16: Rematch
Saiyan-Chang: I read your review and there are two things I think I had better explain. 1) The ages are as my sisters (yes, there are three of us now) and I discussed, and this is what we believe judging by how they are drawn and act. The White Tiger ages are guessed by the images of them when they are young. 2) Lee and Mariah are no relation in my fics. The family connections I have amongst the White Tigers are through Gary: Kevin is his cousin, and Lee is his second cousin. Hope that clears anything up.
Time for a bit of quiet time for three bladers…
Disclaimer: Nope, not yet. But if you want to give them to me…
"Bladers, are you ready?"
The crowd screamed as Jazzman took up the call. Four heads turned, looking up at the television screen that sat above the end of the hospital bed.
Lee grunted. "Watch Kevin screw up again."
"If he wasn't so overconfident, he wouldn't." Mariah looked toward him, smiling faintly. "Comes from hanging around you for so long."
Ray snickered.
Kai crossed his arms over his chest, glad that the drips were now gone, and frowned as Max bounced toward the dish. "Okay, who gave him sugar?"
Ray looked at him. "He had Frosty's for breakfast this morning. You know, those sugar coated Corn Flakes."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "And exactly who bought them?"
Ray blinked. "Tyson I think."
"Remind me to kill him."
Lee grunted. "I'll be killing Kevin if he loses again."
They looked up as the battle started, eyes glued to the screen as the session became intense, bit-beasts vying for position. There was a flash, then a blade flew from the dish and bounced along the ground.
"Winner: Kevin!"
Lee smiled faintly. "He actually won one."
Ray looked at Kai. "You were right about the sugar. It really does throw him out."
"That's why I'm team leader."
Mariah leant forward, eyes widening as she looked up at the screen. "Eh… Lee…"
The White Tiger team leader looked up, skin paling. "They wouldn't."
Ray laughed. "You seeing this Kai?"
"Yeah. Kids aren't as dumb as they look."
In their area, Max, Tyson, and Kenny had pulled a bunch of packets out of their pocket as Gary approached the dish. They opened them, the camera's zooming in to show that they held corn chips and Twisties, munching away. On the other side of the stadium floor, Gary was watching, mouth hanging open as he drooled, lost on the thought of food.
"Aw shit." Lee pushed himself up, glancing quickly behind him. "You're team mates are real brats."
Kai smirked. "I know."
Lee's footsteps disappeared at a run down the corridor. Kai had requested to the moved to the hospital within the bey stadium so he could be near his team. They had visited before the match, Lee and Mariah and Ray staying on to keep him company, though Lee was to battle out the final round.
Mariah stretched, looking up as Lee tore onto the stadium floor, straight for Gary. "Never knew you guys cheated."
Ray looked at her. "We don't cheat. We simply use the resources available-" He gave a sharp cry as Kai grabbed him by the throat and dragged him down.
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Never, ever, talk like Chief again."
Ray nodded, relaxing as Kai released him.
Mariah smiled. "I see your getting your old spirit back."
Ray shuddered, then noticed Kai glaring at him. Looking up, he pointed at the screen. "Oh look! The battles about to begin."
They watched as Tyson and Gary stood on either side of the dish, Lee standing arms crossed behind Gary, shouting out orders. Jazzman called the start, the two blades launching into the dish. They watched as they battled, but just as the battle was getting intense, Max pulled out another bag of Twisties.
"Oh no!" Mariah cried, hands over her eyes. "It's over."
Sure enough, Gary lost focus, Tyson pouncing upon the chance and sending Gary's blade flying from the dish. Tyson had won.
Ray looked down at Kai. "Well, I guess I'm up." He stood, forgetting about his arm as he used it to push himself up, giving a sharp cry of pain.
Mariah was by his side in an instant. "Ray, you can't battle. Not like this."
Ray looked down at her. "I have to Mariah. My team is depending on me."
"But Ray-"
"Ray." They turned, looking down at Kai who was focused up at the tv screen, watching as the crowd grew anxious. His eyes never moved. "Get my things."
One chapter to go people! How about a review while you wait for the ending.