Disclaimer: Trueangel does not own Beyblade or Leon.
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As an early Valentine's Day gift, I'm giving you people posters of Kai, in a black suit and black pants, holding in his arms Rei, in a (surprise!) white bridal gown, and the both of them riding into the sunset on the back of a white tiger. Isn't that just sooo cute? *drools* Heheh... may you have many happy hours staring at the poster!
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Rumi-Chan: You've got a VS600?! I want one! The latest model, if you don't mind... and I think everyone else wants 'em too, right? (Everyone else: Yeah!) So there...
Shaka Dragomir Nocturnus: I'm sure new chapters make many people happy. Well, without further ado, here's yet another new chapter!
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Trueangel: I've realised that it's actually more than 14 years between Kai's departure and this story, since the 14 years start from the end of Crystallis when Rei is 21. Therefore, I say that Rei was 15 when Kai left, making it a nice 20 years between then and this story. Ignore any mistaken numbers before this... but henceforth, any errors are delibrate.
V.K.: That's so underhand, dictating Rei's age...
Trueangel: Well, I am the writer, so I can dictate the period of the story.
V.K.: Yeah yeah, author's rights and all that...
Trueangel: Anyway, I'm sure 20 is an easier number to remember than 14.
Leon: Not when you have 14 plastered everywhere else.
Trueangel: Ah well, in time people will get used to 20... meanwhile, enjoy this story!
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Chapter 5 The Reunion of Lovers
Rei appeared right above his bed in his room, and fell down onto the soft mattress. Kai, however, didn't have such a smooth trip back. He appeared a metre to the left of Rei, and landed on the hard floor instead.
"Ouch... Rei, you really should get carpet instead of marble for your room."
"I'm sorry, but I wasn't expecting you to appear, much less us having this adventure."
"You said we were going to look for Chief?"
"Yeah, but it's late now. We'd better go tomorrow."
"So where do I sleep tonight?"
"I guess you could squeeze onto my bed..." replied Rei, giving Kai a playful wink.
"You haven't changed a bit, have you?" asked Kai, smiling.
"Well, the guest room is occupied."
"By whom?"
"Phoenix's friend, and one of the bladers on our team."
"You team? You mean you have a team?"
"I'm just the coach. Phoenix is the captain of the team. Sometime ago we recruited a new member, and when I learned that he was an orphan, I decided to let him stay here."
"Well, I want to meet him, and Phoenix as well. It's good to know what my koi's been up to all these years."
"'Up to'? You make it sound so bad. You can meet them, but I'll just go outside to see where there are. They might be frightened by your sudden arrival."
Rei walked out of the room, to see Phoenix and Xaleon watching television. Phoenix immediately turned around to look at Rei.
"Dad? When did you get back? We didn't hear you enter."
"Umm, Phoenix, Xaleon, there's someone I want the two of you to meet." Rei turned back to the door. "Ok, Kai, you can come out."
Kai walked out of the room.
"Kai, this is Phoenix and Xaleon. Phoenix, Xaleon, this is..."
Rei trailed off as he noticed that Kai and Xaleon were staring at each other.
"Kai?!" exclaimed Xaleon.
"Master Xaleon?"
"He's your master?!" exclaimed Rei.
"Umm... can someone fill me in on what's happening right now, 'cause I don't get a thing," asked Phoenix.
"Alright," said Rei after a long pause. "I think we should have a talk to explain things. Especially the two of you," said Rei, referring to Kai and Xaleon.
Rei, Kai, Phoenix and Xaleon gathered around the dining table. They all sat down, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Finally, Kai broke the silence.
"Master Xaleon, why did you come to Earth right after Volten attacked? Everyone believed that you had died in battle, but I had seen your powers and knew you were still alive. So why did you come to Earth?"
"I'm tired of all the fighting. I do not and cannot believe that devils and angels were created to be enemies. I don't want to fight until I know why we are fighting. That's why I came to Earth, to escape from the fighting and to hopefully find a reason."
"Well, I can tell you the reason you, and the rest of us, should all fight. This is Apocalypse, and Volten is the Destroyer."
"You mean...?!"
"I have come to search for the other Guards of Apocalypse and the Creator, in order to defeat Volten."
