Hey Everyone! I'm back! Thanks to everyone who reviewed this story. I actually had this finished on the Tuesday just been, the 13th, but I forgot to send it home to finish it, so it's my fault it's late. Plus, the day I finished writing it was my birthday, so I had 'family obligations' to deal with too! Sorry
Disclaimer: I own the Royals, and Teresa, although she doesn't have that big a part. Everything else doesn't belong to me. Don't sue, please.
Replies are at the end of the chapter.
Battle Royale
By Weeping Angel
Chapter 9
The sitting room was just that: a room with lots of chairs set around a long oak table. Ben sat at the head of the table, with his brothers on his right. Beside Daniel sat Tyson, and beside him sat Max and Kenny. The others sat across from them.
Kai stared at Ben as if he were sizing up an opponent, which wasn't that far from the truth. He couldn't believe that this person was related to Tyson! They looked, and acted nothing alike.
But, as Kai reminded himself, they didn't know how Tyson really acted. He was just putting on a show, for their benefit, it seemed.
Beside Ben sat Tala. Kai was still curious about what had happened while Ben spoke privately to the former Demolition Boy. Former, because of the events that had happened lately.
After Tyson had beaten Tala at the World Championships in Russia four years earlier, the Demolition Boys had disbanded, no longer held together by Boris and Voltaire. About two years later, someone had called them back together, a mysterious benefactor that only went by the name The Royal Dragon. No one actually knew who this person was, but now, Kai was beginning to get an idea.
About four months ago, there had been an accident at the Abbey, where the Demolition Boys had made their residence, now free from Boris' influence. Someone had set a bomb under the Abbey, near its power supply. The resulting explosion had destroyed the entire building, and several surrounding ones. Nearly fifty people had been killed, and hundreds more injured. Bryan and Tala had been out scouting at the time, and so weren't hurt. But Spencer and Ian were both at the Abbey. Spencer had been killed outright, but Ian had been taken to hospital. He had died nearly a month later, never recovering from his coma.
Another terrible factor in this was the fact that all of the Demolition Boy's beyblades had been destroyed in the blast.
Max's voice broke Kai out of his thoughts, as he heard the blonde boy exclaim, "What do you mean, we're having a free-for-all battle?"
Ben smiled slyly. "Exactly what I said. This battle is one in which we all will be battling. You've done this before, haven't you, Max?" Ben asked, directing his question to the blonde haired boy. "I saw your match against the mayor of Los Angeles. You know how these battles work, normally, but this one will have one large difference. There are no teams."
"So it's every man for himself?" Ray summed up. "I think we can handle that."
"I wouldn't be too sure of yourself, Raymond Kon," Ben said, tutting in disappointment. "Since this is a battle to decide the fate of your team mate, Tyson, he is not permitted to take part in the tournament, in any form."
"WHAT?" the outcry came from Tyson. "BEN, DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU ARE FORBIDDING ME TO COMPETE FOR MY OWN FREEDOM????" The blue-haired boy stood up from where he was sitting, and stalked down to Ben. "How dare you think you can tell me what to do, Ben," he raged.
"I think I can tell you what to do, Tyson, because as of now, you are still inside my home, and are my guest," Ben replied calmly, "so sit down."
"Why should I? You don't have the authority over me, why should I do anything you tell me too?" Tyson persisted. "And besides, you weren't even a good host anyway. The only reason I didn't leave before was cos you took Dragoon from me!" Tyson said.
"I told you to sit down!" Ben repeated, glaring at Tyson intently.
"Tyson, sit down," Kai commanded, backing Ben. Tyson shot a surprised look at Kai, before complying and taking his seat again. "Continue," Kai then told Ben.
"Thank you," Ben said to Kai, delighting in the fact that Kai seemed to share his sentiments on Tyson, and how annoying he was. "Tyson will not be battling. That is just the way it will be."
"Why wont you let me battle?" Tyson asked, looking slightly calmer. "You're afraid, aren't you? I was always better at beyblading then you were," Tyson said smugly.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Ben asked, narrowing his eyes at Tyson.
Tyson gulped. "Uh….nothing. Never mind, ignore me."
"No, please," Ben said, folding his arms across his chest, "do continue. Don't let us stop you."
"He has nothing more to say," Kai spoke up.
Ben turned his steely eyes onto Kai. "Well, why don't we let Tyson answer?" the look Ben gave both Kai and Tyson clearly said he wasn't going to back down from this.
Tyson gulped and looked at Kai. Kai just stared back, and Tyson was sure he could see a knowing light in the team captain's eyes, one that just screamed, 'I know'. Damn, Tyson thought, Lee must have told him.
"Well?" Ben said, drawing Tyson's attention back on himself. "We're waiting."
"Um...what I meant was that I had won the World Championships, and I haven't lost a tournament since and.... I'm.... the best 'blader around, cos no one's been able to beat me, and you've never been in a proper official tournament, so....." here, Tyson paused, took a deep breath and blew a raspberry at Ben, "I'm better than you!"
