Goodness me... Goshi... ZOMG... Eek... Okay, enough of that. After some very decisive thinking (My brain hurts -ow-) I've decided to write and post another chapter of DLNOW, purely because, I kinda miss writing it, I've worked so hard on it and it would be a shame to let it go because it was my first fic after all... So, my oh so lovely reviewers, I guess this chapter is down to whether I continue or not. I know this sounds a bit desperate, but it's all down to how much feedback I get. The more I get, the more I know there is actually a POINT to carrying on. After all this is written for you. XD
And remember:
"Speaking."
'Thinking.'
Fern: OMG, I'M LIKE, BACK!
Me: Uhm, maybe. Depends how it goes. Oh. AND YES I WAS ANGEL NEKO-JIN ONCE. I'm Angel Sakura x now peeps.
Kai: Sucky name.
Me: Shuttup.
Dance Like No One's Watching
Chapter 25- Beginning of the End?
Waking up with a yawn, Fern sat up. With a stretch and a couple of moments to liven up, the following night's events rolled into her head like a video. A very visual video.
She blushed and smiled to herself. She could still taste his unusual minty-fresh breath, and the way his strong protective arms would wrap around her like he didn't want to let go. The only question was... how was Kai feeling about it this morning?
He wasn't in bed, in fact, the only people in the room were her and Tyson. He was sleeping rather loudly, pressing loud snores into his wet pillow.
"Hey Tyson and Fern aren't up yet! The bus is picking us up in half an hour!" Max's voice was heard from the next room. Fern narrowed her eyes and jumped out of bed. She had got in late last night so it was no wonder she was sleeping in so late... but Tyson, however, was just plain lazy.
"I'll go wake them..." Kai's voice came to light and immediately Fern froze. If he came in here now it would be their first meeting since last night.
'Man, this sure is gonna be awkward...' Fern sighed to herself, quickly brushing her hair and pulling down her nightgown that was tangled with her pants. She busied herself in her draw, grabbing a pile of clothes, just as she felt a presence walk in to the room.
Her green eyes slid shut, her heart thumping like a crazy techno beat. It was Kai, she knew it...
"T-Y-S-O-N-!"
Fern jumped out of her skin, releasing a little yelp. What the hell?
"WHAAAAA!" Tyson rolled over with a start and travelled off the bed, landing on the ground and a giant crack was heard. Probably a few of his bones, Fern thought, still in shock. She stared at Kai, who was stood leaning over Tyson. He had obviously shouted in his ears at the top of his lungs.
"JE-SUS CHIRST KAI! What you tryin' to do, deafen me!? Prat!" Tyson cried, rubbing his ribs. He was going to sue Kai if anything was broken. He stood up, glaring at the smug-looking Kai.
Fern managed to crack a smile. 'Charming...' She giggled to herself.
"Now, get dressed, get washed, Ray has got breakfast waiting for you." Kai said simply, folding his arms.
Tyson threw his arms up in the air dramatically. "Oh great, you could have just nudged me!" He cried, still smothering his ribs with rubs. "What gives you the right to do that!?" Kai rolled his eyes, knowing Tyson was never going to drop this. So in an attempt to get him out of the room, Kai told him his breakfast would get cold.
Still in PJ's, Tyson rushed through the open curtain which Kai closed shortly after him, finally realising he was actually hungry.
Fern looked down at the floor. It was just him and her. 'Did he try to get rid of Tyson on purpose... to talk to me alone..? It mustn't be good then...' She looked up, gulping, finding it hard to stare into the crimson eyes of the guy she got pretty intimate with.
"Kai, listen-"
He cut her off, to her surprise. "No, I want to say something." She bit her bottom lip. She could only prepare herself for the worst. Being let down, the feeling she never wanted to feel. "Last night was... strange. It went beyond both our imaginations."
Fern could just cry. Her eyes dazzled with water, tears screwing up in them already. She couldn't believe it. He was going to turn her down, she knew it. After everything that had happened, last night she finally thought it was going to be different. It changed her completely. There was no denying it now. She liked him. A hell of a lot.
