Anime: Hey peeps! 'tis the big one now! Kai and Anya's first match since
the beginning of the fic!
Anya: This should be interesting...
Kai: Especially since she's gotten the others working over time.
Anya: Who?
Anime: *counting fingers* Heero, Trowa, CK and Quatre. Action and Adventure, Angst and Fluff. Sooo..... let's get this story going!!!
======================================================
"AND NOW, THE FINAL DECIDING MATCH. FOR PROJECT MINDSET; ANYA BALKOV AND FOR BLADEBREAKERS KAI HIWATARI!"
Kai stood at the edge of the dish, clutching his beyblade. Anya was at the other end, her face neutral, but her eyes smouldering.
"So what do you make of this match, Brad!?"
"I say I hope Kai wins..."
"You will not make any..."
"I get the picture kid! Anyway, with his Dranzer bitbeast, will the fire phoenix melt the icy harpy's attack, or will Anya's cool playing style leave Kai frozen in his tracks?"
"CAPTAINS, AT THE READY. THREE.... TWO..... ONE......"
"LET IT..." Kai started.
"RRRRRIIIIIPPPPPP!!" Anya ended.
The blue blade and the purple and white blades both landed into the dish with precision and started circling the dish. Already, Anya's blade was picking up more speed as it spun. Finally, the blade shot away from the river edge and crashed into the blue blade, sending fiery sparks flying.
"Anya is certainly not wasting any time with tippy toeing around, is she, AJ?"
"And why would she have to? She's an excellent beyblader who gave Kai a run for his money when they first had their first beyblade match against each other."
"I hope Kai brought his jogging shoes because it looks like a repeat of that will be on its way!"
"Draphiel; Icy Apparition!"
The white and red glowing harpy emerged from her bit chip with a mournful screech. Mist surrounded the beybladers and the dish. The temperature dropped dramatically, making everyone put their jackets back on again. Soon, the ghostly harpies appeared, all seeming more sinister and decayed.
"Dranzer! Spiral Survivor!"
The phoenix also emerged, flapping its wings impressively. The beyblade it resided in started spinning a little more erratically, producing the defensive wind barrier. The ghostly harpies swiped at Dranzer. Although Spiral Survivor kept the bulk of the force from harming the phoenix, some scratches were incurred. Finally, all the ghost harpies grouped together and made one large tackle at Dranzer. His defensive shield kept him from being knocked down, but the tackle caused the hurricane to dissipate.
"DRAPHIEL; GRAB IT!!!"
The harpy shot forward and grabbed Dranzer's wings in her hands. Kai clenched his fists as Dranzer screeched and attempted to beat Draphiel away.
"Well, Kai? Why don't you just give up and surrender. I'm sure my uncle would welcome you back with open arms..." Anya said, laughing as though the battle and Kai's apparent current hopelessness amused her.
Kai frowned at Anya. "I won't back down, Anya. I care for you too much to let you down like this!"
"Save the soppiness, Kai. It doesn't affect me. Draphiel; get it over with!"
"Dranzer; stay strong!"
"Kai..."
Kai looked back at Anya, who looked at him with watery, scared looking eyes. He shuddered for a moment, confused. She looked liked the lost little girl from before she had left the Abbey.
"Kai... I'm scared...."
"Scared?"
Kai lowered his guard, worried but hopeful. Was Anya trying to break through Boris's control? Anya suddenly smirked. "Psyche. Draphiel; Harpies' Ice Hurricane!!!!"
The harpy began to spin. The tornado rose, ice bullets now flying through the air. Draphiel shot bigger and bigger bullets at Dranzer. As with Tyson and Robert's match, some of these icicles ended up flying around Kai and embedding themselves into the stadium floor. Anya laughed. Shaking some ice shards from his hair, Kai frowned and yelled.
"DRANZER!!!"
"You're too easy to manipulate, Kai..." Anya muttered, smirking.
The phoenix screeched and flew higher. Draphiel followed, her tornado forgotten. Anya sneered. "You're making this whole match too easy, Kai. I almost feel sorry for beating you... Almost. HARPIES' ICE HURRICANE!!!!"
By the rest of the Bladebreakers, Roger frowned, watching more icicles crash around the Bladebreakers captain, almost blocking their view of him. "This is bad. Kai's hardly putting up a fight."
