13: Time Is Running Out

Saw some really good BeyBlade stories the other day. My favourite is Untold Truths by Ladya C. Maxine. It was an absolutely brilliant Kai/Ray fic that isn't corny and had a great storyline. Better then this one, and I'll put money on that.

Disclaimer: I do other things to them in my mind, but I'm not going into that… I still don't own them.

"I will wait no longer, Dickenson," Winton told them. "Now, or it's too late."

Brad: I've got a really bad feeling about this A.J.

A.J.: Winton? Or the fact that you're about to lose your shirt in the card game?

Winton turned toward the gathered beybladers, eyes narrowed. He smiled faintly, then turned back toward the camera. "Who shall it be? Do you have money on who is the second best blader? Well, in…" he glanced at his watch. "10 minutes, you're going to find out. The clock is ticking."

Tyson swallowed hard. "Oh man."

Ray drew a long breath, a hand on his shoulder causing him to jump. Turning, he noted that Kai's eyes were open, though the street blader was looking out toward Winton. Ray reached back, placing his hand on Kai's, not knowing what to say, nor what to do.

"We've lost," Mariah said softly.

Lee clenched his fists, flicking his ponytail back over his shoulder. "Well they're not taking me out without a fight."

Max and Kevin exchanged a look, Kevin holding out a hand. "Nice blading with you."

Max accepted the hand. "Yeah, you too."

"You really are a bunch of losers," Kai growled, a trace of the old fire in his voice, however faint. "Aren't you going to fight this guy?"

The others jumped, swinging around to look at Kai. Tyson hissed through his teeth. "They've got guns, Kai."

"Think I don't know that?"

Ray looked toward his long-time best friend, Lee meeting his gaze. "So what did you have in mind?"

Lee smiled. "Knew you would be with me, Raymond." He nodded to the side. "See that jerk? Let's help him with his load."

Ray nodded, smiling, eyes glittering with dark intent. Kai's hand tightened on his shoulder, a silent good luck, and Ray squeezed Kai's hand in a thank you.

Winton straightened, looking toward the camera. "Times up."

Lee and Ray slid to the side. "Three…"

Winton's grip tightened on his gun. "I hope you all enjoyed this program-"

"Two…"

"-because it's about to go out with a bang-"

"One…"

Winton raised his gun. "They die now."

"Go!"

Lee and Ray pounced, their movement reminiscent to their bit-beasts: Galeon the black lion, and Driger the white tiger. They were a blur of movement, eyes flashing as they roared, hands stretched out like claws as the descended upon their victim, slamming the man to the ground.

Lee kicked down hard into the mans knee, causing him to howl before a well-placed punch from Ray snapped his head back and into the ground. Dazed, the man barely noticed as they pulled him up, slamming him back into the ground as the crowd cheered.

A.J.: I would have hated to have met these guys when they're back home! Don't piss off Ray and Lee!

Brad: Personal note: Stay on these guy's good side.

Jazzman: And the winner is… Ray and Lee!

A.J.: Couldn't resist, could you?

A final punch knocked the man out, Lee reaching out to snag the gun from the mans belt. Exchanging a grin with Ray, Lee stood, turning to face where Winton had been… only to find him gone.

Ray slowly stood, the two turning as they head the sound of a throat clearing. Their eyes widened as they found Winton standing amongst the bladers, all with their hands behind their heads except for one. Tight in Winton's grip, Mariah looked apologetically toward her two life friends.

Winton smiled faintly. "I was going to kill Tyson, but since you two made your move, I needed someone you were both close to, and this pretty young lady was exactly what I was looking for. It's convenient that she's one of the top bladers of the group as well." He looked around the group of bladers. "Get over to the dish and sit on the floor."

The group complied, Max and Kevin keeping themselves between Winton and Tyson. They left Kai on bench, exposed and vulnerable, though Winton seemed to have forgotten the unconscious teen, instead focused upon the two young men before him.

Lee brought the gun up, Ray reaching out to lay a hand on his arm. "Careful. Don't hit Mariah."

"I won't."

Winton pulled Mariah closer so that she was directly before him. "Go ahead Lee. Shoot me. But you'll have to shoot your friend too."

Lee faltered.

Mariah's eyes swelled with tears as Winton pressed the gun up against her temple. "Go on Lee. Go ahead and shoot me. If you don't, then I will shoot your friend… unless you drop your gun. It's your choice."

Well this is a sticky situation. What will Lee do? I know, but I'm going to leave you on this cliffy. Call me nasties in your review if you want… okay, bad reason to make you review, but please?