"I see. In that case, I will gladly help you to fight."
"Umm... can someone tell me what's going on? Who's this Volten guy? What's this talk about angels and devils, and Apocalypse?"
Rei and Kai took turns to explain everything to Phoenix, starting from they time they first found out about the angels and devils from Dreamer. As they did so, Phoenix's mind began to reel. When the two of them finally finished, she was bursting with questions. Finally, her mind settled on one to ask first.
"If Xaleon was an angel, them why does he have cat ears now?"
"My power was not enough to complete my human body then, so I borrowed some energy from the Tiger Guard. This is the unfortunate outcome."
"But you've gotta admit, they look kinda cute," said Kai.
"Perhaps. Anyway, what are you going to do now?"
"We just went to Ancient Egypt to talk to Driger and confirm Rei's identity as the Tiger Guard. There, I saw Volten. He seems to be after something. We're going to see an old friend to try and identify what it is, and we'll decide from there."
"speaking of our meeting with Chief, it's pretty late know. We'd better get some rest," said Rei.
"Yeah," agreed Xaleon as he yawned, suddenly realizing how tired he was. "I'm going to sleep now. See you people in the morning."
The others stood up as well and headed to their own rooms, with the exception of Kai, who had decided to take up Rei's offer of sleeping together with him, whether Rei was still agreeable or not.
"Good night, people," said Rei.
"Good night," echoed the remaining three.
Kai sat beside Rei as Rei drove to Kenny's shop. Rei was feeling very nervous, anticipating what Kenny's reaction would be after seeing Kai after so many years. Well, at least he didn't tell Kenny about Volten and all. He didn't want to have to explain it all over again, but he couldn't help but feel that it might slip somehow.
"We're here," Rei announced at last, as he finished parking the car.
Rei and Kai got out of the car and entered Kenny's shop. Immediately Kenny looked up from behind the counter, where he was working on a beyblade.
"Hi, Rei! And Kai's here too! How have you been, Kai? I haven't seen you for, I don't know, 15 years?"
"I've been fine," replied Kai, slightly taken aback at Kenny's unusually warm greeting.
"So what can I do for you? Have a beyblade that needs fixing? Or something else?"
"Actually, I was wondering whether you could identify a sign I saw in Ancient Egypt," said Kai.
"Ancient Egypt?"
"Erm, he means in a pic-" Rei tried to explain.
"No, Rei. We should explain everything. We need as much help as we can get. But don't worry, I'll do all the talking if you don't want to."
"Thanks, Kai. I'll just go outside for a while, get some fresh air. Tell me when you're done."
Rei walked out of Kenny's shop, onto the street. Reaching inside his pocket, he pulled out a packet of cigarettes and a lighter. Placing a cigarette in his mouth, he lighted it before putting the lighter back in his pocket. Rei inhaled the smoke deeply as he thought about his relationship with Kai. Yes, he had missed Kai greatly, and was ecstatic when Kai returned, but did he still love Kai? well, initially there wasn't a moment when he wasn't thinking about Kai, but lately his life had been going along pretty well. No, he hadn't forgotten Kai, and he would never do so, but at least he had come to accept that Kai was just a memory. But now that Kai had returned... Rei wasn't sure anymore, about him and Kai. He couldn't just continue loving Kai after 20 years as though nothing had happened. He... he needed time to love Kai again.
"Rei Kon."
Rei turned around to the rough direction of the voice. He saw Tala walking towards him.
"Tala?"
"Tsk. Only half-correct, Kon. For someone who has been possessed by me before, I'd thought you'd get it correct."
"Volten."
"Close, but not entirely right. You see, because Tala has accepted me into his mind, we are able to co-exist in the same body, and I can combine my skills with his."
"Cut the crap. What do you want?"
"I know that Kai has returned to Earth. Where is he?"
"Over my dead body I'm telling you."
"Oh no, I'm not going to flare up and kill you, at least not until I know where Kai is. But I have various torture methods..."
"Volten, I challenge you to a battle. If you can win, then I'll tell you where Kai is. But if I win, you get lost."
"'Get lost'? Is that all? You don't want me to stop my invasion, or at least save Tala? Are you sure the smoke hasn't gone to your brain?"
