A/N: All right, it's about time I got around to updating this! Well, it wasn't exactly my fault...seeing as I was suspended for a week!...*Shrugz*...Oh well, I'm updating now! ^-^ Oh, I must also mention one other thing. As for those other beyblade characters that I have chosen...I have to say that I may not be able to use them all. I'm so, so sorry! But I've come to the conclusion that I do not want to write about all those battles, otherwise they just become repetitive...and I don't wanna do that. I'm sorry to all those people who won't see their characters appear, but I do have a back up. I'm already starting a new beyblade ficcy, and if I ever get around to posting it, I will see to it that your characters get placed in it...OK!
Chapter 26: Mixed Events
A light breeze began to slowly drift throughout the almost unbearably packed sidewalks, as it rustled restlessly through people's hair. It wasn't cold however, it was far from it, and it brought about a sense of warmth and comfort to anybody's soul. Nikki paused, allowing herself to savior the wistful movement of the current breeze. Fluttering her eyes open softly, she glanced up at her taller comrade. Aiyote seemed unusually quiet and she was rather curious as to why, yet she held herself back from asking. Personally, whatever he was thinking- it was none of her business. She watched carefully as numerous colored lanterns were being hung along the streetside, knowing exactly what was going on. Everybody was getting ready for the annual 'Fiesta', which was held every year in honor of the Beynamite Tournament.
"Do you think the Bladebreakers will be there?" Wondered Nikki, still unable to get the images out of her head ever since she saw them. Aiyote shook his head, indicating that the question laid before him was not worthy enough for an answer.
"I believe most teams attend it Nikki, and I believe you knew that." He sent her an annoyed glance, earning himself a roll of her violet eyes. "This is getting boring, we definitely need some action, don't we Bellerophon." His eyes shifted down as he gazed at the small maroon beyblade, which was currently resting in the palm of his hand.
"I agree," Nikki replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "Where do you suppose Jason and the others are...they were supposed to meet us here five minutes ago!" Sighing with frustration she began searching the thickening crowds, trying to spot a familiar face.
"Five minutes late?! I'd say you need to re-set your watch Nik!" Nikki scrunched her face at the sound of the nickname- not that she hated it or anything, it just bothered her the way that Draco pronounced it. He loved to exaggerate it beyond belief, often times doing it just to bug her. She was after all the only female member of the team, so she was rather like a little sister to all of them. "My watch is just fine, you just can't handle the truth!" She sent a playful wink as Draco sent her a slight smile, taking a position next to her.
"So, what's up?" Jason asked, turning to face Aiyote who remained motionless. "Did you see them...or not?"
"Of course we saw them!" Aiyote retorted, believing the question he was faced with was rather dumb. A smirk grew upon his lips as he shrugged his broad shoulders casually. "If you ask me, they don't even look like a threat." Nikki nodded in agreement, while Jason paused in thought.
"As much as I believe the two of you, I still can't help but worry about them as worthy competition." Jason finally answered, closing his eyes slowly so as to let his thoughts process.
"I agree with Jason." Dan spoke up, striding up to stand next to his stoic leader. "I mean, HE told us to look out for them...did he not?" The others shot their attention at Dan, the instance they heard the word 'he'.
"You mean...Voltaire, don't you." Nikki replied, in a hush whisper- making sure that nobody else besides her team could hear the deadly name.
"That's exactly who he means!" Jason answered, clenching his fists in anger. The mere thought of Voltaire caused his veins to burn, wanting more then anything to destroy that man for what he did. Yet he couldn't, there was nothing that he could do...nothing. "We made a deal with him...and if I ever want to see my little brother again, we must destroy the Bladebreakers!"
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"Come on out Dragoon!" Tyson yelled at the top of his lungs, his finger pointing outwards with a silent command. His blade immediately responded as a giant blue dragon emerged from within the gray blade- its bright aura sending vibes of power throughout the small dish.
"Well, well, well...if it isn't the mighty Dragoon." Mariah replied the sarcasm clearly evident within her voice. She stood firmly across from Tyson, her hands jammed respectively against her hips. Her golden eyes wavered across the four blades currently spinning in the dish, yet she always made sure that the small pink blade was within her sight. The other two participants of the battle were none other than Lee and Max, standing close at hand to their battling partners. The four of them had agreed on a friendly little partner battle, just to get them warmed up for the upcoming matches tomorrow. Of course Tyson was all for it, but the rest of his teammates didn't seem to want to join in- that is, if they even knew about it.
"All right Dragoon, take her down...Storm Attack!" Without sparing a single second, a large hurricane began to take form, surrounding the gray blade with deadly power. Suddenly the gigantic storm turned abruptly, its massive force sending itself directly at the spinning green blade next to it. "Hey! Dragoon...wrong way!" Tyson practically screamed, jumping around in a panic. "You're not supposed to attack Draciel, he's on your team!"