"Why's he holding back?" Max asked no one in particular.
In the crowd, Rosa stood up and shouted at Kai at the top of her voice. "KAI! You have to get a grip and beat her!!!"
"You've gotta be cruel to be kind to the ones you love!" Enrique added.
Kai looked up and looked at Enrique and Rosa, hearing their advice over the howling winds. Anya seemed to have heard the Spaniard and Italian's counsel as well. She laughed quite evilly.
"I almost forgot! You DID mention something about loving me. Oh well, your loss. Love is a weak emotion Kai. Look what it has done to your gameplay!"
A screech from the phoenix above their heads caught their attention. Dranzer was furiously trying to flap its wings. Draphiel had her arms around one of the fire bird's wings. Anya sneered, believing victory to be hers.
"You're wrong..." a voice reached Anya's ears.
"Say what?" She asked, looking back at Kai.
His head was down, eyes closed. His whole posture was relaxed. Finally, he looked up and crimson met silver. "Love isn't a weak emotion, Anya. It took me a while to learn that. I'm going to show you; love is what gives us strength! DRANZER!!!"
Dranzer screeched and with a furious flap, flung Draphiel off. The harpy caught herself before crashing into the dish.
"Dranzer, Fire Arrow!"
The phoenix released a column of fire at the harpy. Anya frowned. "Draphiel! More back-up! Icy Apparition!"
More harpies appeared again. All surrounded Dranzer, who kept releasing blasts of fire at them. In between battling the ice copies, Dranzer screeched at Draphiel, who simply hovered some way away from the fire bird, watching and apparently listening. Kai was holding eye contact with Anya.
"Anya. If I have to beat you to get the real you back, then I will!"
"The real me? Hah! This is the real me, Kai! Deal with it. I'm powerful. I'm a Balkov, and captain of Project Mindset. I'm going with my uncle."
"No can do, Anya. You're a Bladebreaker and YOU are staying with us!"
Anya blinked, something at the back of her mind nagging at her. "What did you just say?" she asked, frowning.
"You are a Bladebreaker, Anya. You're staying with us..."
~~Darkness. No, not dark, just dim. Everyone dressed up. Pink heart shaped fairy lights twinkling all around. Looking at a bey dish. Kai standing and scowling across from Mark. "No can do. Anya is a Bladebreaker. She's staying with us."~~
Anya shut her eyes and shook her head. "What the...?"
"What's happening?" Tyson asked.
"I think... Kai is tapping into Anya's memories..." Kenny deduced.
"Dranzer; Flame Saber!"
Dranzer threw more fire at the ice harpies around him. Anya snapped away from her confusion for a moment and frowned. "Draphiel; more back-up!"
Draphiel still hovered, but summoned more scary ice copies of herself. Kai looked back at Anya, who seemed unsure.
"Anya. Remember when we were kids back at the Abbey? Remember when we snuck out into Moscow sometime before your birthday?"
"What's this got to do with anything?" the girl spat back.
"Remember when we stopped at the river and skipped stones? You won, didn't you? You got your stones further than any of us."
"You guys let me win." Anya said before she could stop herself. She then frowned, but uncertain. "You didn't think I was good enough to win on my own...?"
"Not that. We wanted you to win because it was your birthday."
Anya stared down at the dish to avoid looking at Kai. Her purple and white blade was in a stalemate deadlock with Kai's own blue blade. Boris frowned and held out the device in his hand. He turned the knob on the device. Anya winced and put a hand up to her forehead, attempting to shake off the sudden headache. As soon as it started, it seemed to disappear. Anya looked back up at Kai, her eyes darker and more hateful.
"No. You guys just thought I wasn't strong enough to throw the stones far enough! Why do you think I tried throwing you guys into the water?!"
"Whoa... that was one major power surge." Dizzi announced.
"What do you mean, Dizzi?" Kathy asked, sitting next to Max.
"Dizzi's picked up some sort of signal. But it's directed more at Anya..." Kenny said.
"Must be the brain wave device. Boris must be trying to alter Anya's mind." Roger said, frowning.
Draphiel extended her winged arms and screeched a battle cry, directing her legion of copies. Dranzer fought on with the same determination as Kai.
