wahoo, writers block gone. yay. Chapters are back up to normal length.

Tru-Lone-Wolf: i have taken your idea into cosideration, look for it in later chapters

Chapter 8

"I can't believe he beat me!" Said Tala angrily kicking wall in his room. "Dammit!"

"he was lucky, that's all." Said Ian trying to calm Tala down.

"I hate him so much. Acting all high and mighty. He took over the team and acted like he didn't need any of us."

"Tala calm down." Said his sister. "It's not worth getting all worked up about."

His team held their breath, normally Tala would fly off the handle if anyone told him to calm down.

"I know," he said a little more calmly. The Demolition boys breathed a sigh of relief, no fight today, "It's just that he acts like he's better than all of us. Brian, Ian, you're the only two left in, you've gotta get further and beat Hiwatari."

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna loose." Smiled Brian, though it was not a warm smile, more like one that would send a shiver down your spine.

I really wish they wouldn't fight, it's not fair on me thought Mia

"Congratulations Max. You advance to the next round. Your next opponent it Tyson Granger." Said the woman overseeing the match.

"You are joking." Said Max in disbelief

"Nope, afraid not." She said apologetically

"Well, it was inevitable really. Four world champions, we're gonna have to fight each other sometime. Just happens to be Max and Tyson." Said Kai with more of his words of wisdom.

"Max what are we going to do?" moaned Tyson.

"What we always do," he replied cheerily, "Do our best, and don't give up."

"Next match will Be Tyson Granger versus Max Tate, both of the Bladebreakers. In dish two." An immediate hubbub broke out. People were looking forward to this match, two world class Beybladers going against each other. Every other match seemed obsolete to the crowd as they left the ones they were watching and went over to the dish where Tyson and Max were to battle.

"Tyson, good luck matey." Max said shaking his hand

"Yeah Maxy right back at you. At least we know one of us is going to advance to the finals."

They both took their places opposite each other at other ends of the dish. Readying their launchers. Both were very nervous despite outside appearances, they had never faced each other before in a tournament, even in the regional Japanese ones two years ago. Tyson was slightly more confident he would win, because he had managed to beat Zeo in the finals last year and Max hadn't. Max on the other hand wasn't too worried that he wouldn't give much of a challenge to Tyson, inwardly he smiled But I have got something Tyson has never seen before, thanks Mariam.

"3….2…..1….LET IT RIP!!"

Both bladers had an easy launch into the dish, swirling around the edges smoothly.

"Go Dragoon." Commanded Tyson. Dragoon sped up and caught the back of Draciel, grinding at it hard. Then both Dragoon and Draciel emerged and locked into each other. He looked at his best friend, "Just 'cause you're my best friend Max don't mean I'm gonna go easy on ya."

"Same here Tyson." Said Max smiling, his blade disappearing.

"Woah, where'd your blade go?!" Said Tyson looking around wildly. "And where did Draciel go?"

"Max has learnt some new moves and not told us about them." Said Kenny furiously typing to take some new stats.

"wow, Kai, Ray take a look at Max's new stats."

Kai raised an eyebrow when he looked at the information, an unusual show of emotion.

"Is that Max?" Said Ray

"Yeah it is, and look what happens when I compare them to Tyson's." there was some bleeping while Dizzi brought up some more files. Everyone was shocked at what they saw, "They're exactly the same as Tyson's."

Back in the dish Max's blade was still not visible. Although it did attack Tyson's, and when Tyson went for the counter attack he missed completely.

"Where on earth did you learn that?" Said Tyson, for once fearing that he might loose.

"From a little friend named Mariam." He whispered. Then he shouted, "Now, Draciel!!"

Draciel appeared Behind Dragoon, surprising him. Draciel grabbed Dragoon around his waist and slammed him into the ground.

"Noooo, Dragoon. Counter attack!" Dragoon flew upwards managing to shake off Draciel

"Draciel, It's time!" Yelled Max at the top of his voice. Draciel opened his mouth and there was a large ball of water building up there.

"Uh-oh this don't look good." Said Tyson

"This is bad for Tyson, but good for Max, and I can't give advice to either of them." Moaned Kenny

"There's no way you can hide from this Tyson. Draciel! Tsunami Bomb!!"

"Oh man…" Tyson looked totally distressed, this was the first time every that he was afraid he was gonna loose a match. The water sped from Draciel's mouth and hit the bowl where Tyson's Beyblade was. Water went everywhere soaking everyone, particularly Max and Tyson.

Max shook the water from his hair in a dog like fashion.

"Winner, Max Tate! What a spectacular match! No we have to see the out come of the match after the next to see his opponent."

Mariam was watching him from the crowd, she beamed at him and he grinned back.

Tyson went into the dish and picked up his Dragoon, he stared at his Beyblade "I can't believe I lost."

"Tyson," Said Max jumping into the bowl and going to Tyson, "I'm really sorry, I didn't want to use that move on you, but your so powerful that I had no choice in the matter really."

"you know what Max, I'm glad that it was you I lost to and no-one else 'cause you're my friend. And now maybe our friendship will be stronger. I think someone wants to talk to you Max." Said Tyson nodding in the direction of Mariam.

"Thanks Tyson. That was an awesome match." He said getting out of the dish.

"Hey Max?" Said Tyson, Max turned around, "We're gonna have to battle again sometime."

"Sure Tyson." He grinned.

Max and Mariam managed to escape the throng of people and get into the hall where they were on their own.

"Well done Max, you did so great." Said Mariam hugging him and kissing him.

"I think I did so well because you taught it to me." He hugged her and kissed her back, "But seriously, I think we need to tell everyone. About us. It's been three months, and it's getting harder for me to sneak around. I'm sure it's the same for you."

