Warnings: THERE IS SHOUNEN-AI HERE. ... SORTOF. It gets explained in the next chapter, I swear. BUT IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT, SKIP. Er- kind of hard, I understand, seeing as it has important relevance to the plot… but fine, as soon as it gets to the alleyway part of Axel and the British kid, SKIP. You can read again when it says And on the street…

Also, if you do not know what shounen-ai is, it's boy on boy loving. Gay. Homosexuality. GUYS KISSING GUYS. I can't get more obvious then that. XD

Epilogue

Part 3

Leaning over the banister railing of their hotel room's balcony, Tyson glanced up at the stars haplessly as they winked at him overhead.

As a cool breeze caressed his face lightly, he sighed and slumped against the metal poles wondering just how life had gotten so complicated. Deep in side, he felt again the awakenings of a deep seeded hatred against Mr. Dickinson, mostly because he'd gotten him and the others involved with those girls in the first place.

And then of course, followed shortly by the undying gratitude for the very same thing. He supposed when it came down to it, Emily really did have a point when she said human beings were the most illogical species in this world.

Sighing again in a miserable manner, he brought his hand up and unclenched his fist around the small object seated neatly in the palm of his hand to glance at his Dragoon as it flashed in the sparse moonlight.

Dragoon… do we really have what it takes to win them back?

"Hey. If you're going to jump at least let me push you for satisfaction." A gruff voice commented in nothing short of a hostile manner. Startled, Tyson spun at the declaration and blinked in confusion as his eyes landed on his stoic captain as the slate haired teen quietly shut the sliding glass door to the room behind him shut.

The easy grin that he had almost forgotten came easily once again to his face and he cocked his head in his carefree manner.

"What? And deprive you the honor of my presence?"

"Yeah, keep talking hot shot." Kai replied arrogantly as he walked to the railing and folded his arms over it, peering down below at the passing by cars. Tyson grinned as he turned back to the position he formally was in to do the same.

"So? What's the occasion oh mighty captain? Gonna kick my butt for not defeating those three weirdoes in the cloaks?" He asked laughing. The memory of today's match replayed vividly in his mind, the adrenaline of the battle not sparing him a single moment of the intense deadlock.

Evenly matched.

It was so clear to see that both teams were evenly matched.

The battle had raged for 30 minutes now, a new record. Each team had thrown everything at each other, though the Unknowns had never spoken, and their attacks were a perfect copy of The Mystics, old Beyblade veterans were beginning to notice and rumors had begun to float.

But not once, not a single word, had the mysterious bladers ever spoken.

And along with the crowd's cheers, the battle cries, the roars, shrieks and bellows of the Bitbeasts… there had been something else.

A high wailed keening in the air, and as always, it nagged on the back of Tyson's mind during the battle, a sound he felt he should know, but could not place.

And then…

"Wolborg! Ultimate attack!" Tala's sudden cry took them all by surprise, Tyson and Enrique turned to face the redhead, confused, uncertain.

Why was he calling out such an overkill skill?

Then, Enrique had shrugged and plowed forward, following the redhead's lead.

"Amphilyon! Strike them down!" He screamed, his blade not yet in it's divided state screaming forward, tearing up the stadium.

"All right! Let's bring 'em down!" Tyson had called thumbing his nose as he scented victory. "Dragoon! Phantom Hurricane!"

And as the three Unknowns crouched, almost subconsciously preparing for the oncoming attack, their three blades moved as one to intercept the blows, all glowing their respective colors of black, blue and white.

And then they clashed.

Of course the resulting explosion had not only knocked all six bladers back (though somehow the hoods managed to stay up much to Enrique's dismay) but leveled the blading dish, so much that it was declared a tie and the battle to be continued tomorrow.

After a clean up team was hastily summoned.

"You're still calling them weirdoes even though you're so certain that one of them is a girl you love?" Kai asked dully, the word love falling from his lips like a sour pickle. Tyson grinned.

"Yep. Never said she wasn't crazy." He admitted with a cheerful tone.

For a moment Kai said nothing, but his eyes glanced at the blunnette from the corner of his eyes, and he smirked.