"And that's why... just because I believe in exceptions," Kai took a deep breath. "I just want to say... thank you."
The read head stared at him in wonder. Her eyes were wide and disbelieving. What did he mean by that? Thank you for what? She coughed, clearing her throat, trying to find her voice. "So.. you... don't... regret it then?" She squeaked.
Suddenly Kai smirked. Fern's hand was almost shaking. Appearing frozen and overwhelmed, her eyes remained clasped on him, her mouth open slightly. She could only ask herself what he was thinking, what all of this meant right now.
"Fern," Kai closed his eyes for a moment. "I don't regret it. I don't regret any of it... BUT, you must understand this. I have a reputation, you don't. It's only fair for you to respect that, then maybe... just, maybe..."
Fern's mouth heaved open like a yawning hippos. Now she really did feel like crying. She jumped up and down excitedly on the spot. "Oh Kai, Kai! Maybe... do you mean it?! Is this..." Kai silenced her with his hand.
"Quiet..." He left a convincing smile on his lips. With that, he turned around. Fern's voice was lost yet again, and all she could bring herself to do was stare at him as he left the room, drawing the curtain behind him.
'That... smile...' She suddenly let out a funny noise, like a squeak and a scream mixed in one. 'Is this for real?' The most brightest smile crawled over her lips, and she flashed her teeth, ecstatic. She just couldn't understand why he didn't regret it. It was so unlike Kai, yet maybe... he had changed. Maybe this time, she really had brought him out of his shell.
'Werex! I think... I think... I really like him!' She beamed happily to her bitbeast, dancing around the room.
'What I knew all along, Fern...' Her wise bitbeast laughed back, causing Fern to blush. 'But, please. It's a bit of a nuisance really. What about Black Pele? The tournament starts today. What are you going to do?'
Fern's head dropped. Her smile faded into a disheartened frown. The mention of her always sank her heart. 'I... I'm going to take her to the tournament. I have no choice.. her power.. it's... I don't want to risk anyone's life, and I'm going to shove her in Flint's face.'
'Or try to,' Said Werex.
'Thanks for the vote of confidence,' Fern sighed, beginning to get dressed.
Werex pulled to her defence. 'You and I both know.'
'When I figure out a way around this, I'll let you know. Right now I don't care. I won't know anything until... the time comes. We'll just have to wait.' Fern said absently, pushing Werex from her thoughts. She was having such a good morning too, until that problem was back into her thoughts. She growled suddenly and ran her fingers over her face, digging them in. She knew she was struggling coming up with ideas to dispose of the blade. Thinking about it made her head hurt...
She sighed and got dressed quickly, rushed to the toilet then joined the gang in the main room. Tyson and Max were running around excitedly, while Kenny was directing them to stop along with Dizzi. Kai was sat in front of the TV, though not watching it of course. He had his eyes closed and his thoughts were left subconscious. Ray was sat at the table with Driger in his hands. He looked nervous, fiddling around with it while appearing unaware of the loudness from Tyson and Max.
Tyson spotted Fern and waved."Oh hey Fern! Big day for us huh! Make sure you give us the biggest support a team could ask for!" Ray, Kenny and Max looked at Fern.
There was no way she could let them down. With Black Pele in her pocket, she shifted a guilty smile. "Of course. Hehe. It's getting serious now.. just... make sure you beat the Blade Warriors, okay?"
Tyson stuck up his thumb. "A-OKAY!"
"You want something to eat?" Ray asked, grinning nervously. He wasn't the only one who was nervous. She physically didn't feel like eating. She felt sickness in her stomach, like her nerves were teasing her.
She shook her head quickly. "No thanks, I'm not hungry..." She began grinding the bottom of her T-shirt. 'I don't deserve anything.'
The small but cosy BBA bus arrived on time and before they all knew it they were on their way... to possibly one of the most daunting battles they might ever have to face. Even Tyson was showing some stress, having gone through about twenty sheets of paper trying to come up with simple strategies.
Tyson sat next to Kenny at the back, while Max and Ray were in front of them. Finally Fern and Kai sat at the front in undoubted silence. It was no secret that he was probably pretty nervous too. Like he ever was going to admit it though.
