Disclaimer: By now you should know that the author of this story is but a
poor, penniless high school girl who spends all her allowance on books, and
you should know suing her is a very bad idea because you will only waste
your own time. And also she really isn't making a penny out of writing this
story so any judge would have pity her.
"And the last one out of the dish, is Tyson Kinomiya!" The announcer shouted, and strangely without microphones. His voice was magically augmented with some strange spells.
Tyson caught his grey beyblade even as it flew obedient towards his out stretched palm. He returned with a grin, and gave Max a cheerful high-five.
"Wicked, Tyson!" Max said, smiling broadly, "Faster than I expected."
Tyson made a face, "I told you so, Maxie. That's a whole five seconds faster than your time!"
"Oh, you vain little braggart!" Max said with a laugh, and punched Tyson lightly on the arm, "Do you really want go head to head against Draciel?"
Tyson was about to say something, but was stopped when the augmented voice boomed in the stadium.
"And the qualifying round is over for Group B!" The voice shouted, "Team 2 and Team 7 advance to the semi finals! Now let us move on to the qualifying round of Group C. Would all odd numbered bladers in Group C please step to the dish."
Kai walked up to the dish, and readied himself. Tyson shouted behind him mischievously, "Good luck, Kai! You are going to need it."
Kai turned slightly and threw him an intimidating glance. Tyson made a face and stuck out his tongue. Kai turned back, now his eyes showing a faint trace of amusement. The bladers readied themselves for the first round. As the announcer shouted the mark they all fired. Many beyblades landed inside the dish----it should be eight, but the fast spinning motion made it rather difficult to count----, their colourful metal surfaces flashed under the ceiling light.
For the first few second Kai did nothing but observe the spinning blades around his own, but soon a smirk surfaced on his pale features.
"This shouldn't be too difficult." He muttered quietly, "Dranzer. Let's finish this now, shall we?"
The blue blade glowed slightly red in response. It suddenly leaped and took the air. The blade tilted itself and came down soaring like a preying hawk. There was a vague red shade, a faint fiery shape accompanying the blue blade. It glided across the dish, so low it almost touched the surface. It sent other blades in the dish flying out in an uncontrolled fashion. There was a moment of chaos, but afterward every blade was whether wobbling outside the dish or lying limply inside, only the Kai's blue blade was still spinning, like a victor amid ruins of his enemies.
"Wow! It seems our qualifying matches are rather fast!" The announcer boomed above them, "Kai Hiwatari from team 5 is the last one still spinning, and according to our replays, Megan Stratton from team 2 is the second last to exit the dish. Let's move on. All even numbered bladers from Group B, please step up to the dish."
Kai returned with his blue blade in hand. He clapped Ray, who was heading to the beyblade dish, on the shoulder, and said with a smirk, "Make it fast. I want them to get the message."
Ray replied with a small smile, "Yes, captain."
The second qualifying round began. When the announcer shouted the mark, eight blades landed inside the dish simultaneously. Ray didn't waste a second. His pearly white blade raced down the dish. In a blink of an eye two beyblades were already flying outside the dish. Inside the dish, others answered Ray's challenge. Four blades surrounded Ray's blade, and rammed into the small white vessel at the same time. Sparks flew as the five blades knotted tightly against each other.
That scene lasted exactly two seconds, for the white blade suddenly picked up its spin rate. It spun so fast that it threatened to burst into flame. Its sharp attack ring cut mercilessly across the surrounding blades. Two of them flew out of the dish, while the other two were thrown back.
"You are going down!" Someone shouted angrily from across the dish. Ray but merely smiled at the remark.
The two blades regrouped and came back relentlessly. They raced towards the pearl white blade from opposite directions, threatening to crash it between them. But there was a flash of light, and the white blade was gone. The two attacking blades rammed into each other. Ray did not waste the opportunity. The white blade sailed forward, crashing into a blade that was spinning near the edge of the dish and sent it flying. Using the momentum from the collision, the white blade slid back and smashed into the two remaining blades that were still knotted together. They were sent hurtling outside the dish as well. The entire process took exactly 17 seconds.
"And it's over, again!" The announcer has trouble keeping the amazement out of his voice. He was gaping and staring, even as the pearl white blade flew back to Ray's hand.
"We have our winner. Ray Kon's blade is the last one out of the dish! And team 5 advances to the quarter final!" He waited a while for the officials sitting aside and watching the replay to give him a hand sign, before continuing, "And our judges also decided team 4 also advances to the quarter final!"
Shea leaned over to Harry's side and whispered quietly, "You think you are ready?"