"Welcome back Tyson." He said quietly and straightened.

"Huh? What?" The youth blinked, confused as he watched his captain march off back towards the room. Silence was his answer. Rubbing the back of his head, Tyson stared in utter mystification at his captain's behavior.

"Oh man, he's gone all philosophical again." The blader muttered before chasing after the stoic teen with the infamous cry of;

"KAAAAAAIIIII!"

And Dragoon from his place in Tyson's hand winked in the moonlight.

How pleasant to hear that again… Came a darkly amused chuckle.

Tala stumbled out of the dining room, a look of utter horror plastered on his unusually pale skin. Eyes wide he began a mad staggering run from the room, weaving through the hallway drunkenly in his terrified stupor.

It was only when he crashed into Spencer did he pause to breath, what resulted was a large intake of air and he realized he was now in peril of hyperventilating.

Several minutes later of Spencer sitting on top him (not pleasant) and the blonde frantically calling out a breathing pace, did Tala sit down and accept a cup of water from his subordinate.

"What happened captain?" Spencer asked concern as they now sat in the foyer of their current hotel, their choice of seating a set of a plushy bright sunny yellow arm chairs. Gripping the styrofoam cup with shaky hands, Tala raised his eyes, his bangs looming over them ominously as his unkempt hair fell forward.

'Unnecessary dramatics.' Came to Spencer's mind.

"I was… in the dining room…"

"I saw that." Spencer commented quietly.

"I was thinking out battle strategies… when… those… those damn Europeans came in!" He hissed darkly, his hands crumpling the now empty cup in his fists. Spencer raised an eyebrow.

"And… and… oh my god…" He hissed bringing his hands to his face, with the look of one who has been absolutely scarred beyond all means of salvation.

"… surely it couldn't have been that bad?" Spencer tried tenderly.

His answer was a sharp jerk of Tala's arm in the direction he'd come from.

Taking the hint clearly, Spencer stood and proceeded over to the dining room. Taking a deep breath to prepare himself, he slid open the door.

But nothing could prepare him for the horrendous site that awaited him.

"This tea is absolutely scrumptious!" Oliver cried delightedly.

"I agree. Not in that context, but I agree." Johnny added and that stunned Spencer. They had gotten the Highlander in this horrible masquerade too?!

"Yes, quite a delicacy, I must ask for the recipe." Robert added in promptly, his fine china cup inches from his lips as he took an obnoxious sip.

Pinky extended and all.

"Oh it's really quite a simple blend of herbs, I'll arrange from some to be flown over from my private home in the country." James Lawrence said quite generously.

Robert inclined his head graciously to the man who nodded in return.

"Really James, you can be such a louse sometimes, but honest to the god above you are such an impeccable gentleman too." Terrence Pendragon said quite happily as he cheerfully sipped his cup.

Spencer twitched. The pinky was out there too!

"Well we never did say he was lacking on manners." Dalland added in to his fellow teammates, his own cup held easily in his hand as he relaxed on the couch with his eyes closed, his dining suit only partially undone, looking like for all the world a model ready to be filmed. "He just happens to have a very incorrigible temper." He said in his dainty British accent.

The room filled with quiet, good will laughter.

Spencer felt sick.

It was then that Terrence noticed the Russian, and smiled. Setting down his cup, he stood and held out a hand to the blonde.

"Well hello, if you're looking for your companion, he quite mysteriously dashed out of here some time ago, quite rude of him actually, we'd just offered him to join us for tea and crumpets as well. Would you like to join us?" He offered cheerfully.

Letting out an uncharacteristic scream of utter horror, Spencer slammed the door shut and his large and unsteady footsteps could be heard as he bounded off.

Terrence looked miffed.

"Well how odd, do you suppose that's some strange Russian custom?" He asked as he sat back down, looking mildly offended.

"Don't take it to heart Mr. Pendragon, all those Russians seem to be the same, nothing but brutes, and I for one am quite offended. Oh my what a lovely flower arrangement!" Oliver crowed, eyeing the centerpiece of daisies and magnolias with stars in his eyes.

