Disclaimer: I am not the one who came up with the whole Beyblade thing.
"Well, Ray, it's up to you now." Kenny said in a tone that could almost be called solemn, "According to the line-up, you are against your old rival, Bryan."
Ray nodded silently, deeply absorbed in thoughts.
Tyson shouted enthusiastically, "Go kick some serious Biovolt butt, pal!"
"That's one way to put it." Shea said with a smile.
Ray laughed at his friends' encouragement and said, "Don't worry, I will never let you guys down."
They walked into the stadium together. Again AJ Topper's slightly accented voice was heard booming above them.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the third match in our world championship final!" Said he, "The Blade Breakers have won two matches already, and if they win again today, they shall be our new world champions!"
Brad continued, "But by the look on the opponents' face, they will not win easily! Let's meet our players. From the Blade Breakers we have Ray Kon, and from the Demolition Boys we have Bryan! Last year when those two played it out, it was a gruesome battle to the death! It ended when Ray snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. How will this one turn out?"
"You will just have to find out!" AJ shouted loudly.
Ray stood up and walked before the dish. He knew it was a risky chance he took, to beyblade in his current condition, and the throbbing pain in his shoulder proved no less. Bryan seemed to notice his discomfort, and he had a jeering smile on his face.
"You don't look too good, Ray." He said mockingly, "A little under the weather maybe?"
Ray didn't reply, instead he looked at the pale Russian teen in the eyes long and hard. Bryan's sneer soon turned to an angry look. Even if the audience noticed the tension, they showed no signs. They were still cheering loudly.
AJ continued with his introduction. "Take a look at today's dish." He said as the mechanism opened and revealed the bowl, "We called this the Rings of Disaster!"
The dish before them was rings of metal connected together with two bands to form a rough bowl shape. It looked more like a modern sculpture than a beyblade dish. There was more empty space than smooth surface a blade could travel on.
"How are you suppose to beyblade on that thing?" Shea said with disbelief, " The spaces between rings are wide enough for a blade to pass through. One wrong move and you are out of that dish!"
Kenny said with concern, "Well that's the whole point. That would double the difficulty."
"We should be thankful that it was Ray who got to use that dish, not anyone of us." Shea said, "At least his blade has enough control and agility to actually manoeuvre on that thing."
"I guess." Kenny nodded.
Apparently they were not the only one who thought the dish was crazy. Brad was exclaiming to the crowd also.
"What the heck was that thing?" He asked, "Who ever thought one can beyblade on it?"
AJ explained, "This new design was inspired by a modern sculpture in New York. It was made two years ago, but never used, because of the difficulty level. The audiences are in for a treat!"
"The bladers certainly are not!" Brad complained, "But let's see how they do anyway."
The two bladers launched their blades together. Ray's pearly white blade landed on the third ring. Bryan's black blade crashed into the outer ring like a bullet. There were a few white and blue sparks. Before Ray could even react, a piece of metal had broke off and hit him in the chest. He stumbled, almost falling on his knees. A dizzying pain washed over him. His lungs seemed to be on fire, and the wound on his shoulder had opened again and was bleeding freely. Bryan laughed cruelly, his pale face twisted with delight.
"How is that for a starter, Ray?" He said maliciously.
"You are too eager to hurt me, and you totally ignored the positioning of your blade." Ray said in a low but collected voice, "That will cost you dearly."
He suddenly stood tall and commanding, and shouted, "Drigger! Attack now!"
There was a flash of white light, and the pearl white blade crashed into the other, sending it flying across the dish. The black blade almost fell through, but at the last moment it righted itself and landed on the outermost ring, still spinning.
"Is that all you can do?" The pale teen stared vehemently at his opponent, "I am afraid it's not quite enough to beat me!"
Ray replied calmly, "But even you have to admit that you are caught in a hard place."
Bryan looked down and narrowed his eyes. His blade was indeed in a very bad situation. For a starter, it had nowhere to go. The only thing connecting the outer ring to the rest of the dish was one single metal band. The other one was cut by his own blade just moments ago. Also his blade was slowly loosing spin-rate. Must be an aftermath from that attack.
"You are in a strategic disadvantage. There are very few plans you can execute in that position." Ray continued in a smooth, silky tone.
