DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Beyblades, only my OCS and the plot.
AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANKYOU! TO THE REVEIWERS: Raven Star, ruth 4 kai, Scarlet Witch 41, Hikari Hikida, SugarHighTantrum177, Dark Kaizer Ken, YamiClara, and CTB you all rock! Thanx for reading and hope you like this chappie too!
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Chapter 17: A Battle to Remember
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The next day Amara was released from the hospital and all her friends were there to meet her. Mico and Kenny were looking awfully cozy together, holding hands. So did Tyson and Kiki, who were in a heavy lip lock. The rest of the guys leaned casually up against the SUV, trying their best to ignore the couples.
"Ams!" Kiki rushed up to embrace her friend. "You look so much better." The rest of the group nodded in agreement.
Amara smiled knowing the real reason she was feeling so much better. Kai was hers and there was no longer anyone out to kill her. She hadn't been this happy since before the deaths of her family.
"Well time to go kick some ass," Amara winked.
"You mean you feel up to blading?" Kai eyed her curiously. "You sure you feel up to it?"
"Of course," Amara punched him in the arm playfully. "Don't go all soft on me now. I feel great and I think blading is what I need right now." Kai nodded in understanding.
"Alright!" Nicholai exclaimed, pumping his fists. "Let's go win us a tournament." He put his arms around Kiki and Amara's shoulders and directed them towards the waiting SUV. Kai followed close behind, a deep scowl on his face.
"Do you think Cat's gonna want to battle?" Mico asked Kenny as they followed the others into the vehicle. "After all she did just lose her father."
"I don't know," Kenny shrugged, helping Mico climb in. "But if she does this could be a very fierce match."
"It's no longer just a battle for the title," Rei joined the conversation, when Kenny and Mico took the seats beside him in the back of the SUV. "There's a lot more feelings involved now."
*THE TOURNAMENT*
"Welcome everyone to the final battle of the tournament," the announcer's voice bellowed through the stadium.
"And an exciting match it will be," the second announcer added. "Our Canadian champion, Amara Jones, against her rival Cat Masterson. There's sure to be many surprises in this battle."
"I do wish they would shut up and get on with the match," Kiki grumbled, pacing the in front of the bench where the rest of her teammates were sitting. "Battle now, talk later."
"Calm down Keeks," Amara stood beside her anxious friend so she would stop pacing. "You're gonna run a hole in the floor if you don't stop that."
"Yeah, Amara should be the one doing that," Nicholai laughed. Mico, who was sitting on the bench beside him, punched him in the arm.
"We're all nervous Nick," Mico scolded gently. She looked a little pale herself.
"I'm sure all your boyfriends are too," Nicholai scowled at Tyson, Kenny, and Kai who were seated in the stands above them. Amara could see Kiki poised to retaliate to her brother's statement but stopped short when the announcers finally called Cat and Amara down to the bey dish. The crowd went silent as the contestants stepped up to their positions.
As always Cat's appearance was immaculate, but her eyes where red and puffy. Amara figured she had been mourning the loss of her father's memories.
"Don't think for one minute that I'm going to go easy on you now that you're family," Cat hissed, brushing a lock of blond hair out of her eyes so she could glare at Amara.
"Do your worst," Amara glared back. Both girls stood prepared to launch.
3…2…1… LET IT RIP!
Cat's two-toned pink blade attacked Amara's as soon as it hit the dish.
"I hate you," Cat chanted under her breath.
"What?" Amara took her eyes away from the battling blades to look at the other girl.
"I hate you!" she answered raising her voice so Amara could make out the words. "I HATE YOU!" The last time it was so loud the crowd hushed to hear what they were saying.
"You've always hated me," Amara rolled her eyes and tried to concentrate on the battle.
"If it wasn't for you, my father would remember me!" Cat's fury was beginning to transfer into her blade. Amara could feel it. "Because of you I lost my dad!"
"He did it to himself," Amara's tone rose to meet Cat's shrill shriek. "I never touched him. And he kidnapped my friends and was going to erase their memories."
"My father would never do that!"
"Well he did!" The crowd watched as both blades flew out of the dish and landed at the feet of its owner.
"And the first match is a tie!" the announcer's voice filled the silenced room. Out of ceremony both girls picked up their blades and launched them again.
