The Dranon Heiress
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade
A/N: just got home from school today with not much to do (seeing as I have no math class tomorrow and it's pretty easy stuff anyway) so I decided to start on the next chapter of Dranon Heiress. Anyways, so RIKA'S GONNA DIE!! OMG, I think Mystik4l M3nt@ln3Zz is gonna KILL me (she's Rika, if you didn't know that already).
Anyhow, me too lazy to describe Chika and Kai's battle so just remember: it ended in a DRAW. I think Kaika mentioned that in the last chapter, somewhere before he tried to stab Rika . . . kekekekeke . . . me so lazy. So anyways, IT ENDED IN A DRAW!
Enjoy this chapter, while I go read the Gem of Oracles another few times and give some handy tips to Lomelindi (the author of Gem of Oracles) about how to get over writer's block.
---- Chapter Sixteen ----
It all began with some simple fascination over the human psychology. Something so small triggered something so greatly disturbing that it seemed almost unnatural. The fascination developed into research, which then led to experiments, which then evolved to - results. He could say he was pleased with the overall results of his 'experiments'.
After all, Ketsueki Rika - or Mystique - was his perfect creation. She had been orphaned at four months, so that she could not remember a single thing about her parents. When he found her, the red-purple eyes of fresh blood told him that she was the perfect guinea pig, after the preliminary test on his daughter. She was obedient - coldly so - with no possible warm emotions like love, happiness or anything synonymous to that. The general public, a factor that added to her darkness and enigma, shunned her.
"My daughter was devastated after Sacheverell's death that she practically begged me to conduct the experiments a second time," he said conversationally. "The first time, I had only taken her soul, but the second was better. She didn't know what I did, but she was calm and collected - the way she wanted to be, always."
[YOU LIE]
[YOU FORCED HER]
[SHE NEVER -]
Miyuki and Naoko listened, eyes still wide with the initial shock of it all. A human heart, seven souls and the story of their two team mates' pasts were too mind blowing. An experimented, conducted purely out of the fascination of human psychology? The thought itself was absurd, but the man before them had done just that and more. He had taken away the two most precious things a human being possessed - a heart and emotions. If he could go that far, what else could he do out of pure interest?
"Her heart was replaced by a special artificial gland that kept her lack of blood in check," the count explained. "It was a special development of mine, to replace the heart in any circumstances, and both she and Mystique proved that it worked. What you see there is Ketsueki's REAL heart and it has been modified over these past few years to be exactly like my artificial gland so that she can soon live with real blood flowing in her veins. However, Chika found her way here by accident -" his eyes narrowed dangerously " - and prevented the experiment on her OWN heart to carry out to the finish."
[She had to rip out the artificial gland herself and replace it with her heart]
[If it hadn't been for Dranon, she would have died]
"What?!"
The count spun around furiously to face the souls. His face was livid; giving away the fact that he was startled at their comment. To say he was angry would have been the understatement of the century. Miyuki clapped a hand to her mouth and exchanged a sickened glance with Naoko. Chika had ripped out an artificial gland from her own body?
[Even the bit-beast has betrayed you]
"Dranon would never -"
[The bit-beast chooses the owner. It is obvious Dranon has chosen to help Chika instead]
Naoko flinched inwardly as the count whipped his cane downwards and dragged it along the ground to face them. Protesting would be useless, however much they were innocent in this case. He held a long, bony hand out to them.
"Beyblades," he ordered quietly. "NOW."
--------
Someone stumbled into the infirmary, startling the occupants out of their skins at the sight of so much blood. Chika had just had her stitches removed and was getting ready to leave when that someone crashed into her and tumbled down sideways onto the floor, bleeding.
"It's Rika!" she whispered. "What the hell happened to you, Ketsueki?"
"Woodrow . . . tried to . . . kill me . . ."
Chika hoisted the girl onto her feet gingerly and half dragged her to a vacant bed. When she lay down, her blood soaked the sheets immediately. Someone ran off to get the school nurse, while someone else went to get the principal.
"Then why do you have -" Chika stopped as she caught sight of the other girl's fingers. Her eyes narrowed, a pale red. " - did you attack him too?"
"Yeah . . . after he . . . stabbed me . . ."
"Your fingers - he cut them?"
