Lady obsessed: Welcome one and all to the final chapter of "Opposites Attract"! I hope you all enjoy it. Oh! By the by, I found Tyson, Hilary went and tied him up and locked in a cupboard, poor sweetie.

Tyson: *sniffs*

Lady obsessed: But I found him and got rid of Hilary so she can't interrupt.

*mental picture of Hilary bound and gagged in the cupboard*

Tyson, I'm gonna let you do the disclaimer as it is the very last chapter.

Tyson: Really?!

Lady obsessed: *nods* Yup, take it away! *disappears and spotlight shines on Tyson*

Tyson: Wow! Erm...what am I supposed to say?

*entire cast do anime fall*

Oh yeah! Lady obsessed does not own Beyblade only the original characters in her story. There, how was that?

Lady obsessed: *sweatdrops* Very good. Now let's be on with the story.

One Loss, Two Wins

Tension was mounting at the stadium the next day. Everyone was eager to see the how the match between Kai and Appolene would go and what the final result would be. The Bladebreakers were already up in the VIP box and watching the crowd as they tried to find their seats.

The large screen on the opposite side of the stadium was blank except for the giant digital clock that flashed the current time: 08:19.

Tyson bit into a sandwich and chewed slowly. Having refused to get up when he was told he had had no time for breakfast. Ray had kindly packed him some food before they left. He swallowed and frowned.

"Where is Kai?" he demanded. "I'm sure I haven't seen him since yesterday. He didn't walk down with us did he?"

Ray shook his head.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him either."

"Well what's he playing at then?! This is a big match! The final! I want to know where he is!" the navy-haired boy yelled before choking on a mouthful of sandwich.

Hilary thumped him, hard, on the back.

"Don't talk with your mouth full Tyson! It's disgusting!"

"Who asked you?" Tyson retorted.

"Hey you guys, don't start fighting," Max said quickly.

"Hilary is right though, Tyson shouldn't talk with his mouth full," Kenny said absent-mindedly as he set Dizzi up on the table. "As to Kai's whereabouts I have no idea. I don't believe anyone's seen him since yesterday's match. I'm not even sure he came home."

"He didn't. I would have heard him," stated Ray.

"Then it is a mystery," Kenny sighed.

Ray grinned.

"Don't worry Chief; I'm sure he'll be here."

It was then that the door to the VIP box banged open and Julia stumbled in, followed by her husband.

"Have any of you seen Appolene?!" she gasped, leaning on the door to catch her breath.

They all shook their heads.

"Oh! Where could she be?! It's not like her to disappear, especially before a big match like this!"

"You mean Appolene is missing too?" Hilary asked.

"Yes but...who else is?" Julia said, looking inquisitively at Hilary.

"Kai. We can't find him," the brunette replied.

Julia grimaced.

"Oh this is just perfect! Both our finalists are not here! What are we going to do?"

"Don't worry Mrs Waters," Ray said calmly, "there's still thirty-four minutes before the match begins. They'll get here."

Julia stared at him and then straightened up, neatening her jacket and pushing her glasses back onto her face.

"You had better be right. If they aren't here by five to, I shall send out a message over the speakers."

"I'm pretty sure there's no need for that," the neko-jin assured her. He turned to look out the window again. "Kai won't want to miss his match and neither will Appolene."

Kai had been awake for quite some time now. He often got up before any of the others on his team and today was no different. He had awoken not long after the sun had risen. He had sat there for a few minutes, not entirely aware of his surroundings. He stared up, frowning. Why were there leaves over his head? Why did his clothes feel damp? And why couldn't he move his arm? Then it hit him all at once. He wasn't in the lodge, he was in the forest. He was damp because it was morning and the dew had settled in. And he couldn't move his arm because...He slowly looked to his right.

Appolene didn't stir. She remained asleep, a look of utter bliss on her face as she lay, curled up, beside him, her head resting on his chest.. Kai bit his lip, being unable to move and stared down at her. Had they really spent the entire night out here, alone?

At about eight thirty, an hour or so after Kai had awoken, he heard the girl groan and glancing down, he saw her eyes flutter open.

"Huh? Wha? Where am I?" she asked sleepily, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

She looked about slowly and then as it sank in, her eyes grew large and she was suddenly wide awake.

"Oh gosh! Where the heck am I?!" she shrilled.

"We're in the woods," Kai said calmly, rubbing his now free arm.

Appolene jumped upon hearing his voice and fell back into the dewy grass.

"K-Kai!"