"I can still trash you from where I am!" Bryan shouted and ordered his bit-beast to attack.
The great bird of prey rose from the blade and whipped air around like weapons. The aggressive attack did not go for Ray's blade; instead it was concentrated on him. Again Ray did not move, nor did his expression change. The wind cut him like many swords, and his white shirt was slowly turning red, but still he looked collected and cool.
"You play into my hands again." He said calmly, "It is not wise of you to attack so rashly. Take a look at where your blade spins."
Bryan looked down and cursed silently. The outer ring was shaking. The attack he summoned weighed too much on it and the metal band was cracked. It threatened to break any second. Before he could do anything, he saw a white light flash before his eyes. Then the metal band broke completely, and the outer ring was now separated from the rest of the dish. With a "clang" the ring of metal crashed into the floor.
"Floborg, get back into the centre of the dish!" Bryan shouted, with a slight panic in his voice.
His black blade leaped into the air.
Ray commanded with a steely glint in his golden eyes, "It is too late! Drigger! Tiger claws attack!"
There was a flash of white and green light as the tiger leaped into the air. With an easy swept it sent the other blade flying out of the dish. The first round was over.
"And Ray claim the first round!" AJ shouted, "The Blade Breakers is only one step from the final victory!"
Ray walked back to his teammates. He tried his best to steady his steps, though it was growing more difficult by the second. He felt drained of energy, and the pain and dizziness refused to leave him in peace no matter what. His teammates rushed to him and helped him to the bench.
"Ray, buddy, are you okay?" Tyson asked worriedly.
Ray nodded his head and tried to say something, but instead of pronouncing words he coughed up blood.
"Ray!" Shea gasped, "You don't look good. We need to get you to a hospital."
Ray put up a hand and said firmly, "No Shea. I am not forfeiting now, when we are so close to victory."
"But." Shea tried to say more, but Tyson cut her off.
"Don't worry about him, Shea." He said in a seldom-heard serious tone, "He will pull through."
Ray nodded his thanks to Tyson and stood up. He came before the dish and faced his arch-nemesis again. The pale Russian teen now has a furious expression on his face.
"You will not be so lucky this time, Ray." He sneered, "I will send you on your way fast."
Ray didn't reply; he hardly had the strength to argue. They launched their blades. This time Bryan sent his blade into the centre ring, and he called on his bit-beast without wasting a single moment. The bird arose again, whipping the wind around it until they howled with torment. The onset of wind was too much for Ray. The world swayed before his eyes. A sudden blast sent him flying backward. Darkness took him before he even hit the floor. His blade followed him and landed in defeat, closing the second round quickly.
"Ray!" His teammates rushed to him and helped him to the bench.
His eyes snapped open and he muttered, "Don't worry, I am fine."
"You are not fine!" Shea exclaimed with frustration, "Take a look at your self. You are drenched in blood!"
Kenny said quietly, "Ray, we all want to win this, but we can't let you get hurt."
Ray ignored their comments and asked, "Shea, how long do you think Bryan can hold on to his storm attack before the energy slackens?"
"One minute thirty seconds, I'd say. Two minutes maximum." Shea said doubtfully, "Why do you ask?"
Ray answered in a subdued voice, "If I can only hold my spin rate for two minutes. Bryan's blade does not have much stamina. After he exhausted his power, I can easily beat him."
"Are you mad?" Shea shouted, "In your current state you can barely stand! Never mind to stand in front of that wind attack for two minutes! It's impossible!"
Ray said with a determination that was soft but unyielding, "Then I will make it possible."
"But Ray!" Shea said miserably, "You will get hurt."
"Let him do it." Tyson had cut her off again.
Ray stood up and walked up to the dish, preparing himself for the third match. Shea turned to Tyson in anger, her golden eyes flashing like those of a hawk.
"How could you let him do this, Tyson?" She asked, "This will send him on his death!"
Tyson replied in a solemn voice, "Look Shea. I know Ray. He wants to fight this battle."
Shea didn't say anything in return. Her lips were pressed into a thin line and there was a strange grimness on her face that was almost akin to sorrow. She turned at looked at Ray, and her eyes softened just a little.
"Ray is known for his agility, not endurance." She said softly.
Tyson replied with confidence, "Agility is another form of endurance."