But Rika only shook her head before Mr Dickenson, followed by an agitated nurse, burst in through the open door. Chika was led away reluctantly by the principal, worrying about the Rika's state. Her fingers looked to be horribly cut in countless places and her nails about to be ripped out. Only someone who had the ability to overcome Rika would have been able to inflict such wounds on her. Someone immensely powerful, with excellent reflexes.
"Do you know what happened, Dranon-san?"
"Not everything," she replied darkly. "Except that Woodrow was behind this."
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely." Chika's eyes glinted steely silver. "She told me herself."
--------
"Did you hear about it?"
"That Ketsueki girl? Yeah, I did."
"There was so much blood!"
"It was gross."
The news spread like wildfire throughout the college and soon there were groups upon groups of people doubling back on their way past the infirmary, trying to get a look at Rika. It was rumoured that she had her fingers amputated and fourteen stitches on her side, all of which were ridiculous. When Rei heard it, he was so angry, he almost picked a fight with the gossiping students.
"Don't go spreading rumours that aren't true!" he growled.
"Whoa, Rei-kun, DUDE!" Takao yelped, startled. He pulled the Chinese boy away from the victim. "Chill man! What's gotten into you?"
"Yeah, if you want to know the real story, go ask Kai," Max suggested quietly, as the students stalked off with angry glares. "Just make sure Dranon-san isn't with him when you ask. She's really angry about the whole thing."
"Speak of the devil . . ." Takao hissed with a grin.
Chika Dranon was somewhat of a feared character in the corridors now. Her eyes remained a greyish silver, mouth drawn into a tight line and hair almost always half covering her face. She made no move to change it, because she was so angry she couldn't care, but no one dared to approach her when she stormed past. Even Kai knew to keep at least a metre distance between them when she was angry.
"I'm not about to ask HER," Rei hissed back. "No way! I'll go find Kai . . ."
--------
Chika wrenched open the glass doors to the front of the school and marched out. She needed air - sitting in a classroom listening to some teacher droning on about the parts of a Beyblade while her life was falling apart was NOT what she wanted to be doing. No one made to stop her as she stood up and left, storming down the deserted corridors until she reached where she was now.
"Well, well, well," a voice drawled in conversational tones. "I was expecting you."
"Yeah, well, I'm here now," she snapped back. "I have a few questions for you."
"Really?" He looked mockingly interested. "I'd love to hear them."
Kaika leapt off the top of the statue carving and landed in front of her with a soft tap. Flipping back some of his fringe with a casual wave, he gave her a winning smile and folded his arms. He stood in a casual position, waiting for her response. She glared at him, eyes sparking to glittering silver.
"What did you do to Rika?"
"Nothing."
"You liar!" She hissed. "She's in the infirmary, both hands bandaged so heavily, she can't even move them! Her side has been stitched up so many times; it hurts to even shift position! Why did you do it?"
"I was defending myself," he replied lightly. "You know, kind of - holding up my arms -"
"And waving a dagger around?"
Her voice was rising in a gradual crescendo, but never wavered. It didn't scratch as she ascended to the higher octaves, gradually becoming more like a bird's shriek. Kaika blocked his ears for that one moment when she screeched, like an eagle finding its prey, before breathing deeply and folding his arms again.
"She brought it on herself, whether you like it or not," he said with exaggerated patience.
"But you tried to kill her."
"Honestly, so we're both at fault," he said, a little annoyed. "But she more than I."
"I'm not going to waste any more of my time talking to you," she snapped. "Good bye."
"See you around!" He called after her disappearing back.
--------
"I'm afraid those scars are there to stay."
Rika shrugged, uncaring, as she ripped off the bandages from her fingers. Hundreds of white scars crisscrossed all of her fingers and stretching down to her wrist. Not even her palm was unmarked, with four white slashes across each centre. She looked at them carefully, flipping her hands over a few times.
"I think I preferred it with stitches," she said quietly. "Oh well, scars are fine."
"Right . . ." the nurse cleared her throat hurriedly. "Well, Ketsueki-san, you can go."
"Thank you - I guess."