"Anya! You've got to fight it! Don't you remember when you left the Abbey? You cried for us that night. You didn't want to be anywhere near Boris!"
"Shut up!" Anya screamed, shaking her head, confused.
~~Cold. Frightened. Faced by old friends. Snow falling. "Be the best bladers for me." Sudden warmth. Bodies holding each other in embrace. Calm, but sad. Four tears. Four little wells in the falling snow.~~
Anya looked up, frowning, but not noticing the tear that dared to leave a trail down her cheek. Kai noticed, though. "You do remember! Think about it, Anya. Why did you leave in the first place!?"
Anya winced again. At the team bench, Boris raised the power on the signal. This time, Anya shivered and clutched her head. The conflict of power between her memories and the brain wave signals ripped her head apart from the inside. Kai frowned and called out to Anya.
"Fight it, Anya! Remember; why DID you leave us and the Abbey?"
~~Fear. Pain. Resolution. Need to escape. Uncle; evil. Must escape...~~
Boris frowned and turned the knob to just before the highest recommended signal strength. Anya yelped slightly. Her eyes were so dark by now that it seemed Anya was beyond the point of return. "I won't be corrupted. I'm Anya Balkov and I will win!"
Draphiel on the other hand represented Anya's true state of mind. Draphiel simply stood stock still, watching her icy ghost copies fighting Dranzer, looking lost and panicky. Anya punched the air in front of her as if trying to punch an invisible opponent and shouted.
"Draphiel! Beat him already!"
Decidedly, the harpy called more Icy Apparitions and sent them to Dranzer. Kai suddenly had an idea. Reaching around his neck, Kai unclasped the necklace and threw it at Anya. "Catch!"
Anya grabbed the flying trinket and stared at the ornament. The white rose twinkled up at Anya. She shook as more memories, and their added emotions, fought against the mind control.
~~Knock knock.
"Anya! Do you wanna get the door? I'm still trying to do Mariah's hair for her!"
Sigh. Open the hotel door. No one. About to return into the hotel room, but what was that? Picking up the parcel. Reading the card addressed to 'Anya'. 'Please wear this tonight'. Unsigned... opening the box. Beautiful... White rose... My favourite. But who...? Secret admirer? Enrique? No. Tyson? Snigger. Never. But... only one who might know... Smile...
Only one...~~
"K...Kai...." Anya whispered fearfully, more to herself than to anyone else. A screech caught her attention. Draphiel, who reacted to Anya's emotions, was more confused now, sending the ghost harpies all over the place. Some simply crashed into the dish, some dissipated, few hit the phoenix. One was heading straight for Kai without his notice.
"KAI!"
Kai looked up and saw the vengeful woman bird lunge for him with an unearthly scream. He lifted his arms to protect his head. He waited for the impact. It never came. A screech did though, and a cool breeze. Looking up, Kai gaped. Draphiel had the ghost in an arm lock, keeping the other harpy from mauling Kai with her talons. On the other side of the dish, Anya started shivering, relieved she managed to get Draphiel on track in time. Boris snarled.
"You will not fail me, Anya." he muttered. He turned the dial again; this time, past the limit. The force tore through Anya, causing her to scream in pain and forced her to her knees.
"Anya!" Kai shouted.
~~Hiding; running. Must hide. Must run. Cannot let him find me. Cannot let anyone know I'm alive. Always running. Take his experiment with me. Lose it. Must run... always running... always hiding...~~
"I don't want to run anymore..."
Tears stung the girl's eyes and she looked up. "I refuse to run."
"Anya?" Kai dared to ask.
Standing slowly, Anya turned. "I won't... be manipulated... anymore...." she muttered through clenched teeth and fists.
"You will beat him, Anya. Get back there and win!"
"NO!" Anya shouted back, though it seemed to hurt her as she did.
"Yes, you will!" Boris said and turned the signal strength to maximum power. Anya hadn't screamed this time, but simply whimpered and hugged herself through the experience. Kai made to move and run to Anya, but the icicles from the beginning of the match hadn't melted yet and blocked his path. However, Anya wouldn't want his help. She opened her eyes and nodded.
"I will win..." she muttered, eyes half closed, hypnotic. Anya clenched her fists tight and shouted at Draphiel. "Draphiel!"