No one spoke there after, for the third round had just begun.
Ray kept his blade circling on the third ring. There it would be safe from direct attacks, also the momentum would not slackens the spin rate and speed by much. Bryan's blade was spinning on the centre ring, already launching another all out attack, more at the blader than the blade. Ray braced himself against the relentless wind. Two minutes is all he need. The wind grew stronger and stronger, until every wisp of it landed on him like thorny whips. He concentrated all his will power on staying standing. He would not back down.
Bryan was growing frustrated. One minute had passed, and his opponent showed no signs of weakening. Ray stood in front of him, tall and unwavering like an ancient oak. His blade was still spinning on the third ring, not even losing the least bit of speed. Bryan couldn't understand. Even a strong man couldn't stand against his storm attack for more than thirty seconds. How was this young, already injured teen holding up against him?
"Already your power slackens." Ray said, still in his calm tone. One couldn't tell whether it's a mock, a taunt, or a mere observation.
Bryan snarled furiously. His opponent was right, he couldn't possible generate such an attack forever. He glared at the raven-haired teen before him with utter contempt. His concentration wavered, and his attack lost its savage power.
Ray didn't waste a moment. He commanded, "Drigger! Now it's the time!"
"That's what you think!" Bryan shouted, "Floborg! Wind daggers attack!"
The howling wind around his blade changed. They took the forms of many sharp daggers, radiating from the blade and slicing through the air. Anything approaching the blade would have quite a few holes in them before they even get close to the target.
"Impressive. But not enough to stop me." Ray's tone now bore a sharp tint, "Drigger! Forest weave!"
The white and green tiger leaped out from the blade. With dazzling speed it began to travel down the dish of many rings. Every time when it seemed a dagger would surely pierce it, it would suddenly vanish and appear somewhere else. Before Bryan could even react, the white blade had reached the centre of the dish.
"Tiger claws attack!" Ray shouted his commanded.
The white blade crashed into the other, sending it flying. Bryan's blade flew out of the dish and landed on the ground, still spinning with great difficulty.
"And it's over!" AJ shouted joyously, "Ray won the third round! The Blade Breakers emerge at the top again!"
Ray sighed. It was over. So relieved he was he did not notice the look on Bryan's face. Bryan was even paler than usual. A bitter hatred twisted his features, and his cold eyes now bore a murderous light.
"You will not get away with this so easy, Ray." He said, almost in a whisper.
"What?" Ray turned to his opponent, puzzled and suddenly wary for reasons unknown even to himself.
In frenzy Bryan shouted, "Floborg! Kill him!"
The giant bird of prey rose from his blade again, and it attacked at its master's command. The wind sent Ray staggering and falling back. In another second the bird was on top of the teen. The bird shrieked and dug its sharp talons into the Ray's shoulders. Ray cried out sharply. He was surprised he could even feel more pain. He looked up at the savage bird, and all hope left him.
Suddenly there was an explosion of light. Ray's beyblade, which was still spinning in the dish, suddenly shattered into a million pieces. In a flash of silver, a great tiger emerged. With one sweep of his paw, the tiger sent the bird of prey tumbling and retreating into the blade.
The tiger turned and faced Bryan. He was bristling with fury, and there was a silver flame around him. He picked up Bryan's blade with his paw and turned it to dust. Bryan stared at the beast before him with mixed awe and fear. The beast glared at him.
"You despicable creature, heartless thing." The tiger said, his voice low but dangerous like the rumbling of thunder.
The great beast stepped near to the pale Russian teen and lifted its great paw.
"Drigger! No!" Ray gasped and struggled to stand up. Though his plea was no more than a whisper that he was sure no one would hear.
The great tiger heard though. Slowly he lowered his paw, and the fire around him slowly faded. Now he looked like a normal tiger, with white fur lined with black stripes, majestic and beautiful, but no longer terrible and threatening.
" There is no need for me to hand you punishment." The tiger said quietly, "You will get punishments from others, it seems."
Bryan gasped. He was pale like a dead man now. He stole a glance at Boris, who was standing beside the team bench the whole time, looking extremely displeased. Bryan cursed inside; he dared not to even think about the punishment he will receive from Boris. Ray watched with alarm. Images flashed before his eyes, that of a battered Tala, and the boy named Alexander he met a year ago in the abbey. All of his pains were forgotten at that moment. He knelt beside the great tiger.