"Yes, all I want to you to do is to leave us alone. So do you accept my challenge?"
"Of course. But before we start, let me do a little something..."
Volten snapped his fingers. Rei didn't notice anything different, but he could feel something had changed.
"What tricks are you up to now?"
"Oh, nothing much. I just stopped time, so that no one will interfere our battle."
"Well, let's get started already," said Rei impatiently as he took out his Driger. "Get ready!"
Volten took Tala's Wolborg out of Tala's pocket, and Rei could notice that it was an improved version.
"3, 2, 1," shouted Volten. "LET IT RIP!"
Rei's grey beyblade and Tala's white Wolborg both flew onto the sidewalk. The white beyblade was headed straight for Driger.
"Driger, emerge and use your Tiger Roar!"
The white tiger burst out of Rei's beyblade with a deafening roar. The sound waves caused Wolborg to shake for a while, but it quickly regained its balance.
"Those old tricks aren't going to work! Now, I'll show you my X-Weapon!"
As Wolborg headed towards Driger, it suddenly split into four beyblades, appearing to Driger's left, right, front and back. The four Wolborgs closed in on Driger, slamming into it on all four sides.
"Driger, use your Tiger Claw!"
Rei's bitbeast lunged at one of the Wolborgs with a massive paw, ready to crush it. However, that Wolborg was just an illusion, and Driger's paw hit the ground instead. Meanwhile, the sign of Leo on his arm burned, as though it was trying to tell Rei something. Volten laughed at Rei's failed attack.
"There's no way you can win with such pathetic moves! X-Weapon again!"
Wolborg once again appeared on the four sides of Driger, and closed in for a crushing blow. However, Rei was more concerned with the searing pain on his arm, which was unbearable.
=Flashback=
"This is the bit beast Leo. It's power depends on your courage in battle... Even if you want to use your Driger bitbeast, you can use the Leo bitbeast to boost your Driger. The attack of Leo can also be combined with Driger's to form a new, more powerful attack."
=End Flashback=
"Now, let me reveal my greatest creation yet! Cyber Wolborg, emerge!"
A green light shot out of Wolborg, and Rei saw a greenish net in the shape of Wolborg, like a computer model of Wolborg.
"Cyber Wolborg, use your Cyber Infinity!"
Cyber Wolborg divided into a large number of copies that surrounded Driger. They all charged at the same time.
"You're dead, Rei."
"I don't think so!"
Rei took a glowing bit chip out of his pocket. Leo. He pointed Leo at Driger, and a golden beam shot out, striking the bit beast. Rei could feel the lion's power and courage flowing into him.
"I'm fighting for Kai, Volten, so my courage will not fail me. Driger, Pride of Tigers!"
A stampede of weird-looking beasts, with lion manes and tiger stripes, appeared behind Rei. They ran across the battlefield, trampling on the army of Wolborgs, and knocking Cyber Wolborg back into Volten's hand.
"So, you have an astro beast as well..."
"I won, Volten. Now get lost!"
"Very well. But I will be back."
Volten jumped into the bushes and disappeared into the foilage. At the same time, Kai emerged from the shop in time to see Volten's retreating figure.
"Rei, was that Tala?"
"No. It was Volten, controlling Tala."
"Volten... what's he doing here?"
"Nothing much. He just wanted to know where you were."
"I see..."
Just then, Kai noticed the cigarette in Rei's hand, which had stopped burning for a while when Volten had stopped time.
"You smoke?"
"Err... yeah."
"Why?"
"Because of you. Do you know how difficult it was for me to live without you?"
"I'm sorry. But I'm back now, so please try to quit, okay?"
"Do you think I've never tried? But each time I do, I start feeling tense and uneasy... and I start hallucinating... about you."
"I'm really sorry... I just wanted to save you, and-"
"No, you don't need to apologize. I understand. I can only blame myself for being too weak... for being a burden..."
"No, Rei, you're not a burden! I've never hated having to look out for you and help you. It's my duty. Anyway, you're fighting together with me now, right? You-"
"Please, stop. I... Let's just go in and see what the Chief has."
Rei walked into the shop, while Kai lingered a bit longer. He could smell the distinct smell of cigarette smoke in the air, despite it being an open place. Finally, he sighed, and went in as well.
