Outcast

Disclaimer: YES! THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'LL HAVE TO WRITE A DISCLAIMER FOR THIS STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never owned Beyblade in my life and I never will. The only thing I own is Kai's dead mother, his bastard father and the new Dranzer X featured in this epilogue. Oh yeah, life's treating me good, giving me inspiration. AND I OWN THIS FIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, this whole epilogue is in Kai's POV.

---- Kai (Four Years Later) ----

Ever since that incident, I've been going around to different countries, watching Beyblade tournaments, but never competing. I couldn't bring myself to get a new blade, nor a new bit-beast, especially when I had deserted Dranzer. What I did was go to university and graduated with a master's degree in Beyblading technology. I designed battle blades and have coached several teams.

I've frequently thought about going to Japan, but I knew that my old team would be there, waiting for me. Probably blaming me for deserting them four years ago, when everything was probably going to work out between us all. I wouldn't blame them if the first thing they did when I turned up was punching the hell out of me. I would have probably deserved it.

[Are you happy with your current life?]

Yeah, I am.

[Really happy?]

At least I think so.

[Even if you'll never blade again?]

I'm not entirely sure any more.

[Think about it. Do what you think is right. What your instincts say]

Something came to a stop between my feet. Looking down, I saw a white and blue Beyblade in the dirt, looking fairly beaten up. I bent down and retrieved it, my mind bringing out the memory of another blue and white Beyblade in action. The thoughts then led to the other blades that had been a part of the team, until I was distracted by a tugging at my sleeve.

"Excuse me, but that's mine."

I forced my numb limbs to hand back the blade to the boy. He grinned, thanked me and bounded back to his friends, chattering away. What did I feel about Beyblading? I've missed it, certainly - the thrills and excitement it gave me when Dranzer and I were battling it out to the end, side by side. I loved every minute of it. But what could I do now?

---- (Four Years Ago, World Tournament) ----

A lone figure trudged through the deserted hallways in the stadium. A long, white scarf lay deserted on the cold floor, apparently torn from the neck, which it was wrapped around. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed around him as he gradually moved away from the large crowd back at the dome.

He'd just gotten his own grandfather, the one who raised him and under whose roof he had grown up to become one of the greatest Beybladers in the world. He had just gotten Voltaire Hitawari arrested and he had destroyed just about the most powerful Beyblade in the world. He wasn't feeling guilty about the arrest, or about destroying the Beyblade, only about the fact that his passion for the sport was all a mask - a tool his grandfather wanted to use to take over the world. He felt like he was betraying his team and himself.

There was nothing else for him to do. If he had betrayed his team and himself, then he had to receive just punishment. His fist clenched around Dranzer and he brought it out into the open. The bit gleamed back at him; as if nothing were wrong and that he was just bringing it out to practice with.

"I'm sorry guys," he apologized quietly. "I can't do this. I can't go on blading if everything I've worked so hard to achieve has just gone out the window. It would be a lie if I said my passion for Beyblade is real, because it's not."

He dropped the blue Beyblade onto the floor with a clatter. It landed on its side, bit still gleaming up at him. A sharp pang of anguish shot through him as he looked at it for the last time. Then his foot closed down on it, crushing the attack ring and base with a loud snap which went straight to his heart.

"What am I doing?!" he shouted in frustration. "I - I can't destroy it! No!"

But the damage was done. The only thing left over from his most faithful companion was the red phoenix core. He scooped up the remains in both hands and walked away silently, fighting down his bitterness and anguish. There was no turning back.

---- Kai (present) ----

A few streets down later and I came to the university I studied at and frequently visited. Deciding to take my mind off memories, I trudged in and straight to the training stadium. It was where I visited most often and distracted myself by studying new Beyblade strategies and technology. Funny how I should sound like Kenny now, when I had detested his long- winded theories when we were still a team.

"Hey, Mr Hitawari," a student called, waving.

I gave a small nod back and they left. I was working on my PhD for Beyblade technology and went back to the BBA university every so often to make use of their extensive library. Most of the students had been part of my research and I had personally trained a selected handful of the more promising ones. Nevertheless, this was a 'home away from home'.

"There are good bladers here, aren't there?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

I answered the question without thinking, knowing that it had been directed to me anyway. I didn't bother to look at who it was. If I had taken the time to do so, I would have noticed four people who I had preferred not to meet. But it was too late.

"How did you find me?"

"Aw shucks, you don't have to be THAT touched because we couldn't forget our buddy!"

"You're part of the Bladebreakers. We wouldn't have a team without you."

Rei stepped forward, hand outstretched. I brought out my own hand, palm up and he dropped something into it. A brand-new, dark blue Beyblade made of an indestructible alloy. At the centre of it was a fiery core, branded with the fire bird that flashed a greeting. On the attack ring, the words were engraved in gold:

DRANZER X.

"So, do the Bladebreakers have our captain back?"

I gave the only answer I could.

"No."

--------

They looked, for a fraction of a second, almost disappointed. Then Tyson bounded forward - I was surprised to see that he actually looked fit for a change - and clapped me on the shoulder. I shrugged it off and stood to go, Dranzer still in my hand. It was a welcoming change, however much I didn't want to admit it, to the pen and files I usually hand in it.

"Why not, Kai ol' buddy?" he asked cheerfully. "We've given you enough time, tracked you down, found you and gave you back Dranzer. What else is there to do?"

"That's none of your business," I hissed through clenched teeth. Did the guy take a hint? "I want to be left alone! Beyblading has nothing to do with me any more!"

"Oh really?"

Damnable Tyson and his self confident voice. At that particular moment, I loathed him so much, I could have just turned around and strangled him to death. But I didn't. Instead, Rei came forward again and his voice was soft.

