Lady obsessed: Kai is going to do my disclaimer today.
Kai: I am not!
Lady obsessed: Why?!
Kai: Because!
Appolene: Don't be mean Kai
Kai: Fine! Lady obsessed does not own beyblade, only the new characters in her story. There! Happy now?!
Lady obsessed: Yup.
Think About It
The crowd cheered again as the blade belonging to Tyson's final opponent went soaring into the sky before crashing to the ground outside the dish. Tyson grinned.
"Great match!"
"And Tyson qualifies for the second round!" Jazzman declared. "Though I don't think anyone ever doubted that! I guess it was just bad luck for his two opponents that they were faced against him in the first round!"
Tyson appeared at the entrance to the VIP box, grinning from ear to ear.
"Piece of cake!" He proclaimed, slumping onto the sofa.
Max came over and the two high-fived. "That was awesome!"
"Thank you, thank you," Tyson laughed, bowing.
"Way ta go Tyson! Woo!" Hilary cheered.
"Yeah, congratulations Tyson," Ray added.
Tyson looked up towards the window. "Yo Kai! Aren't you going to congratulate me too?"
"Why should I? It was an easy win for you. Nothing to get worked up about," the captain growled.
"Gee, thanks Kai."
"You have to admit he has a point," Appolene remarked, crossing to the window. "After all you're the World Champion. Everyone expected you to win."
"Not you as well."
She stared down at the stadium where the first battle of group three was under way. She watched for a few minutes and then turned to face them.
"But I guess even you do deserve at least a well done. So nice going."
Tyson grinned again.
"Cheers."
Kai shot Appolene a look. She saw it but simply smiled.
"Don't think agreeing with me will make me like you," he whispered heatedly.
She blinked innocently and then returned to watching the match.
"I don't need to make you like me," she said.
He scowled. What was that supposed to mean?
Max was the winner of his group and the same went for Ray. Both had entered the VIP box, grinning broadly. They received hearty well dones from everyone except Kai but they were satisfied that he knew they'd win anyway.
"Now will the three bladers in group eleven please report to the field?!" Jazzman bellowed.
Kai pushed away from the window and headed silently for the door. It was his turn now. This wouldn't take long.
"You can do it Kai!" The Bladebreakers called from the sofa but he simply grunted.
"Fine! Be that way!" Tyson yelled.
Kai ignored him. He reached the door and wrenched it open. As he proceeded down the corridor, he heard the door open a second time.
"Good luck Kai!" Appolene said.
"I don't need luck," he snarled back.
His opponents looked nervous as he approached the dish. Up on the screen, his stats were just been cleared to show those of his opponent's. His name was Jerry. He couldn't help smirking as he took up his position and attached Dranzer to the launcher. This wouldn't take long.
"Okay, reveal the dish!"
The ground opened up and the dish rose up. It locked into place and the surface sparkled in the sunlight. Cold air blew from it in a white mist, causing Jerry to shiver but Kai was unaffected. This ice field would be a challenge. He and Jerry took up their launching stances.
"Three...two...one! Let it rip!"
"Go Dranzer!"
The dark blue blade shot straight onto the ice and hit it with a tremendous blow that caused it to crack slightly. Jerry's blade landed on the opposite side and it looked a little wobbly. Dranzer took only a few seconds to gain balance on the slippery surface. Kai watched it rocket straight for the opposing blade. Glancing up he saw Jerry's nervous expression. Dranzer crashed into the blade and sent it skidding across the ground. It charged after it and rammed it into the side of the dish. Sparks were flying everywhere. Jerry's blade wobbled worse than ever. Dranzer pulled back from it and then hurtled back at it. The impact caused it to fly out of the dish.
"And Kai is the winner!" Jazzman declared.
Around him the crowd erupted into cheers. Jerry picked up his blade and clutched it tight. He forced a smile onto his face and returned to the bench. Kai smirked and snatched Dranzer up from the ice. One more win and he'd be through to the second round.
