Outcast
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade
A/N: If you wanna kill me, then kill me. This is probably going to be the second last chapter of this fic, because the story's rounding off to a really bad close. In the previous chapter, we find that Kai has to be 'technologically updated' and in this chapter, he RECEIVES the 'update'. It's just, after that, well, there isn't much to write, is there?
So, on with this chapter.
---- Voltaire ----
A small, beeping sound came from the phone on my desk. Motioning vaguely with one hand, I gave permission for one of my henchmen to answer it. He bowed, then pressed the 'speaker' button and stepped back.
"Hitawari Enterprises, Voltaire speaking."
"Grandfather, it's Kai."
Ah, my beloved grandson. How sweet of him to call - and look! Only three hours before he was due back at the abbey! He must be terribly excited about the Cyber-upgrade he was going to be receiving. I was careful not to let my own 'excitement' leak into my voice as I answered him.
"What do you want, Kai?"
"Nothing much," came his voice, a little timidly, which was very unlike him. "I just wanted to know whether or not - if she - that woman - is all right."
Kate Hitawari. Hmm . . . so he really began to accept her, did he? Well, we'll just dash away his hopes of every getting her back. In a nice way, of course, or otherwise he'd think that I planned it all. We wouldn't want that, would we?
"I'm really sorry, my dear grandson," I began in my best 'loving- grandfather' voice I hadn't employed for so many years. "But the doctor's report just came in - I was about to call you but you were a step ahead of me - they say she made a turn for the worse just half an hour ago and I'm afraid we've lost her."
"What?!"
Oh yes, I know I'm very nice. He just sounds so shocked. Perhaps he didn't believe me, because I kicked up such a fuss over torturing her. Oh well, maybe he would have to hear it directly from the man who raised him after he escaped from the abbey. That was scrapping the president of the BBA, Mr Dickenson or whatever his name was.
"I'll send Boris over," I told him. "He'll give you the details."
"No." Kai's voice was hard and the shock had obviously worn off. "I'd prefer to hear it from someone who I can trust."
"Very well, Kai. I will send your personal serving man, Phineas, to give the details."
---- Kai ----
Kate was dead?
No, there must have been some mistake. He PROMISED - well, he gave his word at least - she would get treated. She couldn't have been dead. But, then again, Voltaire had never really been a man of his word, was he?
Phineas was my personal servant since I was very young. I remembered him to be only several years older, pleasant and trustworthy among those losers at the Hitawari Mansion who grovelled at Voltaire's feet. He was the only person in my childhood I had actually trusted totally. But, when I went abroad with the Bladebreakers, he hadn't been allowed to come. Since then, at least a year had passed. Perhaps he had changed?
"Master Kai?"
It was Phineas' voice from behind the door. I'd forgotten had bloody fast he was. I went over to the door and yanked it open roughly. There stood an eighteen-year-old, sandy-haired and green-eyed man with angular, yet pleasant features. He smiled apologetically at me, clutching a manilla file in both hands.
"You're here already, Phineas?"
"Yes, Master Kai," he replied in his semi-alto, musical voice. "I've brought the details regarding the death of Mistress Kate Hitawari."
"Come in, then."
I let him inside and closed the door behind him abruptly. Outside, there was the sound of a stifled groan as the door hinges snapped closed on a certain someone's nose. I hope it was Tyson. Ignoring the fact that they were spying on me yet again, I followed Phineas inside and motioned for him to seat himself on one of the chairs. He did so and I sat.
"So."
"Well, Master Kai," Phineas began slowly. "These are the medical files that Old Master Voltaire told me to bring you. Here -"
I snatched them from his fingers and proceeded to open them. His green eyes looked slightly pained and he flinched as I scanned through the first page of writing. He began to fidget as well, which annoyed me no end. He was quieter than I remembered the old Phineas to be. I looked up at him from the file.
"What do you want to say, Phineas?" I demanded. "You're hiding something."
"I - well, I -" he stammered.
"Come on, Phineas," I growled, glaring at him. "I don't have all day you know."
"It's just -" he took a deep breath and looked at the file wildly. " - those files are a fake! Oh, I didn't want to say it! Old Master Voltaire will be furious when he finds out! But I couldn't let you believe that the Mistress' death was an accident!"