"You.. nervous?" She asked, swallowing hard.
Kai raised a closed eye at her and opened it, staring at her from the corner. His eyebrows raised when he noticed her hands were shaking within Werex's grip. Realizing he had noticed her uneasiness, she slipped her hands into her trouser pockets.
"No. But it looks like you are," He stated, unfolding his arms and resting one over his head, touching the back of the seat. Fern looked away from him, wanting to laugh. She had kissed those perfect lips. How could she ever look at him seriously again?
"I'm just scared for you, that's all," She smiled, looking back up at him with her amazing eyes.
'Hmmm...' Kai took advantage of this moment to stare at the colour of her eyes. They looked like something drawn from the sky, like a burning star.
"So, are you nervous?" She repeated again.
"I already told you no," He said again, this time with a smile to go with it. She looked shocked at this, so Kai dropped his smile. "You're an exception."
Fern giggled. "Oh really? Well that's great, because when you smile for me, your eyes shine. Seriously, do it more often." Her voice lowered so no one behind them could hear. "And... when you kiss, I can feel your smug smile on my lips." She licked her lips like a hungry tiger, letting a soft purr leave her lips. "It's nice."
Kai's eyes widened a little at this. He had never talked like this before, and yet now he was finally beginning to see why people did. It was kind of.. fun, he sighed to himself.
"I don't usually find the fun in annoying fan girls whispering out of order things into my ear..." He spoke with a tinge of amusement in his voice. Fern giggled and moved her head closer to Kai, pleased there was no gaps in these type of chairs so they were totally alone.
He turned and faced forward again as her head slid beside his ear jokily. "But remember, I'm no fan girl. I'm a tiger fan." Kai rolled his eyes and suppressed chuckling in order to prevent attention from his team mates.
"A tiger fan huh?"
"Yup... tiger," She grinned, moving away from his face now, feeling her cheeks impale with flushing. Suddenly, a serious face turned on, looking at him lightly. He stared back in wonder. "You really don't know do you?"
"Know what?" He asked, unable to avoid her green gaze, catching the hint of red burst through like a shooting star.
"You really don't know how special you are," Fern whispered, feeling another bridge of pink travel over her nose. Kai's face appeared unmoved, although the slight movement in his blood-red eyes showed her he was awed. "You're a great guy really, when you're not being a jerk." She giggled and he cracked a smirk. "Inside. Deep inside, you're caring really, aren't you? You care..."
"Look at all the people! It looks like the whole of America has turned up!" Tyson's voice broke their moment much to her disappointment. They looked out of the window to see what the fuss was. On the opening day, there was alot of people, so everyone half expected there to be the same amount. How wrong they were.
Outside, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of people stood covering the streets of Long Island, cheering and waving manically, seen from their luminous yellow bus. Lots of people were holding signs of admiration, including little dedications to Max and pictures of Kai with giants red hearts around him and huge banners that read "Tyson's Our Man." and there was even shouts for joy for Ray and Kenny among the fan girls.
There was a group of boys holding a huge banner reading "We want more Fern". For some reason, she nearly fell off her seat. How the hell had they gotten hold of her name in the first place?
Tyson and Max were laughing manically at her. She sent them a powerful glare, managing to shut them up. They still couldn't apprehend the crowd size. It was twice the size as it was a few days ago, and that sure was big.
"I'm getting butterflies," Fern said worriedly, the size of the crowd intimidating her eyes.
"Yeah, well, I'm having kittens!" Kenny groaned.
"I'm bricking it," Max joined in.
Tyson rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, I get the picture. You're all nervous, apart from me. I can handle this." He stood up in his seat and waved enthusiastically to the crowd, causing their cheers to become more and more rowdy.
"Nice going Ty, they're literally gonna jump on us when we step out of here. Poor Kai..." Kenny said with feeling, thinking of all those fan girls he seemed to attract each year.
Tyson huffed. "Poor Kai my butt. There's more girls screaming for me than him," He said loudly enough so Kai could hear. Fern giggled and glanced at Kai who was ignoring Tyson's comments with ease.