The girl stood up and left, still looking at her fingers as if mesmerised. The scars were a perfect, ellipse shape: thin at the ends and slightly wider in the middle. Bringing out her Beyblade for a moment, she clutched it with one hand, while watching the other unblinkingly. Slowly, one of the scars on her palm began to open, bleeding afresh. In another moment's time, the same scar closed up, leaving the skin exactly the way it was before. A maniacal grin spread across her features as she tucked her Beyblade back into her pocket.
--------
One week.
Kai looked at Dranzer, sitting there on his desk, then at the calendar, on which the days had been diligently crossed out. In exactly one week, everything would be back to the way it was before the Deadly Terror team came to Japan. The college would go back to being boring, plain old school again, without the interruptions and horrifically thrilling mysteries to solve. When the new team came, things HAPPENED.
There were many new experiences waiting for him outside of the college, but he remained behind as a favour to Mr Dickenson. After all, the BBA chairman had helped him a lot after Hitawari Voltaire had been jailed for high treason; it was only right that he repaid that favour. But STILL! Sitting in classrooms for the next two years was NOT what he wanted to do.
His last match, with THAT girl, proved to be one he had never expected. Well, didn't expect in an exciting, exhilarating way. He knew it was going to be challenging and rewarding, but he didn't expect himself to have - for lack of a better word - FUN. He had actually enjoyed the duration of the match and didn't even care when it ended in a draw. It was the best match he had ever been in.
"It was a good one, wasn't it, Dranzer?"
The bit-beast glinted slightly, as if replying a yes. Dranzer had been scratched and worn down after the match, but Kai knew it was as satisfied with the outcome as he was.
"It's almost a pity she'll be going so soon," he continued. "Almost."
[You like her]
"What?"
[You like her. Admit it]
"Have you been around Dragoon too often?"
[She's leaving in a week. Do you really think you won't regret it?]
"That's it. No more battles with Takao until - well, never."
Kai stood up, looking more than a little flustered. What the hell was Dranzer on about? His eyes wandered to the calendar, which clearly marked that there was indeed only a week left. What was he to do?
---- End of Chapter Sixteen ----
A/N: too lazy to write an author's note, except that Kai was a bit OOC at the end and that YES, they CAN talk to their bit-beasts.
Review!
Bittersweet Angel Chika
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade
A/N: just got home from school today with not much to do (seeing as I have no math class tomorrow and it's pretty easy stuff anyway) so I decided to start on the next chapter of Dranon Heiress. Anyways, so RIKA'S GONNA DIE!! OMG, I think Mystik4l M3nt@ln3Zz is gonna KILL me (she's Rika, if you didn't know that already).
Anyhow, me too lazy to describe Chika and Kai's battle so just remember: it ended in a DRAW. I think Kaika mentioned that in the last chapter, somewhere before he tried to stab Rika . . . kekekekeke . . . me so lazy. So anyways, IT ENDED IN A DRAW!
Enjoy this chapter, while I go read the Gem of Oracles another few times and give some handy tips to Lomelindi (the author of Gem of Oracles) about how to get over writer's block.
---- Chapter Sixteen ----
It all began with some simple fascination over the human psychology. Something so small triggered something so greatly disturbing that it seemed almost unnatural. The fascination developed into research, which then led to experiments, which then evolved to - results. He could say he was pleased with the overall results of his 'experiments'.
After all, Ketsueki Rika - or Mystique - was his perfect creation. She had been orphaned at four months, so that she could not remember a single thing about her parents. When he found her, the red-purple eyes of fresh blood told him that she was the perfect guinea pig, after the preliminary test on his daughter. She was obedient - coldly so - with no possible warm emotions like love, happiness or anything synonymous to that. The general public, a factor that added to her darkness and enigma, shunned her.
"My daughter was devastated after Sacheverell's death that she practically begged me to conduct the experiments a second time," he said conversationally. "The first time, I had only taken her soul, but the second was better. She didn't know what I did, but she was calm and collected - the way she wanted to be, always."
[YOU LIE]
[YOU FORCED HER]
[SHE NEVER -]
Miyuki and Naoko listened, eyes still wide with the initial shock of it all. A human heart, seven souls and the story of their two team mates' pasts were too mind blowing. An experimented, conducted purely out of the fascination of human psychology? The thought itself was absurd, but the man before them had done just that and more. He had taken away the two most precious things a human being possessed - a heart and emotions. If he could go that far, what else could he do out of pure interest?