"What did you say?!"
Phineas looked frightened. I didn't really blame him. After all, he was terrified of Voltaire and had been since the first time he had been employed, almost ten years ago. He was then a 'study companion' for me, before really beginning to serve. On top of that, I think my glare had just intensified about a thousand times.
"Old Master Voltaire made sure the Mistress was very much dead, with no hope of revival, when he made the deal with you! She was already dead when you agreed to his terms!"
"How dare he?!" I yelled, ramming my fist onto the tabletop angrily. "How DARE he?!"
---- Rei (the next morning) ----
When I arrived at the hotel lobby, Kai was already there. He stood like a statue, arms folded, back ramrod straight. His eyes were flat, dull and merciless. There was no sign of human emotion in him anyways. I shuddered as I neared his side. He had this terrifying aura about him which was cold and sent jolts up and down my arm.
"Hey, morning Kai," I managed to say weakly. "Wassup?"
No answer. Suppressing another shudder, I stood next to him and waited for the others to come. Half an hour later, Max and Kenny were seen to drag Tyson along the paved floor towards us, the latter still munching contentedly on a stack of toast. I was grateful for their arrival - Kai had been creeping me out with that silent treatment. When they stopped, I went over gladly and motioned the rest of the team closer.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's Kai again," I told them worriedly. "He hasn't been talking."
"So?" Tyson snorted. "He never talks in the morning. He's just about as nice in the morning as I am asleep. He'll come around during the match, trust me."
I hope he's right. But there was definitely something different about Kai's quietness. Before, he was just that: quiet. This time, he radiated something deadly about him. I suppose it was just my martial arts instinct kicking in, but I was sure the feeling he gave me was of ruthless and cold- blooded vengeance. Vengeance?
What had happened to him last night?
---- Kenny ----
I think Rei's right. I mean, sure, Kai was in a grouchy mood nine times out of ten in the mornings and he doesn't really talk to us anyhow, but this morning was so different. Falling behind from the rest of the team, I flipped Dizzy open.
"Hey, Kenny," her overly-cheerful, metallic voice piped. "It's been a long time since you opened me. I've been dying of neglect in here. I'm not an insensitive piece of metal, you know. So . . . what are we going to do today?"
"Sometimes, Dizzy, I think you talk too much."
"Aw, come on Chief!" she whined. "I was only joking. Okay, wassup now?"
"It's Kai." The bit-beast sighed knowingly. "He seems a little strange today. Rei thinks there's something wrong with him -"
"There is," she stated, matter-of-fact. "His attitude."
I told her to slag off Kai for a moment, but only half-heartedly. Sometimes, I DID think that Kai deserve a little 'putting-in-place', as I liked to call it. He got too arrogant and over-confident with himself, which put the rest of us down. Oh well, he was a valuable asset to the team so I guess we can't complain.
"Besides his attitude, Chief," Dizzy said suddenly, "I think you should check this out."
"What is it, Dizzy?"
"Remember our pal, Black Dranzer?"
Who could? I wondered to myself. Black Dranzer was terrifying, both in its power and in the ruthlessness it overpowered Kai with. When the two were put together, there was something frightening in their auras. Like a flat, emotionless void had been set up around Kai - impenetrable and cold.
"Yeah, I remember."
"Well, it seems that Sourpuss has been interacting with it again."
"What?!" I exclaimed. "No way!"
---- Tyson (World Tournament, several hours later) ----
Heh, this is going great! Our team has won two straight matches against the All Stars already and we're dead set to win this round! All we need now is to score another win - or loss, it didn't really matter anyway - just to round this thing up in a neat little package. At this rate, the competition was ours.
"Hey, who wants to go up next?" I asked. The question was more directed to the Chief than anyone else. He was the strategist, not me.
"I think, since Max's attack power isn't really up to Michael's - no offence or anything, Max - and Rei and Tyson's already battled," Kenny said slowly. "I guess that it's just Kai left."
"All right!" I yelled happily. "Then we're going to the next round of competition with a record 3-0 win! Come on Kai, get in there and show 'em watcha got!"
---- Rei ----
"It's time for the third session of All Stars against Bladebreakers!"
