Into the lion's den
Disclaimer: Welcome to Chapter 4. Didn't think I'd make it this far. I think I'm gonna put a few words of wisdom up every now and then (NOT copying, neko- you know who you are). Here is the first words of wisdom by me. I would figure out a sort of screen name, something shorter than DragonMasterEmerald, but I can't think of one. Just call me DME for now. Oh, yeah, anyway: (*clears throat*) Teachers always talk all "wise" and BORING, but do they actually believe what they're saying? (#2:) Why does your alarm clock work on the day you don't need it to? (#3:) I HATE ORAL PRESENTATIONS! Oh yeah, like this story?
Well, for all my readers, I want you to know that my friend and I will be writing a different story soon. I'll write the first chapter, my friend will write the second, and so on. It will be a Beyblade story, no doubt about that. Ideas? Send them to my email or tell me in a review. Look out for that. Anyway, back to the story. So far, you've only heard a little about Boris and mostly about the Bladebrakers. This chapter is gonna be a little different. . . . . . . . . . . . R+R please! On with the story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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About 5 months before Kai got the letter from his grandfather, the famous White Tigers Beyblading team was practising back in that small village of theirs. Unfortunately, this made them completely unaware that they were about to be turned against their friends, including an old teammate. . . . . . . .
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"Oh, Ray." Mariah sighed and wished that Ray could be with them again. It wasn't that he didn't visit. She really believed he made the right choice when he decided to stay with his team. (*A/N don't worry, no way I'm letting this turn into a romance)
"MARIAH!" Lee called her.
"Coming!" she yelled back. Mariah ran outside where he was beyblading, as usual. Even without tournaments coming up, he insisted he had to keep practising.
"I've been thinking about Ray. . ." Lee's voice trailed off. Mariah stared at her shoes. Lee suddenly exclaimed, "Mariah!"
"Um, yeah?" Mariah looked up.
"You're blushing. . ."
"Um, um, um," Mariah tried to say something. But Mariah was saved by drums beating loudly. "Ohmigosh! Who could. . ." Mariah had a good idea, but so did Lee.
They yelled happily at the same time, "RAY!" Sure enough, there was Ray approaching them as they spoke. He was wearing his regular White Tiger outfit. He grinned, running towards them to greet them.
"But, Ray, what are you doing here?" Mariah finally asked the question after they'd went inside and made themselves comfortable.
"Well," he answered. "The Bladebrakers recently moved to a hotel just over the mountain. They were going to come, but Tyson had just eaten and didn't really feel like climbing a mountain (*laugh*). Uh, we came out here to beyblade in a more interesting place, and learn about beyblading here."
"We have a lot of catching up to do, Ray." Mariah smiled at Ray. Lee, on the other hand, looked for an excuse to get out. He quickly muttered, "I should check on Gary. He's been a little too quiet." With that, he ran out of the room.
So Ray and Mariah "caught up" for a few hours, then Ray said he had to leave, but he would be back tomorrow. After Ray had been bidden farewell, Lee dragged Mariah into a room. "I just got this," he said quietly, holding out an envelope. (*A/N feeling deja vu? Then you should read on!)
"So, it's a letter," Mariah said as her thoughts started wandering back to Ray.
Lee shook his head. "It has no address, no return address and somehow, appeared on my bed." It said, "White Tigers," and that was it. He tore it open. Inside was a short letter from the All-Starz:
Dear White Tigers,
The All-Starz challenge you to a private beyblading match before the second World Championships. You're coming, aren't you? We want you to see our power, in case we don't get a chance to face each other at the tournament. And, we want you to see what you're up against. About 7 months from now is when the Tournament is. Meet us at the place the World Championships were held before, in a week from when you get this letter. That means January 14, 2003, 2:00 PM, front entrance. Don't be late.
The All-Starz
"A private beyblading match," Mariah murmured. "Why all the secrecy? Emily... Why? Ray must be going to this tournament, but he didn't say a word to me."
Lee replied, "I think we should play it safe. Don't talk to Ray about the tournament and start packing."
"You mean we're going?" Mariah exclaimed.
"Yes. It could be a trap, but we don't want to look like cowards. It could take 2 days to get to Russia. We leave day after tomorrow. You tell Gary and Kevin. I'll tell Ray we're going on a trip, but won't tell where or why." (*A/N I know this doesn't sound like Lee, but how else could I explain Ray didn't know before the letter to Kai?)
So, 2 days later, the White Tigers were at the airport, boarding the flight.
Lee growled, "Someone could be watching, or even listening. Keep your guard up. Gary, don't draw attention. Kevin, you don't have to sneak around."
"Right," said Mariah, although her thoughts kept straying back to Ray. "Guard up. Keep calm and look casual."
Kevin muttered, "Why can't I "sneak" around? I know someone's following us and I am going to find out who it is."
"Because we don't want them to know we suspect them. We've said way too much already, so just drop it, Kevin!" was Lee's snappy reply. They took their seats and buckled their seat belts. The speakers clicked on. The pilot said, "Welcome to Asian Airlines Flight 297, non-stop to Russia."
Lee told his White Tiger team, "Here's the plan: We get to Russia, check in a hotel, and practise until the day comes. Any questions?" The White Tigers were silent.
"Good," Lee said. "This may be a trap, or just a joke, but we should be ready to battle."
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While this whole thing was happening with the White Tigers, the All-Starz were in their lab, still trying to find the perfect balance between science and human factors. Little did they know that they would be turned against a few old friends, including their chief director's son. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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"Are we done yet, Judy?" Steve asked a little impatiently.
"Almost, Steven. Just one more time," Judy answered gently.
"But that's what you said last time!"
