Here's chapter 11. It's re-uploaded because of a mistake. I'm a perfectionist, so when I see a mistake, I have to correct it.
There hadn't been any news of Black Dranzer for almost a week and the team was taking full advantage of the peace and quiet. They still trained of course, but not to the same degree as before. Kenny and Emily still kept in regular contact and Ray had begun communicating with Mariah (and the other White Tigers) through letters. Max and Mariam had even gone out on a date, but neither had announced that they were an official couple yet.
Tyson and Hilary's relationship was relatively the same, though ever since Hilary had been released from the hospital, Tyson had been more protective of her than usual (if possible) and more affectionate. Kai and Tala seemed to have gotten a little closer as well. They were frequently seen together, talking about random subjects and Kai acted warmer towards his teammates (on occasion).
Max was currently fixing something to eat when he heard the phone ring. Picking it up, he heard his mother's voice on the other end.
"Hey mom!" he said cheerfully.
"Hi Max. Listen, there's something you need to know. It's about Black Dranzer."
"What about it? Nothing's been in the news for a while now."
"That's what I want to talk about. I've been doing a lot of research on Black Dranzer and I think I know why it hasn't been seen lately. Since it's no longer inside of its beyblade, it's no longer in spirit form. From what Mr. Dickenson told me, the White Tigers were able to seriously damage Black Dranzer before they were defeated and since it's capable of being damaged in the real world now, I think that Black Dranzer has gone into hiding to heal itself."
"Wow. But if that's true, it'll be back to full strength eventually."
"I know and I think I have an idea on how to defeat him for good. I can't say anymore. Mr. Dickenson has the details and he should contact you soon. Bye honey."
"Bye mom."
Later that same day, everyone was once again in Mr. Dickenson's office.
"Hello everyone. I understand that Judy has informed you of the situation with Black Dranzer."
"So what's this new strategy she's come with?" Ozuma asked.
"You know that Black Dranzer is no longer confined to its beyblade which gives it complete freedom to roam around. Judy believes that this ability gives Black Dranzer an advantage over any bit-beast that tries to challenge it."
"In what way?" Max asked.
"All bit-beasts in our world as far as we know are confined to some object and therefore can only move with the help of a human. In the case of beyblades they have more freedom when they are called upon by the blader, but still they are restricted by what the balder commands their beyblade to do. Black Dranzer is the only exception to this rule and does not suffer from such limitations."
"So you're saying that if the Bladebreakers and the Saint Shields release their bit-beasts from their beyblades, they can have the same freedom to move around as Black Dranzer," Hilary said.
"Exactly."
"But according to what Hilary and I read, if we release the bit-beasts, they'll return to their own world or just wander around. They'll no longer be under our control," Kenny said.
"Wait a minute Kenny, the article said in order for the bit-beasts to even be released, they have to have a very strong bond with the blader," Hilary told him. "I would think that if it were necessary, the bit-beasts would still fight with their partners."
"But we don't know that for sure and with the situation the way it is, we can't afford to take a risk like that," Hiro said.
"Well then, we have to find out and fast," Tala said. "We don't know when Black Dranzer will reappear again and we can't go in without a plan."
"I already know the answer," Kenny said. "The only time one would release a bit-beast is if they want to end the relationship which would mean that once it's happened, that human no longer has any ties to the spirit."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that…" Hilary muttered, feeling foolish.
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Mariam asked.
"I'm afraid I don't know the answer," Mr. Dickenson said.
"Maybe there is one thing," Ozuma said. "The chief of our village knows all the legends of the sacred spirits. Maybe there's something that explains what happens when a spirit and its partner sever their bond."
"That's right!" Joseph said.
"But the old village is in Romania," Dunga said. "What if Black Dranzer comes out while we're over there?"
"It's a chance we have to take," Kai said.
"I'll arrange for you to leave in two days. I wish you all luck," Mr. Dickenson said.
When they got back to the dojo, Hilary stopped at the gate while everyone else went inside. Once everyone was inside the dojo, she turned and started toward her own house. No one noticed her leaving.
Later that evening, there as a knock at the Tatibana residence. Hilary's mother answered the door. Tyson, Ray, Max, Kenny and Kai were there.
"Oh hello everyone. I assume that you're here to see Hilary. She's up in her room."
"Thanks," Tyson said.
The five went up and found Hilary lying on her bed, though she was clearly awake.
"Hil, is anything wrong? Why you'd leave without telling us?" Tyson asked.
Hilary sighed and pulled herself into a sitting position. She turned to face her friends.
"I'm not going," she said flatly.
"What?" Tyson asked, not sure what she was talking about.
"Look, I'm sorry for worrying you, but I'm not going," Hilary repeated.
"Going where?" Kenny asked, just as confused.
"You're all going to Romania to find this village elder, aren't you? I'm not going with you."
"What are you talking about? Of course you're going," Tyson said.
"No Tyson, I'm not. I went on a mission with you not too long ago, and look what happened. My presence put me and everyone else in danger and culminated in the release of Black Dranzer. I'm not taking that risk again."
"Hilary, you said yourself that there was nothing anyone could do to stop it from happening," Tyson said.
"Yes, and that's true. I had no way of knowing that he was after me until it was too late. Now that I know, I'm not putting myself in that situation again. I'm not putting all of you in that situation again. Besides, you don't really need me. You're the ones who do the fighting; I'm just on the sidelines. It's not that I don't think of my role as important, but in this case, it would better if I stayed behind."
"Maybe she's right," Kai said. "After all, Boris might still consider her a target and if so, going with us would put her in danger again."
"Boris has no idea about what we're doing though," Ray said. "Black Dranzer is out of commission for now so her going with us would be safe."
"But we don't know how long it'll stay dormant," Hilary countered. "If it attacks, we'd all still be in danger and I'm the one who released it so I might be targeted. I just don't want to take any chances."
"If that's your choice, then okay," Max said. "We just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Thanks for your concern, but I'm fine."
"I guess we'll see you later," Kenny said.
Tyson still looked upset, but left with the others.