Disclaimer: My latest attempt to kidnap Takao Aoki has been unsuccessful, therefore I still don't own the rights to Beyblade.
Hello everyone! Happy Thanksgiving from here in Canada!
So after careful thought...I have decided since my writing time has been severely cut in half (with 2 jobs, parenting and physiotherapy appointments) that I will ONLY be working on finishing Borderline and a few one-shots from now until January. Once the new year comes, then I will make a new writing schedule. I have no idea how I'm functioning to be honest...but I'll still be here :) The next 3 months is just gonna be super hectic. So bare with me. :) Kai's Poetry Journal might get a few updates...just because poetry isn't nearly as time consuming.
Thank-you to HibarixTsunaxlover, Tyka's Flower, Angel Devastation and CorynOfHoole for being such supportive reviewers and to all my readers who keep coming back to read the next chapter. I love and appreciate you all!
Warnings: I think this chapter is gonna be pretty tame actually. Yay!
"Good morning Beyblade Fanatics! Today we have three epic matches for your entertainment as we finish up round 9 of the tournament! First up we have a veteran beyblader and former member of the two-time world champion team "The Bladebreakers"...Give it up for Ray!" The Chinese blader stepped out into the light, with the former Bladebreakers behind him, and the crowd went wild! Some of them even holding up signs that said 'Marry Me Ray!'.
"And in this corner, the destructive newcomer, the man who defeated the World Champion himself...we have Eric!" The Norwegian stepped into the arena and the stadium erupted into a sea of 'Boos'. Some audience members went so far to call him a cheater.
DJ Jazzman sweat dropped. It was clear to see who the crowd favourite was. He glanced over at Kai. He remembered when the Russian shouted at the audience when they booed at Max in the last world championship, half expecting him to do so now. But the Hiwatari stood stoic, glowering at Eric. It seemed that he would sooner join the audience than to tell them to shut-up...Okay then...
Down on the ground, Tyson was focusing his attention on his friend. "He ain't so tough Ray. Your new blade can handle whatever ugly throws at you."
Ray stared down at his 'Heaven Blade' then smiled at his friends. "Don't worry guys, I'm going to put that hot-shot back in his place." He stepped up onto the platform.
"Be careful Ray!" said Max as the raven haired blader ascended to the dish.
Ray flashed him a smile and gave him a thumbs-up. "I've got this Maxie!" He stepped up to the dish where Eric was waiting for him, with a hand on his hip and a smirk plastered onto his face.
"Hehehehehe, you should really take your friend's advice, Kon, because I'm going to crush your blade, then I'll do the same to you." chuckled the maniacal blonde.
Keeping his nerve, Ray calmly readied his blade. "You can go ahead and try, but you're no match for Drigger and I." Good. His opponent was cocky. Over-confident players made mistakes.
"And now we bring on the dish!" From the ground emerged a dish that was almost completely filled with water, save for the seemingly random placed stones in the centre. While it maybe any rookie's worst nightmare, Ray was already coming up with a strategy on how to take advantage of his surroundings.
"Players take your positions!" Eric and Ray carefully aimed their launchers...this was not the dish to have a bad launch. "3...2...1! LET IT RIP!"
"Go Drigger!" Shouted Ray as he pulled his ripcord, lightning sparks shot out of his blade with just the sheer power of his launch. His and Eric's blades skipped over the water's surface, clashing together on the stone in the middle before skipping over the water's surface one more and landing on stones on opposite sides of the dish.
"You're power Kon, but make no mistake, I'll rip your blade to shreds like I did with Dragoon." said Eric as he chuckled dangerously, "Let's see how you fair when you have two elements against you!" The wind shifted and several small water cyclones formed and encircled the small white blade. "Behold my bitbeast's power! Hawkeye Attack!"
The small cyclones closed in on Drigger, and Ray was in awe of the control Eric had over his bitbeast's wind powers. He needed to get out of the circle of death-and fast! "Yo Ray!" He looked over his shoulder and saw Max waving his arms from down below. "Don't fight it! Just go with the flow!"
Go with the flow? What did that mean? Eyeing one of the twisters, he studied the way it moved, particularly the way the water was flowing. The answer dawned on him! "Alright Drigger! Let's ride out this monsoon!" Increasing it's rotation, Drigger charged at one of the twisters. It was easily swept up, but Ray remained cool, concentrating on channelling his power into Drigger to keep the blade spinning. In result, Drigger rode up the stream of spiralling water, soon being launched into the air and escaping the death trap and landing safely on a tiny stone on the other side of the beydish. "Nice work buddy, now it's our turn! Lightning Paw!" Ray and Drigger combined their powers and a web of lightning was produced from the White Tiger's blade. It rippled over the water, heating the water until it was boiling hot and soon a thick steam was all around the arena.
