14: Showdown

Just in case you don't remember, the last chapter left us in a showdown between Lee and Winton, Winton with Mariah as a hostage, and Ray backing Lee up. All the bladers except the unconscious Kai are now on the floor that sits above the dish. The question is, what will Lee do?

Disclaimer: Kai, Ray, and Lee. I'll have those three. If I can't have them all, then I'll just have Kai and Ray. Not tellin' what for. ;)

Lee's grip tightened on the gun, sweat beading on his forehead. He could feel Ray by his side, his best friends iron grip of support on his arm. His eyes drifted from Winton's face to Mariah's, seeing the cold fear reflected in her eyes, the tears running down her face. Her lips moved: "Lee, please help me."

A lump formed in his throat as he looked back up at Winton, taking in the confident smile on the others face. The man knew what he was doing, knew Lee had only used a gun a couple of times before. Lee's aim was good, but he risked killing Mariah, and that was something he just couldn't do.

He slowly lowered the gun, Ray's grip tightening as Lee clenched his teeth. He looked up toward Mariah, saw her eyes widen. "Mariah, I'm sorry… I can't… I can't risk you."

Ray looked sharply at him. "Lee…"

"I can't Ray."

Winton nodded. "Drop it."

Lee let the gun slip from his fingers, the black weapon of death clattering onto the floor.

"Kick it out of the way."

Lee complied, the object spinning away toward the bunker. His eyes on Winton, he didn't notice another set of eyes following its trail as it came to a halt in the space where the group had previously been sitting.

"Put your hands behind your head and get over to the others. And no funny business."

Ray and Lee did as they were told, moving solemnly toward the others, Ray casting a concerning look at Lee's direction as the other sighed heavily.

"I just killed everyone, didn't I."

Ray shook his head. "We were already dead."

They reached the others, Kevin moving toward them, a faint smile on his face. "You were awesome."

"We failed in our mission," Lee replied, squeezing his eyes closed.

"Can't fail us for trying," Ray told him, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

Tyson moved forward. "They did what you wanted, now give us back Mariah!"

Winton laughed, bringing up heads and causing Mariah to pale as he pushed her forward, closer to her friends. "You think that I will just hand her over? I promised a killing, and I'm going to give one. Mariah may not be the second best, but she's still one of the best. Her sacrifice will bring me one step closer to my victory."

"No!" Ray lurched forward, Gary reaching forward and grabbing both Ray and Lee by their shirts.

"Let go of me!" Lee yelled. "Let go of Ray!"

Gary shook his head. "He'll kill you."

"Better us then her!"

"Gary, we have to help her." Ray looked back at his friend, eyes wide, pleading. "Please Gary."

The sound of a gunshot rang clear through the air, causing all to stop dead and spin around, fearing the worst. They were surprised to see Winton stumble back, gun slipping from his fingers as he clutched his arm. Mariah pulled herself from his grip and rushed toward the others, Lee and Ray pulling her to them and protecting her.

Brad: It can' be.

A.J.: It… it is!

Winton looked around, eyes widening. "You!"

"Yes, me." Kai stood, the weapon Lee had thrown aside now held in a steady grip. "That was for Ray." He brought the gun up, a second shot ripping through the air, doubling Winton over as it caught the man in the stomach. "That was for me."

"And this," he took several steps forward, eyes hard and burning with rage, jaw clenched as the gun rose higher, "is for the BBA."

The third and final bullet slammed into Winton's head, catching him dead between the eyes. The man's body flew backward, slamming against the floor and sliding a small way before coming still. A sound silence settled on the stadium, broken moments later as the doors blew open, the law enforcement streaming in.

A.J.: We're saved! We're saved! I could kiss you both!

Jazzman: He won't, will he?

Brad: You don't want me to answer that.

Ray left Mariah with Lee as he dashed toward Kai, the gun slipping from the others hand as he slowly slumped forward, Ray catching him before he hit the ground. Cheers erupted around the stands, the crowd taking up the chant "Kai. Kai. Kai."

Ray gently lowered his leader to the ground, cradling him against his chest. "Hear them, Kai? You're a hero."

"Great, just what I need. More fan girls."

Ray laughed.

I'll be a fan girl, Kai…