"Why would he do that?" Cat's voice came at a whisper over the sounds of the blades colliding in the dish below them.
"He was out for his revenge against me," Amara stared at Cat. She had no idea about what her father had done. No one had told her why her father would be spending the rest of his life in prison.
"Why? Why would he want revenge against you?" Cat asked, well actually it was more of demanded then a request.
"Now's not the time," Amara wanted to return the attention back onto the bey battle and not her personal life. She had been hiding her past and personal life for so long and didn't want to ruin that now. Especially when the battle was being broadcast all over Canada.
"Fine, let's finish this," Cat snapped and began to concentrate on her attacks. Their great displeasure for each other was shown through their blades. Amara would take a hit from Cat and then retaliate with one that was even more severe, which would cause Cat to attack with even more force. This went on for quite a while until they both went for each other at the same time. Both blades were again thrown out of the dish.
"And the second round is a tie!" the announcement got a rise out of the crowd. Whoever won the next match would win the tournament.
"The Lucky Sevens would like to call a time out." Amara picked up her blade and walked over to her team.
"What's up guys?"
"You okay?" Amara's question was answered with a question from Kiki.
Amara chuckled at the concerned looks on their faces. "Of course I am."
"Promise?" Amara turned away from them to get a bottle of water from the bench.
"Yes," Amara's voice had a little edge to it.
"You better not be lying." Kai was standing beside her. Amara felt herself jump when she realized it was him.
"I'm not," Amara turned to face him.
"You're not okay?"
"No I'm not lying." Amara saw a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Playfully she smacked him on the arm.
"Go win this thing." Kai kissed her forehead then turned her towards the bey dish and gave her a little shove.
Amara smiled to herself but it faded when she saw Cat's deadly glare.
"This is for my father," Cat informed Amara through clenched teeth before taking out her launcher and holding it out over the dish.
"And this is for my parents." Amara did the same and waited for the signal to pull the cord and let her blade go.
3…2…1… LET IT RIP!!!
Cat rammed Amara's blade immediately causing it to waiver slightly. The crowd watched in silence as Cat's blade took another run at Amara's.
"Go Pyra!" Amara's bit beast emerged in time to move out of the way of Cat's speeding blade.
"Damn!" Cat cursed. "That bit beast should have been mine!"
"Well I guess if your father had killed me like he planned then it would be yours," Amara cringed as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
"What the F*** are you talking about?" Cat's green eyes grew in shock.
"Fine you wanted the truth I'll tell you," Amara snapped. "Your father killed my parents and was now out to kill me too."
"You lying bitch!" Cat roared. "Your father betrayed my father. It was your father's fault that your mother and sister died."
"Don't you see," Amara's voce softened with compassion. "He lied to you."
"No," Cat covered her ears with her hands and collapsed to her knees. "NOOOOO!"
"Cat, would you just listen to me," Amara pleaded. "He was trying to protect you. He did love you." Cat's watery eyes turned to look at Amara. Her head gave a slight nod and she returned to her feet. Neither of them said anything, their concentration was back on the battle.
"End this Pyra," Amara called to her bit beast. The blue and orange blade collided with the pink blade. Cat tried to counter the attack but failed. Her blade flew out of the dish for the third time and landed with a clunk at her feet. This time Amara's blade did not fly out. It stayed spinning in the dish.
"Amara Jones wins!" the announcer covered the silence. "The Lucky Sevens win the tournament." The crowd stifled a cheer and Amara's teammates ran up to congratulate her.
"You did it again!" Kiki, Mico, and Nicholai pulled Amara in for a group hug.
"Yeah I guess I did," Amara forced a smile for her friends. Her eyes feel on Cat, who was on her knees beside her blade.
"Let's go celebrate," Kiki said once they had stopped hugging.
"You guys go ahead," Amara replied not taking her eyes off the crying girl. "I'll meet you in a minute."
"But Amara…" Kiki and Nicholai began to protest.
"Of course," Mico pulled them towards the bench. "We'll meet you at your house later."
Amara mouthed "thank you" to Mico and then turned her attention back to Cat. Cat's team did come and comfort her; they stood by their bench and signed autographs for some of their male fans.
"I really am sorry," Amara confessed as she sat down beside Cat on the floor. "I lost my parents too."