His second opponent stepped up. The screen said his name was Martin. He looked just as nervous as Jerry had done as he loaded his blade. Kai raised his laucher.
"Three...two...one! Let it RIP!"
The two blades made immediate contact as they hit the icy field. Sliding about they attacked each other with almost equal ferocity. They pulled back and collided again, each trying to get an advance but the other wouldn't let up. The crowd watched silently as the two blades battled.
In the VIP box, the Bladebreakers were also still. Appolene pressed her face to the glass as she watched. The two blades darted over the glistening ice. Sooner or later one would slip up.
It was Jerry's blade that slipped. It turned too sharply as it made to attack the opposing beyblade again. Dranzer dodged it easily and came at it with an assault of its own. Jerry's blade skidded over the ice and crashed into the wall and stopped rotating.
Again the crowd erupted into cheers and the Bladebreakers were ecstatic. Appolene felt her face glowing. Even though she knew he'd win.
Kai seized Dranzer and turned swiftly and silently from the dish. There was no need to watch the final battle. He was through anyway. He briefly glanced up at the VIP box where Appolene was watching him through the glass. The rest of his team stood about her, waving and cheering like the rest of the crowd but she seemed to stand out. He shook his head. It's just those awfully bright clothes she wears and nothing more, he thought.
When the last five groups had been up and battled and the winners decided, Jazzman declared that the first round was officially over.
"Tomorrow the second round battles begin. Let's take a look at who is battling whom so that they have time to prepare!"
He raised his hands to the screen and sixteen photographs appeared.
"All right!" Tyson cried, leaping forward to the window. "Who am I battling?"
He found his photo beside one labelled Katrina.
"Ah she ain't so tough," he said.
"What about me?" Ray asked, joining him. "Simon Phillips. Okay. I saw him beybattle and he was good."
Kai glanced up at the screen. He wasn't really bothered about who his opponent was. He'd defeat them easily. However, something else caught his eye. It was Appolene's opponent.
"Who did I get paired up with?" Max said, looking up at the screen. His eyes widened and turned to look at Appolene. She smiled.
"Looks like it's me and you, Max," she beamed. "I look forward to it."
Max grinned. "Yeah, me too."
As they reached, the Bladebreakers' lodge, Appolene glanced at Kai who had been watching her. He stopped and frowned.
"What?" She asked.
"You won't make it past the next round. So don't get your hopes up," he said icily.
Appolene gave a mock shiver.
"That was cold Kai. What makes you so sure I'm going to lose?"
"Because Max is a good blader and better than anyone you've ever battled before."
"So?"
"So don't expect to come out on top."
She laughed and shoved him playfully.
"Aw, are you trying to stop my feelings from getting hurt by not letting my expectations get so high?"
"What? No!"
"Aw, you do like me."
"I couldn't care a less about you!" He snapped.
The smile vanished from her face and so did the happy glow. She bowed her head.
"Fine," she said slowly. "Don't bother about me then. But don't tell me I can't win because I know I can. I'll show you, Kai Hiwatari!" She shouted the last part and then ran away from him.
Kai stood there in silence and watched her go. Then he turned abruptly. He didn't care about her. A light flicked on ahead of him. He looked up to see Ray standing in the doorway. Kai bared his teeth. Ray didn't seem fazed.
"Yeah I heard it, before you even ask," he said quietly.
He stared at Kai for a moment or two without saying anything, as though he was considering him.
"Why did you say it, Kai? Why did you tell her that you don't care?"
"Because I don't," he snapped back.
Again Ray appeared undeterred by the captain's mood. He shook his head.
"I think you're in denial. Are you saying you don't feel anything for her?"
"Why would I?"
"She seems to want to be your friend. You push her away yet she always comes back to you, no matter what you said. It's the same as you did to us and now we're your friends. You don't even like her a little?" Ray enquired calmly.
"It took you a long time to gain my friendship you know."