The bus pulled around the corner and rode in to the stadium grounds. The stadium stood heavenly above in the clouds, looking down on the bus with such radiance it was as though the building itself was routing for them. Another bus was parked nearby. 'They must already be here...' Fern guessed, narrowing her eyes as she felt Black Pele in her pocket dig against her leg.
The grounds were free from fans thankfully for Ray who was really feeling the pressure now, and with that, they stepped off the bus and were greeted with thousands of rowdy fans behind the great barrier that looked like it was about to collapse any minute. Fern gulped and held onto Kenny's arm.
"There sure is alot of them.." She said, sending nervous grins at the fans, Tyson waving like mad and Ray stood smiling at them, winking occasionally at the girls who called out his name. Max was stood beside Tyson, enjoying the attention. Kai stood away with his arms closed, as per usual.
Mr Dickenson was coming towards them with a smile on his face. Tyson waved and grinned. "Hey Mr. D!"
The old man stopped in front of them. "Now boys, let's go inside before you're crushed with those giant banners. Goodness knows what they're going to do with them afterwards, but we're going straight into the arena. The Blade Warriors are there now. After that we'll let the fans in and that's it! The beginning of the final!"
Tyson punched his fist through the air. "Alright, haha! Let's do this! And win!" The Bladebreakers followed Mr. Dickenson into the stadium, leaving behind lots of fans who screamed their names as though they were dying. Walking down the corridor into the arena, Fern felt her stomach really churning now. This was it. The guilt swallowed her immensely, she could hardly keep herself walking in a straight line. She wanted to throw up right then.
The stadium, as experienced before, was simply enormous. Across from their stand was another, with blue curtains drawn along. Mr. Dickenson led them to their stand which also had pull-along curtains. "Talk about luxurious," Tyson muttered.
Mr. Dickenson gladly heard. "Yes, it may well be, but this is part of the plan. You're going to remain in these boxes with the curtains closed. When your team is announced, you'll step out. It's unexpected and the fans'll love it."
"Hmmm, really?" Ray asked, a little unsure.
"Scared?" They swung their heads around in the direction of the sneered voice. The Blade Warriors stepped out of their stand, blades in hands, looking almost too prepared.
Tyson glared and hung his fists out. "Not at all. But I think you should be!" Ray and Max stepped side-by-side of Tyson, their arms folded, backing him up all the way. Uncheerful laughter erupted from the Warriors, standing alot more sophisticated than them.
Fern's legs turned to jelly in fear. Her green eyes were shot open wide, a gasp leaving her mouth. She took a step back behind Kai. He stood ruthlessly, sending looks that if could kill, would tear those Blade Warriors apart.
"I doubt, highly. You know you can't win. So why not hand over your bitbeasts now to save yourselves from a thrashing? Humiliation, is the worst form of feeling anyone could hold," Flint, the leader, spoke in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Bitbeasts? Oh, so that's what you want!?" Tyson cried. "Dream on!"
Fern's jaw fell to the ground. 'How... How DARE THEY! Demand their bitbeasts in front of them!? Am I just a joke to them!? It's like they're just toying with me!'
The red head stepped forward and yelled. "SHUT UP! Who do you think you are? Please enlighten me! Because all I see are waste of spaces with the intelligence of a friggin' sloth! Oh, and that's an insult to the sloth's."
Max smiled competitively. 'Woa, go Fern.'
Rio, Alex and Sam glanced at each other with dangerous-looking expressions pouting in her direction. Alex ran his slender fingers through his blue hair, then placed his hand on his hip. "Watch your mouth."
Rio pulled his long, dark blue jacket closed and held it there. "And who do you think you are? Small, puny. Little rat. You're a pointless edition to that team. You make it look even more pathetic. I don't suppose... you want them to know?"
Fern's eyes widened, her breath officially lost in her throat. Before Tyson could throw a punch at one of them, Mr. Dickenson coughed loudly and stepped in. "Alright, alright. That's enough thank you. Positions please, the fans are about to be let in..."