Draphiel stood stock still again, watching Anya. Blader and bitbeast held the gaze before the harpy nodded. Turning, the harpy flew straight for the meagre group of harpy copies and the big red phoenix.
"Anya!" Kai shouted.
"Don't do it!" Rosa and Enrique called out.
"Fight it!" The Bladebreakers yelled.
The harpy collided with a force so powerful it sent both bladers flying back and sprawling on the ground with a crash. The ice that caged Kai in shattered. The mist cleared. One blade was spinning wobbly and one was on its side. Anya smiled weakly.
"I win. I win... I won't be manipulated."
Boris growled and turned away. Before he could get too far, someone sent him sprawling. Roger rubbed his knuckles and mouthed some words unfit for young ears. He blew on the fist and bent down to pick up the Russian.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr Balkov. Roger's the name, and in the name of the law and the BBA, I'm placing you under arrest. For perverting the course of justice and for illegal exploitation and experimentation on human beings. Now hand over that thing."
Boris looked up and frowned. He held up the Mind Control Device he used to control Anya. "This? Here then. Fetch!" Boris flung the little machine against the wall. It shattered, sending little electronic fragments across the corridor.
******
"Anya...? C'mon, Anya. Wake up."
Kai held the unconscious girl in his arms, gently shaking her. She remained unconscious. The rest of the Bladebreakers were standing a little way off, watching.
"Is she okay?" Max dared to ask.
"I... I don't know..." Tyson mumbled.
"What happened?" Kenny asked.
"She was just alright, shaky for a moment, but then she just... just collapsed..." Ray muttered.
A sound caught their attention. Kai held Anya tighter, hope lighting up in his face. "Anya?"
Silver eyes opened and met crimson. Kai smiled relieved. "Thank God you're alright..."
Anya blinked for a moment. Her face was blank like freshly fallen snow. "...who are you...?"
=====================================================
Anya: ....
Kai: ....
Anime: ^_^!
Duo: *blink*
Heero: Well?
Anime: Well... That definitely was adventurous and action-packed... And you were working pretty hard Trowa.
Trowa: I try.
Duo: *pouts* I never got a job in this. Even the kid and Quat got a role.
Anime: That's because they were fluff!!! You can't have Anya-Kai angst without fluff!
CK: We did good?
Anime: *glomps Quatre and CK* YEAH!!! You guys are a great tag-team!
Quatre: ack!!!
CA: *pouts* My Quat!!!
Anime: Meh... Our Quat. Or rather, go hug your Quatre plushie.
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ssykes4000 - Well, you found how Kai helped Anya away from Boris's control. Next chapter is the very last one. *sweatdrops when sykes hits CA* Uh oh... (CA: *glower* Sic 'em, Tiger!!!! *CA's kitten pounces on sykes and starts scratching* Yay!!! Finally, Tiger knows how to pounce and scratch!) (CK: Uh oh...)
SulliMike23 - Oh well, match finished before you could get stuck in, huh? (Anya: It would have been a -real- pity...) Drop the sarcasm.
Kai-is-so-cute-beyblade-rocks - Woah! Long name... (Anya: Humph...) Ah, quit it. It's just a name; they haven't done anything wrong. And thanks for the idea K-I-S-C-B-R. I might consider it. I've already got a sequel lined up for Shadow, if you're interested. It's out in a couple of weeks! (- Shameless plug...)
Mizu_Tenshi - Yup yup! Roger was working for the BBA all along.
Samb101 - Well, one week was soon enough, right?
ShadowYami - (Duo: Erk! Never expected the glomp...) That should keep you happy for the next chapter... Uh oh... Yama did not just say what I think... (Anya: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!? KAI!!!!!)
Every Storm Has An End - *falls over* So many smilies!!!! (CA: Yay! ^____________^ ) Anyway, thanks. Kai isn't available for comment at the moment, but I'm sure he would have said something...
Anime: *watches Anya storm out of room to look for boyf* Kami help Kai when she finds him...
Duo: Why? Sweetcakes has nuthin' to worry 'bout with Kai.
Anime: *blinks* Sweetcakes...?
Duo: What?
Anime: Since when have you ever called Anya 'Sweetcakes?'
Duo: Urm... Just before I started calling Kai 'Hot-Cheeks'... sometime after I started flirtin'...
