Disclaimer: … [[Glomp]] …
This story will not be Yaoi. Kai-Lovr's review got me thinking, but in the end, I decided to make this just a friendship. Though, there are mild Shounen-Ai hints in this chapter. What can I say? I'm obsessed.
As the Ice Breaks.
Part 20: Match 1: Watery Grudge.
"Bold." – Commentary by Brad and AJ.
"Another day, another tournament, isn't it, AJ."
"It sure is, Brad."
The duo commenter for Beyblade said enthusiastically as they sat in their booth at the top of the stadium.
"Welcome, one and all. I'm Brad Best –"
"- And AJ Topper here, to make your Beyblade watching days, an ever more pleasant event."
"Gee, thanks AJ. You just stole my thunder."
"Sorry, Brad. I'm just so stoked to be here at the world-renowned Moscow Stadium watching what could possibly be the most heart-stopping matches to come."
"No need to hark over it too much, AJ. We were just here last year."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. I guess the anticipation of the main event is waddling with my brain a little too much."
"Waddling? Are you wearing those pair of ducky underpants you love so much?"
"Don't blame me, Brad, they're my lucky pants. They helped me win first prize in the bean-eating contest in college. I haven't washed them since."
"Phew, AJ! And here I thought the Jazzman was in serious need of a new deodorant."
"Whoa! And teams are in da' house!"
"I guess you're right. Wow! Looks at that intense concentration coming from the defending champions, the Demolition Boys."
"Feel that heat."
"I feel the same heat emitted from the Underdog team, AJ, the Bladebreakers. Once thought to be a brand of soap, now one of the teams hinted to be able to over throw the champion Russian team."
"Do you think they'll be able to achieve what many have failed to do before?"
"I honestly don't know, AJ. But I do know this; Tyson seems to have lost a few pounds. I have to ask him his secret. The shirts in my cupboard are starting to get a little stretched around the waist, if you know what I mean."
"I'm afraid I don't, Brad. I myself pride myself on doing five hundred sit-ups in the mornings."
"Yeah … right …"
==
"Ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages" DJ Jazzman said enthusiastically, "welcome. This is the moment you've all been waiting for; the final game of the world championships."
The crowds cheered and jumped up and down, obviously ecstatic to be attending the tournament.
A particular dyed-redhead, who was holding up a banner with a big picture of Tala, was seen celebrating along with the crowd.
"And who will be victorious? Will it be the Bladebreakers, or the Demolition Boys? Everyday, one game of three sets will be played by a member of each team. The Beyblader who wins two out of three sets takes that game. And the team that takes two out of three games; captures the world championship."
The other teams could bee seen sitting in their respective seats in the front row. They too eagerly were awaiting the start of the tournament."
Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Granger and Bruce, were sitting near the Bladebreakers booth, cheering them on, Mr. Granger somewhat, louder than the other two.
"Go Tyson!! Bladebreakers rule!!" He waved his arms wildly in the air, while the wooden katana was surprisingly absent.
Suddenly, a figure approached them from behind.
"Well, well, well. It's been a long time."
Mr. Dickinson turned around, and came face to face for the first time in a long time, with his ex-best friend. He stood up and walked towards him.
"So it's you, Voltaire. Still up to your old tricks, I see."
Voltaire just huffed. "I'm glad to see you here, Dickinson. Now, you will see my greatest triumph," he laughed.
"I think you underestimate the power of these kids."
He cackled. "You've always amused me, Dickinson. I must go now." He gave Mr. Dickinson and his acquaintances one sparring glance before walking away.
"So that's Voltaire?" Mr. Granger stood up, "he is one, crude dude."
"Yeah, and very dangerous." Bruce added. He had heard rumors about the infamous Voltaire Hiwatari, and none of them sounded very nice.
"Humph! Dangerous or not, he's the one the boys really have to beat." Mr. Granger looked at Voltaire, before turning his attention back to the Bladebreakers.
"This is it, guys, the World Championships," Tyson spoke as he stood among his teammates, except Kai, who stood apart from them, "we've made it this far, and there is no way we're going out without a fight."
"You can say that again." Rei nodded his head.
"This is it, guys, the Wo –"
"It just a figure of speech, Tyson." He punched the grinning Tyson playfully on the shoulder.
Tyson looked away from Rei and at Kai. His grin disappeared as he remembered the incident that happened between him and Kai the day before. He broke apart from the meeting they were having and made his way towards Kai.
"Hey, Kai." Tyson approached him with caution.
Kai just looked up when he heard the voice. He stared at Tyson for a few minutes and then looked away without saying a word.