Kenny looked up from his laptop as both Rei and Kai entered.
"Kai's told me about Volten and everything. And the sign he described to me, I suspect it's the sign of Scorpio, the constellation."
"Scorpio? Driger gave me a bit beast, Leo. And there's the mark of Leo on my arm."
Rei pulled up his sleeve to show Kenny and Kai the tattoo.
"That's the sign of an astro bit beast," said Kai worriedly.
"Why? What's wrong? Volten mentioned it as well... what is it?" asked Rei.
"I've heard about them," replied Kenny. "They're a group of bit beasts that are really powerful, more powerful than the bit beasts of the Bladebreakers."
"The astro beasts are a group of 12 bit beasts that were created at the start of this era. They are named after the 12 constellations. Individually, they are already more powerful than most bit beasts. But when they are brought together, they will unlock the forbidden bit beast Tria. Tria was the Destroyer, locked away by the 12 astro beasts at the end of the last era. It possesses enough power to destroy the universe. Destroy as in nothing, nothing at all left. No Creator, no Apocalypse, nothing."
"But I have Leo."
"That's why we're safe. Volten cannot summon Tria if he doesn't possess the marks of all 12 bit beasts. But you must never give Leo away. Since Volten cannot snatch it from you without your permission, he will torture you, attack those close to... you..."
"Oh my god, Phoenix! Tala... Tala knows about Phoenix, he was at the tournament..."
"Phoenix... where is she?"
"She was at home when we left."
"With Xaleon?"
"Yeah."
"Once Xaleon taps into his angelic energy, he has enough power to protect Phoenix, so she should be safe. But we'd better go home to be safe."
"Well, I guess I'll see you guys soon, then," said Kenny.
"Wait, Chief, I have one request," said Kai.
"What is it?"
"I want you to recreate Dranzer and Draciel."
"Why?" asked Rei.
"The Legend of Apocalypse. We need the four Guards."
"But the two bit beasts have been destroyed... and Tyson..."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that. But Chief, can you recreate the beyblades?"
"Yes. Just give me about a week."
:"Thanks. We'll be leaving now."
"See you soon!"
"Yeah, bye."
Rei's car pulled into the garage of his house, and he turned off the engine. Kai began to get out of the car, but Rei stopped him.
"What is it, Rei?"
"I... I need to talk to you about something."
"You can talk to me about anything."
"Kai, I... I think we should break up."
Kai was stunned. For a long moment, there was no sound except for the humming of the door as it closed. After what seemed to Rei to be infinity, Kai finally found his voice.
"Why? Is it about you smoking? Look, I don't hate you for that, I just hope you will quit, that doesn't mean that-"
"No, that's not it, Kai."
"Then is it about me having to save you then? God, Rei, that was two decades ago! Anyway, I'm-"
"Please, Kai, will you let me explain? It's... it's because we're both different people now. You've changed, and I've changed."
"But why does that have to affect anything? Look, if it's a habit, attitude, or whatever about me that you don't like, you can tell me, and I'll try to change."
"No... because we've changed, I cannot love you for the same reasons as I did then. I need to rediscover why I love you. This doesn't mean that we're breaking up permanently. If, one day, I realize that I love you, whether for the same reasons as before or not, then we'll be together again. But if not..." Rei trailed off.
"I... see."
"I really hope you do, Kai. I... I need time to learn to love you again."
"Alright. But I'll still be there to look out for you and protect you, and you can come to me whenever you need help. If not as lovers... that I hope that we can work together at least as friends."
"Yeah. I'd appreciate that."
"Now, let's go check on Xaleon and Phoenix."
Kai and Rei walked up the stairs to the main part of the building. After a brief search, they found the two of them in the study, working on their schoolwork.
"Hi Dad, hi Kai. You're back."
"Yeah, we went to see Chief," said Kai. "Xaleon, could I talk to you about something? Outside."
"Yeah, sure."
"I'll... I'll just stay with Phoenix," said Rei.
Xaleon followed Kai as they walked out of the study, into Rei's room. Kai shut the door before speaking.
"Xaleon, I believe that Volten is after the astro beasts."
"The astro beasts? Oh no..."