"Yes but you met her previously, didn't you? Nine years ago?"
Kai started.
"H-how?"
"She told me, Kai. When we were at the registry office she told me. How you protected her from a gang of bullies much bigger than you and that you gave her her first beyblade - the one she still uses now." He chuckled a little. "I didn't know you could be so considerate Kai."
Kai scowled.
"I was a kid. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Even back then I wasn't sure why I was hanging around with her. She was just a girl who couldn't look after herself."
"So you looked after her. Why?"
"I don't know! I just did! There - There was something about her. I probably wouldn't have given her a second thought otherwise."
He glared at Ray.
"What does that have to do with anything anyway?"
Ray grinned a grin that showed his pointed fangs.
"She told me something else. She added it quietly but I heard it. She said you hugged her. Did you?"
Kai was caught off guard and Ray knew it.
"You did, didn't you?"
"So what? I said I was a kid and I didn't know what I was doing!"
"But then you must have had some sort of feeling for her, if you hugged her."
Kai silently glowered at the bush on his right, not wanting to look at his team mate.
"Maybe I did but that was a long time ago. Nine years."
"So? Her feelings for you don't seem to have changed. She is very fond of you Kai, despite your cold attitude towards her. I think you should reconsider what you think you are feeling or aren't feeling before you decide for definite that you don't like her." He turned to go inside. "You coming?"
"In a minute," he murmured.
Ray shrugged and went indoors. Kai stood momentarily staring up at the sky.
Reconsider what you think you are feeling or aren't feeling...
Maybe the raven-haired boy had a point. He shook his head and turned in. Maybe he should rethink this. After all, she wasn't that bad. Not really.
As Ray opened the door to his room, Max looked up.
"What were you doing out there?" He asked.
Ray threw the white robe he wore to one side and slipped off his shoes before climbing into bed.
"I was talking to Kai."
The blonde looked interested.
"What about?"
"Nothing much. I just asked him to think about something."
"What?"
Ray shook his head and then glimpsed the green beyblade in Max's hand. He smiled.
"You looking forward to tomorrow's match?"
Max beamed.
"Absolutely. And Appolene is my opponent so it should be great fun."
"She is quite a good blader," Ray agreed. He paused for a moment. "You know, Kai thinks you can beat her easily."
"He does?"
Ray nodded and Max's grinned grew larger.
"Well I hope so. I wanna win this tournament as much as anyone."
He clambered into bed and put Draciel on the bedside table.
"Better get some sleep," he yawned, switching off the light.
Ray nodded and lay his head down. Just as he drifted off to sleep, he heard Kai's door click shut. He smiled.
Just think about it Kai, he thought and then he fell into a deep sleep.
Appolene was curled up on her bed, staring up at the poster on her wall. It showed the Bladebreakers just after they had won the World Championships. Her eyes travelled from blader to blader until they finally rested on Kai, who stood slightly apart from the others. Hastily, she wiped back the tears threatening to fall again.
"How could you say it Kai? How?"
She lowered her gaze to something hanging below the poster. It was a lot smaller and not many people would be able to tell what it was but she did. She couldn't help smiling as she stretched out her fingers to touch the messy crayon on the paper.
"Me and you," she said softly. "Me and you - how I saw us all those years ago."
The two stick figures with the strange spiky hair and very out of proportioned bodies stuck out from amongst the blue scribble of sky and the grey mess of pavement. She could tell which was which because one wore a triangle skirt poorly coloured in pink. She laughed, not sure why she had done it that colour. She owned nothing pink. Her hair looked right though, terribly messy. She sniffed.
"Me and you," she repeated again.
I still don't understand, Mistress. You cry tears for someone who shuts you out.
"I know."
The bit-beast growled irritably. Why won't you let me help you?
"Because your idea of helping would be hurting him and I don't want that."
What makes you think I'll hurt him?
"It's your nature."
