Ah yes! I haff been playin' around with a few charries here, especially Kai and Rei – but whatever! I'll be puttin' all meh twisted ideas here an' see how it will all turn out. XD Meep! This chappie might turn out to be a confusing piece… I just hope that it's not that confusing. Here's zeh next chappie! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The characters, items, etc. of Beyblade are not mine. These things were used without permission, but…I'm just borrowing them for a little while for my own twisted and demented purposes. So don't you dare sue me, just sue my evil twin. oO' I made this fic for entertainment only, and not for making money.
The massive ball of writhing flames heaved its enormous and circular body to its heavenly throne. The minute it was settled on its usual place, beams of golden light were spewed forth. It disintegrated the recoiling darkness, sending it back where it came from. As it continued to beat the dense opaqueness, it was also able to smash every single drop of the night's venom and awakened some parts of the world.
The rays disturbed the sleeping phoenix beneath the covers and the flames roared in discontent to destroy that nuisance. First, a strong arm thrust upward and threw the covers away. The angered beast arose and brilliant vermilion gems spotted a figure standing in front of his view. Thoughts flooded his tainted mind, filling his soul with vile substance of more harsh tones and bitter phrases.
Feel the hatred… Use it… It's your source of power…
My source… Glaring daggers at the man before him, he spoke in a spiteful manner, "Why must you be the first one I see at dawn?" He asked, spoken in a way that was different from his own. "You disgust me…" He added with a hiss, ablaze eyes filled with fury and anger.
"I'm glad you feel that way." The sarcasm was obvious in his tone, because he wore a glare as well. The process already started? My… it started a lot sooner than I thought. Boris smiled to himself, laughing deviously in his mind. No matter… that's exactly what we were aiming for.
"Is that the only reason why you dare to tear me away from my dreams?"
"Of course not," Boris replied. "You slept in."
The slate blue-haired boy had nothing but a blank face. "Hn. What is on the agenda for today?" He asked, his eyes regaining the soul it usually held.
The phoenix lost its grip… but soon the boy will be under control. The man's inner smile grew wider. "The exhibition match." That was all he needed to say. With one final glance, he left.
Pulling himself up to his feet, Kai walked up to the only window in his room. Why do I feel like this? It's like… a part of me goes missing everyday. He closed his eyes and sighed. The way he acted around Boris… It was as if someone was controlling him… but who was it? Just then, an image flashed back into his mind…
Black.
Inky.
Wings.
His eyes snapped open, blinking in disbelief. Surprised gaze flickered over to the jet-black beyblade beside the bedside lamp. Mouth parted slightly, confused expression… he looked like a little lost child. Could it be? A shiver ran down his spine, still staring at the beyblade.
The bit chip emitted a surreal crimson glow, putting the boy in a trance. His knees buckled beneath him, and his eyes were mesmerized, like he was under a spell. He was completely silent, wine-red eyes never straying away from the light.
It is far too early for you to know the answers, my keeper… In the near future, you will understand it all…
The White Tiger had been up way before sunrise. His silhouette was seen through the thin curtains that separated the balcony from the hotel room he stayed in. His amber-coloured orbs pierced into the sky, watching this miracle of nature happen before him. Perhaps hundreds of sunrises had passed before him, and this one seemed normal – not at all unusual. But the wind carried a sense of anxiety, apprehension within him. He wondered what it could be, why the frosty breeze carried such a sense of nervousness.
As he stood, he considered things carefully. A few days ago, his leader caught a fever and was now currently recovering – at least, that's what Tala had told them. But Rei had his doubts, and so far… he was right. If Kai has a fever, he should have been okay by now! He told himself, sighing. But he's still not here…
Quite suddenly, the serene silence was broken by a large object falling to the ground. The raven-haired teenager discerned that it was none other than his comrade – Tyson. A chuckle escaped his lips as he walked back inside. He raised a slender eyebrow when he saw his navy blue-haired friend sleeping on the carpeted floor. Shaking his head, he knelt beside the younger boy. "Tyson… Tyson, wake up!"