Her face immediately flamed and she looked away. I- I spent the whole night out here with Kai? She shook herself. Then she thought of something.

"What time is it?!"

Kai sat up.

"I don't know."

He watched as Appolene started to her feet.

"Oh! Oh gosh! We have a match starting at nine Kai!" she cried hysterically.

It was Kai's turn to jump up quickly. Without a word, he stormed off through the trees. Of course, how could he forget? They had better not be late. His pace quickened and he began to run. Behind him, Appolene was running too. She didn't want to be late anymore than he did.

The crowd was growing restless. The clock was drawing near to five minutes before nine. Julia raised an eyebrow to Ray. The neko-jin just smiled and said:

"They'll be here."

"Well, well, well ladies and gentlemen. The final match of the English National Tournament is about to begin and our two finalists have yet to appear," Jazzman announced into the microphone.

At this, the crowd broke out into a wave of murmurs. Where were they? What were they doing? Were they alright? Everyone looked anxious.

"Don't worry folks," Jazzman said quickly. "There's no need to panic."

There! Kai could see the stadium up ahead. It was only a few hundred metres away. He could see the large screen with the flashing digital clock: 08:53. They would make it if they hurried. He reached out and grabbed Appolene's hand.

"Come on!" he said irritably, tugging her along.

"Don't pull so hard! I'm perfectly capable of getting there!" Appolene yelled back.

The large white building drew nearer and nearer.

Julia stood up and made for the door.

"I'm going to send out the message now," she said simply as she turned the door handle.

"WAIT!" Tyson yelled.

The woman turned, staring at where Tyson was pointing. Down below them, just halting by the dish and bending to catch their breath were Kai and Appolene. They had made it.

Ray grinned his Cheshire cat grin.

"Told ya!"

"Ladies and gentlemen! Beyblading fans! Our two finalists have arrived and not a moment too soon!" Jazzman bellowed as the clock flashed 09:00. "Bladers! Please load your blades! Our final match is about to begin!"

There was a large cheer from the crowd and the screen was wiped so it showed both Kai and Appolene's stats. Both of them straightened up, shot one another a quick glance and then walked to opposite sides of the dish. Kai attached Dranzer to his launcher and took up his position. Appolene pulled Dalcyn from her pocket.

This is it, she thought.

Are you ready Mistress?

"Absolutely," she muttered, smiling and fixing her blue blade in place. "I have been waiting for this for nine whole years. I think that's plenty of time to be ready."

She stood firm and raised the launcher before her, fingers gripped tight. She could feel the grooves of the ripcord grinding against her skin. She waited, impatiently, for Jazzman to begin the match.

"Are we all set bladers?!"

Both of them nodded in unison and said nothing. All concentration was focused on a perfect launch. Both knew that any weakness from the beginning would be dire. Well, Appolene did. Kai wasn't bothered. He could do his launch in his sleep.

"Okay then! Are we all ready?!"

The crowd booed Jazzman, demanding he get on with it.

"Alright folks, keep your hats on! We're ready! We'll begin in...THREE...TWO...ONE!!! LET...IT...RIIIIP!!!"

Ripcords were torn from the launchers with two swift yet furious tugs. The beyblades were sent flying into the dish accompanied by the cheers from the crowd. This was it, the final had begun.

Both blades landed in the dish without trouble and immediately shot towards each other. The two were nothing but blue blurs and when they hit one seemed to melt against the other until they could not be told apart.

Appolene frowned. Kai hadn't gone for Dalcyn with a full frontal attack like he usually did in his battles. What was he up to?

Kai's eyes narrowed and his face was expressionless. He was well aware that Appolene was wondering about his attack. Well, if she was that desperate to experience Dranzer's power then he'd let her. Right now. He didn't need to utter a word. Dranzer was conscious of what his master wanted. Kai heard him screech as he powered up and sent Dalcyn flying into the side of the dish. Appolene stumbled back as the blade hit, stunned at the force of the assault.

"Dalcyn?"

The blade responded by shooting off around the dish, just to prove it was alright.

"Good."

She wasn't out yet. She had withstood quite a powerful blow but Kai had yet to attack her with one of his trademark manoeuvres. She had better be ready. The best thing would be to build some form of defence or fight fire with fire. Or water as the case may be. That was one advantage she had. Dalcyn's element was water. Dranzer's was fire. Therefore, the attacks should not be as powerful but then this was Dranzer she was talking about. And Kai was the blader wielding the power. She bit her lip. This would be tough. But this had been what she wanted. She knew she wouldn't have the satisfaction of winning if he didn't give it his all. She smiled.

