Hiya, I guess I need to explain why this has taken so long.
There isn't anything wrong – It's just that I've been down ever since the summer holiday, sort of depressed. Maybe it was writers block, I mean, I would look at a computer screen for hours and not be able to type up a single sentence. I hope you're not too mad for me taking so long, but I would fully understand if you did.
Anyway, answers to the reviews.
Dancingwolf: Thanks for that review, I think that anyone who has the guts and point out the faults into another persons story has real character, and rest assured, I'll try to improve on Tyson's character and any other slip ups that have been noticed. By the way, I don't think I need calming pills.
Hiwatari fan: The demolition boys, with the exception of Tala, are out to get Kai soon, but I can't say more than that I'm afraid.
Reiven: Thanks for the suggestion, I was thinking about making the final battle a Kai/Tala, but I'm still thinking about other possibilities. Anyway, Tala will see Kai within the next couple of chapters, I think. And I'm not too keen on Tyson myself.
In general:
I just want to say again that I'm SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOO SORRY for not updating when I said I would, but I hope you forgive me!
I thank everyone for all the encouragement and the praise, although at the moment I don't really think I deserve it.
I'll add a lot more of Kai, and yes he'll meet Tala soon. Black Dranzer is brought out into the open soon and Bryan's plot begins to come together.
Apart from that, Justin will still be in the fic, watching all the fights, he is still a key player to this fic and I'm pleased people accepted him so easily.
Final note - 888 means scene change and Italics means thoughts.
Chapter 13 Drawn to the Darkness - Part 1
Kai, out of nothing more interesting to do, decided to follow his teammates. After all, Mr. Dickenson did tell him to train them today.
Not like they truly listen to me anyway. Kai thought, watching Tyson head straight for a group of rookies when he explicitly said to find worthy opponents.
I listen to you. A voice suddenly whispered.
His head snapped up, searching the crowded park in confusion. He could've sworn that he'd heard ...
I always listen to you Kai. The voice continued, every word echoing in the boys mind.
"I must be losing my mind." Kai mumbled, as he once again couldn't find a source to the mysterious voice.
No, you're definitely not losing your mind young Kai. Though it is funny that you think of that first.
"Who...?"
--Am I? The voice finished for the stunned youth, just a friend. Someone who understands your pain...
What is he on about? The question flashed through Kai's head, sharper than all the other chaotic thoughts and strangely enough, the voice answered.
Your confusion of course. Having a blank where your memories should be, wandering around the globe with a bunch of childish wannabees that will never compare with your skills; always alone...
Shut up! Kai thought venomously.
No matter where you go, feeling like you don't belong. The voice continued, a manic laughter ringing through Kai's ears as the chaotic mass known as Kai's thoughts and emotions pressed him for recognition. You make out that you hate the innocence displayed so freely on your teammates faces, when all along, you really envy them for it.
Shut up! Kai thought again, but this time the thought was weaker, shakier. Kai was frightened and began to panic, for his subconscious knew that every word the mysterious voice spoke rang true. Go away! Leave me alone!
Do you really want me to go Kai? The voice asked in a deceiving singsong voice, when I can help you fill in the blanks? Show you where you belong...?
You don't know anything about me! Kai's thought spat with anger get out of my head!
The mysterious voice sighed heavily, tutting at the bluenette. I can't do that...
Why not? Kai's thought interrupted harshly.
Because it is my destiny to show you the way home... The voice answered softly.
Kai glanced around him, the smiling faces of the children swarmed around the small beydishes stirred some intense emotion deep within him and his heart ached to stop the pain. He saw Tyson, goofy, pig-headed Tyson, screaming some sort of pre - battle nonsense and Kenny, sitting on the floor typing on his laptop, currently interjecting some useful piece of information. And there was Ray, the proud owner of the White Tiger, loyal, compassionate and currently trying to teach a group of infants how to launch correctly. Kai could hear laughter, and immediately knew that it belonged to Max, always enthusiastically happy, always on sugar-high and always the peacemaker. And where among these happy faces did he think he belonged? The answer was simple, simple yet surprisingly painful to hear. He didn't belong.