"Don't worry, Rei has one of the astro beasts, so we're still safe. The problem is, Volten might attack people close to Rei in order to force Rei to give up Leo, so I need you to protect Phoenix."
"Sure thing."
"I know you gave up your life as an angel, but please, don't hesistate to use your angel powers if you need to."
"Don't worry. I won't let my pride jeopardise Phoenix's safety."
"Good... that's all."
"Wait a moment, Kai, I have something to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Is everything alright between you and Rei?"
"Why? Yeah, everything's alright, you don't need to worry," Kai lied.
"You of all people know that we cannot fail in defeating Volten. Letting personal affairs threaten our fight is a foolish thing to do."
"I know."
"Alright, let's return to the others."
Phoenix watched as Kai and Xaleon walked out of the study. When the door of the study closed, she spoke to Rei.
"Alright, what happened?"
"Why? What happened?"
"Oh please, don't lie to me... it's so obvious something happened between you and Kai. The two of you seem rather cold towards each other. Was it something to do with the Chief?"
"Oh, no, not the Chief."
"Then what?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing we can't handle ourselves. You just worry about your boyfriend Xaleon."
Phoenix blushed multiple shades of red and kept silent.
"Oh yeah, there's something I want to give you..."
Rei fished inside his pocket and took out the bit beast of the pyramid. He handed it to Phoenix.
"A bit beast?"
"Yeah. With Volten around, you can use the bit beast to protect yourself."
"Thanks. What's the bit beast's name?"
"I don't know, it doesn't have a name. It's a pyramid that represents Driger... why don't you name it?"
"A pyramid Driger, huh. I'll just call it Drymid then."
"Well, then Drymid it is."
The door of the study slid open, and Kai and Xaleon entered. Rei suddenly grew silent.
"So, err... what do we do now?" asked Phoenix.
"We need to gather the four guards of Apocalypse. I'll be going back in time to revive Tyson," answered Kai.
Rei raised an eyebrow. Kai could revive people? But then again, he shouldn't be surprised. Kai could travel through time, what was there that he couldn't do?
"Um, Rei... do you want to, well, come with me?"
"I'll... I'll just stay here. Just in case Volten comes after us."
"Alright."
Kai closed his eyes, and mumbled an inaudible incantation. Rei watched as Kai slowly faded away. When Kai was gone, Phoenix and Xaleon both started speaking at the same time.
"Alright, what happened?"
Kai opened his eyes. He was at Tyson's funeral. The first thing he noticed was Max standing near the back, sobbing uncontrollably. Comforting him was Hui. Rei stood slose by, gripping his own scarf so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. Tyson's grandpa, father, Kenny, the White Tigers, and Mr. Dickenson were also present at the funeral. The priest stood in front of Tyson's coffin, praying for Tyson. Sighing, Kai closed his eyes, and worked another spell.
When Kai opened his eyes again, everything had stopped, as if they were frozen, captured in a still picture. Well, everything except Kai. His time-stopping spell had worked, but it would only last for a short while. Kai had to get to work fast. He walked to Tyson's coffin. Prising the lid open, he looked at Tyson's face. The undertaker had only been mildly successful at hiding the tortured look on Tyson's face at his time of death. Kai took Tyson's hand in his own and began his powerful Rebirth Flame spell.
"Flames of the Phoenix, give forth life, let this soul have a second chance..."
Kai felt as though his body was on fire as his power welled up within him. Magical sparks danced around his fingers, and the energy started flowing into Tyson.
"Tyson Kinomiya, open your eyes, let the flame in your heart blaze again!"
Kai could feel Tyson's fingers twitch. Slowly, Tyson opened his eyes, and his stormy orbs stared into Kai's crimson eyes.
"Kai? Wha... the last thing I remember was Max... Max! Volten was controlling him, we have to-"
"Relax, Tyson. Max is fine. You... you were killed."
"I'm dead? Then..."
"I just said that you were killed, I didn't say you're dead. It's a really long story, but basically after you were killed I and Rei defeated Volten. Fast forward two decades, Volten returns, and I go back in time to revive you."
"You're right, it's a long story. I don't get it... but Max is okay, right?"
"Yeah, he's fine, though he still misses you a lot. He-"
Kai's legs suddenly folded and he almost collapsed to the ground, if not for Tyson's quick reflexes.
