savage Slammers!" Bellowed Jazzman into the microphone which was clearly unnecessary but it was a habit he couldn't break.

"Both teams might be familiar to the audience. After Miguel and his teammates decided to part ways with their former coach, Barthez they changed the team's name from Barthez Battalion to Miguel's Squad. As for Savage Slammers, they participated in the American tournament of the first championships but that time Bladebreakers got into their way and they didn't stop until won the whole world championships. Can Savage Slammers stopped by Miguel's Squad this time? Let's find out, dear audience!" With these words, the first competitors, Aaron and Diego stepped to the dish.

"Do you know how I got my beyblade?" Diego asked and not even waiting for Aaron's respond, he started to tell a story. "I still remember the day when my iguana brought me my blade…"

"Aaargh, noooo!" Screamed almost all members of G-Revolution team.

Fortunately, Aaron silenced him quickly, simply kicking out Diego's blade from the dish. And the other members of Miguel's Squad made a fast job, as well. It looked the G-Revolution team wasn't the only one who was irritated with the pointless stories during the fights, so Savage Slammers didn't get farther this time, either.

As Jazzman announced Justice Five and Outrageous Privilege as the following matchup, Kenny barely could hold back his fanatism for Ming-Ming, while Kai stiffened a bit. He knew Tyson and the others might forgive Brooklyn for his "mistakes in the past" but he couldn't forget so easily. The boy with his ridiculous orange hair was a psychopath, no matter what anyone said.

"I feel sorry for Outrageous Privilege. They won't have much chance for the win." Said Ray, pityingly.

"You can't know. Maybe they're just as talented as the Justice Five." Max's optimism was heard.

Outrageous Privilege was a girl band. They fought not just for the title of championships but the acknowledgement of woman beybladers.

"Please, first competitors of the teams step up to fight for the advantage." Jazzman asked.

Ming-Ming and one of the girls with black hair answered to the call.

"As I see, from Justice Five Ming-Ming and from Outrageous Privilege Jasmine is going to fight for the advantage. Get ready!"

"I like your jacket, where did you buy it?" Ming-Ming smiled at the girl in beige leather jacket but the respond from Jasmine was only a serious look. "Oh, okay. Let's skip the chit-chat and get straight to the point. Don't cry when I destroy you."

Jasmine still didn't react, her face was rock solid. Ming-Ming, though, couldn't stop smiling. This newbie took herself too seriously.

"3…2…1… Let it rip!" Echoed Jazzman's voice in the stadium and the battle begun.

Ming-Ming's smile soon disappeared because Jasmine made her sweat. She took herself seriously for a reason, it seemed. Despite that Ming-Ming changed her style during the fight she couldn't follow Jasmine's flash rapid and sharp moves, and in the end she actually lost. When her blade flew out of the dish, the audience gasped and cried an "OH!" as one. The unexpected result was followed by a short silence.

"The winner is Jasmine from Outrageous Privilege. Her team enjoys the benefits of the advantage for the next fights!" Jazzman announced.

"Wow. That was… out of blue." Ray blinked.

"Noooo!" Kenny almost cried. "How could my beloved Ming-Ming lose! It's impossible!"

"Okay, I bet Outrageous will win – who's against that?" Max rose his hand up, waiting for the bets.

"Me. Ming-Ming is the weakest member of Justice Five and she was beaten because of her stupid cockiness. I'm sure the others won't make this mistake." Kai explained, bluntly as always which made Max hesitant.

"Okay, forget it."

"What?! Ming-Ming is not weak at all!" Kenny exclaimed histerically. Kai rolled his eyes.

"Chill, Chief. We all know Ming-Ming is an amazing blader." Tyson patted Kenny's shoulder because Kenny sat right beside him and the short boy was practically raging right in his face.

Kai was right. It didn't matter the Outrageous Privilege had the advantage, Justice Five sensed that the girl team could be dangerous, so Mystel, Garland and even Brooklyn finished the fights as fast as they could, thus Justice Five got into the quarter finals with three victories.

"I'd been surprised if Justice Five had lost. They are hell of an opponent." Tyson noted with folded arms.

"Yeah, but these girls are decent bladers, too. I'm sorry they are dropped out. I would happily beyblade with them once."

"I feel the same way, Max. But it won't happen in this championships, it seems."

Meanwhile Jazzman announced the last matchup of the day – Blitzkriegs vs. Team Psykick. Kai stiffened on his seat – finally came what he was waiting for all day. He glanced at Kenny's direction, checking if he was recording the following fights. But Kai wasn't the only one who was interested in this setup.