Kai was slightly surprised. Appolene didn't seem shaken by the attack. In fact she appeared to be quite overjoyed. Well, he was only getting started.

"Dranzer!"

The dark blue blade gleamed and shot off after Dalcyn. It made a clever dodge and appeared before her, knocking her back and decreasing her speed. Appolene gritted her teeth and Dranzer ploughed into her beyblade again, driving it towards the wall of the dish.

"Come on. Don't let him push you around."

The bit-chip atop her blue beyblade glimmered slightly.

"No. Not yet."

Why not Mistress? The halcyon hissed irritably.

Because we need to pick up some power. There's no point coming out until we've moved away.

If you say so Mistress.

Appolene nodded and Dalcyn began to spin faster, pushing back against Dranzer and knocking him a few inches away. It wasn't very far but far enough to allow her to pick up speed and move off around the dish again.

Oh no you don't, Kai thought.

Master?

What?! Dranzer?!

Master, why won't you implement a proper attack?

Don't question me Dranzer. Just do as I tell you.

Yes Master.

The dark blue beyblade gave chase once more and cut it off again but this time Dalcyn changed direction at great speed and shot off the other way. Dranzer proceeded to follow.

Okay, what to do? She couldn't keep running. If she avoided the attacks then that was good but she couldn't win unless she attacked. She had to get into the air. Her face set, she ordered Dalcyn to do just that.

Kai watched. He knew she was going to attempt an attack. Well, she could try.

Dalcyn shot past Dranzer, and up the side of the dish. She flew into the air and flipped over.

"Ready Dalcyn?! Triple X Harpoon!"

Kai smirked.

"Bring her down Dranzer."

The dark blue beyblade spun in a circle and leapt into the air, higher than Dalcyn had managed to go.

"What?! No!" Appolene cried.

Dranzer hung momentarily in mid-air and then hurtled down towards Dalcyn. Appolene looked dismayed. Her beyblade was helpless when it was in mid- air. She couldn't do a thing. She could only watch as Dranzer crashed on top of her blade, its spin gear hitting the bit-chip. She couldn't move. The beyblade directed Dalcyn straight down at the dish. Appolene closed her eyes. She knew that on contact her blade would be defeated. They were plunging down at such a rate it was obvious. She was going to lose. She closed her eyes.

Mistress!

"Huh?"

Mistress. Concentrate. You have one attack that doesn't require the opponent to be in the dish. You just need to be in the air and you are. Just let me out.

Appolene's eyes widened and then she nodded. All right.

"It's not over yet," she whispered, the smile returning to her face.

Kai watched as the bit-chip Dranzer was spinning on began to glow. So she was letting out her bit-beast.

The familiar shriek pierced through the stadium as the blue pillar of light burst from the bit-chip and blue feathers rained down upon the dish. The halcyon spread its wings and glared at Kai's blade before beginning to circle.

"Malevolent Tempest!" Appolene yelled.

Below Dranzer, the beyblade began to spin faster and faster, trying to shake its opponent off. Around them, the dark clouds were forming quickly and the stadium grew black. The rain buffeted into the faces of the crowd and the roar of the gales deafened them. Both Appolene and Kai had raised a hand to shield their eyes.

Kai knew Dranzer would be safe atop Dalcyn. The halcyon couldn't attack him but the beyblade was spinning so awkwardly that he knew he'd be thrown off. Even...out. He'd have to move.

Dranzer began to follow the jerking spins of Dalcyn, waiting for just the right moment.

"Now!"

Dranzer leapt from the beyblade and landed deftly in the dish below. Appolene raised an eyebrow.

"You wanna be attacked?"

Kai didn't flatter her with an answer. He just kept his eyes of the circling halcyon.

Appolene frowned and shrugged. That had been a foolish move on Kai's part. The swirling winds swept down, pinning Dranzer in place. There was no escape. She smirked. Kai's face was expressionless. He continued to watch Dalcyn as the lightning and rain began to swirl around her.

"Okay Dalcyn! Attack!"

The halcyon dived, becoming a blue streak of light and plummeted towards Dranzer. Appolene was ecstatic. She was going to beat him. She was going to beat Kai.

"Spiral Survivor."

"Huh?"

Appolene watched as the brilliant red phoenix shot up from its bit-chip, its long majestic tail feathers fluttering wildly in the wind. It screeched and wrapped its wings tightly around itself, glowing brightly. Flames licked the burning red feathers until there was nothing but a ball of fire.