Kai stepped up to the arena, eyes flat and lifeless. He brought out a black Beyblade, which glinted hauntingly in the stadium. Our team sucked in our breaths, shocked beyond words. He held it to his launcher.
What was going on? That wasn't his Dranzer blade! In fact . . . from what I can see now . . . that's Black Dranzer! What the hell was Black Dranzer doing here? I jumped to my feet and ran over to the side of the stadium dish.
"What's going on, Kai?" I demanded. "Why aren't you telling us anything?"
He didn't reply, but I noticed that his grip on the ripcord distinctively tightened. His eyes narrowed in concentration and he shifted his stance.
"Bladers ready? 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . LET IT RIP!"
"LET'S END THIS!" Kai roared. "Let's go - BLACK DRANZER!"
To our surprise, Kai didn't launch it at the dish. He whipped around in one fluid movement and ripped the cord. It flew and pelted through the air, directly at someone in the front row of the audience. The person ducked and Black Dranzer smashed into pieces against the back of the chair. Breathing heavily, Kai lowered his arms and glared.
Voltaire's furious face came up, matching Kai's glare.
---- What's Going to Happen in Chapter Nine ----
I'm never going to Beyblade any more.
That's what I thought, as I locked myself inside the hotel suite, refusing anyone entrance. There was just no point to Beyblading any more. I'd never wanted - no, I had started out believing that Beyblade was my passion, my everything . . . the reason I lived. But that had all been destroyed.
I hated it.
I clenched my fists and blocked out the sound of metal, snapping underneath my feet. I refused to let the tears fall as I recalled what I had done, back at the stadium, after I attacked Voltaire. I couldn't bear the thought . . . I had just destroyed my own Beyblade . . .
"KAI!"
---- End of Chapter Eight ----
A/N: Phew! This was a long chapter (well, longer than my other ones anyway)!
Isn't this wonderful? The preview was longer too . . . but that's because the next chapter's going to be the end and then an epilogue will be put up. Hmm . . .
Anyway, hope you all liked and please review!
Bai bai!
Bittersweet Angel Chika
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade
A/N: If you wanna kill me, then kill me. This is probably going to be the second last chapter of this fic, because the story's rounding off to a really bad close. In the previous chapter, we find that Kai has to be 'technologically updated' and in this chapter, he RECEIVES the 'update'. It's just, after that, well, there isn't much to write, is there?
So, on with this chapter.
---- Voltaire ----
A small, beeping sound came from the phone on my desk. Motioning vaguely with one hand, I gave permission for one of my henchmen to answer it. He bowed, then pressed the 'speaker' button and stepped back.
"Hitawari Enterprises, Voltaire speaking."
"Grandfather, it's Kai."
Ah, my beloved grandson. How sweet of him to call - and look! Only three hours before he was due back at the abbey! He must be terribly excited about the Cyber-upgrade he was going to be receiving. I was careful not to let my own 'excitement' leak into my voice as I answered him.
"What do you want, Kai?"
"Nothing much," came his voice, a little timidly, which was very unlike him. "I just wanted to know whether or not - if she - that woman - is all right."
Kate Hitawari. Hmm . . . so he really began to accept her, did he? Well, we'll just dash away his hopes of every getting her back. In a nice way, of course, or otherwise he'd think that I planned it all. We wouldn't want that, would we?
"I'm really sorry, my dear grandson," I began in my best 'loving- grandfather' voice I hadn't employed for so many years. "But the doctor's report just came in - I was about to call you but you were a step ahead of me - they say she made a turn for the worse just half an hour ago and I'm afraid we've lost her."
"What?!"
Oh yes, I know I'm very nice. He just sounds so shocked. Perhaps he didn't believe me, because I kicked up such a fuss over torturing her. Oh well, maybe he would have to hear it directly from the man who raised him after he escaped from the abbey. That was scrapping the president of the BBA, Mr Dickenson or whatever his name was.
"I'll send Boris over," I told him. "He'll give you the details."
"No." Kai's voice was hard and the shock had obviously worn off. "I'd prefer to hear it from someone who I can trust."
"Very well, Kai. I will send your personal serving man, Phineas, to give the details."
