Everyone who's read the fic up to this point is going to KILL me, I swear. 

Erm…you see, I spent Christmas vacation thinking.  Writing and drawing and eating and sleeping and…okay, I'll stop…but also thinking.  About this fic.

And then I went and re-read it.  All fifteen chapters.  And I was…um…well, not shocked and horrified, but…all right, I was, a little.  What I have in the fifteen chapters written so far is patchy, overly mushy and sappy, has Enrique and Oliver idling and angsting for far too long -borrowed a direct quote from Fyredra's review, here - and most of all, it's entirely UNREALISTIC.  Which for some reason irks me most of all.

So.

So, what was I to do?

I did more late-night thinking, and I've made my decision.  Now, before you read anymore, promise you won't scream at me/threaten murder/whatever.  I'm being as reasonable as I can about this, because I know people read this fic and actually like it, and that someone, somewhere out there, wants me to shut up and get on with writing the next chapter.

Yes, 'Return' has officially been terminated.

*is swarmed by angry mob of Enrique/Oliver fangirls*  ARGH!

Just kidding!  I'm not killing the project altogether – and I'm leaving you what's already here.

I.  Am.  Starting.  Over. 

You heard me.  No, stop staring.  Yes, please close your mouth.  ^^;

To avoid a lot of confusion (and because I like leaving my fics where they are, thankyouverymuch,) I'm posting the new version of 'Return' as a new fic.  Look for it – I intend to finish chapter 1 at least before my three remaining days of Christmas break are over.  This new one is titled 'Homecomings.'  I'm retaining many of the elements from this fic in it, including of course the Saille (heh, that mysterious team…) the plot behind them, the funky talking Bitbeasts, the Beyblade tournaments and championship that were going to be upcoming, and of course, the pairings of Enrique/Oliver, Tala/Johnny and Robert/Bryan.  Not to mention the four other teams that come into the picture during the semi-finals: the Wing Bladers, Devil's Quarter, Ater Stella Carmen, and my personal favorites next to the Saille, team [ZODIAC].

The changes?  Well, for one thing, screw the idea of Hurt-Angsty-Abused-Sappy-Oliver.  I never did like it, and besides, it's not exactly the most original thing in the world.  Second, screw the Rescue-Demolition-Boys plot.  It's overused and weird and – as I say, I hate this the most – unrealistic.  Plus the whole deal with Olli's court case and junk is very confusing indeed.   Finally, toss out the Kai/Rei.

*is mobbed by angry Kai/Rei fangirls* AHHHHHH!!!

Okay, maybe not, but we'll see, since this fic is an AU and while I'm definitely incorporating people from V-Force (HIROMI AND THE SAINT SHIELDS!!!! *squeals*) let's have the Bladebreakers stay together, ne?  But I dunno…I'm starting to really really really really really favor the Rei/Mao and Kai/Takao fangirls…and Ozuma/Takao…or was it Ozuma/Joseph?  *thinks* Hmmm…you can see I'm still undecided.

So, about the things I'm removing.  Here's why:

- Oliver is NOT going to start out wandering the streets of France because daddy shoved him out of the house.  He HAS, however, been stuck in boarding school.  For the past three years.  And no, he hasn't been going home or the holidays…

- His father is not abusive.  He just travels a lot.  Oliver's mother remains out of the picture…guess she stays dead then.  Oh well.

- Oliver's finally done with this boarding school thing…and Enrique's invited him home for, meh, I dunno, a welcome-back party.

- Robert and Johnny are of course, not there.  Why not?  It's a surprise.

- The Demolition Boys have not been cooped up in Russia for an extra year or so, contrary to what I wrote in 'Return.'  Instead…um, something else.  Something to do with the BBA ~_^ 

- The Bladebreakers have continued to defend their titles as World Champions for the three years Oliver's been stuck in dull bo-ring school.  Due to Oliver's absence, the Majestics have refrained from participation in any major tournaments, but everyone's kept their skills sharp.  Everyone's older, a little smarter, a little more mature than they were in season 1.  And some of their costumes have changed – I couldn't help myself.

Sou datta.  Do you understand now?  I don't know if people are going to like 'Homecomings' any better, but for my own sanity I'm doing one of the biggest rewrites I can.  I want realism.  I want characters, not puppets with no emotion.

…and I believe I just made a speech.

Well, this is the end of Return as you know it, but you're going to see plenty of similarities as 'Homecomings' progresses. 

Aaaand, to spare you further boredom, here's a short sort of preview while I finish up my revisions!

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It certainly looks the same as when I left it, this high up, muses a certain young man, settling comfortably back  in his seat.  Below him, far below, a sea of lights spreads welcomingly out in the darkness.  He watches their twinkling invitation, a smile gracing his face as the crackling of the pilot's voice announces the incoming landing.  Although the scant few passengers with him in first class are mostly blinking the drowsiness from their eyes, he shifts eagerly, nervous hands busying themselves by smoothing imaginary wrinkles from his clothes.  As the city below nears, he checks his appearance, squinting at his faint reflection in the airplane window.

Now, this young man's appearance should be duly noted as he critically examines himself.  Wide, bright amethyst eyes are his most noticeable feature, complimented by the pert nose below them as well as a mouth that tilts just the slightest bit up at one corner.  Quite a handsome (in fact, some would say almost pretty) visage, framed by slightly wavy chartreuse bangs which he pushes out of his face ineffectively.  The rest of this youth's hair falls almost to the shoulders of his dove-gray jacket, held in place by a beret of the same color.  Overall, though rather slimmer, more mature and defined that the last time anyone in the city below has seen it…a very familiar face.

A name comes to mind, when one takes even a passing glance at this youth.

Polanski.  This particular young man is none other than the famed eighteen-year-old Oliver Polanski, Beyblader and gourmet chef extraordinaire. 

And his face hasn't been seen in the city – which is revealed to be Rome, Italy – for all of the past three years…and now it's back.  Or rather, he's back.

Whoo boy.

~-~-~-~-~

Well, here's to my final update, and thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed 'Return,' ever!  Ja matta ne, all!