"He did all those things and you're apologizing to me?" Cat's voice was muffled since her face was buried in her lap. "I should be the one apologizing." This time she lifted her face and looked straight at Amara. "I'm sorry."
Amara stared into Cat's eyes. They had been enemies ever since elementary school and it had been a lot worse when they both took of Beyblading professionally and now Cat was saying she was sorry for something she didn't do. Amara's hate for Cat melted away and she smiled at the other girl.
"It's okay," Amara answered putting her arm around Cat's shoulders. "You're family. I can't be mad at you."
"You mean it?" Cat looked hopeful.
"Of course." Amara stood up and offered Cat her hand. "What are friends and cousins for?"
"I don't deserve this," Cat was shocked by Amara's forgiveness. "After all I did and said to you. And especially not after the damage my father caused."
"It's up to me to decide if you deserve it," Amara pointed out, trying not to laugh at the stunned look on Cat's face.
"You're the best!" Now it was Amara's turn to be shocked. Catarina Masterson, her ex mortal enemy, was hugging her.
*Amara's House *
"Where's Amara?" Tyson asked Kiki, who was sitting close beside him on the couch.
"I don't know, she wanted to stay at the stadium for a while," Kiki shrugged. "I think she wanted to talk to Cat."
"How do you think that went?"
"I'm not sure," Kiki sighed, turning to look up at Tyson. "I just hope they didn't kill each other."
"They didn't!" Mico had a stunned look on her face.
"What are you talking about?" Kiki turned her attention to her friend. Mico pointed at something over Kiki's head. Amara and Cat entered the room smiling and laughing at something. Everyone in the rec room turned at stared at the pair.
"You all know Cat," Amara said, noticing the looks she was getting from her friends. "I invited her to celebrate with us." They all sat there dumbstruck.
"You any good at Mortal Kombat?" Nicholai broke the uncomfortable silence.
"I've never tried," Cat replied meekly.
"Well you can't be any worse than Tyson," Max motioned for her to take a seat on the couch in front to the large TV.
"Hey!" Tyson shrieked, finally cluing in on what Max had said. "I'm not that bad."
"Maybe I should play Tyson first to get some practice," Cat smirked.
"Nah, he'd be too easy for you," Nicholai answered, smiling at Cat.
"You guys are so mean to me," Tyson leaned back on the couch and pouted.
"Need me to kiss it better?" Kiki gave him a coy smile. Tyson nodded.
"WOOOOHOOO!" the boys hollered at Tyson and Kiki kissing.
"You guys are just jealous," Tyson grinned. Kiki pulled his lips back to hers.
"Right," Nicholai agreed sarcastically. "Let's play."
Amara, who was still standing in the doorway, surveyed the scene. In less than an hour Cat had become one of the gang.
"People can change can't they," Kai's arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
"They can can't they?" Amara smiled.
"You did a great job today," Kai turned her to face him.
"Do I get a reward?" Amara smirked. Kai easily complied and gave her a kiss. "I like getting rewards."
"So do I," Kai pulled her back for another kiss.
"Can you dance?" Amara asked after he let her lips go. Kai gave her a curious look. "The after tournament ball is tomorrow and I was hoping you'd go with me."
"Of course I'll go with you," Kai answered immediately. "But why do I have to be able to dance?"
"The winning team and their dates get a 'victory' dance and I want to share it with you," Amara gave him a hopeful smile.
"I think I can make it through one dance for you," Kai answered, trying his best not to smile when her face lit up. Amara flung her arms around his neck and pulled him close.
"AWWWWWW!!!"
"WHOOOO HOOO!"
"GO KAI!!"
"GET A ROOM!"
Amara and Kai pulled apart to face their friends. Both had slightly red cheeks, which just made everyone else in the room hoot with laughter.
"We were just discussing the ball," Amara informed them. "Which by the way is tomorrow night." The guys groaned at the thought of having to wear tuxes again.
Kiki gasped suddenly. "We don't have dresses yet." She jumped up and pulled Kiki. Mico, Cat, and Amara after her, leaving the guys stunned.
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Well there you have it, the newest chapter. Hope you liked it. Please review and tell me what you thought. Sorry it took so long for me to update. I've been busy with exams and work and other stuff that consumes my time. I also had a small case of writer block for a while there. Anyways, thanx for reading and please review. I love hearing from you all.
~ Miss Wright ~