Anime: *slaps forehead* D'oh... trust me to get a hentai Duo...
Anya: This should be interesting...
Kai: Especially since she's gotten the others working over time.
Anya: Who?
Anime: *counting fingers* Heero, Trowa, CK and Quatre. Action and Adventure, Angst and Fluff. Sooo..... let's get this story going!!!
======================================================
"AND NOW, THE FINAL DECIDING MATCH. FOR PROJECT MINDSET; ANYA BALKOV AND FOR BLADEBREAKERS KAI HIWATARI!"
Kai stood at the edge of the dish, clutching his beyblade. Anya was at the other end, her face neutral, but her eyes smouldering.
"So what do you make of this match, Brad!?"
"I say I hope Kai wins..."
"You will not make any..."
"I get the picture kid! Anyway, with his Dranzer bitbeast, will the fire phoenix melt the icy harpy's attack, or will Anya's cool playing style leave Kai frozen in his tracks?"
"CAPTAINS, AT THE READY. THREE.... TWO..... ONE......"
"LET IT..." Kai started.
"RRRRRIIIIIPPPPPP!!" Anya ended.
The blue blade and the purple and white blades both landed into the dish with precision and started circling the dish. Already, Anya's blade was picking up more speed as it spun. Finally, the blade shot away from the river edge and crashed into the blue blade, sending fiery sparks flying.
"Anya is certainly not wasting any time with tippy toeing around, is she, AJ?"
"And why would she have to? She's an excellent beyblader who gave Kai a run for his money when they first had their first beyblade match against each other."
"I hope Kai brought his jogging shoes because it looks like a repeat of that will be on its way!"
"Draphiel; Icy Apparition!"
The white and red glowing harpy emerged from her bit chip with a mournful screech. Mist surrounded the beybladers and the dish. The temperature dropped dramatically, making everyone put their jackets back on again. Soon, the ghostly harpies appeared, all seeming more sinister and decayed.
"Dranzer! Spiral Survivor!"
The phoenix also emerged, flapping its wings impressively. The beyblade it resided in started spinning a little more erratically, producing the defensive wind barrier. The ghostly harpies swiped at Dranzer. Although Spiral Survivor kept the bulk of the force from harming the phoenix, some scratches were incurred. Finally, all the ghost harpies grouped together and made one large tackle at Dranzer. His defensive shield kept him from being knocked down, but the tackle caused the hurricane to dissipate.
"DRAPHIEL; GRAB IT!!!"
The harpy shot forward and grabbed Dranzer's wings in her hands. Kai clenched his fists as Dranzer screeched and attempted to beat Draphiel away.
"Well, Kai? Why don't you just give up and surrender. I'm sure my uncle would welcome you back with open arms..." Anya said, laughing as though the battle and Kai's apparent current hopelessness amused her.
Kai frowned at Anya. "I won't back down, Anya. I care for you too much to let you down like this!"
"Save the soppiness, Kai. It doesn't affect me. Draphiel; get it over with!"
"Dranzer; stay strong!"
"Kai..."
Kai looked back at Anya, who looked at him with watery, scared looking eyes. He shuddered for a moment, confused. She looked liked the lost little girl from before she had left the Abbey.
"Kai... I'm scared...."
"Scared?"
Kai lowered his guard, worried but hopeful. Was Anya trying to break through Boris's control? Anya suddenly smirked. "Psyche. Draphiel; Harpies' Ice Hurricane!!!!"
The harpy began to spin. The tornado rose, ice bullets now flying through the air. Draphiel shot bigger and bigger bullets at Dranzer. As with Tyson and Robert's match, some of these icicles ended up flying around Kai and embedding themselves into the stadium floor. Anya laughed. Shaking some ice shards from his hair, Kai frowned and yelled.
"DRANZER!!!"
"You're too easy to manipulate, Kai..." Anya muttered, smirking.
The phoenix screeched and flew higher. Draphiel followed, her tornado forgotten. Anya sneered. "You're making this whole match too easy, Kai. I almost feel sorry for beating you... Almost. HARPIES' ICE HURRICANE!!!!"
By the rest of the Bladebreakers, Roger frowned, watching more icicles crash around the Bladebreakers captain, almost blocking their view of him. "This is bad. Kai's hardly putting up a fight."