Ben looked like he wanted to kill Tyson then and there, and Kai knew he had to step in. "Tyson that was uncalled for. Sit down," he ordered the younger boy. Tyson looked like he was going to protest, but took one look at the glare on Kai's face, and then saw the murderous look on Ben's, and decided sitting down might just be in his best interests.
After Tyson had regained his seat, between Daniel and Max, Ben continued his explanations.
"As I was saying, Tyson will not be battling. This tournament will only have one main rule: You are allowed to do anything to win, with the exception of purposely injuring any other competitor. The last blade spinning wins, and therefore, the owner of the blade decides what punishment your team mate will receive."
"That's not fair!" Max exclaimed. "What if you or Tala or someone else wins?"
Ben smirked. "Well, that's just bad luck. You'll have to make sure you win then, wont you?"
"Don't worry. One of us will win." Kai stated calmly. Lee nodded in agreement.
"I've seen your bit-beasts remember?" Lee directed his statement at Ben, "And I know what they can do," Lee smirked. "We WILL win."
"I wouldn't bet on that, Tiger Boy," Tala said. It was the first time he had spoken since he came out of Benjamin's office. "You don't know my role in this yet," The red-haired boy smirked. "I think this tournament is going to end up being very…. interesting."
"Fine, Tala," Kai said, determined to wipe the smirk off Tala's face. "Enlighten us. You can't be battling, because, as everyone knows, your beyblade was destroyed when the Abbey was destroyed. So, what is your 'role in this', as you put it?"
"I may not have Wolborg any more, but that doesn't mean I won't be battling," Tala replied cryptically. "But you'll find out what I mean when the tournament starts."
"Then lets start, and then we can beat you, and take Tyson home," Max said.
"Before we start, can we have something to eat?" Daniel asked his brother. "I know I'm hungry, and I can hear Tyson's stomach rumbling."
As if on que, they all heard a large rumble. Tyson blushed. "Sorry guys. I guess I am a little hungry."
"As long as your 'little' leaves some for the rest of us," Ray commented, smirking.
Ben smiled, once again playing the gracious host. "Christopher, Daniel, could you lead our guests to the kitchens, so that the cooks can prepare something for them. I believe Kai, Tala and I have some things to discuss," he added, looking at Kai, who nodded.
Daniel and Chris nodded, and rose from the table, the others doing the same. Lee shot Kai a look that asked, 'do you know what you're doing?' In reply, Kai gave a miniscule nod. Lee nodded, trusting Kai's judgement, and followed the rest of the group, running to catch up with Tyson.
Kai turned his attention back to Ben and Tala, his horror rising as Ben explained to him the extra rule, the one he had not told the others.
"You're joking!"
"You should tell them," Lee whispered into Tyson's ear.
"I can't," Tyson whispered back.
"Are you two lovers finished back there?" Max called out, teasingly. At his words, both Tyson's and Lee's heads shot up, and Tyson began to blush guiltily.
"L-lovers?" Tyson stammered. "What do you mean lovers?"
"I mean, there you two are, talking away privately," Max explained, grinning. In fact, the whole group had stopped and were staring at Lee and Tyson, their interests peeked. Tyson's blush darkened.
"We weren't doing anything!" Tyson protested. "Lee was just…" Tyson looked at Lee, who nodded encouragingly. Tyson took a deep breath, and turned to face the others. "Lee was trying to convince me to tell you guys the truth."
Max frowned, cocking his head to one side in confusion. "The truth?"
"Yeah. I…um…I…" Tyson stammered, looking around nervously.
Daniel and Chris seemed to know what their brother was trying to tell his friends, and decided to make things slightly easier on him.
"We recently found out that our brother, Andre, isn't dead," Daniel said.
"What does that have to do with Tyson?" Max asked, not catching the hint. Beside him, Ray's eyes widened, as he looked from Tyson to Lee, back to Tyson and then to Daniel and Chris.
"How long have you know, Lee?" he asked the other boy.
"Around four years. But, he didn't tell me, I guessed," Lee clarified.
"Known what?" Max asked, now looking from Lee to Ray.
"If my calculations are correct," put in Kenny, but Tyson cut him off.
"I am Andre."
Max gasped, "What?"
"Or, at least, I used to be," Tyson added sheepishly
"But…why?" Max asked, his tone more hurt then shocked now. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because I didn't want you to treat me special," Tyson replied gently. "I just wanted to be me, someone who actually had to work towards their goals, instead of having them handed to them on a platter." Then Tyson laughed, "Besides, can you actually see me ruling?"
"So that's why you left as well?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah," Tyson sighed. "I hated being Royal, and all the responsibilities that came with it."
"But…but, it's who you are," Max whispered, still stunned.
"No, Max," Tyson said, just as softly. "Not any more."
"Who else knows?" Ray wanted to know.
"A few people," Tyson said, "Grandpa, Dad. I had to tell them to get them to help me. Lee recognised me at the Asian Tournament. Tala did the same thing."
"So, Tala does know!" Lee exclaimed. "I wasn't sure if he did."