"Hey, what gives?!" demanded Daichi, "I can't see anything!"
"Neither can Eric. Ray has created a smoke cover, protecting Drigger from all of Hawkeye's attacks." explained Tyson with a grin.
"But what good does that do?! Ray can't see anything either!" pointed out the red-head.
"Ray isn't a normal blader." Everyone turned to where they could hear Kai's voice.
"How do you mean?" asked Daichi.
"Those eyes of his allow him to see more than most. He's fine-tuned his instincts so just by sound alone, he can pinpoint where exactly the blades are. Ray is in total control of this match."
"If you say so." said Daichi as he squinted through the fog, hoping to catch a glimpse of the match.
"Relying on cheap tricks now, Kon?" bated Eric.
"Just showing you what a player with real skill can do! Drigger Howling Claw!" Through the mist, with his sharp eyes, Ray watched his blade start moving so fast, that it evolved into 16 blades and they started ruthlessly slamming into Eric's Hawkeye blade viciously.
Listening to the sounds of his blade getting pounded over and over made Eric's rage bubble over. "Arg! This is the end for you! Wind Str- What?!" The sounds had stopped. He couldn't even hear his own blade spinning anymore.
The mist finally cleared and Drigger was left spinning while Hawkeye was in pieces.
What happened?!
Down on the stadium floor, a certain beyblade mechanic smiled to himself. 'That one was from me, Boris.'
Ray blinked. He had actually won? It had seemed too easy... Shrugging it off, he retrieved his blade and walked proudly to where his friends were waiting.
"You sure showed him Ray!" cheered Max.
"I don't think I could have won without you Max, I thought he had me when he summoned all those cyclones."
Max winked. "Anytime buddy."
"So now what?" asked Ray turning to his friends.
"Hey Jazzy!" shouted Tyson, "Wanna call the next match so we can get this show on the road here? Some of us want to catch the lunch buffet!"
"Well um..." The announcer looked up to Mr. Dickenson, who was sitting up in the stands, for permission. The chairman nodded his head in approval. Jazzman then pulled out a sealed envelope from his pocket. "The judges have picked the pairing for the next match and it's..." He carefully opened the envelop. "Kai versus William! Get ready for this fire vs fire match! Players have 30 minutes to prepare!"
"Fire vs Fire?!" exclaimed Ray narrowing his eyes, "That's going to be dangerous, no matter how you look at it."
Nothing Kai can't handle, right buddy?" Tyson asked his rival with a grin.
"Hn." The Fire Master's calloused fingers clenched around the sharp edges of his blade. He would make sure that his Phoenix's flames would burn bright so that everyone could see what happens when you cross Kai Hiwatari.
"After all, you still want a shot at my title, right?" teased the bluenette.
As if he needed any more motivation to take down one of Boris' bladers. This was his chance to personally deal out payback for everything Boris had put him through.
"Hey Kai, looks like you have company." said Max, pointing to the stands. Kai's gaze followed the American's finger and his eyes widened as a small smile graced his lips. His mother and Dimitri were there. He caught her eye and she smiled down on him proudly. He then noticed something else- Dimitri's arm was wrapped around her shoulders...and she was actually allowing it.
Were they...?
"Hey, this is the first match your mom has ever come to isn't it?" asked Max.
Kai's eyes widened in realization. This was the first match...
Seeing the stunned look on the Russian's features, Tyson stepped forward. "Well there you have it. Your family and friends are behind you, we're all gonna be cheering you on Kai. Just send this amateur packing!"
Kai looked at his friends in astonishment. They had been through so much the last 5 years. So many times he had betrayed them, but like always, they stood beside him. Choosing to put their faith in him and believing in him until the bitter end. "Hn, William won't know what him him!"
"Players take your positions!"
William would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid. Kai Hiwatari was the only person to escape Balkov Abbey. Rumours had flown around about the red-eyed demon who could fight off a hundred men, and had defeated a thousand blades. Kai Hiwatari had broken record after record while he was a student and they had studied all of his matches carefully. The man was a tactical genius. He was able to change his battle tactics in the middle of a match and his endurance was legendary.
However, losing was not an option. Boris and Dr. K had made that perfectly clear. With both Pam and Eric knocked out of the tournament, it was up to him and Alceed to win. There was too much at stake for him to lose this battle, even if it was against the Phoenix Master.