"Steven! You listen to me! We are trying to help you perfect your beyblading skills, even if it doesn't seem that way! Show some respect, and some patience, please!"
"Oh, all right." He was angry. He didn't know how they'd gone wrong with just data, but the Bladebrakers showed them heart and skill were more powerful than even science. But he couldn't blame them. They were real champions, Steve admitted to himself. He launched his beyblade and cried, "LET... IT... RIP!!" Then again, he thought, before, his bit-beast had only seemed a piece of data. Tyson had taught Steve something that Tyson called "bit-beast channelling" where he learned to fight with his blade. So, he channelled all his anger and his blade destroyed the practise dish.
"Whoa! Awesome!" he yelled. "Tryhorn, return!" Steve's blade flew back into his hand. "Way to go, buddy," he said quietly. Steve knew Tryhorn had heard what he said. He grinned with pride as he ran over to Chief Director Judy (*A/N Max's mom, for everyone who forgot!).
"Impressive," she had to admit. "I'll get that replaced for tomorrow," she added as she stared at the rubble that was once the practise dish. Steve was still waiting for something. Judy saw his expression and said, "Yes, we're done, Steven."
"Chief Director Judy!" A man ran up to her. "This appeared on my desk. I don't know how it got there. It doesn't have an address or a return address," he said, handing her an envelope that said, "All-Starz" and nothing else. He walked away. Judy tore open the envelope. Inside was a letter from the White Tigers:
Dear All-Starz:
The White Tiger team challenge you to a private beyblading match before the 2nd World Championships. You're coming, aren't you? I want you to see our power, in case we don't get a chance to face each other at the tournament. And, I want you to see what you're up against. About 7 months from now is when the Tournament is. Meet us at the place where the World Championships were held before, in a week from when you get this letter. That means January 14, 2003, 2:00 PM, front entrance. Don't be late.
The White Tigers
"A private beyblading match?" asked Emily curiously. "Why all the secrecy? And why Russia?" She paused for a second, then started again. "Mariah. . . Why? And why didn't we hear of a tournament sooner?"
"Maybe they want to finish our "friendly" match we started." Steve smirked. "They probably figured we'd be in Russia by then for the tournament anyway. And when they lose, they won't have to be that embarrassed because there won't be anybody watching except, of course, us."
"We shouldn't turn down this challenge, whether it's a joke or not. As for the tournament, someone obviously only wanted certain people to know. I don't think we should spread this around. The media doesn't seem to know, so somebody's been keeping a secret. Wonder if it could be Boris and BIOVOLT again. . .? No doubt, we will be in Russia. We leave day after tomorrow. Emily, look up flights to Russia."
Emily simply answered, "Yes, ma'am!" and took out a laptop. She found it a bit easier to record findings on a laptop, and besides, it reminded her of Kenny. She looked up flights for that day to Russia. She announced 3 in the morning, and 3 in the afternoon.
"Morning would be best, I think," Judy told her.
Emily searched the flight times. "Well, there's flight 290 at 8:30, 297 at 9:45, and 301 at 10:30. We'd have at least 2 hours drive to the airport, so, I think flight 301 would be best. But, of course, it's your decision, Judy."
"I agree. Flight 301 at 10:30 it is. Call and arrange the tickets, please, Emily." She turned to the rest of the All-Starz, as Emily went off to make a few calls. "Listen up! We leave for Russia day after tomorrow. Until then, lots of practise, lots of sleep. Double the regular schedule and drop everything except meals, practise and sleep. The White Tigers seem pretty confident, even if they haven't improved."
Judy went around, making a few arrangements, as the All-Starz headed to bed. 10 minutes later, Emily came running up to Judy. "Everything's set," she announced.
So, 2 days later, they were at the airport boarding flight 301. Emily was feeling just a little bit nervous. "Judy," she whispered. Judy turned around.
"There's someone watching us. It was just a guess before, but I know for sure now. What should we do?" she asked in a quiet voice.
"Just act normal, and pretend you didn't notice anything," Judy whispered back. They got in their seats, and Judy told them, "Here's the plan: We get to Russia, check in our hotel, and practise until the day comes. Any questions?" The All-Starz stayed quiet. "Good," she said. "Whether this is a joke or not, we should be ready to battle."
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While this had been happening with the All-Starz, the Majestics had been doing their best to become the best beybladers. Without treating their bit-beasts like slaves. Little did they know, they were about to be turned against a few old friends, including the only person who ever beat Robert. . . (*A/N this turns out different, I promise)
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But you're not going to find out what happens to the Majestics this week. Sorry! Just have to wait and see, I guess. Now that you've read, please review! I'm so happy that people actually like my first beyblade fanfic. Actually, it's my first beyblade fic, period. Well, it's really my first fanfic. Wait, it's my first story that wasn't for school and my first to be put on-line. Next time on "once friend, now foe:"
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The expensive, clear sounding doorbell rang. The Majestics looked strangely towards the door. Robert asked, "Now who could that be? (*clap*)" A servant appeared beside him. He questioned him, "Did anybody have an appointment with me today?"
The answer was, "No, Master Robert. No appointment was made or set for this day."
The doorbell rang again. The servant asked, "Shall I get the door, Master Robert?"
Robert paused for a second, then answered, "No thank you, I shall see to it myself. That is all." The servant disappeared. Strange, Robert thought. I don't think I have seen that servant before, ever. He opened the door. Guess who it was. A servant walking by paused, looking through the door, and passed out on the spot.
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Sound interesting? Hope so. Hate me for cutting it off? Just wait till next week, people. DME, signing off for this week. Make sure you check out "Sacred Spirits" by me, DME and my friend, DM (The Dark Magician), author of "How can he live like that?"