"Yus' yah fyew fore yimites…" The Blue Dragon mumbled lazily.
Why am I not surprised? The White Tiger sighed and then he took in a deep breath. "TYSON!! Somebody stole all the food!!"
"Hmm… say wha?!" Tyson sprang up to his feet; midnight blue eyes wide open. He eyed his surroundings but all he found was a grinning Rei. Realization struck him quickly. "Argh! Not again!" He growled, grumbling stuff to himself. It had been the third time this week that he was tricked like this.
"Works every time, eh?" Rei got up and walked over to the others, waking them up as well. "Come on, guys! You don't want to be late for the exhibition match today, now do you?" He had already finished his morning preparations. He was just waiting for his comrades to get ready. He flashed a satisfied grin when the rest of his teammates were up on their feet and running around.
He sat down on his bed and waited, and waited, and waited… until he sunk deeper in his mind. Images ran around like mad, mostly from the dream he had a few days ago. The solid fire feather turning into jet-black… The shadow-like form on the phoenix…
Does it have anything to do with Kai? The small voice squeaked in his mind.
Maybe… maybe it does. The raven-haired teenager continued to ponder about this. The answer was just a few ways away from him… but it was still out of his reach. It was frustrating, really – wanting to know the answers to the riddles he had, but not even once did he get close to the right solution. Might I be missing something? Like a vital piece of information? He sighed. If only I knew…
"…'Allo! Rei? Are ya in there, bud?" Tyson waved a slender hand in front of his friend's face. "Earth to Rei! Come in, Rei!" He called out once more, urging the older boy to snap out off his reverie.
"Ah… hai?"
"Good! I thought I lost you," Tyson said in relief. "Anyway, we should head down now. Max and Kenny are waiting." He jumped out of his bed, grabbed his coat and left the room. He heard his friend's light footsteps behind him and he sighed. So many things on my mind these days…
"Are you okay?" Rei asked, looking at the navy blue-haired boy.
Tyson looked up, smiling. "Ah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You look distracted. Were you thinking of something?" Rei asked, but did not get a reply in return. For Tyson was busy looking around. Eh… Of course he was thinking! He mentally slapped himself before he noticed the far away look in those azure blue lakes. "Tyson?" He called, trying to get the younger boy's attention, who seemed to have forgotten him. "Tyson?"
The Blue Dragoon sighed heavily, his face serious. I can't let them know… "Nothing to worry about. I was just thinking about Kai's bizarre disappearance," He replied, keeping his cheerful mask in place. The Blue Dragon looked around him, searching around for a slate blue-haired boy. Finding none, he sighed in disappointment.
"You worried?" Rei asked, tilting his head towards the sky.
"Yeah… I am…" He watched as the White Tiger run a hand through his hair. "Rei?" Now it was his turn to talk with the aura of silence. The older boy had drifted off into his own thoughts…
"It's going to rain… get inside," Rei muttered, stepping aside to let his friend go in first. Stray locks of raven hair concealed his sun-lit gems, preventing the world to see those gems fill up with despair. His voice held nothing – empty… He did not know why… but perhaps it was because of the dreary atmosphere caused by the gloomy weather.
Threatening clouds floated above, looking as if they may have been full of lead. Thunder roared at the heavens, and dared the King of the skies to pound furiously at the patches of darkness. Sunlight flickered all around, accepting the challenge, but it did not managed to pierce into the clouds. If it did, the miserable wisps of black and grey would have been replaced with the cheery brightness of the seven colors of light. But since it didn't, those patches of nothing were allowed to continue on their short life path of doom.
Tyson merely nodded as he went inside the bus, amazed at how his friend guessed the weather. He didn't even looked at the sky and he just… He quickly kicked that thought away. He must have felt it or something… Shaking his head to clear his mind, he semi-glanced at Rei who just hopped in as soon as the clouds started to cry. This place is making a lot of weird things happen… That's all I can say. Satisfied, he looked out the window, staring at the zooming cars beside them.
Rei sat down at the very back of the bus, leaning back at the cushioned chair. His eyes warily watched the rain pour down in cascading waves. It was quite unusual for this to happen, especially in Moscow. I thought it only snowed here? His question went unanswered, and he smiled. Hmph… guess I was wrong.