...Will you leave me alone after you've shown me? Kai asked slowly, finally coming to a decision.
Of course... The voice answered deceptively sweet. There was a magical tug of power surging to his left, and Kai - after a seconds useless struggling - felt compelled to follow the strong aura. And in the very back of his mind, he thought he heard the mysterious voice whisper, But only if you want me to go...
888
"BATTLE BLADE!" Tyson cried out, launching his blade into one of the small beydishes in the park.
Another beyblade, one that almost looked like crystal, flew into the dish from the other side. The small boy wielding the blade was smirking, his stance showing every confidence. Dragoon raced around the edge of the dish, the other blade following his every move. Tyson grinned.
The boy thinks he has me on the run? Well I'll show him!
"Dragoon! Go!" Tyson roared.
Dragoon flew away from the outer ring of the dish towards the dip in the middle. The boy cried out in alarm, for he couldn't follow the quick side move of the other blade. The boy's crystal blade was forced to follow his original path around the dish. Tyson, already having predicting this, made Dragoon cut across the centre of the playing field.
Suddenly Dragoon collided to the side of the crystal blade, nudging under the blade and flipping it into the air.
"YES!" Tyson cheered, already celebrating another victory. His opponent let out a wordless battle cry. Tyson halted his celebration in shock as he heard that animal cry, and roamed his eyes back to the crystal blade in surprise.
The bitchip began to glow sky blue in colour, emphasized by the crystal like blade. Then suddenly, the blade began to soar back towards the bey-dish like a shooting star. Tyson was shocked for only a split second, for the move seemed somehow so familiar to him...Time seemed to slow down.....
It's what Kai did to Max in the regional tournament... Tyson remembered, face lighting up in realisation.
Tyson remembered that match, he remembered how Max had seemingly won the match, and he remembered how Kai had beaten Max with his amazing turn-around. The crystal-blue blade was entirely focused on the centre of the dish where Dragoon was spinning on the spot. To anyone else in that situation, they would have been caught like a dear in the headlights, but for Tyson...
He's pinpointed the centre of the dish as his target. Right where Dragoon is ... But just maybe...
The blade spiraled closer and closer to him, building up momentum. Tyson waited patiently. Waited until the crystal blue blade was close enough...
"NOW! DRAGOON, PHANTOM HURRICANE ATTACK!" Tyson screamed into the silence.
Everyone, including his Russian opponent, were so caught up in the boy's surprising turn-around that it shocked them beyond comprehension to hear Tyson's command just a split second later.
What happened next was so fast that within two seconds it was over and smoke was flying everywhere. Dragoon suddenly shot to the rim of the dish, spinning faster and faster. The crystal blue blade crashed into the centre of the dish, wobbling as the cracked dish impacted hard with the blades balance. A tornado was soon created, and surrounded the seemingly helpless blade.
"COUNTER ATTACK!"
Something began to rise up from the bit chip, and the blade began to pick up speed once more. Tyson gaped in wonderment through the tornado. The bit beast looked like a person with wings. An angel perhaps? Or maybe a fairy? It didn't matter, as long as he, Tyson, defeated his opponent.
Whatever it was, slim arms began to slice through the layers of swirling wind like a knife through warmed up butter, weakening the attack.
"DRAGOON!"
The mighty dragon rose up from its bit chip, ready to serve its master. They both collided, and then it was all over. The dish had crumbled into nothingness, and there was smoke everywhere. No one could see anything for a few precious seconds, but when they did, only one blade was still spinning.
"ALRIGHT!" Tyson cheered, punching his fist into the air, "ANOTHER VICTORY GOES TO THE CHAMP!!!"
"That was absolutely amazing Tyson!" Kenny shrieked over the roaring crowd.
"You did well Tyson." Ray said, joining them, "I could see the fight from the other side of the training park."
Tyson rubbed his nose with a finger, his eyes glinting with pride, "Oh it was nothing Ray, someone as powerful, intelligent and good looking like me could have done the same."
Ray laughed, as did Kenny and Tyson; but it was cut short by a harsh voice.