Harry nodded nervously, then shook his head, "I really have no idea. This is much bigger than I thought..." He trailed off. After a second of silence he commented, "They are all so good!"
Shea laughed, "Now you would understand my feeling in the summer. And it was way worse, I tell you. At least you don't have the entire world watching you on TV and also a powerful opponent to defeat."
Harry sent her a glare and said, "You are really not helping."
Shea laughed, "It's alright, Harry, no pressure. My turn is up, so see you in a bit."
She walked up to the dish as the magically augmented voice announced the qualifying round for Group D. She walked with an easy grace that spoke of confidence and calmness. Harry couldn't but feel a little envious of her. There was another booming voice as the eight blades sailed into the dish together. Harry squinted and watched carefully. Shea's black blade was circling near the edge of the rim, merely observing.
"Shea." A voice called. Harry turned and found Kai standing just beside him.
"Yes, captain?" Shea turned.
Kai said in a commanding tone, "Try putting on a good show, girl."
Shea smiled, "Got it, Kai."
She turned back to the dish and called, "Descant!"
The black blade zoomed off the dish and became air borne. It flew so high that Harry failed to track it amidst the blinding lights. Then he heard a sound, an eerie melody that quickly grew to an ensemble of fiery and raged sound. Between the melodies and harmonies so grim as if it sings of the world's end, the black blade came smashing down.
Harry saw a flash of a silver shape, but only for a fraction of a second. The black blade was shrouded in fire and with a tail of flame and sparks trailing behind it, liking an asteroid accelerating towards Earth. It flew faster and faster, until it smashed into the dish with a fiery explosion. At the impact all seven blades that were spinning in the dish were thrown into the air. Smoke covered most of the stadium. When the smoke cleared Harry saw all blades lying on the stadium floor, limp and motionless. To his amazement, the dish was still whole, and not a crack can be found. Spinning in the middle of the dish, was that small black beyblade.
Shea smiled and caught the blade as it flew back to her. She raised a salute to Kai and said in a comical voice, "Mission accomplished, captain."
Harry saw a faint sign of amazement and approval on Kai's face as he nodded and replied, "Impressive."
The announcer coughed, and commented in a wry fashion, "Would our competitors try not to create such commotions next time! All that flashy light and booming noise can not be good for my health."
The audience burst out laughing, and Harry went along with them, even though he was in no mood to laugh. Shea walked towards him, still calm and with a smile, and she flashed her black blade towards him.
"Wow, that's amazing! I am having trouble thinking of a proper compliment." Harry praised, "Tell me: is that whole episode real?"
She winked at him and answered mischievously, "Really, Harry, it wouldn't be much fun if I tell you, now would it?"
Harry stared at her with shock and puzzlement, obviously at a loss for words. Seeing his expression Shea laughed and said, "Don't stare like that! It's your turn now. Just get out there and damage some blades."
Harry nodded and walked up to the dish. He couldn't help but feeling slightly suspicious. But whatever doubts he had evaporated quickly when the announcer called for the game to begin. There was too much tension and nervousness to leave room for his thoughts to ponder other matters. He loaded his beyblade launcher and readied himself.
When the announcer shouted the mark firmly Harry fired his beyblade with the seven other bladers. At first the dish was full of dizzying spinning motion that Harry had to shake his head hard to get his eyes working properly. Apparently in that few seconds were enough for many things to happen. He opened his eyes in the right moment to see two blades flying out of the dish. He concentrated his mind. Two other blades were engaged in a head on battle, ramming each other vigorously. Seeing the opportunity Harry sent his own light green blade forward, crashing into the two blades that were oblivious of his presence. The collision was lightning fast, and the other two blades went flying outside the dish.
Harry's heart leaped a little at his first victory. His confidence grew, just a little. Maybe this wasn't so hard after all. Just then a yellow blade came out of nowhere and smashed into Harry's. It pinned the green blade against the wall of the dish. Sparks flew as metal grinded against each other. For a second Harry panicked, but it was short-lived. That was one of Tyson's favourite move, and through his many practices he had learned how to counter it. He concentrated and manoeuvred his blade around the opponent blade it a rapid spin. The green blade struggled free and collided the yellow one with a tilted edge, flipping it around and sent it flying. The green blade zoomed back to the centre of the dish, just in time to see a black blade throwing a red one outside the dish. The game is almost over.
"Well, will you look at that!" A familiar cold voice said.
Harry raised his head, and saw to his horror no one but his nemesis Draco Malfoy on the other side of the dish, a launcher in hand, and a sneer pasted on his face.
"Malfoy!" Harry said through gritted teeth, "Why are you even here?"