"I must ask you to do one thing for me, Drigger." He pleaded in a quiet voice.
"Speak your command, Ray." Drigger replied.
Ray said hurriedly, "Protect Bryan. Please. No matter what do not Boris get him."
The tiger turned and looked at the boy with his golden eyes.
"Please do it, Drigger." Ray said.
Slowly the great tiger nodded. Ray sighed in relief and relaxed. Now the rush of adrenalin left him, he was suddenly aware of that unbearable pain again. The world before him slowly faded into darkness, and he fell back unconscious.
"Ray!" His teammates shouted, for the umpteenth time in that day.
They rushed to him. The medical workers came also and placed the boy on a stretcher. There was a great commotion in the stadium. A wild buzzing now filled the building. One could not tell whether it's tension or relief. For a moment Bryan was totally forgotten by all. He stared at everything impassively, as if suddenly turned to stone. Then he heard someone approach him. He turned around and saw Boris standing before him, looking cold and stern.
"You are weak, Bryan." Boris said in an emotionless voice.
Bryan swallowed fearfully and lowered his head. He didn't say anything. He could tell Boris was enraged and was doing everything to oppress his anger before the public.
"Now march, young man!" Boris said impatiently, "We are leaving. Or do you need to tell you how to walk?"
Suddenly there was a flash of white, and the great tiger was between Boris and Bryan. The beast turned his dark eyes on Boris.
"It would be well if you leave him alone." The tiger said.
The tiger's voice was low and ancient, but that calm and collected tone of his was exactly like Ray's. For a minute Boris had the illusion that the one before him was not a mystical beast, but rather the boy himself. He shook his head vigorously to rid of that thought. He glared at the beast.
He snarled, "Get out of my way, you overgrown cat."
"I am in no mood to bicker with you, foolish mortal." The tiger said, his tone smooth but cold like frozen water, "I suggest you leave this instant, unless you wish to see a display of my power."
Boris glared again. A vein was slight bulging on his forehead. He turned and stomped away. The tiger watched his vanishing figure with a mixture of disgust and amusement, if such combination was even possible. Then the beast turned to Bryan.
"Let us go then." He said to the Russian teen, "I shall lead you to someone you would be safe with, for now at least."
Bryan did not move; he looked as if he was in a trance.
The tiger growled impatiently, "Come, I have not the eternity."
Bryan jerked and followed the tiger silently. Finally he asked in a bitter voice, "Why did you save me? Why didn't you just leave me to Boris?"
The tiger said slowly, "I hold no love for you, boy. Had I my way, you would have been dead by now. The immortals hold life precious, and any attempt to rob one of it should be punished. But Ray told me to protect you. That was the last thing he said to me, and I would not be ignorant of his plea."
He suddenly halted, and said, "I believe you can go to him, if you wish."
Bryan looked up and saw a small but plump figure that belonged to Mr. Dickinson. He hesitated, but when he turned again to speak to the tiger, he was gone. He sighed, and slowly walked to the old man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shea watched as the tiger slowly faded in a bright silver light, leaving only a small stone hovering in the air. She stretched out her hand and took the stone, it was white softly glowing like a pearl, and carved on it in dark green was the image of a great tiger. She turned the stretcher beside her, and watched the still form of her teammate. Gently she put the stone in his hand. A gentle light glimmered, and faded again quickly. The stretcher was hauled onto am ambulance, and swiftly the vehicle rode away. Shea watched silently, then she felt a gentle hand on her arm. It was Tyson.
"He will be fine." Tyson said optimistically with a big smile, "Don't you worry one bit."
Shea smiled too, "Of course."
A/N: This is the longest chapter in this story. I guess now you can know who is my favourite character is? Yes it's Ray! The reason I got addicted to Beyblade in the first place was watching the episode A Wicked Wind Blows, and from then on I was hooked. So this chapter is dedicated to that episode, which stopped me jeering at the show, which I considered stupid and childish before.
Anyway, the end is near! And finally Bryan is redeemed. I was going to kill him, but then I realized what I did now would give a character boost to the Blade Breakers, so, here it is. Hope you enjoy. And please REVIEW!