"Oh my god, I can't wait to see Team Psykick fighting with the Blitzkriegs!" Tyson shouted excitingly. "You're recording, right, Chief?"

"Sure thing. I'm recording all fights."

"I bet Blitzkriegs gonna win." Max started again, and Ray chuckled.

"You know what? I bet with you. I think Team Psykick will win."

"Alright! If you lose you have to eat your meal with mayonnaise."

"Dea– what?"

"Late! You said deal, it's done!" Max laughed at Ray's frightened expression.

"You won't laugh when Team Psykick wins and I put you into an embarrassing situation." Ray remarked with a smirk.

"Nah, Ray. You're not that evil." Max waved his hand on him.

"Am I?" He was still wearing his cocky smirk just to scare the blond boy.

"Competitors, please, stand up to fight for the advantage!" Jazzman asked again.

While Jim from Team Psykick and Alexa from Blitzkriegs were walking to the dish, Jazzman shared some information about the teams to the audience.

"Last year, the Blitzkrieg Boys almost won the championships under Yuriy Ivanov, alias Tala's leadership and with Kai Hiwatari on their side. Now, Alexandra Katin joined the team as the fourth member. We don't know much about this young lady but maybe she will make her mark in this tournament."

Jazzman let the audience encouragingly cheer for her.

"Team Psykick first time participates in the championships but by their own account, the team was formed 2 years ago. They practiced a lot to polish their skills and teamwork and according to Kane Yamashita captain, the time has finally come to challenge those skills. Their bit-beasts might be familiar to the audience but I can assure all of you, Team Psykick does not offense any rule."

The people cheered for Team Psykick as well but not so loudly, they were a little bit confused about what Jazzmad had just said.

"Are you ready? 3…2…1… Let it rip!"

The bladers launched their beyblade. Jim's Cyber Draciel firmly hit the bottom of the dish, waiting for the opponent's moves and attacks to dodge them. He waited for nothing, though. As Jazzman gave the sign, Alexa tried to launch her beyblade but she messed it up and her beyblade pathetically plopped next to Cyber Draciel in the dish and stayed still.

Jim was blinking in his surprise while Alexa burried her red face into her hands with deep shame.

At first, the audience remained in silence but after the first shock, people bursted into laughter, the arena echoed with this many joyful laugh. Ray, Max and Hilary couldn't contain themself either, they slapped their knees with laughter.

"Let's behave! Everyone can make a mistake." Ray tried to be empathetic.

"I'm sure Tala has the same thought right now." Max added, nodding to the huge screen where they could see Tala's disturbed face in total, and they laughed again.

Tyson giggled in embarrassment, pretending he found the situation hilarious but in actual fact, he was totally confused. How on earth she couldn't launch her beyblade properly?!

He looked at Kenny seeking for some explanation but the boy was busy to collect his jaw from the floor. He turned to the others then saw Kai who seemed close to explode with anger. Eventually, he stood up and stormed out so fast, his coat swooshed in the air.

"Hey Kai, where are you going?" Ray cried after him in the crowd.

"Maybe he need some place to laugh. It's bad for his prestige, ya know."

"Max, stop!" Ray begged. He was trying to be serious but his chuckles betrayed him.

"Okay… uhm…" Jazzman was searching words. "The winner is Jim, therefore Team Psykick has the advantage for the following rounds. Maybe next time, Alexandra. Blitzkriegs! Please, discuss and nominate your competitors in order. You have one minute."

Alexa left the dish, walking back to her team. Tala's displeasure was sensible even through the screen. He mostly talked to the boys like a general to its soldiers and ignored Alexa. She already made her performance afterall. At last, the competitors were Sergei, Boris and Tala.

"Finish it as fast as possible. I don't want to waste any more minute for this circus." Tala commanded. His teammates could feel he was vibrating with fury.

Although Salima and Goki gave their best and fought bravely, Sergei and Boris followed Tala's instruction and they mercilessly defeated Salima and Goki in a few minutes, not even giving a chance to call their bit beasts, thus the match was already decided. The fight between Tala and Kane did not matter but Kane was still determined to do his best to defeat Tala. Sadly, right after they called out Wolborg and Cyber Dragoon, Tala quickly put an end to the match with a fast and harsh move. Even the audience sighed a loud "Oh!" that the fight ended sooner than they were expecting. Well, they didn't applause so eagerly for him.

"Tala proves again that he's here for the victory, not for the game and with an unstoppable move he takes away the chance from Kane to strike back." Jazzman summarized the last fight.

