ME: Gomen minna-san!!! The baka comp wouldn't let me have my reviews!!! *bangs the comp up*

CS: How violent…

Skittles the Sugar Fairy: ME: Ooohh…*looks at the pocky* CS: No way you're eating all that by yourself!!! ME: Why not? CS: … ME: Hah!!!! Cs: Damn.

SilveryKitsune: ME: I see you really like glomping me. CS: *glares at Silver* Don't even think of glomping or I'll break your arms!!! ME: And here people thought Chibis were supposed to be cuddly. CS: Well, they never met me then, have they? ME: Nope, and hopefully they never will.

I luv Yugi and Daisuke so :p: ME: YAY!!! My very own sweet shop!!! *hugs you* Arigatou!! CS: I think you need to let her breath now!!! ME: Oops!! ^^; Sorry, got carried away. CS: Try not to get too carried away at times. ME: I really need to order that new muse.

Rumi-Chan: ME: Oh, it's not going to end for a looong time, isn't that right Calyph? Calyph: I'm not at an authority to say. CS: 0__0 Was that English? ME: Unfortunately yes. Calyph: For your present, I'm buying both of you dictionaries. ME: *hugs Calyph* Awww… Isn't he sweet? Tala: O__O What 'bout me? CS: Don't worry Heidi, we love you too!!

Ms Hobgoblin: ME: ;__; Sorry, but I'm still broke as ever *weeps* And my dad wants a Mercedes for his birthday. What does he think I'm made up of anyway? Money? And I couldn't kill them off 'cause they were in the sequel!! CS: And the sequel sequel!! ME: You sound like Aya. CS: I'll be nice and not take that as an insult.

devilburns: ME: Glad you liked it. Enjoy the chappie!!

Kalico: ME: Yeah, Aishiteru is my favorite word. I hate saying 'I love you' It's too dull. Aishiteru adds that little bit of depth and mystery. CS: By the way, it's one word.

Angevar: You live right next door, so I'm going to go with no comment. ^__^

ME: Aaaah………*melts into a puddle*

CS: *stares at puddle* Hey, I'm not cleaning THAT up…

ME: We're back!! And now, let's see how Max and Ray cope with their love.

CS: It's about time.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Beyblade. Isn't that obvious?

Chapter Nine

What will be, will be

Max stared out of the horizon. The sun was beginning to set and there was still no sign of his boyfriend…

Max sighed, covering himself with his arms. It was getting cold and he really REALLY wanted to leave. But he waited.

What was taking him so long?

He shivered.

Suddenly, a coat was draped on his shoulders. Max smiled as he turned around to meet Ray's amber gold eyes.

Max smiled, "Hey Ray."

"Hey Max."

The last few weeks faded away from memory. Ray and Max were together, Tyson had 'somewhat' gotten over his love for Kai…

It looked like they had finally passed through that dark tunnel that held sorrow and despair over their heads.

Even if Kai was gone…

The Bladebreakers will weather it through and emerge victorious.

Like they've always done.

Tyson watched the sunset from the beach. There were times when emotion would envelope him and make him do stupid things.

He could almost feel Kai's arms around him, gentle, soft.

Tyson choked back a sob. It gets harder everyday.

Why does it have to be so hard? Tyson silently asked the ocean.

Because it is, it silently answered the blunette's call.

Tyson slowly got up. His eyes were colder, harder.

He left to ponder the answer.

Because it is.

Kenny was currently checking his mail. And he came across something interesting.

To: The Bladebreakers

From: The Mettalics

The Mettalics? Never heard of them before, Kenny thought as he paused to analyze the message.

We heard that Kai is the only strong point in your team. If so, then come and battle us to prove your worth. If you do not accept this message, we shall take as a sign of surrender.

Yours Sincerely,

Calyph Fey

Team Captain of the Mettalics

"This is not good."

Ray watched his teammate's faces as Kenny gave them the news.

Tyson's stormy grey eyes never wavered from Kenny's russet brown eyes. Max's face had creased with fresh worry lines.

Ray didn't even want to know what his face looked like.

"So," Kenny paused to give everyone a breather, "What's the plan of action?"

Max sighed, "Hate to say it, but we have to go."

"Why?" Ray blurted out.

Max stared at his lover, "Because we have our pride. And I for one refuse to take this lying down."

Ray nodded.

Kenny opened his laptop, "I can devise a game plan. But with one member short—,"

"We don't need him."

Kenny swiveled his face to watch Tyson, "Kai was a valuable asset in this team."

"Kai 'was' is what you're actually saying," Tyson pointed out, "We can do this. We aren't World Champs for nothing."

Kenny said nothing, watching the cold hard fires of Tyson's determination flicker.

"Alright!" Max whooped for joy, "Those 'Mettalics' are going to get more then they bargained for."

"Max?"

"Yeah Ray?"

 "I need you to do this for me."

"What is it?"

"Watch Tyson for me."

There was a moment's hesitation, "Why?"

"Please Max. We lost Kai. I don't know what we'd do."

"What makes you think we'll lose Tyson?"

"…I don't know."

Tyson tossed and turned in his bed.

He recognized those almond shaped garnet eyes anywhere.

Tyson leapt into Kai's arms, basking in Kai's presence.

"Kai." He whispered the name like a prayer.

He looked up and screamed.

It wasn't Kai.

He could feel the shadows tearing himself apart.

"Leave me!!" Tyson yelled as he tried to run away.

The shadows kept on coming. Tyson felt himself getting buried with layers of darkness.

"Kai help me!!" Tyson struggled to reach Kai.

His hand was slapped away.

"Get over it Kinomiya," he snarled, his eyes deepening into an ugly crimson,

"I used you. All this while. How could you not see?"

Tyson felt his heart stop. The shadows pulled Tyson away.

"Welcome the darkness. He's not here to save you," they hissed in his ear.

Yet Tyson still struggled, "No! That wasn't Kai! I know Kai and that wasn't him!!"

That wasn't him!!

Tyson got up, gasping.

He looked out his window, as the clouds covered the moon in a fluffy blanket.

That wasn't him…

Calyph straightened his gloves. He could taste the sweet victory on his lips.

He looked at their stadium. It glowed with some unknown force.

"Calyph?"

Calyph turned around, a bored look crossing his face, "Yes Quinn?"

"The arrangements have been made."

"Good work. You may go."

Calyph turned back to the stadium.

Soon…

The Bladebreakers will regret crossing blades with the Mettalics.

ME: 0___0 Woah…

CS: LET ME AT HIM!!!

CT: *sweatdrops* She hates him already…

ME: Anyways, what dirty plans are the Mettalics up to? And will Ray get a haircut?

Ray: 0___0 Why would I do something like that?

ME: Reviewers receive—

CS: Evil Kai plushies!!!

ME: Used for torturing Kai (they're like voodoo dolls)

CS: *starts putting pins in her Evil Kai plushie* Review!!!