Kai narrowed his eyes at the opposing team. 'Want us to know.. what?' Nobody else seemed to notice except him, while they just sent deathly gazes.
The sniggering laughter of the Blade Warriors echoed throughout the quiet stadium whilst turning around and heading back towards their box. Fern watched, a worried expression on her face. She couldn't help, she just lost it. The fact was now, she would have to watch her mouth if she wanted to keep her friends from getting hurt. Tyson finally turned around and lowered his fists. "Are you okay!?"
Fern's green eyes flashed in guilt. They looked so sad, like all happiness had been drained from them, when a colourful rainbow is washed away with dead end rain. He had never seen her look so upset. "I'm fine, let's just do this okay? Just win." A smile finally found her lips.
Tyson smirked back and nodded. "Right." Ray and Max smiled too, and the whole team took their place behind the curtain. Eventually after tickets were taken, crowds of people could be heard entering the stadium. Ray desperately needed the toilet for the third time today, his nerves not hesitating to show.
Kenny was shaking like a little bunny, clutching onto Dizzi. "Okay guys, who's going first? By the look on these guys, I'm sure they're the type to use the best 'till last. Who wants to be up against Flint?"
"Me!" Tyson raised his hand. "I'll go last." Kenny nodded and typed into Dizzi. Fern sat at the end of the row next to Ray who was desperately fiddling with Driger now. Max was feeling a bit sick, and Kai was.. just Kai.
"Can you imagine the size of that crowd..." Max said nervously, taking Draciel out from his belt and looking down at his shining bit chip. "All of those people... I've never been to such a big stadium before. Why have they built this so big?"
"Seriously guys, this isn't the time. We only have a few minutes to decide who's up first. I know it's daunting but whatever it takes, we have to win this if we want to proceed to the world championships!" Kenny explained, seeming exasperated.
Max sighed. "Okay, I'll go up first! May as well get it over with! Because straight after I'm grabbing us some cake!"
Everyone laughed. Kenny giggled, "Hehe, okay Max. Sugar might calm our nerves a bit... Kai, will you go second? It might settle everyone's worry if you show your intentions." Kai opened his crimson eyes and nodded briefly. He caught eye contact with Fern, who, shone her eyes at him in return of a soft look. "So that leaves Ray third then... and Tyson last. Great, it's sorted!"
The voice of DJ Jazzman escaped to their ears, announcing the start of the final of the American tournament. Fern held her stomach in her arms, clutching it like she was in deep, nauseating pain. 'This is just awful... what am I supposed to do?'
"Helloooooo and welcome to the final of the American Tournament Folks!" He announced, gladly rising the crowd into an even bigger hype. When hearing their vicious roars, Fern just held onto her tummy tighter, her eyebrows falling as though she was in pain. "What a flashy new stadium huh! Ok! Why not introduce our FINALISTSSSS!"
"This is our game," Kai sighed and drew the long, blue curtain, watching the faces of the audience drawl into amazement. And thus, the whole stadium was in view of the Bladebreakers, the noise of the cheers draining through them, literally. Fern wanted to faint. Not just because of the size of the crowd, but the little number in her pocket too. Tyson, Max and Ray stepped out along with Kai, while Fern and Kenny curled up together on the bench, staring at the crowd in intimidation.
Tyson waved enthusiastically at the crowd while Max grinned sheepishly and Ray just smiled away his nerves. "THE BLADEBREAKERS!" DJ Jazzman announced, and another roar of cheers erupted. "And now... in the other corner..."
Flint, Alex, Sam and Rio stepped out of the curtains and walked out a few steps, their hard, scary muscles clenching as the grips on their blades tightened. "THE BLADE WARRIORS!" Strings of shouts echoed from the crowd, though wasn't anywhere near as loud as the cheer the Bladebreakers had gotten. Tyson smirked and Max stuck his tongue out at them, making Rio clench his teeth. He was known to have a bad temper.
"Alright, let's get this thing starteddd!" DJ Jazzman yelled through his microphone. In front of them, turning from a small, silver bowl, the dish swivelled around like a rotating windmill and moulded into the ground, finally exposing a much bigger, complicated dish. It was still shiny and silver, but spikes were layered on the outside, sharpening together like knives pitching together.