"Yeah, it is. But Ozuma's got a lot on his mind right now, and it's not exactly the right time." She said shrugging her shoulders.

"But it's doing my head in. I can't be like I want to be around you when everyone else is there."

"Could we have Mariam from the Saint shields and Brian from the demolition boys to dish four." The announcement cut short their discussion.

"Sounds like a piece of cake." She grinned, then her smile faded when she saw Max's serious face. "What's the matter?"

"You'll have to be careful against Brian, you can't underestimate him. Be careful."

"I'll be fine how hard can it be." She said kissing him and leaving.

"if only you knew." Said Max under his breath, following slightly behind her.

"Where exactly have you been?" Said Ozuma impatiently, tapping his foot.

"I went to the toilet." Said Mariam, finding the lie came easily after three months of it.

"Well you match is about to start without you. Your opponents already there."

Brian stood waiting at the other side of the dish, slouching slightly. Mariam laughed, "He doesn't look like much of a challenge."

"Beybladers to the ready." Brian stood and got out his Beyblade, as did Mariam. "3…2…1…LET IT RIP!!"

As soon as her Beyblade was in the bowl Shark rash attacked Falborg. Brian didn't look at all concerned and kept any emotion off of his face.

"So you're not scared are you? You soon will be." Smirked Mariam

Brian didn't reply because he never usually Trash talked his opponents and he wasn't about to change now.

"What's the matter with you, why won't you attack?" Said Mariam frustrated, after she had attacked for the sixth time without any results from Brian.

Brian smiled maliciously, "be careful what you say. When I start my attack you'll wish you had never said that."

Mariam gave a yell, a line of blood appeared on her arm. Everyone gasped.

"Oh man not this again." Said Ray, who had been the target of Brian a while back.

"She doesn't know about his tactics, they weren't there two years ago. We've got to tell her to stop the match." Said Max worriedly. "Mariam." Max called out, "You've got to forfeit. Please stop the match."

What is he babbling about, Mariam thought to herself, oh well back to the match.

Another "something" cut across her left leg, drawing more blood. For the Moment Mariam wasn't duly worried.

"You know it's illegal to attack the opposing blader with your bit beast." She called to Brian

"Do you see my bit-beast attacking you? He hasn't come near you, and everyone here can prove he hasn't."

Mariam felt another stab of pain, this time on her right cheek, she felt the blood run down it as this time the cut was a little deeper. She wiped it off with her hand.

"then how did that happen?" She said aggressively pointing at the cuts

"May be it was a ghost. Or maybe," his voice dropped to a whisper while he smiled icily, "It was the wind."

Mariam could tell then that this was not a person to be taken lightly, "Well I might have underestimated you to begin with, but I won't anymore. Go shark rash, attack." Falborg dodged easily, then took a swipe at Shark rashes unprotected back. Where the claws penetrated Shark rash's back thee lines were ripped in the back of Mariam's clothes. She fell forwards onto her knees.

"I told you not to wish for me to attack you, but girls don't listen do they."

Max ran up to the match overseer, "Can't you stop the match." He pleaded, "He attacking her."

"I can't stop the match unless someone wins or someone forfeits the match." He said, "And unfortunately, we can't see that it's him causing all the damage because there's no visible weapon."

"Oh-" he clenched his fists in anger. He called out to Mariam, "Mariam, please stop the match. You'll get seriously hurt."

She smiled weakly at Max while holding her arm where it had just been sliced, "I don't give up my battles."

She stood shakily. "I'm gonna take you down."

"In that state?" said Brian simply.

He is right, said a little doubting voice in Mariam's head, can you really defeat him all beat up like this?

Yes I can, came the reply, I am strong, my friends are around me and Max is watching. I have to show this freak that girls aren't weak.

"Shark rash! Abyss Fire full power, lets take this looser down!"

"Falborg, slashing tornado." Said Brian confidently.

Falborg's attack missed Shark Rash narrowly. "ha ha! You missed!" Mariam said Triumphantly

Brian's face remained impassive, "Who said I was aiming for your bitbeast?"

Then it hit Mariam. Knocking her off her feet and made her skid ten foot along the floor. She stood again.

No don't get up, stay down and he won't hurt you anymore, thought Max.

"That's a dirty trick," she said wiping blood from the side of her mouth.

Brian laughed humourlessly, "it's not quite finished yet."

A tornado descended on Mariam. It cut into her and everyone could hear he cry out, but no-one could do anything. She fell onto the floor and lay sprawled there in a slowly increasing pool of her own blood.

"We need an ambulance here right now!" called the assistant. Mariam's Beyblade came to a stop. Brian had won despite all her gallant efforts.

Mariam's brother Joseph ran to her, tears in his eyes, "Speak to me sis. Come on."

"That Brian." Said Dunga, rising to go and teach him a lesson. Despite his and Mariam's constant bickering and her always putting him down at every opportunity Dunga cared for Mariam as much as the rest of his team. Max beat him to it, he ran up and punched Brian.

"How the hell can you do that to people?!" Max shouted at him.

"Big mistake." Said Brian stepping forwards, the wind swirling around him. Max readied himself for a fight.

"Try it!" Said Tyson. He and Ray had stepped in front of Max, Beyblade launchers at the ready.

"Brian, come on. This little pip squeak isn't worth it." Said Spencer,

"You're lucky you didn't see him when he was angry." Said Ian to Max as the demolition boys left.

"Yeah well bring it on next time." Max called after them angrily, shaking with anger/

"Max what got into you?" Ray asked. Tyson didn't need to ask, he knew why.

"It's just….don't worry Ray. I'll tell you some other time." Said Max still shaking.

What did everyone think? better than the last one ne? please review. peaceout Emma-Chan