"Why's he holding back?" Max asked no one in particular.
In the crowd, Rosa stood up and shouted at Kai at the top of her voice. "KAI! You have to get a grip and beat her!!!"
"You've gotta be cruel to be kind to the ones you love!" Enrique added.
Kai looked up and looked at Enrique and Rosa, hearing their advice over the howling winds. Anya seemed to have heard the Spaniard and Italian's counsel as well. She laughed quite evilly.
"I almost forgot! You DID mention something about loving me. Oh well, your loss. Love is a weak emotion Kai. Look what it has done to your gameplay!"
A screech from the phoenix above their heads caught their attention. Dranzer was furiously trying to flap its wings. Draphiel had her arms around one of the fire bird's wings. Anya sneered, believing victory to be hers.
"You're wrong..." a voice reached Anya's ears.
"Say what?" She asked, looking back at Kai.
His head was down, eyes closed. His whole posture was relaxed. Finally, he looked up and crimson met silver. "Love isn't a weak emotion, Anya. It took me a while to learn that. I'm going to show you; love is what gives us strength! DRANZER!!!"
Dranzer screeched and with a furious flap, flung Draphiel off. The harpy caught herself before crashing into the dish.
"Dranzer, Fire Arrow!"
The phoenix released a column of fire at the harpy. Anya frowned. "Draphiel! More back-up! Icy Apparition!"
More harpies appeared again. All surrounded Dranzer, who kept releasing blasts of fire at them. In between battling the ice copies, Dranzer screeched at Draphiel, who simply hovered some way away from the fire bird, watching and apparently listening. Kai was holding eye contact with Anya.
"Anya. If I have to beat you to get the real you back, then I will!"
"The real me? Hah! This is the real me, Kai! Deal with it. I'm powerful. I'm a Balkov, and captain of Project Mindset. I'm going with my uncle."
"No can do, Anya. You're a Bladebreaker and YOU are staying with us!"
Anya blinked, something at the back of her mind nagging at her. "What did you just say?" she asked, frowning.
"You are a Bladebreaker, Anya. You're staying with us..."
~~Darkness. No, not dark, just dim. Everyone dressed up. Pink heart shaped fairy lights twinkling all around. Looking at a bey dish. Kai standing and scowling across from Mark. "No can do. Anya is a Bladebreaker. She's staying with us."~~
Anya shut her eyes and shook her head. "What the...?"
"What's happening?" Tyson asked.
"I think... Kai is tapping into Anya's memories..." Kenny deduced.
"Dranzer; Flame Saber!"
Dranzer threw more fire at the ice harpies around him. Anya snapped away from her confusion for a moment and frowned. "Draphiel; more back-up!"
Draphiel still hovered, but summoned more scary ice copies of herself. Kai looked back at Anya, who seemed unsure.
"Anya. Remember when we were kids back at the Abbey? Remember when we snuck out into Moscow sometime before your birthday?"
"What's this got to do with anything?" the girl spat back.
"Remember when we stopped at the river and skipped stones? You won, didn't you? You got your stones further than any of us."
"You guys let me win." Anya said before she could stop herself. She then frowned, but uncertain. "You didn't think I was good enough to win on my own...?"
"Not that. We wanted you to win because it was your birthday."
Anya stared down at the dish to avoid looking at Kai. Her purple and white blade was in a stalemate deadlock with Kai's own blue blade. Boris frowned and held out the device in his hand. He turned the knob on the device. Anya winced and put a hand up to her forehead, attempting to shake off the sudden headache. As soon as it started, it seemed to disappear. Anya looked back up at Kai, her eyes darker and more hateful.
"No. You guys just thought I wasn't strong enough to throw the stones far enough! Why do you think I tried throwing you guys into the water?!"
"Whoa... that was one major power surge." Dizzi announced.
"What do you mean, Dizzi?" Kathy asked, sitting next to Max.
"Dizzi's picked up some sort of signal. But it's directed more at Anya..." Kenny said.
"Must be the brain wave device. Boris must be trying to alter Anya's mind." Roger said, frowning.
Draphiel extended her winged arms and screeched a battle cry, directing her legion of copies. Dranzer fought on with the same determination as Kai.
"Anya! You've got to fight it! Don't you remember when you left the Abbey? You cried for us that night. You didn't want to be anywhere near Boris!"