"Oh you think so? How splendid! Someone who shares my love for floral arrangements!" Terrence cried happily jumping at the topic of conversation.

Spencer clutching his aching temple, ambled his way to where he'd left Tala.

By all the gods and lords above that had been terrifying… he thanked every spirit known to man and blessed Voltaire for being merciful for not forcing them to endure that kind of torture. It was then he came to a realization.

Crumpled cup on the ground, the door open to the windy night streets, Tala was gone.

"You loved me once before… why not now?" Came a smug and arrogant voice.

"I. Said. Get LOST." Came the frustrated growl. The first speaker, with his bright red hair and mysterious green eyes smiled at the gothic and angry faced Axel.

"Not until I get an answer." The redhead persisted chasing after the goth who stormed down the streets of the city, cars whipping by them, wind blowing in their faces, neither seemed to relent.

"Because that was before I discovered you were a lying, cheating, shallow bastard." Axel hissed darkly his eyes growing dark. "Now back off!" He snarled as he suddenly took a sharp turn into an alleyway. The youth followed like a persistent shadow.

"Well that's not really an answer-" He began when a furious snarl interrupted his speech.

"Damn you!" Axel hissed spinning around grabbing the teen's hands with his own. "Why can't you leave me the fuck alone Dillando?!" He screamed giving the teen a backhand slap as he spun. Yet before pale flesh could hit their designated target, Dillando's hand shot up, gripping the other's with a smile. In a sparse second the goth was slammed against the alleyway wall, the Britain's hand pinning the two wrists with ease as Axel struggled valiantly.

"I swear to god if you don't let me go…" Axel hissed darkly, his crimson eyes growing dark and narrowing with hatred, he let his warning trail off.

However, Dillando had a different response.

"Just a kiss, just a touch, there's no love… only lust." He whispered softly as he leaned in, pressing his lips to Axel's who spasmed at the touch, his struggles to get free went wild, until Dillando pinned the goth's slender body to the wall with his own. Slowly, the redhead's free hand began to inch up the leather vest concealing Axel's skin. Crimson eyes widening at that as the situation of his helplessness began to sink in, terror began to take hold. Breaking away from the kiss by twisting his head, Axel hissed darkly.

"Dillando don't you dare…" He hissed angrily, his voice trembling from fear. The British blader smiled.

"You never minded before…"

"You never went past kisses before, these last few years weren't for nothing, I won't let you destroy who I've become!" He snarled defiantly and Dillando laughed, rich laughter filled with honest to god amusement.

"And what have you become Axel?" He demanded, accenting the name. "Calling yourself that atrocious title, dressing like some American sod… look at you." He whispered. "You're so sad… you will forever be alone, you will forever be shadowed, you will forever be distanced from those around you, you will only have me." He hissed as he leaned in, his hand pushed up the black thick fabric around the boy's waist. Axel struggled, but all to avail, he couldn't move as he felt Dillando's hands inch along his skin.

Terror took a firm hold now.

Feeling something wet slide along his cheek, Axel choke.

Oh perfect.

Pinned, helpless, about to be raped, and he was crying.

His ex really had everything back now. His body, his pain, his fear.

"Hey asshole." A voice commented lightly, in a weather-comment voice almost. Startled, Dillando turned to look at the speaker, and his eyes widened as he saw a familiar flash of red, before he was slammed back four feet, landing on the grimy concrete only to skid another six as the intruder glared.

"Rape that." Tala hissed turning to Axel who stood there, arms around himself as he stared in absolute shock.

"You're…" He managed out before he bit his bottom lip, a single tear track still lingering on his cheeks.

Raising an eyebrow, he moved forward a single step.

"Can you walk? We should leave." He said quietly. His response was having the wind knocked out of him and his shoulders being slammed into the wall behind him as Axel buried himself in Tala's chest, using the Russian to muffle his strangled sobs. Startled, Tala stood that way for a few minutes, before he awkwardly raised an arm and put it around the trembling goth.

"Uhm… I hate to intrude on your… shock phase, but we really should leave." He said in monotone, and stopped when Axel looked up at him. Something inside him stirred, similar to what he had felt earlier today, but something wasn't quite right.