Taking a breath he gathered his wits, took his stance and readied his launcher and looked into his opponent's eyes.
Big mistake.
Blood-red rubies burned with a glare so caustic, that William was surprised he didn't burst into flames on the spot. The Phoenix Master's hate seemed to be poisoning the very air itself as he slowly, purposefully, loaded his beyblade launcher. "I hope you have drawn up a will, because when this is over-" His eyes flashed red and a crazed smile twisted his features. "-They will need to stuff you into a body bag."
Fear made the Norwegian lose control of his bladder. Now fearing for his life, William threw his launcher to the ground and jumped off the 50 ft platform, then stumbled towards the exit, leaving the building; Leaving everyone to stare after him.
Jazzman was the first to recover. "WOAH! This is a first! The Mighty Kai has just won by a death glare!"
Tyson sweat dropped and scratched his head. "Um...well that was easy."
The Hiwatari crossed his arms. "Coward." He rode the platform back down to the ground where he was met with his friend's dumbfounded faces.
Max laughed. "We I have never seen that before."
"Yeah, way to win Kai!" praised Ray.
DJ Jazzman was still in shock. He knew that Kai had a temper, but the look he gave William was nothing short of murderous. He had no idea what was exactly going on in this tournament, but as usual, the Bladebreakers were at the heart of all of the chaos. There was only one thing left to do now- call the next match. "That just leaves Tyson and Alceed to compete in the next battle! Players, you have 15 minutes!"
Tyson narrowed his stormy eyes at the sound of his name and growled when he remembered what the Ice-Wielder had done to Max. "He's going to regret ever crossing blades with me."
Hiro eyed his brother wearily. "Keep your temper in check Tyson. With only one strike left, you can't afford to make any mistakes."
The younger bluenette patted his brother's shoulder. "Don't worry. I learned my lesson last time. I'm going to show them how this game is really played."
Hiro was about to ask what he meant by that, but he saw the raw, determined fire burning in the Wind Master's eyes as he turned away and he smiled behind his steel mask. That was the face of a true champion. One who could not only battle for his honour, but for those of his comrades and opponents as well. Tyson walked with his back straight and his head held high. There wasn't anyone in the world who could stop him in this mindset.
Kai however saw something completely different. The air around the Dragoon Weilder seemed heavy and dangerous. Tyson looked calm, but Kai could see the emotions raging behind those brown eyes. The question was; Was that anger going to be Tyson's edge or downfall? "Kinomiya!" His voice was just sharp enough to make the bluenette stop in his tracks and turn around.
"Yeah Kai?"
"I expect to see you in the finals."
A grin worked itself onto Tyson's features. "Yeah, I'll see you there Kai." He turned back down and strutted towards the dish, but the tension in his shoulders didn't seem to lessen at all.
Kai frowned. This is my problem, not yours.
The World Champion approached the dish with a confident, but unforgiving smirk. "Not going to run away on me, like your buddy did right?"
Alceed chuckled before glaring. "No. I'm not weak like him."
"Good, because we have unfinished business." Tyson pulled out his blade and loaded his launcher.
"Much." Alceed agreed, readying his own blade.
As the two opponents glared daggers at each other, DJ Jazzman found himself wishing he had found some other career to pursue- like knitting. In fact, he rather be half way up an elephant's asshole than be between these two bladers. Trying to brace himself for anything, he revealed the dish. "Alright! What we have for you today is our Ice Palace dish!" The beydish rose up from the ground. "The ice on this baby will make it difficult for the players to control their blades at high speeds."
Tyson gawked at the tower with disdain. "Of course the beydish would be made to give him the advantage." He said bitterly before rubbing his nose. "Heh, no biggie. I won my first championship on a dish way scarier than this. Takes more than a little ice to scare the world's number one blader." he said cockily.
"Oh, and did I mention the icicles?" added the referee.
"I-Icicles?" questioned Tyson.
"Observe!" DJ Jazzman loaded his black beyblade into his launcher and pulled the ripcord. His blade circled around the blade twice, when sharp spears of ice suddenly shot out from all side of the dish, his blade shattered in an instant.
Tyson eyed the fragment that landed near his foot and gritted his teeth. This was not going to be easy. Not only did he have to worry about the ice spears that Alceed's bitbeast produced, but now he had the dish working against him as well. "Heh, Dragoon and I aren't scared of a little ice. Let's show this freak whose boss!"
And that's all for this week! Hope you guys are ready for the next exciting chapter! Don't forget to leave a little review!