"That was pathetic, you only just managed to defeat your opponent!" The cold, familiar voice snapped, "I also said to find a worthy opponent Tyson!"
Tyson froze, shocked at first then became furious.
"Why you--?!" Tyson spun around, ready to yell into his captains face, but instead came face to face with a smiling blond, ".............Huh?"
"Hiya Tyson." Max said through a giggling fit, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it. I had to see what it felt like to be like Kai for a few seconds......" Max had to stop talking and giggled again, "You were so funny .........!"
"MAXIE!" Tyson yelled at the top of his lungs, "THAT WASN'T FUNNY!!!!!!"
"Where is Kai anyway." Ray suddenly asked, golden orbs roaming around the bey-park, "He was here a few moments ago."
"Has he walked off again!" Tyson sighed dramatically, "For Gods sake, can't he just for once stick with the rest of us?!"
"Do you think Kai would have found some worthy opponent here?" Max asked sarcastically.
"So he just wonders off?!" Tyson asked angrily, "Well I say we find him and have a few words with our loner captain."
Then there was a trail of smoke, and Tyson was gone.
"Here we go again." Max said, sighing heavily. He glanced warily at Ray, then at Kenny, both who were feeling as unenthusiastic as he was. They all shrugged and followed their stubborn friend.
888
Meanwhile, back at the BBA branch, Mr. Dickenson sat in his office seemingly staring at the wood grains on the coffee table, when in fact, his mind was elsewhere.
He was thinking about the little boy who was sleeping in the next room, he was thinking about the boy's parents. Good friends of his they were, and friends with Destiny Hiwatari as well. Before she was murdered, that is.
Mr Dickenson slumped forward in exhaustion, letting his head fall into his clammy hands. How could he do that to his only child. Mr Dickenson thought in despair, How could you do such a thing Voltaire.....? You were such a great friend before, what happened to make you change so much .....?
Of course, there was no physical evidence to prove that those events took place, but Mr. Dickenson was so sure of this fact. Ying and Yang put the puzzle together for him that day when they first met. But there were still a few pieces that were missing.
Voltaire loved Destiny like no other, Mr. Dickenson remembered, then she got herself pregnant, I suppose that Voltaire hated the action. They must have had an argument to make him ignore her, but to what extent I have no idea. Then Kai was born, and Voltaire said to all that she died giving birth.
I know for a fact that that's a lie, Mr. Dickenson continued, screwing his face up in concentration, Ying and Yang told me that she ran to them with Kai. They told me how frightened she was ... They tried to help her, they said they were planning to send her to a little deserted cottage... They were making arrangements while Destiny stayed at their house, and then when they returned.......
A lonely tear trickled down the old mans face, sliding down his nose to rest on his spectacles as he remembered the exact moment he had been told .......
888 FLASHBACK888
"The whole house was destroyed." Vikki murmured softly, her eyes were glazed over with tears and Mr. Dickenson felt his heart break, "Everything was upturned. It looked like a tornado had rampaged through the entire house."
"We know for a fact that it was someone who knew what they were doing." Adam continued, grasping his wife's hand firmly. "They left no trace that either Destiny or Kai had ever been at the house. Not a trace...."
"Destiny was so frightened of Voltaire ....... but we had no idea as to why." Vikki whispered shakily, "She was so scared ... she couldn't put Kai down for a second, clutching him as if he would disappear if she did."
"The fact that Voltaire held Kai in his arms a couple of days later, telling the press how his daughter had passed away giving birth only confirmed our suspicions." Adam concluded, gritting his teeth with blind rage, "Destiny has been our friend for a long time, and we promised her that we would do everything in our power to protect them... Everything."
Mr. Dickenson stared at them in total shock, his frame was trembling slightly at the words the couple had told him sunk in. The couple watched the elder nervously, teetering on the edge as if they would bolt at any second. But they need not fear the old man.
"......You will need a lot of help." Mr. Dickenson finally said, focusing on the couple once more, "Ying and Yang, I will help you in anyway that I can ..... But tell me. How come it took you so long to come to me?"