The rest of their trip was spent in silence. Not even Tyson's jokes or Max's laughs were heard – it was completely quiet. Each one of them was lost in their own world, thinking about the upcoming events of about life in general.
"So… erm…" Tyson broke the silence. "What do you guys think about the upcoming matches?"
"…Should be good," Max replied, not really interested.
"I agree with Max…" The Chief said, his mind completely focused on his laptop.
"…" The White Tiger didn't even bother, for he was busy organizing his thoughts. His mind became a chaotic land when the raindrops gained strength. It usually rains when something bad is going to happen to the main character of a book or a movie… Am I some kind of main character? He grinned wryly. Hn… probably not… "Whatever…"
Tyson got the hint and slumped down on his seat. He knew that the others didn't want him to be disturbed, but the silence was really getting to him. He didn't really like it when it's quiet… it left him alone with his thoughts. He didn't want to think, especially when his thoughts are unpleasant. "Argh! Will somebody please talk?! The silence is getting on my nerves!!"
"Be quiet, Tyson. There's no need to go mad…" Rei said calmly, not bothering to look at the confused and enraged boy. The deafening sound of stillness was unnerving, but it was quite tolerable… unlike his friend's outbursts. He shook his head, Where is Kai when you need him?
In grave danger, the small voice squeaked.
W-what? How? His questions were forgotten when the BBA vehicle suddenly came to a stop. It told everybody that it reached its destination.
The Biovolt Coliseum towered over the BladeBreakers, making them feel uneasy as soon as they stepped into its territory. The mysterious area gave off an intense feeling of darkness, making them feel small – vulnerable…
"Greetings, my friends."
The raven-haired teenager whirled around and smiled when he saw whom that deep voice belonged to – Lee. His smile grew even more when the rest of the White Tigers appeared from behind. "Hey, guys. Nice to see all of you again."
"Don't forget about us."
The Tortoise grinned as he heard that voice. He knew that it belonged to Michael. He turned to face the All Starz team and ran up to his mother. "Mom!" He chuckled and gave her a big hug. "I didn't know that you guys were up first!"
Words were exchanged between everybody else… everybody, except Tyson. Sure, he responded once in a while, but he was caught up in his own world. Something's going to happen… and I don't like it… His eyes darted from left to right, looking around suspiciously before he finally realized that his friends were leaving him behind. "H-hey! Don't leave me!" As the Blue Dragon broke off into a run, he wasn't able to notice that somebody was watching…
"Pathetic fools…" The statement was cold and hard.
The words came from the mouth of a slate blue-haired boy, gazing silently. His eyes were unfocused, indicating that the Black Phoenix had regained control yet again. "Won't they be surprised…" An icy smirk was flashed, and then the boy disappeared among the shadows.
He reappeared moments later in a dark and desolated hallway. He walked along the long passage, knowing too well what awaited him at the end. Boris. The Demolition Boys. Those weaklings… They never deserved him in the first place. "Might as well go along with their stupid play…" Sighing, he reached out to grasp the silver doorknob in front, opening the door.
"Finished saying your goodbyes?" Boris asked in a mocking tone.
"Tch. I don't need to say any," Kai retorted. He raised his eyes to meet that of Boris' before he glared at the man. "What do you want this time?"
"It's your turn."
"Hn." Without saying another word, the slate blue-haired boy walked outside the room, through another door. He was greeted by the same walls, along with the red-carpeted floor. The crowds' noise drifted over to his keen ears, making him grimace in disgust. Fools… Shaking his head, he strode over to end of the path, squinting his eyes slightly at the light.
"What the?! Kai!!"
The Red Phoenix looked up at the place where the BladeBreakers were, his crimson-tainted eyes lingering on them. He smirked before he looked away, walking up to the stadium, ready to face his next opponent. This will be fun…He laughed, before eyeing the members of the All Starz. "I have a proposal to make… Why don't all of you go against me? If you win, you win this match… but if you lose, well… you already know what will happen."