"Shut up!" Anya screamed, shaking her head, confused.
~~Cold. Frightened. Faced by old friends. Snow falling. "Be the best bladers for me." Sudden warmth. Bodies holding each other in embrace. Calm, but sad. Four tears. Four little wells in the falling snow.~~
Anya looked up, frowning, but not noticing the tear that dared to leave a trail down her cheek. Kai noticed, though. "You do remember! Think about it, Anya. Why did you leave in the first place!?"
Anya winced again. At the team bench, Boris raised the power on the signal. This time, Anya shivered and clutched her head. The conflict of power between her memories and the brain wave signals ripped her head apart from the inside. Kai frowned and called out to Anya.
"Fight it, Anya! Remember; why DID you leave us and the Abbey?"
~~Fear. Pain. Resolution. Need to escape. Uncle; evil. Must escape...~~
Boris frowned and turned the knob to just before the highest recommended signal strength. Anya yelped slightly. Her eyes were so dark by now that it seemed Anya was beyond the point of return. "I won't be corrupted. I'm Anya Balkov and I will win!"
Draphiel on the other hand represented Anya's true state of mind. Draphiel simply stood stock still, watching her icy ghost copies fighting Dranzer, looking lost and panicky. Anya punched the air in front of her as if trying to punch an invisible opponent and shouted.
"Draphiel! Beat him already!"
Decidedly, the harpy called more Icy Apparitions and sent them to Dranzer. Kai suddenly had an idea. Reaching around his neck, Kai unclasped the necklace and threw it at Anya. "Catch!"
Anya grabbed the flying trinket and stared at the ornament. The white rose twinkled up at Anya. She shook as more memories, and their added emotions, fought against the mind control.
~~Knock knock.
"Anya! Do you wanna get the door? I'm still trying to do Mariah's hair for her!"
Sigh. Open the hotel door. No one. About to return into the hotel room, but what was that? Picking up the parcel. Reading the card addressed to 'Anya'. 'Please wear this tonight'. Unsigned... opening the box. Beautiful... White rose... My favourite. But who...? Secret admirer? Enrique? No. Tyson? Snigger. Never. But... only one who might know... Smile...
Only one...~~
"K...Kai...." Anya whispered fearfully, more to herself than to anyone else. A screech caught her attention. Draphiel, who reacted to Anya's emotions, was more confused now, sending the ghost harpies all over the place. Some simply crashed into the dish, some dissipated, few hit the phoenix. One was heading straight for Kai without his notice.
"KAI!"
Kai looked up and saw the vengeful woman bird lunge for him with an unearthly scream. He lifted his arms to protect his head. He waited for the impact. It never came. A screech did though, and a cool breeze. Looking up, Kai gaped. Draphiel had the ghost in an arm lock, keeping the other harpy from mauling Kai with her talons. On the other side of the dish, Anya started shivering, relieved she managed to get Draphiel on track in time. Boris snarled.
"You will not fail me, Anya." he muttered. He turned the dial again; this time, past the limit. The force tore through Anya, causing her to scream in pain and forced her to her knees.
"Anya!" Kai shouted.
~~Hiding; running. Must hide. Must run. Cannot let him find me. Cannot let anyone know I'm alive. Always running. Take his experiment with me. Lose it. Must run... always running... always hiding...~~
"I don't want to run anymore..."
Tears stung the girl's eyes and she looked up. "I refuse to run."
"Anya?" Kai dared to ask.
Standing slowly, Anya turned. "I won't... be manipulated... anymore...." she muttered through clenched teeth and fists.
"You will beat him, Anya. Get back there and win!"
"NO!" Anya shouted back, though it seemed to hurt her as she did.
"Yes, you will!" Boris said and turned the signal strength to maximum power. Anya hadn't screamed this time, but simply whimpered and hugged herself through the experience. Kai made to move and run to Anya, but the icicles from the beginning of the match hadn't melted yet and blocked his path. However, Anya wouldn't want his help. She opened her eyes and nodded.
"I will win..." she muttered, eyes half closed, hypnotic. Anya clenched her fists tight and shouted at Draphiel. "Draphiel!"
Draphiel stood stock still again, watching Anya. Blader and bitbeast held the gaze before the harpy nodded. Turning, the harpy flew straight for the meagre group of harpy copies and the big red phoenix.