"Uh, Tyson...I don't think he's listening!" Max declared, fearing the storm that spun closer and closer. Tyson threw himself into a fit of frustration, tugging repeatedly against his navy hair.
"How pathetic, you can't even control your bit beast!" Lee yelled out, smirking at the sight of his worthless opponents. "I must admit Tyson, you were the king of beyblading. But, when it comes to partner battles...you haven't a clue of what you're doing!" Tyson merely rolled his eyes at the unnecessary comments, while Lee continued to mock the two boys with laughter.
"Would you like us to show you how it's done?" Mariah questioned, smiling with sheer delight. Without even waiting for a reply, she flicked a small strand of pink hair from her face as she focused upon her blade. "Galux, combine your attack with Galeon...SCRATCH ATTACK!" A beam shot from the small pink beyblade as her familiar mountain cat bit beast emerged, claws extended. The battle didn't last long after that as Galeon and Galux attacked as one, sending both Draciel and Dragoon clean out of the dish- stopping their spin. "That's how you do it!" Mariah replied, giggling at the astonished looks of Tyson and Max.
"Unbelievable! You guys were amazing!" Max exclaimed, kneeling down and gathering up his defeated green blade.
"Well, as I believe Kai always insisted...practice does make perfect." Lee answered, summoning back his black blade into his palm. Mariah mimicked him, receiving Galux back into her own hand, as they walked over to Max. "Your bit beasts just need to learn to work together...that's all."
"Easy for you to say, no matter what we do...they always try to attack each other!" Max laughed, shrugging his shoulders over the matter. Tyson on the other hand remained silent, his knees resting against the hard concrete as he examined his blade. 'What's the matter with you Dragoon...why did you attack Draciel back there!?' He felt his own anger growing- along with frustration at his usually obedient bit beast. Squeezing the blade tighter within his grasp, he shoved it back into the depths of his pocket before coming to a stand.
"Tyson, are you ok?" Mariah questioned, noticing the sudden change come over the usually He felt his own anger growing- along with frustration at his usually obedient bit beast. Squeezing the blade tighter within his grasp, he shoved it back into the depths of his pocket before coming to a stand.
"Tyson, are you ok?" Mariah questioned, noticing the sudden change come over the usually exuberant boy. Tyson nodded his head slowly, yet refused to make any eye contact.
"I'm fine...I...I just need to think for a little while," he answered quietly. Everybody blinked in complete surprise- that was definitely not the answer that they were expecting from him. Normally Tyson would bound back to life again, declaring that one little, friendly match was nothing. Instead he completely ignored the others as he turned slowly on his heel, and began walking away.
"Was it something I said?" Mariah asked, tilting her head curiously to the side. Not that she remembered saying anything against his blading skills; she did however have tendencies to shout things out- not realizing what she was saying.
"You didn't say anything...none of us did." Lee replied, shaking his own head in confusion. "Perhaps he just needs to be alone for awhile, and I suggest we accept his wishes. Besides, I think we've had enough battling for today...perhaps we should find the others." Mariah nodded with agreement, as Lee began heading back towards his hotel room.
"Max...are you coming?" Max glanced back at the pink haired girl, nodding his head slowly, then following after her...he just hoped that Tyson was all right. Sure they lost the battle, but that couldn't be why he left so depressed...or could it? Max shrugged the worries from his head, trudging slowly behind the two White Tiger members. He was curious to what everybody else was doing, especially Kenny, who never missed a match- whether it was friendly or for real. 'Probably studying some new blading techniques on Dizzi.' That was the most logical of explanations, but he'd soon find out.
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All five rooms were positioned next to one another, three being on one side of the hall, while the other two standing opposite. It was actually quite handy, allowing them to skip from room to room in order to hang out. Mariah slipped her key into the locked door as she swiftly swung it open- allowing herself passage into the rather dark room. A rush of cold air brushed over Mariah, causing her pink hair to flutter slightly with the breeze. She had to admit, it felt good- especially after being outside in the blazing sun. Clicking on the lamp nearest to the entrance, she plopped down on her bed, cocking one of her pink eyebrows in curiosity.
"What are you...a mole or something!?" She exclaimed, glancing over at Jade who was currently lying on her side upon the adjacent bed. "And there's no way that you can be cold!?" She stared with amazement at the mass of blankets, tucked tightly up around Jade's chin.
"Easy for you to say...you haven't been stuck in an air conditioned room all afternoon!" Jade retorted, shuffling in the double sized bed as she turned to face Mariah.