He eyed them intently, "Or are you chicken?"
"I'll make you choke those words!!" Michael growled, stepping up to the dish. He side-glanced at his teammates who just joined up with him, all of them was wearing enraged expressions. "You're going down."
"We shall see…" The defiled blade was pulled out, glimmering with all its glory and might.
"Three… two… one… Let it rip!!"
And the battle began, with Kai snickering to himself. He already knew who would be victorious. It was obvious, really… even his opponents could tell. "Who's going down?" He asked mockingly. "Arise Black Dranzer!" He swiftly extended his hand to the right, unleashing the crimson-black phoenix from its eternal prison. Dark flames crept around the wild beast's body, daring anyone to touch its fiery blaze. The inferno twirled around the stadium before it screeched and began its merciless assault.
Pathetic mortals… Their false hopes make me laugh…
"Weaklings," The Red Phoenix muttered. "Finish them off. It's time to end this."
The dark spirit complied and rocketed back and forth, leaving fallen beyblades in its path. The last one was the Golden Eagle… easy enough. One quick turn to the left should be more than enough… It burst into flames again, eargerness dripping from its cry. It leaned back and rammed into the orange blade, sending it flying across the stadium.
"The match is over and the winner is… Kai!"
The slate blue-haired boy lifted his hand, smiling as his blade returned to him. He observed the bit chip's glow, entrancing him in its spell once again. "It is far from over…" He whispered as he locked his gaze on the team before him. "Your bitbeasts… they're mine…!"
Take them… feel the unstoppable thrill of power…
"Their powers shall be mine forever," He declared, raising the dark blade.
What's… going on? Rei's eyes were suddenly clouded over when they stared at Kai. He didn't understand what just happened. Did Kai just betray them…? His mind didn't formulate the answer he wanted, but instead, it gave him the images he saw in his dream again. The dream! Of course! He watched in astonishment as the crimson-black phoenix was summoned, sending a chill down his spine.
"No…" The Blue Dragon's whisper was nothing more than a terrified whisper; midnight blue lakes locked on the cold and emotionless expression of his [former] leader.
The White Tiger looked up, "Pardon?"
Tyson could feel Rei's piercing gaze on him; he wasn't about to let them know… not yet. "No… NO!" He cried out, standing up as soon as the All Starz's bitbeasts were taken away. Trygle… Tryhorn… Trygator… Trypion… all of them. Not a single one was left… not a single one.
The navy blue-haired boy narrowed his eyes. He could feel it. Anger. It's a powerful feeling. Fists clenched. Teeth grinding. Muscles tight. Feeling ready to explode. He streaked down the stairs and paid no heed to his friends' calls of worry and fear. He stopped when he was right behind Kai. "Nobody has the right to steal bitbeasts from anybody… Kai!! Stop it!!" He demanded; his voice quivering regardless of how hard he tried not to break.
The slate blue-haired boy closed his eyes and he lowered the dark blade when it had finished its task. He turned around to face the furious – yet terrified – boy. "Hmph."
"Kai… How could y-you do this?" Tyson asked.
"Simple," Kai tried to walk past the young boy, but stopped when he got close enough. "It's fun." With a smirk, he turned to leave.
The Blue Dragon gritted his teeth and clenched his fist tightly. He mumbled something under his breath and ran towards his friends. I don't know what's going on… but we'll get you back. "Guys! We have to get to that abbey – fast! We need to find out what made Kai do this…! Let's go!!" He exclaimed, getting nods from his teammates. He acknowledged their agreement and without saying another word, they took off, heading straight to you-know-where.
Shinzui's Rolling Rant: I'm done – for now, that is! What did yew think of it? Boring? Pathetic, even? Meh… if it was boring, I'm really sorry – but I need to get these stuff out first. Anyway, I just hope yew like it – even though I didn't. x.X Ah yes, if you were wondering - I left the White Tigers' battle out deliberately. Meh… that's it for now! Oh wait! Anybody wanna be my Beta-Reader? Yew get to read the next chapters first. ^__________^ Just e-mail me, ne? In any case, see yew!