Big thanks to the people who have read this before. Thanks to the new readers who have come across this story for the first time. And thanks to James Birdsong, unaisa memon, Linvn89 and Cutetyhil for reviewing the previous chapter. It's been one heck of a ride and I'm glad I got to share this story with you and I hope you enjoyed it. It's not perfect, but is any story?

This was a story that I actually originally started work on way back in 2012, but it just wasn't working. I took a break from Beyblade for three years and found the motivation to write the new version in 2015. This is the version you are currently looking at right but re-uploaded for your enjoyment. I always asked myself, what if there was a season 4 with the original cast set in a darker and more serious timeline? This was the result.

As for the sequel, yes, it will happen. I can't name a date yet, but I have written the first two chapters. I'm currently two thirds of the way through on a Pokemon epic high fantasy story right now and I'm scheduled to complete it sometime by April, but it's gonna take at least another month to edit it. I'm a full time uni student as well so I have to put that first. I hope to start work on the sequel again sometime in September 2019 with a goal to finish it in March 2020.

What can you look forward to? It's a dark story, but that's what I do. There'll be less beybattles and fights of a different sort. There'll be sadness, but there'll also be moments of joy. Your favourite characters will be back and plot lines not resolved will be answered.

.

Epilogue

Dranzer twisted and turned, navigating her way through the rock pillars, frantically trying to distance herself from the approaching shadow. Fire tornadoes pursued her, but Dranzer nimbly avoided them by travelling through twisting canyons. It was like an underground mountain valley. Sooner or later, the shadow would catch up, but he had to keep trying.

I can smell you. I can sense your fear.

The serpent. Kai tightened his jaw. "Show yourself. I'm not afraid."

A large worm made solely of flames jumped up from below. Dranzer made a sharp turn to the right to avoid being knocked over. Another worm leaped out. This time he saw the face. The worm lacked eyes, but he could clearly see the mouth. Dranzer flew around some more stopping to rest on a fallen pillar.

"How are you even here? I thought the horsemen were you."

They are my servants, nothing more. Your scientists thought they could contain me, but they were wrong. They simply… took a small part of my flesh and inserted into the things you call beyblades. Their job was simple. Start Famine. Wage War. Spread Pestilence. Cause Death.

"We stopped them."

But you haven't. You only brought on the end of the world with your noble efforts. The Mark Bearer has freed them. Released them into the world to carry out my bidding and now they're bound to no beyblade. They are free to do as they please. Bring on the end of humanity.

Kai frowned. Freed them? Carry out his bidding? Wait. Did that mean Tyson was acting as a servant for the Leviathan now? Was the Mark on his hand the Leviathan's way of communicating with his followers? "Tyson. You're using him as a host." The kiss of death so to speak. Tyson was clueless too. Would the corrupt him overtime? Gradually weaken him?

He heard a chuckling sound. You're not as dumb as the rest of your species. Perhaps I will have use of you yet.

"What does the Mark do?"

You're curious, but I will not give you the answers you seek. If you are truly smart, you'll work it out overtime. You'll have plenty of time as well – an eternity down here with me. When Judgement Day comes, I will be released and the world will be mine then shall the beginning of the end start.

It was almost biblical. What did that mean for the rest of people on the surface? What about his friends? What would happen to the sport of beyblading they had tried so hard to protect? So many questions raced through his mind but he had little answers. Tyson was in danger. Max, Rei, Hilary and Kenny too. Worst of all they were clueless. They had no idea what was truly happening.

"Why?"

Why not? An odd question you ask of me. You were the one I was hoping for, Kai. I wanted you to bear the Mark originally – You have a… peculiar taste of the darkness. But Tyson has taken it upon himself. A noble sacrifice of a different kind, yes?

"How do you know my name?" It was odd talking to the shadows. Even stranger to receive the responses in his mind, but the more knowledge he obtained now, the more he had to help the others when he was freed.

I've been watching you for a very long time, Kai. From the day you were born. Black Dranzer was my gift to you, and you happily took it, drawn to the darkness. You craved the power. You could handle it too. I knew one day someone like you would come along and tame Black Dranzer. You were my favourite, but Tyson claimed the top prize. The question is… Can he handle it?

Kai didn't want to know the answer to that question. Tyson was cursed – a curse that was originally meant to be for him. In a way, the team advancing to the finals and winning had caused more problems for them all. Maybe they should've accepted all the warnings given beforehand. If they had, they wouldn't be in this situation. Winning could cost them everything.

"My friends will find a way to stop you."

Perhaps you are right… But most likely you are wrong. My children have been released upon the world to do as they please and there's nothing you can do to stop them. They will prey on the weak. Feed on the dying. Corrupt the innocent. Demons will claim this world, and I have you and your friends to thank. Your people thought you could control me… Make me obedient… But I used you all along.

What on earth had they done? "…We should've lost the battle…" They should've lost to the Majestics in the opening round. Their actions had damned the world all because of pride. How many people were going to lose their lives? So much for sacrificing himself to save them all. There was nothing he could do whilst he was stuck down here but hope for the best.

Pride leads to your ultimate downfall. The downfall of mankind. You wanted to be a hero… but instead you brought upon the destruction of your species. Somehow ironic, isn't it? You are the Destroyer. The Betrayer. And your friend? He is the Bearer of the Mark. The Curse Bearer. He will fall from grace and become everything that I am.

He even felt sympathy towards Tala and the other Demolition Boys. Even Brooklyn. Hiro. Everyone he had crossed paths with. All were going to suffer. Some would possibly even lose their lives all because of their collective weakness – hubris. "I'll find a way out of here and I will personally bring you down myself."

How are you going to do that, Kai? You're drawn to me.

"You're wrong."

I think I know you better than you know yourself… But it'll be interesting to see you try and defy me. Perhaps you'll prove your kind wrong. Maybe you will triumph over me. Maybe Tyson will find a way to overcome the curse before it claims him, but the world is still going to suffer as it should. Doomsday is coming.

.

So for the last time until September 2019, thanks again for reading and I hope you enjoyed. To help me plan for the sequel, please tell me which characters caught your attention the most? Who would you like to see more of? Were there any moments that stood out to you?