He paled. The difference was clear, what had Spencer said to Brian once?

"Better be careful. Scientific studies have proven that the chemical reaction that triggers the hate emotion, is but a mere step away from love."

"So is the obsessive compulsive disorder." Ian threw in laughing.

The hate from this afternoon had faded, staring now at Axel's tear stricken face, the vulnerability that had been hidden by the cockiness and attitude left Tala with a fierce desire to protect the lonesome boy.

'But what about…?' He thought desperately, his mind trailing back to the lively and cheerful girl he'd loved a little more then a year ago.

"Shit… you didn't see this… I am so not crying." Axel hissed wiping at his tears roughly, his hands getting angrier with every swipe as he continued to cry.

Tala said nothing.

"Dammit… dammit… dammit, dammit, DAMMIT." The dark haired teen snarled, his volume rising with each hissed word.

He paused when Tala grabbed one wrist, glancing up, stunned, he found the redhead looking at him with soft eyes as he gently thumbed away a tear that slid down the goth's cheek.

'… screw the past.' Tala thought softly, before he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Axel's lips.

The goth froze, what before had been a harsh and invasive kiss, the one now was soft, caressing, and most of all gentle.

Before long, Axel had his eyes closed, and his arms wrapped of their own free will about the taller youth's as he kissed the male heedlessly, no longer caring.

And on the street…

Three teens walked down the sidewalk, a familiar dark cloak about their shoulders, but the hoods off.

"You have got to be more careful with Talon dammit! We blew apart the stadium this afternoon, so we have got to be more careful!" The speaker announced calmly, flicking a strand of blonde hair over their shoulder.

"Hey, you know that wasn't our fault!" The one berated said in protest, then smiled.

"But you know, I can not wait till we reveal who we are to those guys! They are going to be so damn shocked honestly." There was a quick round of laughter.

"Well I hope this works out… this last year has been a complete hell." The first speaker agreed. "But… the memories are back, and now it's time to act on them!" Came the triumphant declaration following by a nod of satisfaction form the other. Then they paused when they realized something. Their third member was missing.

"What the…?" The first speaker muttered turning, then spotted their shortest member some ways away, she stood at the entrance of an alleyway, eyes wide.

"What the…?" The speaker repeated as their foots started forward. Cupping hands around their mouth, the speaker called the person's name, until they realized the girl wasn't listening. Sighing as they came to a halt next to her, the blonde smacked her upside the head, getting a startled wince.

"Hey…" She whined softly, but was pale.

"Dammit brat what's the hold up? We need to get ready for our match tomorrow so-"

"… oh my god." The one with reddish brown hair whispered cupping a hand to their mouth. Turning on the Unknown, the blond frowned.

"What's up?" The reply was a simple point, and when the blond looked, their eyes widened, face paling.

"… oh no." Glancing at the girl to gauge her reactions, the blond immediately knew this was bad, there was a paleness in her skin, and she stood there, unmoving. "Oh damn, move her, get her away from here now!" The leader hissed as their hand latched firmly onto the girl's. Hauling her away, the other followed shortly, eyes trailing as they dashed off on the two in the alleyway.

Tala and Axel.

"Oh my god… this isn't… oh shit, ohshitohshit!" The brunette whispered staring at the girl repeatedly. "J-just ignore it okay kid? It didn't mean anything!"

"Yeah." The blond hissed, their eyes narrowing. "Not a damn thing." Wincing, the brunette shook their head, then said in a dark hiss;

"But that double-crossing bastard is dead tomorrow."

Enrique breathed in the night's air gratefully. He'd graciously declined the offer for tea some time ago, and from what he'd heard of Spencer's story room of horror next door (he'd managed to get all the Bladebreakers save for Kai, as well as his own team to listen) it had been the right decision.

Though he had to admit, the thought of Johnny MacGregor, mister-kiss-my-ass-and-lick-it-clean, drinking tea like a civilized person left him wanting to commit suicide. It was just that scary.

Now he was on the rooftop of the hotel that had been provided by the BBA for all bladers and enjoying the cool winds, it wasn't so windy up here, and it was a clear night, monumental for such a bustling city as this.