"We were in hiding mostly." Adam answered immediately, "Voltaire's men were after us, and we only barely escaped, then of course we had to know if you were still friends with him, so we had to do some research."
"We have friends all over." Vikki answered Mr. Dickenson's unspoken question with a small smile, "People who are willing to help us."
888FLASHBACK888
"But you were pregnant at the time..." Mr. Dickenson breathed to himself, clutching his head, "And you didn't tell me...."
Of course not you old fool! A voice snapped angrily at him, You would never had allowed them to risk themselves if you knew there was a child involved. That's the whole point!
Mr. Dickenson knew that was the truth, they risked their lives to gather evidence to save Kai from Voltaire, only to pick up vague pieces of information here and there. And Voltaire had eyes and ears everywhere.
They risked everything. Mr. Dickenson sighed, Voltaire is clever, and a devious, malicious tycoon. Is it possible that he knew of there existence, did he know that they were spying on him? And if so ......... Is it possible that......?
"This was no accident" Mr. Dickenson remembered Kai saying, just moments after the train wreckage, "The train was sabotaged."
"But why?" There was only silence that answered his question, and smothering silence that slammed down on him. There was no definite answer, just like before. But he had a horrible suspicion that Voltaire knew that Ying and Yang were on that train; the fact that the Bladebreakers were there also was just a coincidence.
"Voltaire you didn't ......." Mr. Dickenson shuddered.
"Mr. Dickenson?" A cheery voice called.
Mr. Dickensn bolted upright, wiping his tear stained face with the back of his hand. He glanced to the door to the adjoining bedroom, and there was Justin, yawning and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Mr. Dickenson smiled at the innocent display and asked if he would like something to eat.
"Yes please." Justin answered around another yawn, padding across the office and pulling himself onto the sofa next to the manager.
"What would you like?" Mr. Dickenson asked, pulling the intercom closer to himself.
"MILK!" Justin squeaked happily, grinning at the jolly man with pure innocence radiating off of him.
"And what else?" Mr. Dickenson, chuckling at the boy's enthusiasm. Justin pursed his lips together and seemed to be thinking.
"Um ... Cereal?" He said, as if he were not really sure of himself. Mr. Dickenson nodded at Justin, then pushed a fat finger on the small button.
"Yes, Joyce." Mr. Dickenson said in his usual cheery voice, "Can I have a cup of tea, a plate of pancakes and syrup, and a bowl of cereal--!"
"Separate!" Justin interrupted, sitting on the edge of his seat. He added in an almost annoyed voice, "I can make my own breakfast!"
"Can you really?" Mr. Dickenson asked, pretending to be shocked.
"Kai taught me." Justin said, as if this explained everything. Mr. Dickenson just smiled at the youth before talking to the secretary once more.
"Can I have the cereal and milk separately too?" Mr. Dickenson asked. The secretary answered with the common Of course Mr. Dickenson! and Mr. Dickenson thanked her before ending the communication.
A few minutes later, Joyce entered the room with everything they had asked for. Mr. Dickenson thanked the woman politely as did Justin, and then they tucked into their breakfast. But not before half of the milk in the jug was poured all over the table.
888
Tala had been in a state that morning, withdrawn from everyone. He had refused anyone to enter his room and wouldn't talk to anybody. The only one who was permitted that morning was Bryan, but not by choice.
When Tala had woken up, it was to find Bryan uncomfortably sitting in the only chair of the room, snoring softly. As soon as he saw his teammate, he had remembered everything that had happened, and winced at the heart-breaking memories.
That slight noise had roused the pale Russian, and when Tala had asked the boy to leave, the other refused.
"Listen Tala, last night was awful for you, and I'm sorry you had to find out that way, but you wouldn't believe me!"
"Bryan, get out!" Tala snapped, he blamed the other boy as much as he blamed Kai and himself.
Bryan crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly and refused again. This resulted in Tala throwing himself out of the bed and charging at the other, which in turn caused a wrestling match to pursue on the floor.
"Tala! I am not going!" Bryan grunted as he forced himself on top of the struggling red-head, "As much as you hate to admit it, you need a friend at the moment, and I am not going!"