"The same reason you are here, of course." Malfoy answered jeeringly.
"Really? That's all?" Harry said coldly, "Or are you here to find potential followers for Voldemort?"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed in rage. He hissed, "Don't say his name!"
He paused a second, as his countenance returned to that mocking expression he was wearing. He answered, "If you like to see it that way, then go a head. But I am also here to teach a few people some lessons, and I should begin with you."
"Yeah?" Harry replied angrily, "Let's see who will teach who a lesson. Attack!"
He shouted. His olive green beyblade zoomed forward at his command and collided into the black one. Sparks flew as the two blades rammed each other, engaged in a heated struggle. Slowly the green blade was pushing the other one towards the edge of the dish. Harry smirked; he was clearly gaining the upper hand.
But suddenly Malfoy spoke in an angry tone, "You think you can beat me? Let's see about that. Serpentia!"
The black blade glowed a silver green colour. A beam of light shot out of the blade, and from the light a serpent emerged. Its long sleek body was silver coloured and coiled, its eyes were emerald green, and its forked tongue flicked in and out. Harry stared up the beast, a mixture of awe and dread slowly filling him.
"I think this is almost finished, wouldn't you say so, Potter?" Malfoy grinned, a vicious light in his eyes. He raised his voice and commanded, "Serpentia! Finish him off." The great serpent striked like lightning, so fast that before Harry could even react. In a flash his olive beyblade sailed and landed outside the dish, still spinning wobbly. Harry stared, half unbelieving, half afraid. Malfoy sneered as the snake vanished with a flash of light and the black blade returned to his hand.
"And the last of qualifying round is over!" The announcer shouted cheerfully, "We also see the first bit-beast of the day, from a pure blood wizard! Perhaps we will see some never-seen-before beyblading actions here! And that said, team 2 and team 5 from Group D advances to the quarter finals!"
Harry picked up his beyblade and walked back to his team silently. Even though they had advanced to the quarterfinals, the loss was still heavy on him. To lose to Malfoy of all people was hard for him to accept.
"Hey, Harry, it's okay." He heard Shea speak in that silvery light voice of hers.
"Yeah, I am fine." Harry replied distractedly.
Shea smiled at him and said, "Just be well, Harry. We will need your strength in the days to come."
Harry raised his head and looked at her. He asked squarely, "Do you really need my help?"
The girl smiled no longer, and there was a haunting sadness in her golden eyes as she slowly nodded and replied, "Yes, Harry, believe me."
"And the last one out of the dish, is Tyson Kinomiya!" The announcer shouted, and strangely without microphones. His voice was magically augmented with some strange spells.
Tyson caught his grey beyblade even as it flew obedient towards his out stretched palm. He returned with a grin, and gave Max a cheerful high-five.
"Wicked, Tyson!" Max said, smiling broadly, "Faster than I expected."
Tyson made a face, "I told you so, Maxie. That's a whole five seconds faster than your time!"
"Oh, you vain little braggart!" Max said with a laugh, and punched Tyson lightly on the arm, "Do you really want go head to head against Draciel?"
Tyson was about to say something, but was stopped when the augmented voice boomed in the stadium.
"And the qualifying round is over for Group B!" The voice shouted, "Team 2 and Team 7 advance to the semi finals! Now let us move on to the qualifying round of Group C. Would all odd numbered bladers in Group C please step to the dish."
Kai walked up to the dish, and readied himself. Tyson shouted behind him mischievously, "Good luck, Kai! You are going to need it."
Kai turned slightly and threw him an intimidating glance. Tyson made a face and stuck out his tongue. Kai turned back, now his eyes showing a faint trace of amusement. The bladers readied themselves for the first round. As the announcer shouted the mark they all fired. Many beyblades landed inside the dish----it should be eight, but the fast spinning motion made it rather difficult to count----, their colourful metal surfaces flashed under the ceiling light.
For the first few second Kai did nothing but observe the spinning blades around his own, but soon a smirk surfaced on his pale features.
"This shouldn't be too difficult." He muttered quietly, "Dranzer. Let's finish this now, shall we?"
The blue blade glowed slightly red in response. It suddenly leaped and took the air. The blade tilted itself and came down soaring like a preying hawk. There was a vague red shade, a faint fiery shape accompanying the blue blade. It glided across the dish, so low it almost touched the surface. It sent other blades in the dish flying out in an uncontrolled fashion. There was a moment of chaos, but afterward every blade was whether wobbling outside the dish or lying limply inside, only the Kai's blue blade was still spinning, like a victor amid ruins of his enemies.