The audience including the teams, grimaced to the sound. "Welcome to Spikegrid. It's simple- if the spikes touch your blade, you lose. If you're knocked out the dish or you stop, you lose. Now, shall we get this show on the road!?" The crowd shouted back in agreement. "Okay! Will the first competitors PLEASE step forward!!"
Max stepped forward with his blade and launcher in hand, smiling to himself. He had a feeling this was going to be easy. He had faced much harder obstacles than spikes before.
Flint, the team leader, ruffled in dark, chocolate hair seductively. He smirked to himself and walked forward, whisking his blade in his fingers as though taunting. Max gasped along with his team, even Kai. Flint was first? 'What type of strategy is that? They're wasting their best blader probably.' Max's blue eyes flashed in worry. So, this wasn't going to be easy after all.
"Max! I know you can do it!" Ray and Tyson shouted together in confidence. Max turned around and smiled at them, then walked towards the dish in line with Flint.
"This sure is exciting," DJ Jazzman wheezed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Okay, BLADERS READY!" Max and Flint pointed their launchers at the dish. Hearts beating, the countdown began, " 3-2-...1!"
"LET IT RIP!" Max and Flint yelled so their voices could be heard over each other's. In a flash their blades were ripped off their ripcords and thrown into the dish, the voices of their fans screaming to no end.
Tyson, Ray and Kai sat back down at the stand, watching on tensely as the battle began. Flint's new and transformed blue blade, packed with a dangerous new attack ring, bounced around the dish like a rocket out of control, gliding along the rim dangerously, missing the spikes by a mile. Max gulped to himself and his green blade slid around, his speed nothing compared to Flint's.
'But he must have a weakness,' Max thought, sending his blade crashing towards the edge, trying to avoid the popping-up spikes desperately. Flint smirked as his blade rammed into Max's, sending it right to the opposite end of the dish! Max's blue eyes widened, his blade just touching the edge when it rolled back down. He earned himself a cheer from the crowd for staying focused.
"You'll have to do better than that Maxie," He mocked, having heard his team mates call him that. Max scowled and forced his blade towards Flint's. The blue blade scarcely dodged the clash and wriggled around the upcoming spikes that rose from the dish, which almost stabbed Max's in the process. Draciel turned the corner and went for Flint again, successfully capturing Levhell off guard close to the edge.
He was about to hit the opposition with such a clash it would be the end for him. Out of nowhere, Flint's blade suddenly devised a quick twist and turned around, swapping places with Max. Everyone's faces froze as Levhell closed in on Max's blade. Max screamed inside, his heart thumping out of his body. 'I can't lose! No, not to him!'
"DRACIEL!! Gravity Control!" With a burst of brilliant light that scarred the eyes of every person in the stadium, a great, purple turtle formed from the sparks of radiance. Quickly, a whirlwind of water appeared and defended the struggling green blade, successfully blocking Flint's attack.
The ruffian frowned. "Alright then, if that's how you want to play it. LEVHELL!" A wave of blue light erupted from the devil beyblade, much brighter than Max's was. A giant snake slithered from the blue light, hissing under it's panting breath. The leviathan towered over Draciel, wrapping it's deadly body around the turtle and squeezing, echoed cries coming from the tortured turtle.
Max gasped. "DRACIEL!" He cried, clutching his sweating forehead.
Tyson gripped onto the edge of the bench, his dark eyes wide and encouraging. "MAX! Pull yourself together! DO SOMETHING!" Max spun around and stared in fear at Tyson, and the rest of the team, who looked on with their eyes praying for his triumph. Draciel was still being strangled by Levhell, the deadly sniggering of Flint steering Max into white hot anger.
He spun his head back onto the match and it was a whole new turn for him. It was like his whole body burst into flames, an unknown bravery appearing from absolutely nowhere. "FLINT, THAT'S IT! GO DRACIEL!" Concentrating with every cell in his brain, he managed to allow Draciel a grip of strength. Slowly, the turtle's arms began to shake, rocking the snake steadily away from him. "Yes.. go.. Draciel... GO!" The giant turtle erupted from the leviathan's grip, a loud cheer bursting from the crowd and Levhell was shot away, releasing a hiss of annoyance.
