BEYBLADE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: A STRANGE TURN OF EVENTS

"Nice to see you're finally awake." The crimson-haired boy spoke, softly.

Normally, if Kai had been in a situation like this at any other time, he''d more than likely have launched his blade and set Dranzer on Tala, but right then at that very instant, he really couldn't have been bothered.

" What do you want?" He spoke, harshly.

" Nothing, Kai. Nothing... but your help, that is."

" My help?"

Tala stood and clasped both hands behind his back. " Yes, your help."

Kai pondered. Why would a Demolition Boy want his help? After all, Tala and his 'gang' were a part of a large organization funded in part by the B.B.A. He burst into shallow laughter which made Tala stop pacing in response.

" What's so funny?" He inquired.

" This is a joke, Tala. What makes you think I'm going to help you? You or your team of low-life no-talents. Besides, why would I help you after you openly attacked my blade, huh? Answer me that one, wise guy."

Tala's brow twitched and both crystal-blue orbs narrowed. " Kai, it's not a joke. As much as I hate to admit it, I do need your hel-." He was getting annoyed: The tone in his voice revealed all.

Kai's words struck a wave of confusion into Tala's mind. " I didn't attack you."

" Ohoh.. nice try, kid. It's not gonna work. I saw you behind Tomoshu and Spencer."

" What?" Tala's brow furrowed into an expression of deep anger. " When did this happen?"

" Sorry, I'm not going to answer a question you already know the answer to." Kai folded his arms across his chest.

" Kai, you have to believe me. I was here... in this cave. I never attacked you!" Tala gritted his teeth.

" Whatever."

" ...Look. I need your help. Are you going to accept, or not?"

" More than likely not. I just explained to you why I wouldn't help. Do you need me to write it down in big, bold letters so your baby mind can comprehend?" Kai spat.

Kai heard a chuckle in the background and turned his eyes to gaze, yet the crimson-haired boy swiftly caught the slate-haired teen's attention. " Listen to me. Boris... Boris is planning another 'Take over the world' ploy. He's even more secretive about it than before. I need your help to destroy Biovolt... the abbey."

Kai pondered Tala's words. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not only did it sound rediculously outrageous, it was annoying to listen to.

" Why me? Spencer and the others seem strong enough. Spencer beat me in last year's tournament so what could I possibly be worth to you?"

" You're strong, Kai. Last year's tournament wasn't a fair one. The Biovolt stadium was made especially for the Demolition Boys. It was created to give us every possible advantage against the opposing teams. Besides... I'm no longer a part of the Demolition Boys."

Kai looked up. " What?"

" I said, I'm no longer a part of-"

" I know what you said. Why'd you say it? They didn't kick you out did they?"

" They replaced me with a new member."

" Oh, why do I not find that surprising?"

" Tomoshu. They replaced me with Tomoshu.. That buckle-nosed so-called blader. He doesn't deserve the position of 'leader'."

" Yeah, yeah.. whatever. I'm not staying here to listen to your life story." Kai murmured.

" Fine, okay. Listen to me Kai. I need your help. The whole world does." Tala took a deep breath in and asked again: " ... Do you accept?"

" What's in it for me if I do?"

" ...Black Dranzer. No strings attached."

Kai's eyes widened. His slat-bangs, as well as the darkness that he was shrouded in, hid the expression of surprise well. The leader wasn't overly surprised, but he wasn't expecting it either. " Black Dranzer belongs to some joke of a blader with paint for hair."

" No, he doesn't belong to me, Kai."

Tala stepped aside and allowed Murdock to view Kai front on. A grin on the man's face sent a shiver down the Blade-breaker's spine, a shiver that not even the freezing cold winds of the blizzard could prevent. " Oh, great..."

Tala stood rigid in the background, arms still folded behind him, hands still clasped together as Murdock sat upon a rock in front of the slate-haired teen.

" Greetings, Kai. I trust you are well?" He hissed.

**************

Kenny hyperventilated, though it wasn't for long thanks to the quick mouth of Dizzi. She calmed him down and made him sit on his bed across from her.

" Now Chief. There's a tournament tomorrow and we can't afford to have you running around like your hair's on fire. Let's just stay composed and think this one through."

" You're right, Dizzi." Kenny took a deep breath in and exhaled soon after. " Ntokay. Now, since Kai isn't back yet, this is what the plan will be during his absence. Max, you will battle first. Tyson will follow with the second match up and Rei will go last. We haven't used this order before and I think that it should create some angles between us and our opposition."

" Awww, Chief. Do I have to go second?" Tyson whined.

" Yeah, Tyson." Max grinned. " It's no big deal. I'll win the first battle in no time. You won't even have to wait for your match, I'll be that quick."