"Wow! It seems our qualifying matches are rather fast!" The announcer boomed above them, "Kai Hiwatari from team 5 is the last one still spinning, and according to our replays, Megan Stratton from team 2 is the second last to exit the dish. Let's move on. All even numbered bladers from Group B, please step up to the dish."
Kai returned with his blue blade in hand. He clapped Ray, who was heading to the beyblade dish, on the shoulder, and said with a smirk, "Make it fast. I want them to get the message."
Ray replied with a small smile, "Yes, captain."
The second qualifying round began. When the announcer shouted the mark, eight blades landed inside the dish simultaneously. Ray didn't waste a second. His pearly white blade raced down the dish. In a blink of an eye two beyblades were already flying outside the dish. Inside the dish, others answered Ray's challenge. Four blades surrounded Ray's blade, and rammed into the small white vessel at the same time. Sparks flew as the five blades knotted tightly against each other.
That scene lasted exactly two seconds, for the white blade suddenly picked up its spin rate. It spun so fast that it threatened to burst into flame. Its sharp attack ring cut mercilessly across the surrounding blades. Two of them flew out of the dish, while the other two were thrown back.
"You are going down!" Someone shouted angrily from across the dish. Ray but merely smiled at the remark.
The two blades regrouped and came back relentlessly. They raced towards the pearl white blade from opposite directions, threatening to crash it between them. But there was a flash of light, and the white blade was gone. The two attacking blades rammed into each other. Ray did not waste the opportunity. The white blade sailed forward, crashing into a blade that was spinning near the edge of the dish and sent it flying. Using the momentum from the collision, the white blade slid back and smashed into the two remaining blades that were still knotted together. They were sent hurtling outside the dish as well. The entire process took exactly 17 seconds.
"And it's over, again!" The announcer has trouble keeping the amazement out of his voice. He was gaping and staring, even as the pearl white blade flew back to Ray's hand.
"We have our winner. Ray Kon's blade is the last one out of the dish! And team 5 advances to the quarter final!" He waited a while for the officials sitting aside and watching the replay to give him a hand sign, before continuing, "And our judges also decided team 4 also advances to the quarter final!"
Shea leaned over to Harry's side and whispered quietly, "You think you are ready?"
Harry nodded nervously, then shook his head, "I really have no idea. This is much bigger than I thought..." He trailed off. After a second of silence he commented, "They are all so good!"
Shea laughed, "Now you would understand my feeling in the summer. And it was way worse, I tell you. At least you don't have the entire world watching you on TV and also a powerful opponent to defeat."
Harry sent her a glare and said, "You are really not helping."
Shea laughed, "It's alright, Harry, no pressure. My turn is up, so see you in a bit."
She walked up to the dish as the magically augmented voice announced the qualifying round for Group D. She walked with an easy grace that spoke of confidence and calmness. Harry couldn't but feel a little envious of her. There was another booming voice as the eight blades sailed into the dish together. Harry squinted and watched carefully. Shea's black blade was circling near the edge of the rim, merely observing.
"Shea." A voice called. Harry turned and found Kai standing just beside him.
"Yes, captain?" Shea turned.
Kai said in a commanding tone, "Try putting on a good show, girl."
Shea smiled, "Got it, Kai."
She turned back to the dish and called, "Descant!"
The black blade zoomed off the dish and became air borne. It flew so high that Harry failed to track it amidst the blinding lights. Then he heard a sound, an eerie melody that quickly grew to an ensemble of fiery and raged sound. Between the melodies and harmonies so grim as if it sings of the world's end, the black blade came smashing down.
Harry saw a flash of a silver shape, but only for a fraction of a second. The black blade was shrouded in fire and with a tail of flame and sparks trailing behind it, liking an asteroid accelerating towards Earth. It flew faster and faster, until it smashed into the dish with a fiery explosion. At the impact all seven blades that were spinning in the dish were thrown into the air. Smoke covered most of the stadium. When the smoke cleared Harry saw all blades lying on the stadium floor, limp and motionless. To his amazement, the dish was still whole, and not a crack can be found. Spinning in the middle of the dish, was that small black beyblade.
Shea smiled and caught the blade as it flew back to her. She raised a salute to Kai and said in a comical voice, "Mission accomplished, captain."
Harry saw a faint sign of amazement and approval on Kai's face as he nodded and replied, "Impressive."
The announcer coughed, and commented in a wry fashion, "Would our competitors try not to create such commotions next time! All that flashy light and booming noise can not be good for my health."
The audience burst out laughing, and Harry went along with them, even though he was in no mood to laugh. Shea walked towards him, still calm and with a smile, and she flashed her black blade towards him.
