(A.N::: God, finally written. Sorry I took so long, but I kept getting writer's block for this darn chapter. Ah, well. Here it is.)
BEYBLADE
CHAPTER FIVE: A NEW FACE, A DARK FACE
Murdock walked along the dark blue hallway and turned down a branching corridor, the first on the left from the direction of the beystadium's centre. His shoulder was gripped suddenly by a firm, large hand, overpowering in it's strength. Murdock tilted slightly and winced as he felt a tiny spark of pain shoot through his arm.
A dark, shadowed mouth moved, the voice that belonged to it, harsh and whispered. " You didn't win?"
Murdock shook his head. " No, I didn't."
"Why not? I thought I told you to win."
" I lost the battle on purpose. I wanted to see what skills Kai had."
" Haven't I informed you of his skills, already?" The voice was getting angry, Murdock could tell.
" Yes sir, you have..."
" Then what was the problem?"
" I was just testing the young one's power... As I said." Murdock stepped back from the shadowed form and rubbed his shoulder.
The man's grip was harsh... numbing, leaving claw-like imprints in Murdock's suit. He took one more step away from the shadow and nodded. " You've nothing to worry about, Boris.. Everything is going fine."
Another shaded figure stepped out, face appearing half-hidden, half-visible among the darkness. It was a teenage boy who's emerald orbs pierced through the darkness like the headlights of a train in a dark tunnel. Dark blue hair spiked about his head, stray bangs every so often falling across his placid face as he moved.
"Murdock, I want you to meet my newest graduate." Boris held out a hand to the teenager who, quickly and calmly stepped forward into the light.
His clothing was definitely...different. Black pants that grew baggy around the knee area, bunching against the top of his dark red boots. A silver tinge arched from the base of the hip along the outside of the leg until it reached the rim of the pants end. A long, black coat with buckles that hung from the shoulders down along the length of the arms, stretched passed his waist, stopping just after the top of his ankles. His shirt was the color green and had a small, silver emblem of a dragon in the middle of the chest area. The only accessories were a sturling-silver buckle chain that hung around his neck, and a sturling-gold bracelet that rounded his right wrist.
The teenaged boy gripped a round, green object with a silver trim in the palm of his hand and nodded, his features blank.
" The name... is, Tomoshu."
Boris grinned and placed a hand loosely upon Tomoshu's shoulder. " He is my finest and newest graduate...And shall prove to be more than a formidable opponent for the Blade-breakers."
Murdock nodded and smiled maliciously as his gaze fell upon Tomoshu's face. The boy was virtually emotionless... passed the point of anger or hatred... pain or love. Just... blank.
He turned to gaze at Boris. " When do we play, sir?"
Boris lifted his head and pondered the question. " Hmm... soon Tomoshu, very soon."
Murdock shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, confusion and curiosity evident on his features.
" Boris, what do you intend to do with Tomoshu?" He asked.
Boris stepped out of the shadows and turned the corner, peering at Kai and the Blade-breakers as a dark grin crossed his pale visage. " I intend to use him, of course."
*******
Kai pushed away from the wall and walked over to his team, arms dropping to his sides. He glanced from Rei to Max, then Tyson and last of all, Kenny. The leader's expression was one of irritation and resentment when he turned his gaze to the blue hallway: Something.. or someone, familiar had caught his attention, yet the identity of that person was hidden by distance, as well as faded shadow.
" The Demolition Boys are definitely up to something," Kai began before twisting back to view the teens. " I'm not sure what, though. So all I have to say, is be prepared. Make sure your beyblades and Bit-beasts are in top condition at all times."
Tyson nodded and wrapped Dragoon within his fingers. " Right, Kai."
Max and Rei tilted their heads toward the ground thoughtfully, yet before they could get into any solid sort of thought pattern, Tyson interrupted.
" Who wants to discuss this over pizza!?"
******
Tyson took lead, with Max on his right and Rei on his left. Kenny was to the left of Rei and slightly behind the raven-haired teen, clutching Dizzi comfortably within the grip of his crossed over arms. Kai was trailing behind the group, hands buried within the darkened material of his pants pockets, gaze dipped toward the ground in deep thought. The cafeteria was loud and crouded, and the leader didn't like it, even though he was able to drain out all sound and commotion from his mind.
Tyson stopped suddenly and his jaw dropped, a single digit pointed out toward a buffet table that stood nearby to a full-length window. He ran ahead, ignoring the calls to slow down from Max and Kenny. Rei stepped forward and glanced back at Kai for a slight moment, before peering at Max and the Chief.
"Come on, guys," He began. " We'd better go after 'im."
Tyson had already found himself a table nearby to a pillar that stood beside the window and buffet table, a large plate filled with all kind of food standing in front of him. Steak, chops, cellary, lettus, tomatoes. Max and the others stared in awe as they sat themselves around the white cloth-covered table, digging into their own meals, rather small in comparison to Tyson's.
Kai walked slowly toward the group and turned, leaning his back a gainst the creamy-colored marble pillar and gazing around at the many people that ate at their tables. He dipped his head, yet blinked his gaze toward the ordering counter as a dark figure caught his attention. He, she,...it, was standing beside a pillar across from Kai, midnight-green cloak wrapped about it's body, black hood concealing its identity. The well-built leader felt a slight shiver of curiosity wrap around his spine, gripping relentless fingers around the joins of his bone. He shook his head and stepped forward, immediately forcing himself back against the pillar, forcing himself to stay with his team.
Rei looked up as he finished chewing a piece of maccaroni, slight concern evident in his golden-hued orbs. "Kai, what's wrong?"
The others gazed up at the leader after hearing Rei's question, intently staring into Kai's blank face. He peered down at them, sorrel eyes scanning from one face to the other and stopping on Rei. "N-...nothing." He stuttered, resting back against the pillar, arms folding across his chest as his eyes slipped closed.
Who is that person? .. If it's even a person, at all? ... And why do I keep seeing him? What does he want? I don't think it's a Dark Blader. We haven't seen them for over a year, now. Maybe... Maybe it could be... my Grandfather? .. No, I doubt it. What could he possibly want? He knows he can't pursuade me into joining Biovolt.. Boris already tried that, and failed..So many questions without answers...