"Her heart was replaced by a special artificial gland that kept her lack of blood in check," the count explained. "It was a special development of mine, to replace the heart in any circumstances, and both she and Mystique proved that it worked. What you see there is Ketsueki's REAL heart and it has been modified over these past few years to be exactly like my artificial gland so that she can soon live with real blood flowing in her veins. However, Chika found her way here by accident -" his eyes narrowed dangerously " - and prevented the experiment on her OWN heart to carry out to the finish."
[She had to rip out the artificial gland herself and replace it with her heart]
[If it hadn't been for Dranon, she would have died]
"What?!"
The count spun around furiously to face the souls. His face was livid; giving away the fact that he was startled at their comment. To say he was angry would have been the understatement of the century. Miyuki clapped a hand to her mouth and exchanged a sickened glance with Naoko. Chika had ripped out an artificial gland from her own body?
[Even the bit-beast has betrayed you]
"Dranon would never -"
[The bit-beast chooses the owner. It is obvious Dranon has chosen to help Chika instead]
Naoko flinched inwardly as the count whipped his cane downwards and dragged it along the ground to face them. Protesting would be useless, however much they were innocent in this case. He held a long, bony hand out to them.
"Beyblades," he ordered quietly. "NOW."
--------
Someone stumbled into the infirmary, startling the occupants out of their skins at the sight of so much blood. Chika had just had her stitches removed and was getting ready to leave when that someone crashed into her and tumbled down sideways onto the floor, bleeding.
"It's Rika!" she whispered. "What the hell happened to you, Ketsueki?"
"Woodrow . . . tried to . . . kill me . . ."
Chika hoisted the girl onto her feet gingerly and half dragged her to a vacant bed. When she lay down, her blood soaked the sheets immediately. Someone ran off to get the school nurse, while someone else went to get the principal.
"Then why do you have -" Chika stopped as she caught sight of the other girl's fingers. Her eyes narrowed, a pale red. " - did you attack him too?"
"Yeah . . . after he . . . stabbed me . . ."
"Your fingers - he cut them?"
But Rika only shook her head before Mr Dickenson, followed by an agitated nurse, burst in through the open door. Chika was led away reluctantly by the principal, worrying about the Rika's state. Her fingers looked to be horribly cut in countless places and her nails about to be ripped out. Only someone who had the ability to overcome Rika would have been able to inflict such wounds on her. Someone immensely powerful, with excellent reflexes.
"Do you know what happened, Dranon-san?"
"Not everything," she replied darkly. "Except that Woodrow was behind this."
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely." Chika's eyes glinted steely silver. "She told me herself."
--------
"Did you hear about it?"
"That Ketsueki girl? Yeah, I did."
"There was so much blood!"
"It was gross."
The news spread like wildfire throughout the college and soon there were groups upon groups of people doubling back on their way past the infirmary, trying to get a look at Rika. It was rumoured that she had her fingers amputated and fourteen stitches on her side, all of which were ridiculous. When Rei heard it, he was so angry, he almost picked a fight with the gossiping students.
"Don't go spreading rumours that aren't true!" he growled.
"Whoa, Rei-kun, DUDE!" Takao yelped, startled. He pulled the Chinese boy away from the victim. "Chill man! What's gotten into you?"
"Yeah, if you want to know the real story, go ask Kai," Max suggested quietly, as the students stalked off with angry glares. "Just make sure Dranon-san isn't with him when you ask. She's really angry about the whole thing."
"Speak of the devil . . ." Takao hissed with a grin.
Chika Dranon was somewhat of a feared character in the corridors now. Her eyes remained a greyish silver, mouth drawn into a tight line and hair almost always half covering her face. She made no move to change it, because she was so angry she couldn't care, but no one dared to approach her when she stormed past. Even Kai knew to keep at least a metre distance between them when she was angry.
"I'm not about to ask HER," Rei hissed back. "No way! I'll go find Kai . . ."
--------
Chika wrenched open the glass doors to the front of the school and marched out. She needed air - sitting in a classroom listening to some teacher droning on about the parts of a Beyblade while her life was falling apart was NOT what she wanted to be doing. No one made to stop her as she stood up and left, storming down the deserted corridors until she reached where she was now.