---- Kai ----
Kate was dead?
No, there must have been some mistake. He PROMISED - well, he gave his word at least - she would get treated. She couldn't have been dead. But, then again, Voltaire had never really been a man of his word, was he?
Phineas was my personal servant since I was very young. I remembered him to be only several years older, pleasant and trustworthy among those losers at the Hitawari Mansion who grovelled at Voltaire's feet. He was the only person in my childhood I had actually trusted totally. But, when I went abroad with the Bladebreakers, he hadn't been allowed to come. Since then, at least a year had passed. Perhaps he had changed?
"Master Kai?"
It was Phineas' voice from behind the door. I'd forgotten had bloody fast he was. I went over to the door and yanked it open roughly. There stood an eighteen-year-old, sandy-haired and green-eyed man with angular, yet pleasant features. He smiled apologetically at me, clutching a manilla file in both hands.
"You're here already, Phineas?"
"Yes, Master Kai," he replied in his semi-alto, musical voice. "I've brought the details regarding the death of Mistress Kate Hitawari."
"Come in, then."
I let him inside and closed the door behind him abruptly. Outside, there was the sound of a stifled groan as the door hinges snapped closed on a certain someone's nose. I hope it was Tyson. Ignoring the fact that they were spying on me yet again, I followed Phineas inside and motioned for him to seat himself on one of the chairs. He did so and I sat.
"So."
"Well, Master Kai," Phineas began slowly. "These are the medical files that Old Master Voltaire told me to bring you. Here -"
I snatched them from his fingers and proceeded to open them. His green eyes looked slightly pained and he flinched as I scanned through the first page of writing. He began to fidget as well, which annoyed me no end. He was quieter than I remembered the old Phineas to be. I looked up at him from the file.
"What do you want to say, Phineas?" I demanded. "You're hiding something."
"I - well, I -" he stammered.
"Come on, Phineas," I growled, glaring at him. "I don't have all day you know."
"It's just -" he took a deep breath and looked at the file wildly. " - those files are a fake! Oh, I didn't want to say it! Old Master Voltaire will be furious when he finds out! But I couldn't let you believe that the Mistress' death was an accident!"
"What did you say?!"
Phineas looked frightened. I didn't really blame him. After all, he was terrified of Voltaire and had been since the first time he had been employed, almost ten years ago. He was then a 'study companion' for me, before really beginning to serve. On top of that, I think my glare had just intensified about a thousand times.
"Old Master Voltaire made sure the Mistress was very much dead, with no hope of revival, when he made the deal with you! She was already dead when you agreed to his terms!"
"How dare he?!" I yelled, ramming my fist onto the tabletop angrily. "How DARE he?!"
---- Rei (the next morning) ----
When I arrived at the hotel lobby, Kai was already there. He stood like a statue, arms folded, back ramrod straight. His eyes were flat, dull and merciless. There was no sign of human emotion in him anyways. I shuddered as I neared his side. He had this terrifying aura about him which was cold and sent jolts up and down my arm.
"Hey, morning Kai," I managed to say weakly. "Wassup?"
No answer. Suppressing another shudder, I stood next to him and waited for the others to come. Half an hour later, Max and Kenny were seen to drag Tyson along the paved floor towards us, the latter still munching contentedly on a stack of toast. I was grateful for their arrival - Kai had been creeping me out with that silent treatment. When they stopped, I went over gladly and motioned the rest of the team closer.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's Kai again," I told them worriedly. "He hasn't been talking."
"So?" Tyson snorted. "He never talks in the morning. He's just about as nice in the morning as I am asleep. He'll come around during the match, trust me."
I hope he's right. But there was definitely something different about Kai's quietness. Before, he was just that: quiet. This time, he radiated something deadly about him. I suppose it was just my martial arts instinct kicking in, but I was sure the feeling he gave me was of ruthless and cold- blooded vengeance. Vengeance?
What had happened to him last night?
---- Kenny ----
I think Rei's right. I mean, sure, Kai was in a grouchy mood nine times out of ten in the mornings and he doesn't really talk to us anyhow, but this morning was so different. Falling behind from the rest of the team, I flipped Dizzy open.