The blue streak shot straight for it, surrounded by the lightning and rain. She was right on target.

On contact, there was a bright purple light that flooded the stadium but everyone could see what was happening on the big screen. The blue halcyon's beak pierced the fiery shield of the red phoenix but could not penetrate it. The beyblade that followed was sent soaring back, away from it. It flipped several times before crashing into the dish.

The flames dissipated and the light vanished. Dalcyn had landed safely but was a little dazed. Neither Kai nor Dranzer were about to wait for a recovery.

"Flame Sabre!"

Fire sprouted once more along the length of the phoenix's back and they enveloped the dark blue beyblade. As one, bird and blade shot for Dalcyn. There was no time to react. They crashed into it and it spiralled into the air.

Appolene gritted her teeth. One more try. She had to try one more attack.

"Water Harpoon!"

She'd keep it simple. Nothing too fancy. Nothing that left an opening for a counter.

"Flame sabre! One last time!"

Both birds shot to meet one another. Fire and water charged to deliver one final blow. They collided in mid-air, both doing each considerable damage.

They passed each other, landing on opposite sides of the dish's rim. They spun there for a few seconds before Dalcyn slipped and fell to the ground. The immense blue halcyon let out one last weak cry before plummeting to the earth, dissolving and returning to the bit-chip. The blue beyblade stopped spinning. Kai was the winner.

The stadium broke into applause and the crowd cheered wildly. He smirked.

Appolene stooped to pick up Dalcyn.

"We...lost..."

She clutched Dalcyn close to her.

"We did our best, Dalcyn but...I guess it wasn't good enough."

Her eyes closed as she felt tears blossoming. She didn't want to cry but two managed to escape and fall down her cheeks. She had wanted so much to prove her abilities as a beyblader to the boy who had got her started. But she had failed.

It was then that she became aware of the sudden hush that had fallen across the stadium. She opened her eyes to see Kai walking around the dish towards her. She hurriedly wiped her eyes and forced a smile onto her face.

"Congratulations," she said when he reached her.

He was silent, staring at her. His face was expressionless. Appolene was sure he was considering her. Wondering whether or not she was worth talking to now he had beaten her. She frowned. So what if he had beaten her? That didn't give him the right to reject her congratulations! But she kept the anger from her face and thrust her hand forward.

"I said, 'congratulations'," she repeated.

Kai remained silent and looked at her hand. Was she not even worth a friendly handshake?! She jerked it, indicating for him to shake it.

"Well?!" she snapped, her anger becoming more apparent. The hot tears were threatening to fall again.

He raised an amused eyebrow. Then he did something Appolene had never expected. He smiled. It took her quite by surprise and the anger vanished from her face. He was smiling! It wasn't a smirk, or a sneer. It was a genuine smile. And it was directed straight at her.

"Kai?"

He took her hand but didn't shake it. Instead he pulled her to him, his other hand going to her waist. She tensed up as he cupped her face. Then he kissed her, softly on the mouth. Her eyes widened. This was definitely not been what she was expecting.

There was no time for a response before he pulled away.

The stadium erupted into a volley of cheers and whistles. From the VIP box, the Bladebreakers were clapping and cheering with the rest.

"Wayta go Kai!" Ray yelled. "You finally figured it out!"

Appolene's face turned several shades of red.

"K-Kai? What was that for?"

Kai didn't answer and didn't seem the slightest bit embarrassed by his brazen move but she noticed the triangles on his cheeks were turning people. She smiled. She may have lost the match but she had won something even better in return.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The airport was very hectic as usual. The Bladebreakers had had to get up extra early to be in time for their flight. It had been quite a chore to get Tyson awake and it made them late. They had to have breakfast on the coach.

Appolene and Julia accompanied the team. Julia was up front like she had done before and Appolene sat at the back next to Kai. He didn't object as she leant her head on his shoulder and dozed. She was very tired because it was so early but Julia explained that she had been insistent on seeing them off.

They arrived quicker than the journey from the airport because there wasn't much traffic this early in the morning. The coach pulled up outside the airport and Steven unloaded their bags onto a trolley. They got down and Julia led the way, heels clacking on the floor.

However, despite the lack of traffic, that did not mean that getting through customs was any easier. In fact, everyone was convinced it took longer than before.

They finally made it to the gate with only a couple of minutes to spare.

"Rows thirty to twenty-five are now boarding. Please proceed to the gate with your tickets."