"Well, Ray, it's up to you now." Kenny said in a tone that could almost be called solemn, "According to the line-up, you are against your old rival, Bryan."
Ray nodded silently, deeply absorbed in thoughts.
Tyson shouted enthusiastically, "Go kick some serious Biovolt butt, pal!"
"That's one way to put it." Shea said with a smile.
Ray laughed at his friends' encouragement and said, "Don't worry, I will never let you guys down."
They walked into the stadium together. Again AJ Topper's slightly accented voice was heard booming above them.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the third match in our world championship final!" Said he, "The Blade Breakers have won two matches already, and if they win again today, they shall be our new world champions!"
Brad continued, "But by the look on the opponents' face, they will not win easily! Let's meet our players. From the Blade Breakers we have Ray Kon, and from the Demolition Boys we have Bryan! Last year when those two played it out, it was a gruesome battle to the death! It ended when Ray snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. How will this one turn out?"
"You will just have to find out!" AJ shouted loudly.
Ray stood up and walked before the dish. He knew it was a risky chance he took, to beyblade in his current condition, and the throbbing pain in his shoulder proved no less. Bryan seemed to notice his discomfort, and he had a jeering smile on his face.
"You don't look too good, Ray." He said mockingly, "A little under the weather maybe?"
Ray didn't reply, instead he looked at the pale Russian teen in the eyes long and hard. Bryan's sneer soon turned to an angry look. Even if the audience noticed the tension, they showed no signs. They were still cheering loudly.
AJ continued with his introduction. "Take a look at today's dish." He said as the mechanism opened and revealed the bowl, "We called this the Rings of Disaster!"
The dish before them was rings of metal connected together with two bands to form a rough bowl shape. It looked more like a modern sculpture than a beyblade dish. There was more empty space than smooth surface a blade could travel on.
"How are you suppose to beyblade on that thing?" Shea said with disbelief, " The spaces between rings are wide enough for a blade to pass through. One wrong move and you are out of that dish!"
Kenny said with concern, "Well that's the whole point. That would double the difficulty."
"We should be thankful that it was Ray who got to use that dish, not anyone of us." Shea said, "At least his blade has enough control and agility to actually manoeuvre on that thing."
"I guess." Kenny nodded.
Apparently they were not the only one who thought the dish was crazy. Brad was exclaiming to the crowd also.
"What the heck was that thing?" He asked, "Who ever thought one can beyblade on it?"
AJ explained, "This new design was inspired by a modern sculpture in New York. It was made two years ago, but never used, because of the difficulty level. The audiences are in for a treat!"
"The bladers certainly are not!" Brad complained, "But let's see how they do anyway."
The two bladers launched their blades together. Ray's pearly white blade landed on the third ring. Bryan's black blade crashed into the outer ring like a bullet. There were a few white and blue sparks. Before Ray could even react, a piece of metal had broke off and hit him in the chest. He stumbled, almost falling on his knees. A dizzying pain washed over him. His lungs seemed to be on fire, and the wound on his shoulder had opened again and was bleeding freely. Bryan laughed cruelly, his pale face twisted with delight.
"How is that for a starter, Ray?" He said maliciously.
"You are too eager to hurt me, and you totally ignored the positioning of your blade." Ray said in a low but collected voice, "That will cost you dearly."
He suddenly stood tall and commanding, and shouted, "Drigger! Attack now!"
There was a flash of white light, and the pearl white blade crashed into the other, sending it flying across the dish. The black blade almost fell through, but at the last moment it righted itself and landed on the outermost ring, still spinning.
"Is that all you can do?" The pale teen stared vehemently at his opponent, "I am afraid it's not quite enough to beat me!"
Ray replied calmly, "But even you have to admit that you are caught in a hard place."
Bryan looked down and narrowed his eyes. His blade was indeed in a very bad situation. For a starter, it had nowhere to go. The only thing connecting the outer ring to the rest of the dish was one single metal band. The other one was cut by his own blade just moments ago. Also his blade was slowly loosing spin-rate. Must be an aftermath from that attack.
"You are in a strategic disadvantage. There are very few plans you can execute in that position." Ray continued in a smooth, silky tone.
