Battle of the Masters
Chapter Thirteen
by Shadou-sama

Shadra reached the cabin. The windows were dark, no noise was heard, not even the crickets. Kai must all ready be in bed, she decided.
She had decided to let him decide. If he wanted to be mad at her because she went to a dance with Ray because she had wanted to go, fine. And it wasn't like she hadn't even asked him.
She quietly opened the door and entered. She was closing the door when: "Had fun with Ray?"
Shadra spun around. Kai sout on the other side of the room, opposite her, in the dark. He looked like the evil guy in Saturday morning cartoons. He even had a cat! Balla was laying on his lap, enjoying the attention.
"No, not really. Got clouted." She pointed to her black eye. "Don't get on the wrong side of Mariah."
Kai kept silent.
"Err… Could I have my beyblade back? Training starts tomorrow…" and she's afraid he would never give it up.
Kai shrugged. "I gave it to Holly," he said quietly.
"What?" she exclaimed. Balla jumped off his lap in disgust. "How could you?"
He didn't answer. Cheesed off, Shadra stalked out. Balla followed.

Disappear
Outta here
It was time to pay my dues
Never guessed
That you'd be dressed
In his clothes and in his shoes

She was running down the path. Kai, he betrayed her. She knew he'd been upset, but she never thought he would do something so mental. Holly… she could make anyone go bonkers. Holly was her true enemy.
You couldn't wait to move right in
If I were you, I'd be concerned
Ain't no way you're gonna win
Bet you didn't count on my return

She headed to the Masters' cabin, where Holly probably was.

Thought you were so tough
You had it all under control
Now enough is enough
I'm gonna take back what you stole

Give it up, 'cause now I'm back

The black cat was running along beside her. Any plans? Balla asked.
"Go in, cause much pain, get me Darker back, then back to Kai and cause more pain."
Balla rolled her eyes. You know, I can't help you in this fight.
"I don't need it!"

On my own
All alone
But this ain't how the story ends
Now I see those close to me
They were just fair weather friends

Kai… This was the vision. He stabbed her, snuffed her, and enjoyed it.

You suckin' everyone inside
With promises that pull along
You may be top dog tonight
The bigger they come, the harder they fall

Holly had the advantage, but so what?

Thought you were so tough
The cabin!
You had it all under control
Holly was outside, looking surprised to see Shadra running up.
Now enough is enough
With her spirit guide, a large owl.
I'm gonna take back what you stole

Give it up, 'cause now I'm back

"For our plan to succeed, you had to be taken out of the picture, permanately."
"You'll never defeat me," Shadra said.
"Heh, you'll bother us no more. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
"I'm not going to give up Darker without a real fight. It's takeover time – by me."
"Then I'll just have to attack you – with Darker!"

Thought you were so tough
You had it all under control
Now enough is enough
I'm gonna take back what you stole

Give it up, 'cause now I'm back

Holly launched the black beyblade. It streaked towards her. Shadra jumped back, holding her arm up to defend herself.
The beyblade was deflected, a metallic ringing left in the air. Shadra grinned at her pink streaked protector as he handed her her sword. The black beyblade sat uselessly in the dirt. A huge chip had been taken out of it. Yuki picked it up for safekeeping.
Shadra lunged at Holly. The sword thrusted forward but Holly had been too quick and dodged. Shadra swiftly turned and took a graceful swing. Missed, but too close.
Holly gripped her gold key in her right hand and held her other extended towards Shadra. Purple energy built up into a ball. Holly flung it towards the other girl's sword hand. Shadra cried out in pain, the sword was flung out of her grip and into the surrounding brush.
Shadra was seeing red. Or rather, black. She felt It in her veins. "Back off, Holly," she warned with the little control she still had left. She didn't bother explaining. Holly could see the horrible evil clouding her mind. And as much as a pain that Holly was turning out to be, Shadra didn't want her to die.
Holly got the message. Flicking her right wrist, she was gone.
Shadra slid to the ground as It drained out of her, kneeling against her sword. Her muscles ached from exertion and her eyelids drooped. She could have fell asleep right then and there if Yuki hadn't been poking her in the back. She flipped him the bird in response.
"That's not a very nice gesture to give the person who just saved you."
"Sorry," she said. "I'm just so tired."
It's always tiring the first time you use your sword. You're not used to supplying such power to something other then your key or your bit-beast, Balla supplied.
"Your bit thingy is weird. I don't sense any power coming from it," Yuki told her.
"Huh?"
"You have no bit-beast."
"Oh. That's bad."
You need to get some sleep, Balla said.
"Okay." She complied, sliding into a laying position.
"How about if you don't do that in front of your arch-nemesis' headquarters?" Yuki said. "Wait until you get back to friendly territory."
Sorry, but I can't help you there, Balla said.
"You can't do anything, can you?" Yuki asked.
Balla snorted, or whatever the feline equivalent is. I can do anything. It's that I'm not allowed. See, most people aren't rogue hooligans like you, Yuki-boy. We follow rules to insure the future of this world.
"Whatever. I don't need the help of some petit chat like you. I'm actually strong," Yuki said.
Ooh, you finally know a little French. It only took you, what? Ten years?
"Shut up, flea bag. Or I nail you to a tree."
Balla grimaced. Just don't drag her.
"I wasn't planning on it."
"You guys," Shadra moaned. "Stop fighting."
Yuki pulled her onto her back, piggy back style. Shadra rested her head on his shoulder, and loosely wrapped her arms around his neck. Balla jogged along behind them as Yuki walked home.

To be continued...