"Kai, are you okay?"
"Yeah... it's just that all this time manipulation and reviving is really tiring."
"You'd better rest."
"Yeah, I'd better take you back to my time... oh wait, there's something I need to do first."
Magical energy shot out of Kai's hand into the coffin. It took the form of Tyson's body. kai then closed the lid, so it looked at though nothing had changed.
"This feels really weird," said Tyson.
"I suppose it is. Hold my hand."
Tyson did as he was told, gripping Kai's arm tightly.
"Alright, close your eyes, we're returning to my time."
Kai lifted hius time stop spell and started his time travel. When Tyson opened his eyes, he found himself staring right into the amber orbs of Rei.
"AAH!" both Tyson and Rei screamed at the same time.
"Calm down, the both of you," said Kai.
"Geez, Kai, you need to pick a better place to appear..." grumbled Rei.
"Rei! You look so different," said Tyson.
"Well, duh. I'm 20 years older."
"Rei, where's Xaleon and Phoenix?" asked Kai warily.
"They went out together. Don't worry, they're both able to defend themselves. Moreover, xaleon's promised to call if they get into any trouble."
"Xaleon? Phoenix?" asked Tyson, confused.
"Phoenix's my daughter, and Xaleon's her b... friend."
Suddenly, Kai collapsed again, but this time Rei caught him.
"Kai, what's wrong?"
"He's fine, Rei," answered Tyson. "He's just tired after all the magic he's been doing."
"Oh Kai... you should have rested if you were tired. Don't do this to spite me."
"Spite you?" asked Tyson.
"we, umm, broke up not long ago," replied Rei.
"Listen, Rei, I need to talk to you about something. Even though we've broken up, we still need to work together to defeat-"
The doorbell rang.
"Tyson, take care of Kai. I'll just go see who's at the door."
Rei walked out of his room to the door of his house. Outside was Hui and Max.
"Hui! Max! What are you doing here?"
"Hi, Rei!" greeted Max. "We just flew over from China last night, and wanted to give you a surprise visit. It's your birthday next week, remember?"
"Yeah, but you didn't have to come all the way here..."
Rei trailed off as he noticed Hui and Max focus on something behind him. He turned around to see Kai, supporting himself against the wall.
"Kai?!" shouted Hui. "I thought... wha... what are you doing here?"
"Hi Hui, hi Max... what a coincidence, we needed the both of you..."
"What do you mean? I-"
Max suddenly stopped as Kai's legs buckled again. Tyson ran out to support Kai, and only after that did he notice the people at the door.
"Max!"
Max took a step back.
"No... it can't be..."
"Max, it's me, Tyson!"
"But I... I killed you, I..."
Max twisted around and ran.
"Tyson, as much as I'd like to find out what the hell you and Kai are doing here, I've got to go find Max before he gets lost or something. I'll be back later."
"No, wait!"
Tyson let Kai slump against the wall, before bursting out of the house after Hui and Max.
"Not exactly the reunion I'd expected..." said Kai.
The phone rang. Rei went to pick it up.
'Hello? Xaleon? ...What?! Where are you? ...I'll be right over."
"What happened?" asked Kai.
"Xaleon and Phoenix ran into Sylphie. Phoenix's battling Sylphie right now."
"Sylphie?"
"I'm not sure, but I suspect she's working for Tala."
"Alright, I'll go-"
"No, Kai, I'll go alone. you stay home and recover. You talk about working together, but there's no way you're gonna ven work in your current state. Please, if not for me, then for everyone else who cares about you, get some rest."
"But..."
"Don't worry, I'll be safe, so relax."
"Well... alright. But take care."
"Yeah, I will. I'll be back as soon as possible."
With that, Rei ran out of the house. Kai looked on as he breathed heavily.
~~~
Leon: Gosh... that's so chaotic...
V.K.: So many cliffies...
Trueangel: Just the way I like it.
Leon: *sweatdrops*
Trueangel: What? Isn't suspense good?
V.K.: An overdose is never good.
Trueangel: Well then. everybody start drafting your wills, 'cause there's only more suspense from now on.
V.K.: Oh no...
Leon: Sigh. Oh well, review the chapter.