"I can still trash you from where I am!" Bryan shouted and ordered his bit-beast to attack.
The great bird of prey rose from the blade and whipped air around like weapons. The aggressive attack did not go for Ray's blade; instead it was concentrated on him. Again Ray did not move, nor did his expression change. The wind cut him like many swords, and his white shirt was slowly turning red, but still he looked collected and cool.
"You play into my hands again." He said calmly, "It is not wise of you to attack so rashly. Take a look at where your blade spins."
Bryan looked down and cursed silently. The outer ring was shaking. The attack he summoned weighed too much on it and the metal band was cracked. It threatened to break any second. Before he could do anything, he saw a white light flash before his eyes. Then the metal band broke completely, and the outer ring was now separated from the rest of the dish. With a "clang" the ring of metal crashed into the floor.
"Floborg, get back into the centre of the dish!" Bryan shouted, with a slight panic in his voice.
His black blade leaped into the air.
Ray commanded with a steely glint in his golden eyes, "It is too late! Drigger! Tiger claws attack!"
There was a flash of white and green light as the tiger leaped into the air. With an easy swept it sent the other blade flying out of the dish. The first round was over.
"And Ray claim the first round!" AJ shouted, "The Blade Breakers is only one step from the final victory!"
Ray walked back to his teammates. He tried his best to steady his steps, though it was growing more difficult by the second. He felt drained of energy, and the pain and dizziness refused to leave him in peace no matter what. His teammates rushed to him and helped him to the bench.
"Ray, buddy, are you okay?" Tyson asked worriedly.
Ray nodded his head and tried to say something, but instead of pronouncing words he coughed up blood.
"Ray!" Shea gasped, "You don't look good. We need to get you to a hospital."
Ray put up a hand and said firmly, "No Shea. I am not forfeiting now, when we are so close to victory."
"But." Shea tried to say more, but Tyson cut her off.
"Don't worry about him, Shea." He said in a seldom-heard serious tone, "He will pull through."
Ray nodded his thanks to Tyson and stood up. He came before the dish and faced his arch-nemesis again. The pale Russian teen now has a furious expression on his face.
"You will not be so lucky this time, Ray." He sneered, "I will send you on your way fast."
Ray didn't reply; he hardly had the strength to argue. They launched their blades. This time Bryan sent his blade into the centre ring, and he called on his bit-beast without wasting a single moment. The bird arose again, whipping the wind around it until they howled with torment. The onset of wind was too much for Ray. The world swayed before his eyes. A sudden blast sent him flying backward. Darkness took him before he even hit the floor. His blade followed him and landed in defeat, closing the second round quickly.
"Ray!" His teammates rushed to him and helped him to the bench.
His eyes snapped open and he muttered, "Don't worry, I am fine."
"You are not fine!" Shea exclaimed with frustration, "Take a look at your self. You are drenched in blood!"
Kenny said quietly, "Ray, we all want to win this, but we can't let you get hurt."
Ray ignored their comments and asked, "Shea, how long do you think Bryan can hold on to his storm attack before the energy slackens?"
"One minute thirty seconds, I'd say. Two minutes maximum." Shea said doubtfully, "Why do you ask?"
Ray answered in a subdued voice, "If I can only hold my spin rate for two minutes. Bryan's blade does not have much stamina. After he exhausted his power, I can easily beat him."
"Are you mad?" Shea shouted, "In your current state you can barely stand! Never mind to stand in front of that wind attack for two minutes! It's impossible!"
Ray said with a determination that was soft but unyielding, "Then I will make it possible."
"But Ray!" Shea said miserably, "You will get hurt."
"Let him do it." Tyson had cut her off again.
Ray stood up and walked up to the dish, preparing himself for the third match. Shea turned to Tyson in anger, her golden eyes flashing like those of a hawk.
"How could you let him do this, Tyson?" She asked, "This will send him on his death!"
Tyson replied in a solemn voice, "Look Shea. I know Ray. He wants to fight this battle."
Shea didn't say anything in return. Her lips were pressed into a thin line and there was a strange grimness on her face that was almost akin to sorrow. She turned at looked at Ray, and her eyes softened just a little.
"Ray is known for his agility, not endurance." She said softly.
Tyson replied with confidence, "Agility is another form of endurance."