"Wow, that's amazing! I am having trouble thinking of a proper compliment." Harry praised, "Tell me: is that whole episode real?"
She winked at him and answered mischievously, "Really, Harry, it wouldn't be much fun if I tell you, now would it?"
Harry stared at her with shock and puzzlement, obviously at a loss for words. Seeing his expression Shea laughed and said, "Don't stare like that! It's your turn now. Just get out there and damage some blades."
Harry nodded and walked up to the dish. He couldn't help but feeling slightly suspicious. But whatever doubts he had evaporated quickly when the announcer called for the game to begin. There was too much tension and nervousness to leave room for his thoughts to ponder other matters. He loaded his beyblade launcher and readied himself.
When the announcer shouted the mark firmly Harry fired his beyblade with the seven other bladers. At first the dish was full of dizzying spinning motion that Harry had to shake his head hard to get his eyes working properly. Apparently in that few seconds were enough for many things to happen. He opened his eyes in the right moment to see two blades flying out of the dish. He concentrated his mind. Two other blades were engaged in a head on battle, ramming each other vigorously. Seeing the opportunity Harry sent his own light green blade forward, crashing into the two blades that were oblivious of his presence. The collision was lightning fast, and the other two blades went flying outside the dish.
Harry's heart leaped a little at his first victory. His confidence grew, just a little. Maybe this wasn't so hard after all. Just then a yellow blade came out of nowhere and smashed into Harry's. It pinned the green blade against the wall of the dish. Sparks flew as metal grinded against each other. For a second Harry panicked, but it was short-lived. That was one of Tyson's favourite move, and through his many practices he had learned how to counter it. He concentrated and manoeuvred his blade around the opponent blade it a rapid spin. The green blade struggled free and collided the yellow one with a tilted edge, flipping it around and sent it flying. The green blade zoomed back to the centre of the dish, just in time to see a black blade throwing a red one outside the dish. The game is almost over.
"Well, will you look at that!" A familiar cold voice said.
Harry raised his head, and saw to his horror no one but his nemesis Draco Malfoy on the other side of the dish, a launcher in hand, and a sneer pasted on his face.
"Malfoy!" Harry said through gritted teeth, "Why are you even here?"
"The same reason you are here, of course." Malfoy answered jeeringly.
"Really? That's all?" Harry said coldly, "Or are you here to find potential followers for Voldemort?"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed in rage. He hissed, "Don't say his name!"
He paused a second, as his countenance returned to that mocking expression he was wearing. He answered, "If you like to see it that way, then go a head. But I am also here to teach a few people some lessons, and I should begin with you."
"Yeah?" Harry replied angrily, "Let's see who will teach who a lesson. Attack!"
He shouted. His olive green beyblade zoomed forward at his command and collided into the black one. Sparks flew as the two blades rammed each other, engaged in a heated struggle. Slowly the green blade was pushing the other one towards the edge of the dish. Harry smirked; he was clearly gaining the upper hand.
But suddenly Malfoy spoke in an angry tone, "You think you can beat me? Let's see about that. Serpentia!"
The black blade glowed a silver green colour. A beam of light shot out of the blade, and from the light a serpent emerged. Its long sleek body was silver coloured and coiled, its eyes were emerald green, and its forked tongue flicked in and out. Harry stared up the beast, a mixture of awe and dread slowly filling him.
"I think this is almost finished, wouldn't you say so, Potter?" Malfoy grinned, a vicious light in his eyes. He raised his voice and commanded, "Serpentia! Finish him off." The great serpent striked like lightning, so fast that before Harry could even react. In a flash his olive beyblade sailed and landed outside the dish, still spinning wobbly. Harry stared, half unbelieving, half afraid. Malfoy sneered as the snake vanished with a flash of light and the black blade returned to his hand.
"And the last of qualifying round is over!" The announcer shouted cheerfully, "We also see the first bit-beast of the day, from a pure blood wizard! Perhaps we will see some never-seen-before beyblading actions here! And that said, team 2 and team 5 from Group D advances to the quarter finals!"
Harry picked up his beyblade and walked back to his team silently. Even though they had advanced to the quarterfinals, the loss was still heavy on him. To lose to Malfoy of all people was hard for him to accept.
"Hey, Harry, it's okay." He heard Shea speak in that silvery light voice of hers.
"Yeah, I am fine." Harry replied distractedly.
Shea smiled at him and said, "Just be well, Harry. We will need your strength in the days to come."
Harry raised his head and looked at her. He asked squarely, "Do you really need my help?"
The girl smiled no longer, and there was a haunting sadness in her golden eyes as she slowly nodded and replied, "Yes, Harry, believe me."