Tala couldn't understand why Bryan would say such things. After Kai's betrayal, Bryan had withdrawn in on himself, acting like some sort of machine. No one could persuade him to trust again, and now he was acting like a caring friend. The hypocrite pissed Tala off.
Tala slammed a fist into the others stomach and forced the other beneath him. "You bloody hypocrite! Don't you tell me what I need, you, the walking robot that refused any kind of human contact! You're no friend, so don't make out that you are! And don't you bloody tell me what I need!"
"Oh so who would you prefer to be here?!" Bryan yelled up at the red-head, their faces only inches apart, "That traitorous dog Kai! The one who brought us closer together, promised that we would stick together and that we would be alright, only to flee the moment he had a chance!"
Tala stared down at Bryan in total confusion, the other was filled with so much hatred and sadness.
"Don't make the mistake thinking that YOU are the only one Kai hurt when he abandoned us!" Bryan snarled, glaring up at Tala, "Don't think that I didn't care! He made me believe that there was more to life than surviving, hunting, and being hunted in return! He made me feel something that I had never felt before and then viciously ripped it away! Sometimes, I wished that he were dead, just so that I knew that he didn't leave by choice. But somewhere deep inside I think we all knew that Kai was still alive..."
Tala felt his eyes prickle in pain, his cheeks burning with shame. Yes, he was in pain. But what did it feel like for Bryan? He was the one who found Kai alive, and if what he said was true, Kai was merciless when he battled. Tala suddenly realised that he wasn't the only one feeling pain, that every member of H.O.P.E felt something the moment that there friend had vanished from sight. They were all grieving. And even though the knowledge made him feel guilty, he couldn't stop thinking about his own pain.
"I'm sorry Bryan." Tala murmured, leaning down and letting his forehead touch Bryans, "But even now it still hurts, I don't want my team to see my weakness."
Tala closed his eyes, trying with all his might to push the tears subside, but those treacherous droplets came crashing down anyway. He was afraid that Bryan would hate him, would push him away, would leave and never come back; just like Kai.
"It's alright Tala." He heard the other whisper gently, and felt the other wrapping his arms gently about his waist, "I don't know why I still feel these things, even after the huge betrayal we have all suffered, and even though I've tried so hard to block them out, I can't, and I still care about you, my friend."
And with that, Tala felt the slight pressure on the back of his head while the other arm smoothed his back. And before he knew what was happening, he was weeping on his friends shoulder, apologizing over and over again and crying his heart out.
888
After that episode, quite a while later, they had fixed themselves up; showing there proper appearance. Bryan had left to get ready for dinner, but only when he had his friends promise that he wouldn't lock himself in his room, and that he would go to lunch.
So with that promise in mind, Tala had plastered on his cocky features, and was now sitting beside Bryan at the dining hall.
Bryan was eating silently, listening to the argument over which training regiment was better for them, and why, that was going on between Ian and Spencer. He would discreetly glance at Tala every so often; just to make sure he was ok.
He seemed alright, judging by his appearance, but knowing by personal experience; it didn't mean much at all. Especially after this morning. Bryan thought to himself, I can't believe that I said all of those thing's to Tala, I must of sounded like a weakling! Well ...... at least he doesn't hate me for it....
He glanced at Tala again, who seemed to be solely focused on his food. Bryan stabbed at his as he vented out his anger. This was all Kai's fault! Bryan thought venomously, And I am going to make him pay!
"Excuse me, master Tala." A guard had stepped up to the table and was looking directly at the red-head, "But Boris wants to see you in his office."
"Thankyou. Tell Boris I'll be there in a minute."
The guard bowed his head respectfully, before turning on his heel and leaving. Spencer and Ian gave Tala worrying glances, fearing for the worst.
"It's nothing to worry about." Tala said confidently, rising from the table, " It'll probably be about the reports I gave to him yesterday."
At that, the other two relaxed marginally; but Bryan was still worried and before he could think things through, grasped Tala's arm. Tala turned to look at him, and could immediately tell that Bryan was still worried.