"Kai … I just wanted to apologize …" he shifted his feet nervously, "what I said, I didn't mean it. I was just frustrated. I know now that Tala is probably your friend, and I shouldn't have said what I did. It was wrong at me."
Kai looked shocked at his teammates sudden apology. He smiled sadly. "It's fine."
Tyson looked up to Kai's indifferent face. "Really?"
"Yeah." Kai nodded his head.
He smiled broadly and held out his hand. "Friends?"
"Sure." Kai reached out and grabbed his hand.
"So …" Tyson tried to start a new conversation with him, "what's up with Tala?" he looked towards the Demolition Boys who were getting a pep talk from Boris.
"I don't know." He answered, recalling their encounter earlier that day.
== Flashback ==
"WOOT! Bladebreakers are number one!" Tyson held both his hands up in peace signs.
The rest of his team looked on, bemused at his antics. Kai stood next to them, his attention focused on a invisible spot on the wall.
They were pretty shocked to see a whole flock of people standing outside in the cold to greet them. Tyson was over himself in glee.
"Have you guys noticed?" Max started, "Tyson's head has become bigger in just five minutes."
The two others just laughed at his comment.
"Can you believe this?" Tyson jogged up to them, panting, "they're our Fan Club!"
"We see that." Rei snickered.
"Well, well, well."
The five of them turned to the voice of the Abbey director.
"Boris!" Kai narrowed his eyes threateningly.
"Young Kai," Boris' eyes widened slightly, "I have to say that it is a surprise to see you up and about. Are you blading today?" he smirked, "I do hope so. There is someone here who's 'dying' to battle you."
Kai let out a deep growl.
"Drop dead, Boris," Rei stood in front of Kai, "can't you just take a hint?"
"It's none of your business whether Kai battles or not."
"Yeah," Tyson joined him, "Kai wants nothing to do with you or your stinking Abbey." "I beg to differ, boy. In my opinion, Kai does wants something to do with a certain 'member' of the Abbey.""Why don't you go to hell, Boris?" Kai pushed passed Rei and Max. He raised himself to his true height and stared Boris straight in the eyes.
"Now, now," he held his hand up in defense, "I'm just here to introduce you to your opponents and," he looked back at Kai, "friends …- Boys!" he called out to the back.
Four figures jumped off the balcony and landed in front of Boris.
"Here," he motioned to the tallest member, "Spencer," he pointed to the lilac haired one, "Bryan, and I presume you've met Ian and Tala?"
The four fearless Demolition Boys stared at their opponents, intently.
Bryan's eyes narrowed further as his gaze passed upon the raven-haired Neko-jin. His eyes turned to the shortest member of the team and back at Rei. 'Damn cats and noses!' he thought, 'he'll pay for my hell.' He glared heatedly at Rei, who was oblivious to the aura of hate that was coming off of Bryan.
Kai was oblivious to the happenings around him. His eyes were fixed intently on Tala, who just stared back at him coolly without a hint of recognition in his eyes.
Tala broke the contact when Boris whispered something into his ear. He smirked and walked forward. He stopped a few inches in front of Kai.
"Kai." Max was about to get between Tala and Kai but was prevented when Kai held his arm out, halting him.
"Tala?" Kai raised an eyebrow at the smirking face of his friend.
"Kai," he grinned evilly, "long time no see, eh?"
"What's the matter with you?"
"The matter? Nothing. In fact, I feel better than I have ever been," he rolled his hand into a fist, "this power … it could have been yours if you hadn't abandoned us for these fools."
"Tala -"
"You're not competing in the tournament, Kai?" he looked blankly at the ex-Demolition Boy, " Too bad. I would have liked to be the one to teach the traitor a lesson. You'd better thank your lucky stars, Kai, that you won't be the one on the receiving end of my unlimited power."
Kai's eyes were wide in disbelief at his friends' sudden change in attitude. Around him, the Bladebreakers could only look on, shocked at the fact that for once, their fearless leader was actually speechless.
"Come, Tala. Let us not delay them any longer." Boris smirked and walked off, the rest of the Demolition Boys following suit.
Tala stayed back for a while longer. He turned his attention back to Kai, smirking, he leaned in and whispered something inaudible into Kai's ear. Kai's eyes became wide for a second. When Tala pulled back, his lips still curled into a smirk, Kai gave him a short withering look.
"If that's how you want it." Kai looked away from him, and with his attention on the floor, he walked away from the redhead.
Tala then turned on his heel and walked in the direction where Boris had disappeared.
"What happened?" Rei looked at the rest for an answer, but they just shrugged.
== End Flashback ==
"Yo, guys," Rei waved to them, "the match's about to start."
"C'mon, Kai." Tyson nudged his head in the direction of the others.