"That's your own fault!" She snorted, refusing to show the girl any sympathy. "You could've stayed out with me...but oh no, you just had to disappear after Rei so generously gave me this pendent." The small silver locket hung loosely around Mariah's neck, shimmering as the small amount of light reflected over it. Turning her head away from Jade, she crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned her back against the bed frame.
"Oh come now Mariah, you didn't honestly expect me to hang around you two love birds...did you?" Jade questioned, propping herself up on her left elbow. Mariah only snorted her reply, as she remained completely stubborn. "Come on, you know you didn't want me there."
"Well, you could've at least told me where you were going!" She exclaimed, her golden eyes softening a little. "I was looking all over for you! If it weren't for Kai, I wouldn't of even known that you were back at the hotel." She tilted her head downwards, glancing solemnly at her clasped hands. Jade couldn't help but smile at the pink haired girl as she brought herself to a sitting position.
"Awww, Ria...you were worried about me!" Jade stated, tilting her head slightly to the side. Mariah nodded slowly in agreement, her hand running casually against the soft comforter. The next gesture came quite fast as Mariah sprang to the opposite bed, tightly wrapping her arms around Jade.
"Of course I was worried about you...you're my best friend!" She declared, her head nuzzled up against Jade's shoulder. Jade could hardly believe herself what was going on. The two of them had only met a few days ago, and already they referred to each other as 'best friends.' It did feel good though, and Mariah reminded her so much of Jessie.
"You didn't actually believe that something happened to me." Jade questioned, glancing down at the clinging pink haired girl. Mariah nodded repeatedly, indicating that that was exactly why she was worried. "What could happen to me, I mean...after all, I was with Kai."
"Do you know how many creeps there are out th...what!? You were with Kai?!" She broke out, finally releasing her hold on Jade as she leaned back. "He never told me that when I asked where you were." She blinked in confusion, before a mischievous smile began to spread over her lips. "I should've known!"
"What...what are you talking about!?" Jade demanded in confusion.
"Come on Jade, it's obvious. You have a thing for him...don't you?" Jade could feel her cheeks flush at the mere thought of it, causing Mariah to smile even more. Shaking her head rapidly she pulled up on one of the covers, allowing it to conceal her face from Mariah's penetrating stare. "You can't fool me Jade Tomei...I knew it all along." Jade could feel the pink haired girl bound up and off the bed, as she made her way over to the medium sized TV.
"Don't worry, your secrets safe with me!" Jade moaned at the chirpy voice of Mariah, wanting to kill herself at that very moment. Her thoughts were soon drowned out however as the sound of excited voices began echoing through her ears.
"What are you doing?" Jade questioned, finally withdrawing her comforter shield and allowing her crystal eyes to focus on Mariah. She didn't even need to hear an answer as she noticed the colorful images being portrayed upon the TV set. "What's going on?"
"It's a fiesta!" Mariah replied, her pretty face instantly lighting up- she was ecstatic. "Ohhh Jade, can you imagine how fun that's going to be!" A twinkle dashed through her golden eyes as she clasped her hands together with excitement.
"Oh please...let me guess, you just can't wait until you get to be all snugly close with Rei." Jade laughed as she sent Mariah a wink- it was now her turn to wink, and did she ever. Instantly her face began blushing furiously, as she threw her hands up and placed them against her burning cheeks. "Ha! Looks like the mocking can be sent either way...wouldn't you say Ria!"
"Oh can it!" Mariah shot back, whipping a large pillow over her shoulder- smacking Jade directly in the face. The blushing was soon swept aside after that as Mariah burst into a fit of giggles, her hands clasping over her sides.
"Ha, ha...you're such a riot!" Jade mumbled in sarcasm, tossing the pillow back over at Mariah. "Speaking of this Fiesta, when is it anyway?" Mariah paused her laughing, reverting her attention back towards the blaring television.
"Two days from now," Mariah confirmed, listening to the TV announcer. A mass of brilliant colors was flashing across the screen as it reflected crowds of people eagerly setting up all sorts of decorations and displays. A smile lit across Mariah's face soon after, her small fangs sliding mischievously over her bottom lip. "You know what that means don't you?"
"Mariah...No!" Jade declared, shaking her head feverishly as she waved her hands desperately before her. She knew exactly what was going through that pink haired girls mind, and she swore that she wouldn't be apart of it.
"Yes!" Mariah nodded, leaning against her elbows as she winked at Jade.
"We're going SHOPPING!"
Credit once again goes to: Top Duelist, Awesomeanimebabe, Psycho-Kitty-Purra, The_7th_Toraphim, and Triple.
A/N: Ok, just so ya know...this chapter really had no purpose, at all! I just needed to write a simple chapter before the tournament started, and I figured I should sort of explain what's up with the new characters. So anyway, next chappy the tournament will be starting...so, stay tuned! ^-^