The bit-beast considered this and then faded from the girl's mind. She pulled back her duvet and lay down.
"Good night Dalcyn."
Good night Mistress.
The stadium was just as packed as before and everyone was hyped up about the tournament. The second round was to begin shortly and Tyson was up first. The others wished him luck and then proceeded up to the VIP box with Mr. Dickenson. Tyson waited eagerly in the lobby, impatient for the beybattle to begin but he hadn't seen his opponent come in yet.
The door opened and he turned but it wasn't Katrina.
"Oh, it's only you," he said, disappointed.
Then he realised what he had said and raised his arms in defence but nothing came.
"Huh?"
He looked up hesitantly but Appolene was heading for the stairs.
"Strange. Ah well. Maybe she's worried about her match with Max."
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today we start round two of the National Tournament. We have the eight battles for you and up first is TYSON from the BLADEBREAKERS!"
The crowd cheered and Tyson waved and bowed. The rest of the Bladebreakers shook their heads.
"If he isn't careful, he's going to lose," Kenny said. "Over confidence gets him nowhere."
"Oh lay off him, Chief. He'll be fine," Max said.
"I hope you're right."
"Now! Tyson's opponent for this round is Katrina!"
The crowd cheered again and a girl with short aqua coloured hair stepped onto the field. She flashed a smile and then turned to watch her stats appear on the screen. Tyson looked up as well.
"Katrina is a strong blader with a very powerful blade built for speed and with her bit-beast Kar; she ain't one to be messed with!"
"A bit-beast huh? Well, let's see if it's any match for Dragoon!"
Katrina grinned and raised her shooter and Tyson did likewise.
"Three...two...one! LET IT RIP!"
Lady obsessed: Aaaaaaand...I think I'll leave it there. Not a very exciting chapter I know but I wanted to have Kai rethink what he feels, helped by Ray, as well as have him battle. Originally I was going to put Appolene and Max's battle in but I changed my mind. I guess you'll have to wait until chappie 7 to find out what sort of creature Dalcyn is.
Kai: I am not!
Lady obsessed: Why?!
Kai: Because!
Appolene: Don't be mean Kai
Kai: Fine! Lady obsessed does not own beyblade, only the new characters in her story. There! Happy now?!
Lady obsessed: Yup.
Think About It
The crowd cheered again as the blade belonging to Tyson's final opponent went soaring into the sky before crashing to the ground outside the dish. Tyson grinned.
"Great match!"
"And Tyson qualifies for the second round!" Jazzman declared. "Though I don't think anyone ever doubted that! I guess it was just bad luck for his two opponents that they were faced against him in the first round!"
Tyson appeared at the entrance to the VIP box, grinning from ear to ear.
"Piece of cake!" He proclaimed, slumping onto the sofa.
Max came over and the two high-fived. "That was awesome!"
"Thank you, thank you," Tyson laughed, bowing.
"Way ta go Tyson! Woo!" Hilary cheered.
"Yeah, congratulations Tyson," Ray added.
Tyson looked up towards the window. "Yo Kai! Aren't you going to congratulate me too?"
"Why should I? It was an easy win for you. Nothing to get worked up about," the captain growled.
"Gee, thanks Kai."
"You have to admit he has a point," Appolene remarked, crossing to the window. "After all you're the World Champion. Everyone expected you to win."
"Not you as well."
She stared down at the stadium where the first battle of group three was under way. She watched for a few minutes and then turned to face them.
"But I guess even you do deserve at least a well done. So nice going."
Tyson grinned again.
"Cheers."
Kai shot Appolene a look. She saw it but simply smiled.
"Don't think agreeing with me will make me like you," he whispered heatedly.
She blinked innocently and then returned to watching the match.
"I don't need to make you like me," she said.
He scowled. What was that supposed to mean?
Max was the winner of his group and the same went for Ray. Both had entered the VIP box, grinning broadly. They received hearty well dones from everyone except Kai but they were satisfied that he knew they'd win anyway.