They were alright. Their rows hadn't been called yet. That gave them some time to say good-bye.

They all shook Julia's hand, thanking her for inviting them.

"It was a blast!" Tyson assured her.

"Yes. Very entertaining," Kenny agreed.

"I must say, it was not what I was expecting," Hilary said. She had never been to England before.

Ray turned to Appolene, who was glowing slightly. He held out his hand and she shook it. Then she hugged him.

"Thank you Ray."

"What for?"

"Everything. I couldn't have done it without your help."

Ray grinned, baring his fangs.

"Pleasure. It was nice meeting you."

She nodded.

"Same here."

"Now boarding rows twenty-five to twenty."

"That's us," Ray said, turning to the gate. "Good-bye Appolene, Mrs. Waters."

Hilary, Max and Kenny all said their farewells to Appolene and followed Ray to the gate. Tyson grinned and extended his hand.

"A truce?" Appolene enquired, raising an amused eyebrow.

"Something like that. You ain't that bad. You can't be if Kai likes you."

Appolene took his hand, shook it and then twisted it.

"OW!"

"Now we're even," she smiled. "Good-bye Tyson."

"Yeah, bye," Tyson nodded, rubbing his hand and moving off to the gate.

Appolene laughed and then she turned to Kai. Her smile faltered slightly.

"So, I guess this is it?" she said quietly.

"I guess it is," Kai whispered.

She felt the tears springing into her eyes and hurriedly blinked them back but Kai saw them. He reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. She buried her face into his shoulder.

"We'll see each other again, won't we?" she asked.

"Of course."

"And I won't have to wait nine years?"

Kai chuckled slightly.

"No."

She looked up at him and then, rising up on tiptoe, she kissed him, quickly.

"Promise?" she asked.

"Promise."

She smiled and hugged him again.

"Kai! Hurry up or you'll miss the plane!" Tyson yelled from the gate.

"All right! Keep your hat on Tyson!" Kai scowled.

He pulled out of the hug, slung the bag over his shoulder and hurried to the gate.

"Bye Kai!"

"Bye...Appolene," he said, a slight smile gracing his lips.

Appolene watched as he handed his ticket to the woman behind the desk and disappeared onto the plane. Then she murmured:

"I'm gonna miss you, Kai Hiwatari."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The End

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lady obsessed: Duh-dah! It's finished! You happy now Louise?! (She kept bugging me to finish it.) All is done and Kai finally got together with Appolene! Yay for them! ^-^

I am really pleased with this fic and in many ways it is a great achievement for me. Firstly, it's the longest one I've ever written. Secondly, it is the first with actual chapters of reasonable length. Thirdly, it's the first chaptered fiction I've managed to finish. And finally, it's my first proper romance story. Writing soppy stuff is hard! I'm not exactly great when it comes to romance. Oh, and it was my first to ever receive reviews on Fanfiction.net.

The ending was very hard to write too! Endings are not my strong point which isn't a good thing is it? I hope the ending was alright. Did anyone notice that Appolene's last line was the same one she said when she said good-bye to Kai in the flashback?

Also, the beybattle was a task because I've got so many in the story that it's difficult not to get repetitive. And as for Dranzer's Spiral Survivor, I've never seen it so I don't know how it looks or works. I only know its Dranzer's defence move.

I thought I add a few explanations and points here. Not that it crossed anyone's mind but I'm gonna do it anyway. 1) Why didn't Appolene face Tyson? Well, I think it would be silly because to face Kai she'd have to beat him. Tyson is World Champion and she is only an amateur. If she had beaten him then it would sound like she is perfect and she isn't. That's why she didn't beat Kai either. 2) Appolene's personality changed from the original plan. Originally, she was very...I dunno. She wasn't as emotional and she was very over- confident...She was like Tyson! 3) The storyline was nothing like how I first imagined but this one was much better which is why I wrote it this way.

Anyone want a sequel? I have an idea for one if you do. And if you don't I'll probably write it anyway. Lemme know if you do. Not promising it any time soon though because I have to get some more done on 'Virtual Actuality' (Zelda fic) and then I'm gonna attempt a fantasy beyblade story. I like fantasy and I have a very detailed plan for the story. Appolene will be in it if you're interested but not necessarily as a romantic figure.

Well, I guess that's it. Thank you all so so much for reading this story and for all the great reviews. Kai plushies for all! *hands them out*

Until next time, I bid you farewell!

*bows and disappears* POOF!