No one spoke there after, for the third round had just begun.
Ray kept his blade circling on the third ring. There it would be safe from direct attacks, also the momentum would not slackens the spin rate and speed by much. Bryan's blade was spinning on the centre ring, already launching another all out attack, more at the blader than the blade. Ray braced himself against the relentless wind. Two minutes is all he need. The wind grew stronger and stronger, until every wisp of it landed on him like thorny whips. He concentrated all his will power on staying standing. He would not back down.
Bryan was growing frustrated. One minute had passed, and his opponent showed no signs of weakening. Ray stood in front of him, tall and unwavering like an ancient oak. His blade was still spinning on the third ring, not even losing the least bit of speed. Bryan couldn't understand. Even a strong man couldn't stand against his storm attack for more than thirty seconds. How was this young, already injured teen holding up against him?
"Already your power slackens." Ray said, still in his calm tone. One couldn't tell whether it's a mock, a taunt, or a mere observation.
Bryan snarled furiously. His opponent was right, he couldn't possible generate such an attack forever. He glared at the raven-haired teen before him with utter contempt. His concentration wavered, and his attack lost its savage power.
Ray didn't waste a moment. He commanded, "Drigger! Now it's the time!"
"That's what you think!" Bryan shouted, "Floborg! Wind daggers attack!"
The howling wind around his blade changed. They took the forms of many sharp daggers, radiating from the blade and slicing through the air. Anything approaching the blade would have quite a few holes in them before they even get close to the target.
"Impressive. But not enough to stop me." Ray's tone now bore a sharp tint, "Drigger! Forest weave!"
The white and green tiger leaped out from the blade. With dazzling speed it began to travel down the dish of many rings. Every time when it seemed a dagger would surely pierce it, it would suddenly vanish and appear somewhere else. Before Bryan could even react, the white blade had reached the centre of the dish.
"Tiger claws attack!" Ray shouted his commanded.
The white blade crashed into the other, sending it flying. Bryan's blade flew out of the dish and landed on the ground, still spinning with great difficulty.
"And it's over!" AJ shouted joyously, "Ray won the third round! The Blade Breakers emerge at the top again!"
Ray sighed. It was over. So relieved he was he did not notice the look on Bryan's face. Bryan was even paler than usual. A bitter hatred twisted his features, and his cold eyes now bore a murderous light.
"You will not get away with this so easy, Ray." He said, almost in a whisper.
"What?" Ray turned to his opponent, puzzled and suddenly wary for reasons unknown even to himself.
In frenzy Bryan shouted, "Floborg! Kill him!"
The giant bird of prey rose from his blade again, and it attacked at its master's command. The wind sent Ray staggering and falling back. In another second the bird was on top of the teen. The bird shrieked and dug its sharp talons into the Ray's shoulders. Ray cried out sharply. He was surprised he could even feel more pain. He looked up at the savage bird, and all hope left him.
Suddenly there was an explosion of light. Ray's beyblade, which was still spinning in the dish, suddenly shattered into a million pieces. In a flash of silver, a great tiger emerged. With one sweep of his paw, the tiger sent the bird of prey tumbling and retreating into the blade.
The tiger turned and faced Bryan. He was bristling with fury, and there was a silver flame around him. He picked up Bryan's blade with his paw and turned it to dust. Bryan stared at the beast before him with mixed awe and fear. The beast glared at him.
"You despicable creature, heartless thing." The tiger said, his voice low but dangerous like the rumbling of thunder.
The great beast stepped near to the pale Russian teen and lifted its great paw.
"Drigger! No!" Ray gasped and struggled to stand up. Though his plea was no more than a whisper that he was sure no one would hear.
The great tiger heard though. Slowly he lowered his paw, and the fire around him slowly faded. Now he looked like a normal tiger, with white fur lined with black stripes, majestic and beautiful, but no longer terrible and threatening.
" There is no need for me to hand you punishment." The tiger said quietly, "You will get punishments from others, it seems."
Bryan gasped. He was pale like a dead man now. He stole a glance at Boris, who was standing beside the team bench the whole time, looking extremely displeased. Bryan cursed inside; he dared not to even think about the punishment he will receive from Boris. Ray watched with alarm. Images flashed before his eyes, that of a battered Tala, and the boy named Alexander he met a year ago in the abbey. All of his pains were forgotten at that moment. He knelt beside the great tiger.