"Now will the three bladers in group eleven please report to the field?!" Jazzman bellowed.
Kai pushed away from the window and headed silently for the door. It was his turn now. This wouldn't take long.
"You can do it Kai!" The Bladebreakers called from the sofa but he simply grunted.
"Fine! Be that way!" Tyson yelled.
Kai ignored him. He reached the door and wrenched it open. As he proceeded down the corridor, he heard the door open a second time.
"Good luck Kai!" Appolene said.
"I don't need luck," he snarled back.
His opponents looked nervous as he approached the dish. Up on the screen, his stats were just been cleared to show those of his opponent's. His name was Jerry. He couldn't help smirking as he took up his position and attached Dranzer to the launcher. This wouldn't take long.
"Okay, reveal the dish!"
The ground opened up and the dish rose up. It locked into place and the surface sparkled in the sunlight. Cold air blew from it in a white mist, causing Jerry to shiver but Kai was unaffected. This ice field would be a challenge. He and Jerry took up their launching stances.
"Three...two...one! Let it rip!"
"Go Dranzer!"
The dark blue blade shot straight onto the ice and hit it with a tremendous blow that caused it to crack slightly. Jerry's blade landed on the opposite side and it looked a little wobbly. Dranzer took only a few seconds to gain balance on the slippery surface. Kai watched it rocket straight for the opposing blade. Glancing up he saw Jerry's nervous expression. Dranzer crashed into the blade and sent it skidding across the ground. It charged after it and rammed it into the side of the dish. Sparks were flying everywhere. Jerry's blade wobbled worse than ever. Dranzer pulled back from it and then hurtled back at it. The impact caused it to fly out of the dish.
"And Kai is the winner!" Jazzman declared.
Around him the crowd erupted into cheers. Jerry picked up his blade and clutched it tight. He forced a smile onto his face and returned to the bench. Kai smirked and snatched Dranzer up from the ice. One more win and he'd be through to the second round.
His second opponent stepped up. The screen said his name was Martin. He looked just as nervous as Jerry had done as he loaded his blade. Kai raised his laucher.
"Three...two...one! Let it RIP!"
The two blades made immediate contact as they hit the icy field. Sliding about they attacked each other with almost equal ferocity. They pulled back and collided again, each trying to get an advance but the other wouldn't let up. The crowd watched silently as the two blades battled.
In the VIP box, the Bladebreakers were also still. Appolene pressed her face to the glass as she watched. The two blades darted over the glistening ice. Sooner or later one would slip up.
It was Jerry's blade that slipped. It turned too sharply as it made to attack the opposing beyblade again. Dranzer dodged it easily and came at it with an assault of its own. Jerry's blade skidded over the ice and crashed into the wall and stopped rotating.
Again the crowd erupted into cheers and the Bladebreakers were ecstatic. Appolene felt her face glowing. Even though she knew he'd win.
Kai seized Dranzer and turned swiftly and silently from the dish. There was no need to watch the final battle. He was through anyway. He briefly glanced up at the VIP box where Appolene was watching him through the glass. The rest of his team stood about her, waving and cheering like the rest of the crowd but she seemed to stand out. He shook his head. It's just those awfully bright clothes she wears and nothing more, he thought.
When the last five groups had been up and battled and the winners decided, Jazzman declared that the first round was officially over.
"Tomorrow the second round battles begin. Let's take a look at who is battling whom so that they have time to prepare!"
He raised his hands to the screen and sixteen photographs appeared.
"All right!" Tyson cried, leaping forward to the window. "Who am I battling?"
He found his photo beside one labelled Katrina.
"Ah she ain't so tough," he said.
"What about me?" Ray asked, joining him. "Simon Phillips. Okay. I saw him beybattle and he was good."
Kai glanced up at the screen. He wasn't really bothered about who his opponent was. He'd defeat them easily. However, something else caught his eye. It was Appolene's opponent.
