AN: The summary is really it. I don't have anything to say here, 'cept to R&R and enjoy!
Disclaimer: Does it look like I own Beyblade??
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Set Free
DarkVixenOfLight
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"You lost!" snarled Boris.
"I know," muttered Tala under his breath, turning away from Boris and gazed out the window where he could see two kids beyblading.
"Losing is not an option here, and I will not accept your behaviour – look at me!"
Tala turned back to Boris, but still looked at the kids outside from the corners of his eyes.
"I lost…" said Tala slowly. "So what? Maybe I didn't want to win. Maybe I let Tyson beat me."
"You did what?!" exclaimed Boris, glaring angrily at Tala.
"It's always 'be this and be that', 'do this and do that', or simply 'don't fail'. I can do anything I like, Boris, you can't stop me. I'm not afraid of you. I have my own rules, my own limits and guidelines. You can't change the way I was, even after turning me into a cyborg. I am me, and don't you forget it."
There was a moment of silence, when Boris tried to grasp the meaning of those bold words coming from his own creation. He finally worked his way around them and said simply,
"Don't give me that tone! You did not let him win – you lost because you're a failure! You were programmed to win – to be the best blader in the world. But you're a failure, like everyone else around me."
Tala stared at Boris blankly.
"What about Hiwatari? Wasn't he meant to be a natural at blading? Wasn't he the best? Wasn't he perfect? Well?!"
This time Boris turned away to walk out the door, and if Tala had paid close attention, he would have heard him mutter,
"He was a natural. He was the best. He was perfect. But he is a failure."
But Tala didn't hear, he was too involved in thinking of how much he hated this freak, how much he didn't want to follow Boris's lead, and how he wouldn't change the way he was just for Boris's liking.
More loudly, Boris announced coldly,
"Ivanov, you are officially removed from the Demolition Boys."
The door slammed shut, and Tala blinked, both shocked and relieved at the same time. He turned back to the window, a smile on his face.
"I thank you very much, Boris…"
Here he headed out the same door that Boris had slammed, happy at last.
"…For setting me free."
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Lyrics to You Don't Mean Anything by Simple Plan
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Maybe I'm just not good enough for you
And maybe I just don't wanna be like you
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And maybe I just don't wanna know
How low you're ready to go
I'm not gonna change
You can't make me
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You don't mean anything to me
You're what I never want to be
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Tell me does it feel good to be like you
Tell me why should I waste my time with you
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'Cuz maybe you always bring me down
I'm sick of being pushed around
I'm not gonna change
You can't make me
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I know you think you know me
You don't know anything
I know you want to help me
I don't need anything
Don't tell me where to go
I don't need you to know