Tyson parried a blow from his grandpa, panting. They had been practicing for an hour non-stop and he wanted a break so he could train with Kenny and Hilary at the park. The attack Alana had told him about had been on his mind for a while now and had made him even more determined to be as prepared as he could should he, Kenny or Hilary get targeted by the Black Hell Bladers; when he was not honing his Beyblade skills, he was a bundle of nerves inside although the only outward evidence was his impatience and how hard he worked in training. The navy-haired teenager landed a forceful blow to Mister Granger's kendo sword with his own and knocked it from the old man's hands.

Just then, Kenny burst into the room. He looked completely terrified. An equally fearful Hilary was hot on his heels.

Tyson glanced from the Chief's pale face to Hilary's wide, unsettled ruby eyes, filling with dread. He knew the Black Hell Bladers had struck without even asking. The mere sight of his scared friends was more than enough.

He rushed to his bedroom and quickly changed into his casual clothes before streaking out of the house, dragging his reluctant friends along with him.

Kenny elaborated on what had happened. He and Hilary had been helping young Beybladers with their technique at park when one of them challenged another to a battle. Things had not turned out as they had expected though. The boy that proposed the Beybattle had been unnaturally strong and there had been something strange about him; his eyes had sometimes flashed red during the battle and there had been an edge to his voice that creeped everybody out.

"Was that Beyblader okay before this happened?" Tyson wanted to know.

"He was…until the battle started that is. Dizzi got the same strange readings from his blade as we usually do if a Black Hell Blader's around so there's no doubt the shady team's causing this. He would have completely destroyed the other boy's Beyblade if it hadn't been for Hilary."

"What?" the navy-haired teen glanced at the brunette.

She smiled. "Chief's right. I took Hopper MS from Kenny's pocket and launched it at the blade causing all the commotion. Using its spring-loaded blade base, I dodged every dark wave the boy threw at me and knocked his Beyblade out of the Beystadium."

Tyson beamed. "That's great, Hil," he approved proudly. "You launched a blade successfully and battled in control. Awesome for someone like you!"

Hilary blushed. "Thanks, Tyson. I guess it was beginner's luck."

Tyson chuckled. "Maybe. After this, let's get you a Beyblade and practice together and see if you're right."

Her ruby eyes widened and she coloured a darker shade. "R-Really?"

His grin broadened. "Really."

They found themselves unable to tear their gazes away. His heart quickened. Heat rose to his face. It was as if her ruby eyes had bewitched him.

The Chief spoke up, breaking the spell over them. "As far as we know, that Blader's still at the park," he informed Tyson. "Let's head there before anything else happens!"

Tyson snatched his gaze from Hilary's and deliberately looked the other way. His heart was still pounding from the brief but intense moment they had shared.

"R-Right," the navy-haired teen agreed, hastily regaining his composure and nodding curtly.

They pelted at top speed to Bay City's central park.

When they got there, they found a group of boys that looked about ten huddled together on a bench near to the Beystadium where the battle had taken place. The ten-year-olds cast fearful glances at a boy which stood apart from them, leering at them from the other side of the arena. Kenny and Hilary ran over to reassure the terrified preteens while Tyson approached the stadium.

He met his opponent's cold gaze steadily.

"Whatever, whoever you are - get outta that kid's body!" he ordered.

"I don't know what you're talking about," the boy smirked. "This is me. Why are you telling me to leave my own body? I'm not an imposter."

"Liar!" Tyson snapped. "No normal kid would have red eyes and use dark waves in their attack. What's your name, Black Hell Blader?"

"I'm not what you think I am. If you must know, I'm Evan," he replied with a sadistic chuckle. "Let's battle."

"You got it!" Tyson agreed.

In one swift movement, he had taken out his launcher, inserted the ripcord and attacked Dragoon MS. He faced Evan, launcher at the ready. No matter what the boy said, he knew he was a Black Hell Blader. Everything in Kenny's tale pointed to the fact and there was reason to suspect that Evan was possessing the child because the ten-year-old had been normal before the battle had begun. I'm gonna flush this chump outta that kid's body before he does something horrible. There's no way I'd let a Black Hell Blader kill anyone.

"LET IT RIP!" the boys shouted together.

The Beyblades landed into the arena and immediately went on the offensive. Sparks flew in all directions as they collided, the sound of metal grinding against plastic filling the air.

There was a clattering noise that grew increasingly louder and more frequent whilst the battle wore on. Tyson frowned, looking about in confusion.

"Tyson - you're going to wreck his Beyblade!" warned Kenny. "Remember who you're battling!"

The navy-haired teen's eyes widened. The noise was fragments of plastic glancing off the slopes of the Beystadium. It was getting louder because more and more pieces were being hacked off his opponent's blade. The Chief was right. This Beyblade belonged to an amateur Blader so there was no way it would be able to withstand Dragoon's attacks. How could I be so stupid? Tyson mentally slapped himself. My anger got the better of me. I forgot that my opponent is just a kid and started going all-out like I was fighting an actual Black Hell Blader. Man, I've gotta keep it together or the kid won't have a Beyblade anymore!

He battled the boy carefully, keeping his power to a minimum. His teeth clenched at Evan's snide smirk; he wanted to wipe it off his face. The Hell Blader had known by targeting a child that he could easily gain the upper hand, as Tyson would have to rein in his power in order not to hurt the young Beyblader. This made it difficult to defeat him. Deprived of the opportunity to attack without risking injury to the ten-year-old, the navy-haired teen would have to think of another way to turn the tables.

Dragoon MS swerved. The opposing Beyblade missed it completely and cannoned into the stadium wall with such force it rebounded off the edge of the arena and shot straight for Tyson's neck.

"Look out!" cried Hilary.

Tyson shut his eyes tightly, braced himself for the impact. There was none.

His eyes opened to see his blade clashing with Evan's in mid-air. His Bit Beast had saved his life.

Thank you Dragoon, he told the dragon silently. That was a close one.

You're welcome, came the answer. Next time we might not be so lucky. These Beybladers are out to get me and the other Sacred Bit Beasts at any cost. Be on your guard.

I will, Tyson promised firmly.

His opponent's eyes glowed with an eerie crimson aura that made his blood run cold. The temperature dropped unexpectedly; Tyson shivered, the terrified ten-year-olds huddled even closer together and Kenny and Hilary looked on worriedly. A howling gale ripped through the park, hurling around the dark waves that had begun to pulsate from the opposing Beyblade.

Some of the waves struck Tyson, sending him flying from their sheer power. He slammed heavily against a nearby tree and sank to the ground.

"Tyson!" Kenny and Hilary exclaimed together.