"Anya!" Kai shouted.
"Don't do it!" Rosa and Enrique called out.
"Fight it!" The Bladebreakers yelled.
The harpy collided with a force so powerful it sent both bladers flying back and sprawling on the ground with a crash. The ice that caged Kai in shattered. The mist cleared. One blade was spinning wobbly and one was on its side. Anya smiled weakly.
"I win. I win... I won't be manipulated."
Boris growled and turned away. Before he could get too far, someone sent him sprawling. Roger rubbed his knuckles and mouthed some words unfit for young ears. He blew on the fist and bent down to pick up the Russian.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr Balkov. Roger's the name, and in the name of the law and the BBA, I'm placing you under arrest. For perverting the course of justice and for illegal exploitation and experimentation on human beings. Now hand over that thing."
Boris looked up and frowned. He held up the Mind Control Device he used to control Anya. "This? Here then. Fetch!" Boris flung the little machine against the wall. It shattered, sending little electronic fragments across the corridor.
******
"Anya...? C'mon, Anya. Wake up."
Kai held the unconscious girl in his arms, gently shaking her. She remained unconscious. The rest of the Bladebreakers were standing a little way off, watching.
"Is she okay?" Max dared to ask.
"I... I don't know..." Tyson mumbled.
"What happened?" Kenny asked.
"She was just alright, shaky for a moment, but then she just... just collapsed..." Ray muttered.
A sound caught their attention. Kai held Anya tighter, hope lighting up in his face. "Anya?"
Silver eyes opened and met crimson. Kai smiled relieved. "Thank God you're alright..."
Anya blinked for a moment. Her face was blank like freshly fallen snow. "...who are you...?"
=====================================================
Anya: ....
Kai: ....
Anime: ^_^!
Duo: *blink*
Heero: Well?
Anime: Well... That definitely was adventurous and action-packed... And you were working pretty hard Trowa.
Trowa: I try.
Duo: *pouts* I never got a job in this. Even the kid and Quat got a role.
Anime: That's because they were fluff!!! You can't have Anya-Kai angst without fluff!
CK: We did good?
Anime: *glomps Quatre and CK* YEAH!!! You guys are a great tag-team!
Quatre: ack!!!
CA: *pouts* My Quat!!!
Anime: Meh... Our Quat. Or rather, go hug your Quatre plushie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ssykes4000 - Well, you found how Kai helped Anya away from Boris's control. Next chapter is the very last one. *sweatdrops when sykes hits CA* Uh oh... (CA: *glower* Sic 'em, Tiger!!!! *CA's kitten pounces on sykes and starts scratching* Yay!!! Finally, Tiger knows how to pounce and scratch!) (CK: Uh oh...)
SulliMike23 - Oh well, match finished before you could get stuck in, huh? (Anya: It would have been a -real- pity...) Drop the sarcasm.
Kai-is-so-cute-beyblade-rocks - Woah! Long name... (Anya: Humph...) Ah, quit it. It's just a name; they haven't done anything wrong. And thanks for the idea K-I-S-C-B-R. I might consider it. I've already got a sequel lined up for Shadow, if you're interested. It's out in a couple of weeks! (- Shameless plug...)
Mizu_Tenshi - Yup yup! Roger was working for the BBA all along.
Samb101 - Well, one week was soon enough, right?
ShadowYami - (Duo: Erk! Never expected the glomp...) That should keep you happy for the next chapter... Uh oh... Yama did not just say what I think... (Anya: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!? KAI!!!!!)
Every Storm Has An End - *falls over* So many smilies!!!! (CA: Yay! ^____________^ ) Anyway, thanks. Kai isn't available for comment at the moment, but I'm sure he would have said something...
Anime: *watches Anya storm out of room to look for boyf* Kami help Kai when she finds him...
Duo: Why? Sweetcakes has nuthin' to worry 'bout with Kai.
Anime: *blinks* Sweetcakes...?
Duo: What?
Anime: Since when have you ever called Anya 'Sweetcakes?'
Duo: Urm... Just before I started calling Kai 'Hot-Cheeks'... sometime after I started flirtin'...
Anime: *slaps forehead* D'oh... trust me to get a hentai Duo...