"Hey, Kenny," her overly-cheerful, metallic voice piped. "It's been a long time since you opened me. I've been dying of neglect in here. I'm not an insensitive piece of metal, you know. So . . . what are we going to do today?"
"Sometimes, Dizzy, I think you talk too much."
"Aw, come on Chief!" she whined. "I was only joking. Okay, wassup now?"
"It's Kai." The bit-beast sighed knowingly. "He seems a little strange today. Rei thinks there's something wrong with him -"
"There is," she stated, matter-of-fact. "His attitude."
I told her to slag off Kai for a moment, but only half-heartedly. Sometimes, I DID think that Kai deserve a little 'putting-in-place', as I liked to call it. He got too arrogant and over-confident with himself, which put the rest of us down. Oh well, he was a valuable asset to the team so I guess we can't complain.
"Besides his attitude, Chief," Dizzy said suddenly, "I think you should check this out."
"What is it, Dizzy?"
"Remember our pal, Black Dranzer?"
Who could? I wondered to myself. Black Dranzer was terrifying, both in its power and in the ruthlessness it overpowered Kai with. When the two were put together, there was something frightening in their auras. Like a flat, emotionless void had been set up around Kai - impenetrable and cold.
"Yeah, I remember."
"Well, it seems that Sourpuss has been interacting with it again."
"What?!" I exclaimed. "No way!"
---- Tyson (World Tournament, several hours later) ----
Heh, this is going great! Our team has won two straight matches against the All Stars already and we're dead set to win this round! All we need now is to score another win - or loss, it didn't really matter anyway - just to round this thing up in a neat little package. At this rate, the competition was ours.
"Hey, who wants to go up next?" I asked. The question was more directed to the Chief than anyone else. He was the strategist, not me.
"I think, since Max's attack power isn't really up to Michael's - no offence or anything, Max - and Rei and Tyson's already battled," Kenny said slowly. "I guess that it's just Kai left."
"All right!" I yelled happily. "Then we're going to the next round of competition with a record 3-0 win! Come on Kai, get in there and show 'em watcha got!"
---- Rei ----
"It's time for the third session of All Stars against Bladebreakers!"
Kai stepped up to the arena, eyes flat and lifeless. He brought out a black Beyblade, which glinted hauntingly in the stadium. Our team sucked in our breaths, shocked beyond words. He held it to his launcher.
What was going on? That wasn't his Dranzer blade! In fact . . . from what I can see now . . . that's Black Dranzer! What the hell was Black Dranzer doing here? I jumped to my feet and ran over to the side of the stadium dish.
"What's going on, Kai?" I demanded. "Why aren't you telling us anything?"
He didn't reply, but I noticed that his grip on the ripcord distinctively tightened. His eyes narrowed in concentration and he shifted his stance.
"Bladers ready? 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . LET IT RIP!"
"LET'S END THIS!" Kai roared. "Let's go - BLACK DRANZER!"
To our surprise, Kai didn't launch it at the dish. He whipped around in one fluid movement and ripped the cord. It flew and pelted through the air, directly at someone in the front row of the audience. The person ducked and Black Dranzer smashed into pieces against the back of the chair. Breathing heavily, Kai lowered his arms and glared.
Voltaire's furious face came up, matching Kai's glare.
---- What's Going to Happen in Chapter Nine ----
I'm never going to Beyblade any more.
That's what I thought, as I locked myself inside the hotel suite, refusing anyone entrance. There was just no point to Beyblading any more. I'd never wanted - no, I had started out believing that Beyblade was my passion, my everything . . . the reason I lived. But that had all been destroyed.
I hated it.
I clenched my fists and blocked out the sound of metal, snapping underneath my feet. I refused to let the tears fall as I recalled what I had done, back at the stadium, after I attacked Voltaire. I couldn't bear the thought . . . I had just destroyed my own Beyblade . . .
"KAI!"
---- End of Chapter Eight ----
A/N: Phew! This was a long chapter (well, longer than my other ones anyway)!
Isn't this wonderful? The preview was longer too . . . but that's because the next chapter's going to be the end and then an epilogue will be put up. Hmm . . .
Anyway, hope you all liked and please review!
Bai bai!
Bittersweet Angel Chika