"I'm impressed. Tala, Boris and Sergei improved a lot since the last season." Kenny commented, adjusting his glasses in his brown hair.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The qualified teams of the A block is F-Dynasty, Miguel's Squad, Justice Five and Blitzkriegs! Tomorrow, we will see the B block fighting for the qualification. See you all tomorrow here! Good night."

"Oh, I thought for a minute I might have won the bet." Ray resignedly sighed while they were leaving the stadium.

"Nah, no chance." Max's cocky voice was similar to Tyson's. "But I admit, I too was scared for a minute when I saw the Russian girl losing."

"Is she really that bad? We saw today more new teams but all of them could launch properly." Hilary asked.

"I think she was nervous. I often see this mistake from beybladers who fight first time before audience."

Ray's observation was reasoning but Kenny still didn't agree with that.

"I think she was just pretending."

"What?" Ray asked back in such a tone which was rather a disturbed statement then a question but soon he became unsure. "You think she's just fooling us? To trick us and take her easily? Hm, it would be a very good strategy."

"I don't know, she seemed so ashamed. What do you think, Tyson?" Max turned to him because he became aware that the champion with his big mouth didn't say a word for a while.

"I dunno!" Tyson responded frustratedly like Max would ask a really difficult question then he grabbed Kenny.

"Can you talk with me, Chief? I want to ask you something about tomorrow's match."

"Hey, Tyson, don't you wanna meet with the Psykick?" Ray cut in.

"Yes, yes…. later!"

Kenny tried to resist at first but he quickly realized it was futile so he let Tyson drag with himself, flapping in the air like a flag after him. In a blink, Ray, Max and Hilary was left behind.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Max asked silently.

"Something's fishy."

And Ray decided he finds out what was going on.

-\\\oOo/-

"Good job, Boris, Sergei! Return to your room and rest until morning. I'm gonna wake you up for training at the morning." Tala said and the two tough boys nodded.
They started to the door and Alexa hesitantly followed them.

"I want to talk to you, Alexa." Tala's sharp voice didn't promise a light conversation.

Alexa stopped immediately like she got electroshocked. Before the door closed, Boris glanced to Alexa and mockingly smiled at him. As they left Tala got straight to the point.

"What was that?" He couldn't hide his suppressed irritation.

"You told me not to expose my skills yet. I did what you asked. Now, everyone thinks I suck. Everything as planned." Alexa answered, almost in a phlegmatic way.

"I clearly did not ask to disgrace the Blitzkriegs!" The captain bellowed.

Tala wanted to fold his hand on the blonde's neck and choke her for a few minutes until her lips became blue. But he resisted and instead, he took a deep, deep breath and exhaled.

"It's okay if you had a mistake now, we're only in the quarters. But I need you to be honest with me. Otherwise, I can't help and you put the team's winning chance at risk. Understand?"

Alexa barely visibly nodded. She listened to him with a soldier's emotionless face. It reminded Tala of the years spent in the Abbey.

"Did you purposely miss your launch?" Tala asked again.

"Yes." Her hesitated, stubborn reply.

Sadly but also fortunately, Tala also grew up in the Abbey so he knew very well this behavior. He knew he had to be patient, to give some time to Alexa to forget those years and accept that the Abbey's didn't exist anymore, although her stubbornness didn't make that easy. He got an idea.

"Have you ever beybladed in front of such a big audience? Or in a stadium?"

It happened barely in a sec but Alexa's eye flickered with fear and Tala could see his own past in her eye. As she didn't reply immediately Tala thought she was considering her possibilities, whether she could trust him enough to tell the truth. He knew a lot about trust and how hard to earn that from another person.

After a relatively long silence, Alexa admitted the truth.

"Only Balkov and several of his men saw me beyblading."

Tala thanked for her honesty with a short and silent nod, thinking hard to find a solution for this problem. He walked a circle in the room, Alexa was tensely watching him. At last, he made his decision and stood back onto the spot in front of Alexa.

"I'll speak with Mr. Dickenson. You're going to practice launching your blade here, in the stadium to get use to its hugeness. It know it's not the same without audience on the grandstand but we don't have that luxury. You will practice until you feel your launching is indefectible." He commanded.

"I understand." Alexa said audibly and Tala instantly knew he guessed well. She didn't ruin her fight intentionally. She just didn't know how to handle the pressure of the world championship, the stadium and audience gave her.

"Now, leave. Take some rest." He dismissed Alexa who obediently left the room.