"I must ask you to do one thing for me, Drigger." He pleaded in a quiet voice.
"Speak your command, Ray." Drigger replied.
Ray said hurriedly, "Protect Bryan. Please. No matter what do not Boris get him."
The tiger turned and looked at the boy with his golden eyes.
"Please do it, Drigger." Ray said.
Slowly the great tiger nodded. Ray sighed in relief and relaxed. Now the rush of adrenalin left him, he was suddenly aware of that unbearable pain again. The world before him slowly faded into darkness, and he fell back unconscious.
"Ray!" His teammates shouted, for the umpteenth time in that day.
They rushed to him. The medical workers came also and placed the boy on a stretcher. There was a great commotion in the stadium. A wild buzzing now filled the building. One could not tell whether it's tension or relief. For a moment Bryan was totally forgotten by all. He stared at everything impassively, as if suddenly turned to stone. Then he heard someone approach him. He turned around and saw Boris standing before him, looking cold and stern.
"You are weak, Bryan." Boris said in an emotionless voice.
Bryan swallowed fearfully and lowered his head. He didn't say anything. He could tell Boris was enraged and was doing everything to oppress his anger before the public.
"Now march, young man!" Boris said impatiently, "We are leaving. Or do you need to tell you how to walk?"
Suddenly there was a flash of white, and the great tiger was between Boris and Bryan. The beast turned his dark eyes on Boris.
"It would be well if you leave him alone." The tiger said.
The tiger's voice was low and ancient, but that calm and collected tone of his was exactly like Ray's. For a minute Boris had the illusion that the one before him was not a mystical beast, but rather the boy himself. He shook his head vigorously to rid of that thought. He glared at the beast.
He snarled, "Get out of my way, you overgrown cat."
"I am in no mood to bicker with you, foolish mortal." The tiger said, his tone smooth but cold like frozen water, "I suggest you leave this instant, unless you wish to see a display of my power."
Boris glared again. A vein was slight bulging on his forehead. He turned and stomped away. The tiger watched his vanishing figure with a mixture of disgust and amusement, if such combination was even possible. Then the beast turned to Bryan.
"Let us go then." He said to the Russian teen, "I shall lead you to someone you would be safe with, for now at least."
Bryan did not move; he looked as if he was in a trance.
The tiger growled impatiently, "Come, I have not the eternity."
Bryan jerked and followed the tiger silently. Finally he asked in a bitter voice, "Why did you save me? Why didn't you just leave me to Boris?"
The tiger said slowly, "I hold no love for you, boy. Had I my way, you would have been dead by now. The immortals hold life precious, and any attempt to rob one of it should be punished. But Ray told me to protect you. That was the last thing he said to me, and I would not be ignorant of his plea."
He suddenly halted, and said, "I believe you can go to him, if you wish."
Bryan looked up and saw a small but plump figure that belonged to Mr. Dickinson. He hesitated, but when he turned again to speak to the tiger, he was gone. He sighed, and slowly walked to the old man.
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Shea watched as the tiger slowly faded in a bright silver light, leaving only a small stone hovering in the air. She stretched out her hand and took the stone, it was white softly glowing like a pearl, and carved on it in dark green was the image of a great tiger. She turned the stretcher beside her, and watched the still form of her teammate. Gently she put the stone in his hand. A gentle light glimmered, and faded again quickly. The stretcher was hauled onto am ambulance, and swiftly the vehicle rode away. Shea watched silently, then she felt a gentle hand on her arm. It was Tyson.
"He will be fine." Tyson said optimistically with a big smile, "Don't you worry one bit."
Shea smiled too, "Of course."
A/N: This is the longest chapter in this story. I guess now you can know who is my favourite character is? Yes it's Ray! The reason I got addicted to Beyblade in the first place was watching the episode A Wicked Wind Blows, and from then on I was hooked. So this chapter is dedicated to that episode, which stopped me jeering at the show, which I considered stupid and childish before.
Anyway, the end is near! And finally Bryan is redeemed. I was going to kill him, but then I realized what I did now would give a character boost to the Blade Breakers, so, here it is. Hope you enjoy. And please REVIEW!