"Who did I get paired up with?" Max said, looking up at the screen. His eyes widened and turned to look at Appolene. She smiled.
"Looks like it's me and you, Max," she beamed. "I look forward to it."
Max grinned. "Yeah, me too."
As they reached, the Bladebreakers' lodge, Appolene glanced at Kai who had been watching her. He stopped and frowned.
"What?" She asked.
"You won't make it past the next round. So don't get your hopes up," he said icily.
Appolene gave a mock shiver.
"That was cold Kai. What makes you so sure I'm going to lose?"
"Because Max is a good blader and better than anyone you've ever battled before."
"So?"
"So don't expect to come out on top."
She laughed and shoved him playfully.
"Aw, are you trying to stop my feelings from getting hurt by not letting my expectations get so high?"
"What? No!"
"Aw, you do like me."
"I couldn't care a less about you!" He snapped.
The smile vanished from her face and so did the happy glow. She bowed her head.
"Fine," she said slowly. "Don't bother about me then. But don't tell me I can't win because I know I can. I'll show you, Kai Hiwatari!" She shouted the last part and then ran away from him.
Kai stood there in silence and watched her go. Then he turned abruptly. He didn't care about her. A light flicked on ahead of him. He looked up to see Ray standing in the doorway. Kai bared his teeth. Ray didn't seem fazed.
"Yeah I heard it, before you even ask," he said quietly.
He stared at Kai for a moment or two without saying anything, as though he was considering him.
"Why did you say it, Kai? Why did you tell her that you don't care?"
"Because I don't," he snapped back.
Again Ray appeared undeterred by the captain's mood. He shook his head.
"I think you're in denial. Are you saying you don't feel anything for her?"
"Why would I?"
"She seems to want to be your friend. You push her away yet she always comes back to you, no matter what you said. It's the same as you did to us and now we're your friends. You don't even like her a little?" Ray enquired calmly.
"It took you a long time to gain my friendship you know."
"Yes but you met her previously, didn't you? Nine years ago?"
Kai started.
"H-how?"
"She told me, Kai. When we were at the registry office she told me. How you protected her from a gang of bullies much bigger than you and that you gave her her first beyblade - the one she still uses now." He chuckled a little. "I didn't know you could be so considerate Kai."
Kai scowled.
"I was a kid. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Even back then I wasn't sure why I was hanging around with her. She was just a girl who couldn't look after herself."
"So you looked after her. Why?"
"I don't know! I just did! There - There was something about her. I probably wouldn't have given her a second thought otherwise."
He glared at Ray.
"What does that have to do with anything anyway?"
Ray grinned a grin that showed his pointed fangs.
"She told me something else. She added it quietly but I heard it. She said you hugged her. Did you?"
Kai was caught off guard and Ray knew it.
"You did, didn't you?"
"So what? I said I was a kid and I didn't know what I was doing!"
"But then you must have had some sort of feeling for her, if you hugged her."
Kai silently glowered at the bush on his right, not wanting to look at his team mate.
"Maybe I did but that was a long time ago. Nine years."
"So? Her feelings for you don't seem to have changed. She is very fond of you Kai, despite your cold attitude towards her. I think you should reconsider what you think you are feeling or aren't feeling before you decide for definite that you don't like her." He turned to go inside. "You coming?"
"In a minute," he murmured.
Ray shrugged and went indoors. Kai stood momentarily staring up at the sky.
Reconsider what you think you are feeling or aren't feeling...
Maybe the raven-haired boy had a point. He shook his head and turned in. Maybe he should rethink this. After all, she wasn't that bad. Not really.
As Ray opened the door to his room, Max looked up.
"What were you doing out there?" He asked.
Ray threw the white robe he wore to one side and slipped off his shoes before climbing into bed.
"I was talking to Kai."
The blonde looked interested.
"What about?"
"Nothing much. I just asked him to think about something."
"What?"