Flint glared at Max for a moment, though to his surprise, he grinned suddenly. Max drove his blade away from Flint's, keeping it steady and spinning in the middle of the dish. "Levhell... Ice Blast!"
Tyson's jaw fell open. "Ice Blast?! That doesn't sound at all good!" Fern looked at Tyson anxiously. She sure hoped he was wrong...
A sudden gush of light formed around Levhell and it's muscles began to grow, bigger and bigger, as well as it's scales that formed into giant icicles. Max shook his head hastily, bringing his attention back onto his own blade. He had to avoid this attack, no matter what. Suddenly, the icicles from the leviathan's scales made a pinging sound, popped out of his skin and shot towards Draciel.
Max took quick action. "GRAVITY CONTROL!" Another sea of water formed around the bitbeast's body, blocking all vital parts that could end the match. The icicles bounced off the water barrier and retreated back onto Leviathan's skin, slowly forming back into scales.
Flint snarled again, and Max laughed, sticking out his tongue yet again. Tyson was heard cheering and applauding in the background. Slowly, the water barrier drained away and Draciel was left open again.
Slit.
Max stopped. His scared blue eyes fell onto Draciel. Suddenly, everything built up inside earlier fell. He couldn't believe it. The whole crowd fell into a numb silence, the quiet roar of Draciel falling to the ground flashing through Max's eyes. Over and over. The giant icicle that had slid straight through Draciel's shell remained strong and hard, slowly transforming back into a scale. "D...D..." Max fell to his knees. He stared at the floor, gasping for breath, feeling the terrible pain of loss within his heart.
"Silly boy. You didn't see it coming. The icicles that bounced off before were just that, a failure. But you didn't see the sneaky one did you? You were too involved with yourself," Flint said pityingly, showing no mercy towards him. Finally, Draciel returned to Max's out-of-power blade, shallowed in pain. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of him." Max looked up in shock, tears running down his face.
"No, please... don't..." He begged, using one hand to wipe away the falling tears. For a second, it was almost as though Flint felt for him and considering his beg. His cold, fearless brown eyes stared at him in deep pity. He thought he was pathetic.
"Begging? Pfft. Please don't humour me," Flint smirked at the distraught boy. Max's head fell back to the ground, his eyes firing in pain. His tears pattered against the floor.
His team mates were still grieving, mixed with complete surprise. Max's feelings could be felt in each and every one of them, watching the heart-feeling scene as their friend broke down into tears. Tyson felt himself on breaking point. Water welled up inside his eyes. The tension between them was silent and bleeding, including the audience, who were rubbing their eyes, wondering what the hell happened.
DJ Jazzman looked very awkward as Flint's blade shone brightly and grasped the energetic energy from Max's blade. The transfer was taking place. Shadowing, sad green light was sucked slowly into Flint's devilish blue beyblade.
Max closed his eyes, letting the tears run freely anywhere. Physically unable to watch, his head hit the ground in pain. What was he supposed to do? What could he do?
Fern closed her eyes gently. She hid her shaking fingers inside her pockets. Unexpectedly, she felt Black Pele between her grasp. Her eyes shot open. 'Werex... do you know what this means? Pele's control might not be used if their bitbeasts are taken. But I can't take this anymore- I can't just watch my friends fall to pieces like this. I have to find out why they want the bitbeasts. I need to know who their master is. I have to do something'
Tyson stood up. Then Ray and Kenny followed suit, along with Kai. She glanced up at them, the bawls of pain steaming from Max's mouth sickening her insides. She watched as they walked towards him. Tyson bent down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, his face in deepest sympathy. Ray leant over Max and threw his arms around him trying to console, while Kenny looked on nervously, his hand clasped over his mouth. He had never seen Max so shaken.
She bowed her head and stood up, joining her friends to comfort Max. He held on for dear life onto Tyson's shoulder for support, crying into his chest, which he so greatly needed.