Kai nodded his head. He looked one last time at Tala's back, and pushed himself off the wall, following Tyson.
==
"Are you ready for the first match?" Jazzman said to the crowd, which just yelled back in agreement. "Well then, since the crowd has spoken, will the first two opponent please step up to the dish!"
"This is it, Max," Tyson put a hand on his shoulder, "good luck, Maxie."
"Yeah." Kenny stood next to him.
"Go get 'em, Max." Rei put his hand on Max's other shoulder.
"I won't let you down, guys." He stood up and started towards the dish, but was called back by Kai's voice. "Yeah, Kai."
"Be careful, Max. Your opponent also controls the element of water, so you two should be pretty evenly matched. Just remember, don't get too confident. The Demolition Boys are not a team to be reckoned with. Don't rush and don't hesitate at any point of the match, if you see an opening, go for it."
"I will," he smiled, "thanks for the advice, Kai. I'll do my best."
Kai nodded his head, allowing Max to walk to the dish where his burly opponent was waiting.
"Wow! Looking at these stats. AJ, you can almost be guaranteed one hell of a watery grudge match. And like my dear mother - may she rest in peace - always told me 'Prepare an umbrella for before it rains'. I'm sure you're regretting making fun of me for it all these years."
"Sorry to heard that, Brad. I didn't know your mother was deceased."
"Whoever said that? I'm just saying that I hope she's getting a good rest. She didn't sleep a wink last night."
"Okay the, the crowd is growing restless, so let us get on with this match," Jazzman stood on the rail of the balcony he was on, "representing the underdog team, the Bladebreakers, is the forever cheerful, Max!"
The crowd gave a big cheer at the mention of his name.
"Wow … I guess I'm pretty popular." He grinned widely.
"And representing the defending champions, the Demolition Boys, the tall and brawny, Spencer!"
At the mention, the crowd gave an even bigger cheering.
"Okay then. Lets get it on! Players, ready?"
Both of them nodded, eyes still fixed on each other.
"Okay then, prepare your blades," he raised his hand high in the air, "three, two, one, LET IT RIP!!"
Both opponents launched their blades into the prepared dish. It was a perfect replica of a little fishing village, complete with a pool of water placed in the middle, between the rows of buildings that circled it.
Draciel and Seaborg went head to head causing sparks to fly, as neither of them were willing to budge an inch.
"Hold him, Draciel." Max shouted to his green blade.
"Seaborg!!" Spencer called to his blade, which surprisingly backed down a little, allowing Max the chance he needed.
"Go, Draciel. WAVE GHETTO!!" he called out his mighty Genbu bit-beast.
Draciel burst out of the blade in a flash of purple. He called up a powerful wave and slammed itself into Spencer's blade, causing it to go flying into the water.
"Yeah!" Tyson punched the air with his fist, "I knew Maxie could do it."
"It isn't over." Kai mumbled, catching the attention of his teammates.
"What do you mean?"
"Just watch."
Max looked intently at the rippling part of the water where Spencer's blade had sunk in. Something's not right. He thought. And not two second after he said it, the water started to spin, like the inside of a washing machine put on spin dry. With the force of a watery tornado, it raised up till it almost reached the ceiling.
"Seaborg!!" Spencer called out his bit-beast.
Just as Max's beast did a few minutes ago, Seaborg burst out of his blade. The gigantic whale bit-beast awed the entire stadium with its size.
"Whoa!" Max could only gape at the sight, "I've never seen a bit-beast that huge before."
"VODA IMPACT!!"
Like a general leading his army, Seaborg attacked Draciel. The enormous tidal wave behind him causing rain like splashes all over the spectators. The two blades collided, water smashing it water. It flooded the entire dish and when the water dried, a winner was announced.
"And the winner of the first match … Spencer!"
"Whoa! Good thing I had my umbrella, aye, AJ?"
"Sure thing …" he sounded a little sulky.
Max sighed and walked forward to collect his blade.
"That was close, Max." Tyson said as he walked over to them.
"But not close enough." He answered sadly.
"You'll get him back next match, Max. We believe in you."
Max looked up to the sincere faces of his teammates; even Kai had a positive look in his face,
"Yeah! He's going down in round two!"
"The next match will start in thirty minutes. So, now it the time to fill those stomachs and empty those bladders." Jazzman announced.
End Part 20.
I'm not that good with blading scenes. Next chapter – Kai confronts Tala. Second and third match and the conspiracy deepen. So … Review!! XD
One – Black Wolborg is my creation.
Two – Glomp is a tackle while hugging thing.
One question: Who do you think will win the first session?
Thanks to all the reviewers.
[[Glomp]]