Ray shook his head and then glimpsed the green beyblade in Max's hand. He smiled.
"You looking forward to tomorrow's match?"
Max beamed.
"Absolutely. And Appolene is my opponent so it should be great fun."
"She is quite a good blader," Ray agreed. He paused for a moment. "You know, Kai thinks you can beat her easily."
"He does?"
Ray nodded and Max's grinned grew larger.
"Well I hope so. I wanna win this tournament as much as anyone."
He clambered into bed and put Draciel on the bedside table.
"Better get some sleep," he yawned, switching off the light.
Ray nodded and lay his head down. Just as he drifted off to sleep, he heard Kai's door click shut. He smiled.
Just think about it Kai, he thought and then he fell into a deep sleep.
Appolene was curled up on her bed, staring up at the poster on her wall. It showed the Bladebreakers just after they had won the World Championships. Her eyes travelled from blader to blader until they finally rested on Kai, who stood slightly apart from the others. Hastily, she wiped back the tears threatening to fall again.
"How could you say it Kai? How?"
She lowered her gaze to something hanging below the poster. It was a lot smaller and not many people would be able to tell what it was but she did. She couldn't help smiling as she stretched out her fingers to touch the messy crayon on the paper.
"Me and you," she said softly. "Me and you - how I saw us all those years ago."
The two stick figures with the strange spiky hair and very out of proportioned bodies stuck out from amongst the blue scribble of sky and the grey mess of pavement. She could tell which was which because one wore a triangle skirt poorly coloured in pink. She laughed, not sure why she had done it that colour. She owned nothing pink. Her hair looked right though, terribly messy. She sniffed.
"Me and you," she repeated again.
I still don't understand, Mistress. You cry tears for someone who shuts you out.
"I know."
The bit-beast growled irritably. Why won't you let me help you?
"Because your idea of helping would be hurting him and I don't want that."
What makes you think I'll hurt him?
"It's your nature."
The bit-beast considered this and then faded from the girl's mind. She pulled back her duvet and lay down.
"Good night Dalcyn."
Good night Mistress.
The stadium was just as packed as before and everyone was hyped up about the tournament. The second round was to begin shortly and Tyson was up first. The others wished him luck and then proceeded up to the VIP box with Mr. Dickenson. Tyson waited eagerly in the lobby, impatient for the beybattle to begin but he hadn't seen his opponent come in yet.
The door opened and he turned but it wasn't Katrina.
"Oh, it's only you," he said, disappointed.
Then he realised what he had said and raised his arms in defence but nothing came.
"Huh?"
He looked up hesitantly but Appolene was heading for the stairs.
"Strange. Ah well. Maybe she's worried about her match with Max."
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today we start round two of the National Tournament. We have the eight battles for you and up first is TYSON from the BLADEBREAKERS!"
The crowd cheered and Tyson waved and bowed. The rest of the Bladebreakers shook their heads.
"If he isn't careful, he's going to lose," Kenny said. "Over confidence gets him nowhere."
"Oh lay off him, Chief. He'll be fine," Max said.
"I hope you're right."
"Now! Tyson's opponent for this round is Katrina!"
The crowd cheered again and a girl with short aqua coloured hair stepped onto the field. She flashed a smile and then turned to watch her stats appear on the screen. Tyson looked up as well.
"Katrina is a strong blader with a very powerful blade built for speed and with her bit-beast Kar; she ain't one to be messed with!"
"A bit-beast huh? Well, let's see if it's any match for Dragoon!"
Katrina grinned and raised her shooter and Tyson did likewise.
"Three...two...one! LET IT RIP!"
Lady obsessed: Aaaaaaand...I think I'll leave it there. Not a very exciting chapter I know but I wanted to have Kai rethink what he feels, helped by Ray, as well as have him battle. Originally I was going to put Appolene and Max's battle in but I changed my mind. I guess you'll have to wait until chappie 7 to find out what sort of creature Dalcyn is.