" Hey, don't get so cocky Max." Dizzi interjected. " That will be your downfall."

" Mhmm.." Rei stifled a yawn and glanced over at the round face of a white clock nearby. " It's seven-thirty, you guys. Wanna... go get some dinner.. or something?"

Tyson pounced away from his bed and thrust a fist into the air. " Oh yeah! Now you're talking my language."

At the cafeteria of the hotel, Tyson stuffed his face with brussel sprouts, was spied on by Max who had two fingers clamped over his nose, spoken to by Kenny and ignored by Rei. The obsidian-haired blader was definitely the most distracted when it came to Kai's sudden disappearance. Max and Kenny felt so also, and no doubt Tyson did even if he barely showed it, but Rei felt it the most. It wasn't like him to just run off like that, especially since he didn't leave a note telling of his whereabouts. Also, the fact that he probably had jumped out of the window didn't help Rei's nerves, either.

The former White-Tiger glanced toward the body-length windows and peered at the blizzard that roared outside. It was dying down much to his thanks: he was slightly calmed to think that they'd be able to go out and search for Kai once the storm was mild enough.
" Guys, I'm certain Tomoshu had something to do with Kai's disappearance." He spoke, softly.

Tyson looked up from his meal and raised a bushy brow. " Eh? yeah right, Rei." He muffled. " I bet you my next meal Kai's off somewhere enjoying himself in a hot-tub."

Max chuckled and scratched the back of his head. " I'm with you on that one, Tyson. But seriously guys..." He slumped. " Even though Kai... isn't here, we should really work on a bey-plan. We can fill him in, in the morning."

" I like that idea, Max." Tyson spat, grinning.

" Ntoh, alright. So, we stick to this plan and tell Kai when he shows." Kenny gave off a slightly nervous smile.

" Yeah, if he shows at all.." Rei murmured as he drifted into shallow thought.

A loud crash, the sound of falling mugs and plates, the all too familiar yell of an angry chef and the evil snicker of a young boy caught the attention of the Blade-breakers. Near the kitchen, behind the turned-over buffet table stood Bryan, his beyblade spinning full-throttle on the marble floor in front of him and a trail of destruction behind. His smirk was...evil.

"Bryan..." Rei hissed as he got to his feet.

Tyson, although his mouth remained stuffed with food, shouted at the top of his lungs while standing on the table, waving a clenched fist at The Demolition Boy who stood no more than six metres away.

" Bryan! I'm gonna get you back for hurting my best buddy!"

" ..Your.. best buddy?" Max questioned, half-silently.

" Yeah, the chef. Who else?" Tyson bent over and answered just as softly.

Max pulled a face and almost fell over from the sheer stupidity that Tyson had displayed. Kenny remained seated behind the group at the end of their table, Dizzi hugged firmly to his chest as he gazed wide-eyed at the lavender-haired teen. Rei narrowed his sun-kissed orbs at the Demolition Boy, his body becoming rigid as he unblinkingly stared. Bryan thought this all to be one big feast of amusement and stepped forward, Falborg spinning inches in front of him.

" Most amusing, children." He spoke calmly, slyly.

" What do you want, Bryan?" Rei asked, his voice filled with so much disgust and hatred that he was unable to hide it beneath the usually calm tone he spoke with.

" A beybattle. Nothing more and certainly nothing less, Rei." The smirk was still there and he spoke Rei's name with a tinge of amusement.

Tyson blinked as he swallowed, glancing from Rei to Bryan and back, and back again. Max scratched the back of his head and grabbed the launcher and rip cord, his free hand clenching digits around Draciel's green body.

" All right, then!" Rei gripped Driger and stepped forward once, yet was halted by Bryan as he lifted a palm.

" Not at this moment, Rei." He spoke. " Tomorrow, in the tournament.. We shall do battle and you my friend, shall lose... a painful and slow loss, indeed."

The lavender-haired boy turned on one heel and exited down a long and narrow hallway, the softest of chuckles sifting through the air as it pushed through his persed lips.

" What.. just happened?" Tyson blinked.

" I was just challenged... and I accept." Rei spoke, a determination lingering in his demeanor.

" Hm. Guys, l-let's get back to our room." Kenny stuttered. " I've had e-enough food for today and I think... I think that if we wait in our room for the storm to end.. I just think it'd be a good idea. We can stay warm up in our room. Better than down here, anyway."

Max nodded. " Yeah, let's go."

" Awwww. all right." Tyson whined. He hopped down from the table and walked toward the staircase, Max and Kenny in that order following closely behind.

Rei started following after the rest of his team had reached the bottom step, his thoughts reeling in anger and fright.

" I have to win against Bryan tomorrow. It's the only way I'll get him to truly leave me alone."