"Yeah. He guessed," Tyson said. "You guys couldn't hear what went on when we were in the ice, at the Russian Tournament, could you?"
Lee, Max, Ray and Kenny shook their heads.
"Well, Tala guessed. I think he saw the same thing you must have, Lee, because he confronted me almost the same way," Tyson cocked his head in contemplation. "What did you see, Lee?"
Lee grinned. "No matter how you tried to change your outward appearance, Tyson, you still carried yourself like royalty."
"I did?" Tyson sounded completely surprised.
"Yeah."
"Really?" Tyson added, trying to clarify. When Lee nodded, Tyson looked thoughtful for a second and then shrugged. "Oh well. That's in the past. I'm hungry." Tyson looked at Daniel and Chris, "Is Teresa's mum still here? Teresa's mum was the cook the last time I was here," he explained to the others, "She made the best lasagne you've ever tasted! It's better then Oliver's!"
Daniel laughed. "Yes, she's still here. You'll never believe what's happened, though. Teresa's pregnant, but no one knows who the father is!"
"You're kidding!" Tyson exclaimed, as they continued walking towards the kitchens. "But she's only, what, fifteen?"
"Sixteen, same age as Ben," Chris corrected.
"Yeah, sixteen," Tyson commented softly. "I wonder…"
"Wonder what?"
"Huh? Oh, never mind," Tyson said, shaking his head. "Never mind," he repeated.
The Royals lead the Bladebreakers, Lee and Tala to their Battle Arena. Tyson looked around surprised at how much it had changed from the last time he had seen it. But, as he reminded himself, that had been half a decade earlier. The Arena reminded Tyson strongly of the arena in which he had battled Enrique, at least with its seating style.
The dish in the middle was underground at the moment, covered by a clear plastic shield. Tyson could see that it was a classic bowl, but enlarged. The bowl itself reminded Tyson of the bowl that he had had to compete in to get to the final rounds in Japan, before he had first battled Ray. It was clearly made for more then two competitors.
"Are you ready to begin?" Ben asked, catching everyone's attention.
Kai looked over the faces of his teammates, and his allies. Ray, Lee and Max had determined looks on their faces as the held their beyblades out in the ready position, ready to begin. Kenny was in the same position, although his face had a slightly more apprehensive look on it. Kai pulled out Dranzer, and prepared to fire.
"We're ready."
Replies
asa-chan: Why Tala did what he did will be explained. Some of it was explained in this chapter, I think. As for why Andre looked worried, he never really fit in with what was expected of him as a royal, and he always knew it. He was worried about other people's reactions.
Beyblade fanatic: Thanks for putting me in your favourites! I'm glad you finally got to read it.
Mizu17: Thanks!
ejqHorseLady: I updated!
Mistress of Anime: Thanks for the review
Cherry-Blossom: Thanks! I did my best to update soon, but it came out a little later then I had hoped. Sorry about that.
Siren: Thanks. I'm glad you like it.
Wishful Thinker: Hmm, if you didn't see Tala making deals with Ben, maybe you wont see the next twist I have up my sleeve for you guys. But, now you'll probably go looking for it. ^_^
Dan: I got you more!
Darkarc: He does seem evil, doesn't he? I love your story too! *accepts pocky and looks at it* What's pocky? I actually have no idea what it is, although I hear it referenced to and given quite a lot.
Lady Blade WarAngel: Thanks. I updated!
Darkspider: Food isn't all Tyson thinks about, but remember, he's putting on a show for his friends, and that's the impression he's given them! He has to keep up appearances!
XiaoFa: cool, a little flower! ^_^ I'm glad you like this story. I've never had fans before, I'm happy. ^__^ I'd be happy to bounce ideas off you for your idea, email me at weepingangel@ayris.net if you want to.
BladeBreaker Girl: s'okay. I don't mind short reviews. I hate exams! I've got midyear exams coming up in a couple of weeks, but I want to get this story finished before then. A month till exams! *dies*
Firehedgehog: Don't spin, you'll get dizzy, and then you won't be able to read this chapter! As for the real reason Tyson left, it's partly explained here, but there's more to it then that! You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find that out!
Mstar: I'm thinking of a sequel, set about a year after this one. As for how Tyson gets Dragoon back, I know, but that wont be until the next chapter. But, he will get Dragoon back, don't worry.
Anonomyous: I got the chapter out, sorry about the wait though.
Pinkdevil: Thanks! I didn't think when I started this fic I would get this many reviews, or this many people would like it! It's still surprising me! The 'whole Tala thing', as you put it, will get slightly more confusing as time goes on, don't worry. ^__^
I luv Yugi and Kurt so :p: I love your username! It's so…original! The other version will only be a remake of the final chapter, sorry to say. I was going to make a whole other version, but the slashy parts have come in too close to the end to make it work properly. I'm really sorry about that.
BlackDranzer: Wow! I'm honoured! Thank you so much.
DaughterofDeath: I've added a new chapter!
That was a lot! Thanks everyone, and sorry to anyone if I missed you!