"Look, we'll talk afterwards alright Bryan." Tala said, gently pulling his arm out of Bryan's grip, "Meet me in my room after you've finished eating."
Bryan nodded somewhat reluctantly and let Tala leave, at least for the moment; many things had yet to be settled and Bryan hated things being up in the air. Tala left, and Bryan turned back to his meal to find Ian and Spencer looking at him quizzically.
"What?!" Bryan snapped.
"Nothing." Ian replied, before both of them hurried to finish their meals.
888
After taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Tala enters into Boris's office. Boris was sitting at his desk, eagerly scribbling down notes of some kind of important information.
"Good evening Tala." Boris said, looking up from the papers with glowing red eyes, "You are prompt, that is good!"
"You have taught us well Master Boris!" Was the automatic reply from Tala.
"Yes...." Boris mused loudly, smiling slightly at the compliment, "Indeed I have."
Tala waited silently as Boris finished his notes, knowing that he would speak when he was ready and not beforehand. After a few minutes, Boris shuffled the papers in a file and looked up at the red-head once more.
"I have something important to tell you." Boris started, rising from his chair and stepping up to his student, "A new recruit is coming tonight, a powerful ally."
"Sir?" Tala asked softly. Boris smirked and nodded.
"He will come... and he will join us. But there is a slight problem. That is where you come in."
"What do you need of me sir?" Tala asked, staring directly into those burning orbs and not flinching.
"I need you to keep watch tonight, I fear some impudent brats will come snooping around." Boris's lips twisted into a cruel smirk, "I need you to keep them busy.... until the new recruit has joined Biovolt."
"Pardon for my asking sir." Tala said cautiously, "But what does the new recruit have to do with a bunch of brats?"
"Well young Tala, the new recruit, is, how you might say, already taken." Boris answered, slowly circling Tala, "They might try to interfere with his return."
".......Return?" Tala asked slowly, knowing that questioning too much could lead to trouble but unable to stop himself, butterflies were beginning to flutter in the pit of his stomach as hope flared in him.
"Yes..." Boris answered, staring into the eyes of his main blader, "He has been on an important mission, but now he is coming home."
"Who?" Tala asked, the word coming out breathlessly, unable to dare to believe.......
Boris chuckled, and placed a cold hand on Tala's stiff shoulder. He leaned down so that his lips were almost brushing against Tala's wolfish ear, and whispered.
".....Why Master Kai, of course."
888
Kai had snuck into the Abbey, dressed as one of those pitiful guards, then shed the extra clothing, and had been running around the building for quite awhile.
What he had seen with his own eyes had made his mind chaotic once more. He could remember the training, the torture, the strictness and the fear of always being hunted. Kai trembled in terror, his mind felt like shutting down, but pure will kept his eyes open and his feet moving. His feet felt heavy as he walked and he felt like he would fall at any moment, so had his hand on the wall.
I-I remember. I know why this place haunts my dreams. I know why that man scares me.....
His eyes were wide with fear, his body shivering as he remember how the kids blade had been crushed under Boris's boot.
Grr ... You are not fit to Beyblade!
He heard the cruel voice, the harsh words with the underlining meaning of doom. He remembered the experiments he had been forced to endure, the shots and the whiplashes, the beatings and cold dread that tingled down his spine.
No! He refused to believe it, he refused to stay in this hellhole for another minute. He backed away from the wall, intending to escape unnoticed, until he walked straight into someone else.
Kai spun around, shaking and gaping at the man before him.
"Did I frighten you, young Kai?" The man asked, and Kai shook his head slowly, not understanding what he was seeing. "You look like you've seen a ghost." The man continued.
The man began to chuckle and pulled down his hood and placed over his eyes a mask that had haunted him for so long.
"Well Kai." The man said, raising his voice, "Remember now!"
"B-Boris!" Kai stuttered, stepping back. His knees were wobbling and couldn't support his weight. He fell to the ground, kneeling before Boris as memories came flooding back in a tidal wave of misery and torture. "I grew up, in this abbey..."
888 End of chapter 13 888