"Well, well, well," a voice drawled in conversational tones. "I was expecting you."
"Yeah, well, I'm here now," she snapped back. "I have a few questions for you."
"Really?" He looked mockingly interested. "I'd love to hear them."
Kaika leapt off the top of the statue carving and landed in front of her with a soft tap. Flipping back some of his fringe with a casual wave, he gave her a winning smile and folded his arms. He stood in a casual position, waiting for her response. She glared at him, eyes sparking to glittering silver.
"What did you do to Rika?"
"Nothing."
"You liar!" She hissed. "She's in the infirmary, both hands bandaged so heavily, she can't even move them! Her side has been stitched up so many times; it hurts to even shift position! Why did you do it?"
"I was defending myself," he replied lightly. "You know, kind of - holding up my arms -"
"And waving a dagger around?"
Her voice was rising in a gradual crescendo, but never wavered. It didn't scratch as she ascended to the higher octaves, gradually becoming more like a bird's shriek. Kaika blocked his ears for that one moment when she screeched, like an eagle finding its prey, before breathing deeply and folding his arms again.
"She brought it on herself, whether you like it or not," he said with exaggerated patience.
"But you tried to kill her."
"Honestly, so we're both at fault," he said, a little annoyed. "But she more than I."
"I'm not going to waste any more of my time talking to you," she snapped. "Good bye."
"See you around!" He called after her disappearing back.
--------
"I'm afraid those scars are there to stay."
Rika shrugged, uncaring, as she ripped off the bandages from her fingers. Hundreds of white scars crisscrossed all of her fingers and stretching down to her wrist. Not even her palm was unmarked, with four white slashes across each centre. She looked at them carefully, flipping her hands over a few times.
"I think I preferred it with stitches," she said quietly. "Oh well, scars are fine."
"Right . . ." the nurse cleared her throat hurriedly. "Well, Ketsueki-san, you can go."
"Thank you - I guess."
The girl stood up and left, still looking at her fingers as if mesmerised. The scars were a perfect, ellipse shape: thin at the ends and slightly wider in the middle. Bringing out her Beyblade for a moment, she clutched it with one hand, while watching the other unblinkingly. Slowly, one of the scars on her palm began to open, bleeding afresh. In another moment's time, the same scar closed up, leaving the skin exactly the way it was before. A maniacal grin spread across her features as she tucked her Beyblade back into her pocket.
--------
One week.
Kai looked at Dranzer, sitting there on his desk, then at the calendar, on which the days had been diligently crossed out. In exactly one week, everything would be back to the way it was before the Deadly Terror team came to Japan. The college would go back to being boring, plain old school again, without the interruptions and horrifically thrilling mysteries to solve. When the new team came, things HAPPENED.
There were many new experiences waiting for him outside of the college, but he remained behind as a favour to Mr Dickenson. After all, the BBA chairman had helped him a lot after Hitawari Voltaire had been jailed for high treason; it was only right that he repaid that favour. But STILL! Sitting in classrooms for the next two years was NOT what he wanted to do.
His last match, with THAT girl, proved to be one he had never expected. Well, didn't expect in an exciting, exhilarating way. He knew it was going to be challenging and rewarding, but he didn't expect himself to have - for lack of a better word - FUN. He had actually enjoyed the duration of the match and didn't even care when it ended in a draw. It was the best match he had ever been in.
"It was a good one, wasn't it, Dranzer?"
The bit-beast glinted slightly, as if replying a yes. Dranzer had been scratched and worn down after the match, but Kai knew it was as satisfied with the outcome as he was.
"It's almost a pity she'll be going so soon," he continued. "Almost."
[You like her]
"What?"
[You like her. Admit it]
"Have you been around Dragoon too often?"
[She's leaving in a week. Do you really think you won't regret it?]
"That's it. No more battles with Takao until - well, never."
Kai stood up, looking more than a little flustered. What the hell was Dranzer on about? His eyes wandered to the calendar, which clearly marked that there was indeed only a week left. What was he to do?
---- End of Chapter Sixteen ----
A/N: too lazy to write an author's note, except that Kai was a bit OOC at the end and that YES, they CAN talk to their bit-beasts.
Review!
Bittersweet Angel Chika