"Kai," he said. "We've been told you've got a master's in Beyblade technology. You're working on your PhD aren't you? If you have nothing to do with Beyblading any more, then why are you studying it? You still miss it, no matter how hard you try to hide it."

"I don't want anything to do with competitions any more." I paused, before taking a deep breath. This was it, then. They had to know either way. "I've betrayed the team twice, both times because of something I didn't want - and yet really wanted at the same time. If I come back with you, I'm afraid I may be tempted to do it again."

There. I'd told them why. All I was expecting now was for them to agree with me, leave and then I'd go on with my current life. It hurt for me to turn away from everything I had wanted these past four years. I didn't think about it during the day, but when I went home and slept every night, I saw myself as a fifteen year old, blading with the team again. The dreams always ended with my grandfather, tearing me away from everything and collapsing my whole dreamscape around my ears. I always woke up sweating or shaking violently.

"You won't."

That was the last thing I had expected them to say. I just stood there, dumbstruck, with my back still to them. A few tense seconds passed between the five of us, none of us really knowing what to say. Finally, I turned around to stare into Rei's eyes. He was grinning madly, eyes twinkling with amusement. I felt like screaming.

"What do you mean by that?" I demanded in a soft voice.

"You won't betray us," he repeated with the grin still plastered to his face. "Because if you feel guilty for doing that now, then you'd be aware of what not to do later on. You hate this feeling of guilt, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do."

"I felt the same way, a few days after I left my home village," he explained. "I kept thinking about the White Tigers, what they were doing, what they thought and if they'd ever understand why I left. I felt guilty for leaving them after becoming team captain and taking Driger with me. That was, until I saw exactly what I had gained by leaving. Now I've got my best friends, seen the world's Beyblade styles and even become a member of the number one team in the world."

"Rei. . ."

"I haven't finished," he said firmly. "When I met the White Tigers again, in the Asian Tournament, the betrayal I saw in their eyes made me feel bad all over. But by then I believed that I had done nothing wrong - I had followed my own path and gained so much from it. I knew I wouldn't make the mistake of taking off again because I didn't want that kind of guilty conscience hanging around me all the time. I believed - why don't you try it?"

--------

I looked at Rei, then at the rest of the team. They were nodding, grinning and serving me with looks that plainly said: 'he's right. Give it a go and believe'. Well then, what else was I to do? They were right and I was wrong in this instant. What could I do?

[Go back to your team, Kai, come on]

Why should I?

[Didn't they present an admirable case?]

Hn, but they always talk trash like that.

[Thus they are very admirable people]

Yeah right.

[Take the chance. You've always wanted to go back, in your innermost mind and soul. It's been hell for you to be away from them and you've missed it. You've missed everything about your old Beyblading life - except your grandfather, of course. Go back]

Yeah, you're all right.

I suppose there was a new determination in my eyes and the others saw it. With even bigger grins, they held out their hands in a pile, leaving only mine still hanging by my side. With their free hands, Rei and Tyson reached out and clapped me - one on the back, the other on the shoulder.

"The Bladebreakers stick it out together," Tyson said cheerfully. "C'mon Kai."

"Through thick and thin," Max added.

"For better or worse," Kenny supplied with as much cheer.

"Is it just me, or is this starting to sound like a wedding ceremony?" Rei asked.

They all laughed and I couldn't help but join in a little. Tentatively at first, then gradually getting stronger and clearer. I hadn't felt this good in the years I had left Japan. Finally, Tyson caught his breath again and grinned.

"Let's just wrap this up with: 'Kai Hitawari, do you take the Bladebreakers as your team again, to love and cherish all your life, through sickness and health, to death do you part?'"

"The way you put it, Tyson," I drawled, "I think I'll have to think about it first."

"Well?" he said impatiently. "Do you? Yes or no?"

I took a deep, shuddering breath and let it out gustily. It was then I noticed that I was visibly trembling from head to toe, despite the warmth in the room. Rei's grip tightened on my shoulder and Tyson's hand on my back clenched into a fist. Finally, after what seemed like a millennia in waiting, I grinned.

"I do."

"HA!!!!!!!" Max squealed, sounding like a fourteen year old again. "GROUP HUG!"

"Oh for the love of Christ," I muttered, thoroughly appalled and embarrassed at their behaviour.

The others, however, complied willingly and managed, between them, to add me to their little bundle. I had never felt so at peace with myself for a long time. I still had Dranzer in my hand and I clutched it tightly, knowing that I'd never have to leave it behind again.

Thank you.

[Hey, no problem]

As we left the stadium together - as the Bladebreakers - I suddenly remembered something I needed to ask.

Who are you?

[I'm a lot of things. Some say I'm a conscience, others a very special part of them. For you, however, I'm known to you as Dranzer, your most trusted and faithful companion]

Dranzer?

[Yeah, Kai, I'm Dranzer]

Well - Dranzer - thank you for everything.

[You're welcome, my friend. Anytime]

---- End of Epilogue ----

A/N: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm FINALLY finished!!!

Next up: the CREDITS chapter!

But first of all, I'd like to thank EVERYONE who reviewed this story and I hope that you'll support my other one: The Dranon Heiress, even if it's got OC romances and stuff. I'm trying to tone that down so that I can fit in the action, but seriously, I need FEEDBACK.

Will there be a sequel?

Are you KIDDING me people? Kai's just had a happy conclusion, what more could you want? This is one of the first happy endings I've ever had and I'm not about to screw up my beloved's life any more with my angsty mind. But, The Dranon Heiress is destined for him and my OC (named after me) to fall in love and then for her to be taken away from him. THAT story will have a sequel, but not this one. I'm sorry, but this won't have a sequel.

Anyway, REVIEW PEOPLE and THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING!!!!!!!!

Bittersweet Angel Chika