He turned slightly when he heard the roof door open behind him, and blinked as he saw Kyodo of the Bishounen step out.

When their pale, electrifying, blue eyes landed on him, they widened slightly in surprise and to Enrique's amazement, the blond blushed.

"Er… sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, I'll leave." He began and just as he was turning, Enrique laughed.

"Forget it, come over here, it'll be nice to talk to someone." He said idly, the day's earlier insults forgotten. Staring at him miffed, Kyodo finally smiled and walked over, letting the metal door slam shut behind him.

"So what are you doing up here? Shouldn't you be preparing for the match tomorrow?" He asked delicately as he came over and let his hands rest on the railing. Enrique smirked.

"I am, I'm calming myself down so I can actually get some sleep." He said idly as he arched his neck to look at the stars, smiling. Kyodo chuckled softly at that.

"So, you're not a barbarian after all." He commented idly and Enrique gave him a smirk.

"And maybe you're not such a big sissy either." He declared grinning, Kyodo coughed at that, a little irritated, but a smile broke through.

"Fascinating… when out in the battlefield, all of us are so…" Kyodo began and Enrique finished.

"Retarded?"

"Not quite the word I was looking for, but effective." The blonde muttered laughing.

"Yeah, and off the battlefield, it's like we're comrades practically." Enrique commented, then laughed at that. "Comrades… me? Who'd have thought…" He gave a whimsical sigh at that. Kyodo shook his head.

"Well… anyways, what are you doing up here?" Enrique asked now and Kyodo shrugged.

"I was looking for Axel… he always seems to run off when neither I nor Mithos is looking." The blonde muttered grumpily. "It's like baby-sitting."

"Oh… so shouldn't you be looking for him then?" The European Blader asked dully. Kyodo shook his head.

"He'll come back in time, I've grown tired of looking for him. I can't watch him forever." He commented idly, then smiled at Enrique. "But I should tell Mithos I've given up, so I guess I shall be leaving." Enrique quirked an eyebrow at that and gave the blond a crooked smile.

"Alright then, I'll be seeing you." He said with a little wave. "Hey, when this is all over… why don't you come visit me in Italy? We can visit the sights, and hang with some girls, you'd get a few easy." He said grinning. Kyodo had to laugh at that.

"Are you complimenting me on my looks?" He asked batting his eyelashes at the Italian who gaped, suddenly flustered.

"W-what? No, of course not! I was just- STOP TWISTING MY WORDS TO FIT YOUR FANTASIES YOU FREAK." Enrique yelped desperately, and much to his dismay, Kyodo was laughing again.

"Relax, I was only teasing. But I will take you up on your offer, I promise." And with those solemn words hanging in the air, Kyodo took for the exit. But as he opened up the door and prepared to leave, he turned back to face Enrique and smirked, his eyes glinting dangerously.

"But go to sleep soon, you'll need all the help you can get tomorrow." And with that he left, leaving Enrique to stare.

"… you are so weird." Enrique muttered rolling his eyes.

And on in the darkness of the street, standing all by his lonesome on a street corner, hands roughly shoved into his jacket with his hat tipped to cover his eyes, Mithos stood singing a soft and lonely song.

"Ma mum's a twirlin' in her grave…

Ma pa's a rantin' with his cane,

But I dun care pardner, no I dun care,

Ma worries are a runnin' like a wild free mare!

Dun give a damn 'bout politics…

Couldn'a care for them damn straights,

Ya see pardner I'm in a real tight fix…

Cause the world has got so much hate!

So I'll pick up ma hat,

Pull on ma boots,

Give ol' Bessy a pat

And I'm pickin' up ma roots.

I'm headin' for home love,

Headin' for home, ma turtle dove.

Headin' for you sweets…" Mithos trailed off, tipping his hat up with his gun finger as he glanced up smiling.

"Headin' home on my two feet." He whispered.

"Tomorrow's the special day." He commented as he straightened and began the trek back to the hotel.

Disclaimer: I own the OCs, plots and that's it. o.o I lied. Next is the last chapter.

Author's notes: Does anyone even read this anymore? I just want to get this story wrapped up.