Disclaimer: ... [[Yawn]] ...
Mild shounen-ai hint in this chapter.
And another thing I thought you'd like to know. This story is nearing an end. Might be about four or five chapters left. So …
As the Ice Breaks.
Part 21: Match 1: Watery Grave
"Bold." – Commentary by Brad and AJ.
Max, Rei and Tyson went back to their locker room to talk over a few strategies. Kai and excused himself in saying that he needed to use the bathroom and left.
He walked down the deserted hallways in the direction of the Demolition Boys locker room. He was positive that Boris wouldn't be there; he was probably calling Kai's grandfather to inform him of the results.
Kai closed in the wooden door that had a sign saying Demolition Boys; he stopped in front of it, hesitating whether to go it or not. After a few minutes of contemplating he pushed open the door and walked in. The room was barren, but Kai could feel another presence there with him.
"I know you're there."
A chuckling sound was heard. "I see you're still as sharp as ever, Kai." Tala stepped out of the shadows, his fiery red hair illuminating the dark room.
"I see you're still as cocky as ever." Kai glared at him.
"Yes ... that's something that sticks after living with Boris for so long. So ... Kai ..." Tala smirked and sauntered over to Kai, "I see living in Japan for sometime has done wonders for you complexion." He trailed Kai's jaw with the back of his hand.
With his glare never leaving Tala, he grabbed the front of Tala's orange suit, twirled him around and slammed him hard into the lockers.
"Oww ..." he shut one eye in pain and glared at Kai who still had a hold on his jump suit.
They stood in the same position for a while, eyes never leaving the others.
"Tala ..." Kai said, and flicker of a smile passed over his face, "I always knew you were a good actor."
Tala snickered. "Of course. This is me you're talking too. By the way, you can let go now."
"Oh." Kai looked at his hands still firmly gripping Tala's clothes and let go abruptly.
"You didn't have to be so harsh, Kai." He winched and rubbed his sore back.
"Sorry." Kai said simply.
"I'm sure you are," Tala glared at him, "I'm not one of your hard-boned teammates, you know? I bruise easily."
Kai snorted. "Keep telling yourself that, red."
"I do because it's true. Of course, what would you know about bruising anyway."
"Pansy."
"Shut up, Kai."
"You're horny ... you know that?"
"What?" Tala said innocently.
"You were flirting, again. I'm not about to become one of your conquests."
"Yeah ... now!" he said as-a-matter-of factly, "in the future ... we don't know."
"Tala." He said warningly.
"Okay, okay. I was just kidding," he smirked, "no need to get so tetchy," he folded his arms over his chest. "Can you even blame me? Living with a few hundred boys for so long is bound to screw up one guys' sexual preference."
"Humph! Excuses, excuses." Kai shook his head mockingly.
Tala returned his smirk with a grin.
"So ... what did Boris do this time?"
"Oh ... the usual. Experimenting ... hypnotizing ... forced to watch Oprah reruns for ten times in a row."
"You're kidding about the last one ... aren't you?" Kai raised an eyebrow.
Tala just sighed. "Yes I am ... it was actually Dr. Phil, not Oprah."
Kai just snorted in laughter at the sour look on his face.
"It's not funny," he looked irritably at Kai. Suddenly he became serious and looked directly at his friend, "Kai."
"Yeah ..."
"I think there's something you should know ..." he looked away regretfully, "about the chips."
"What about them?" his eyes narrowed.
"Boris, he ... I ..." he sighed, "mine's been activated."
"What!" Kai looked shocked at Tala.
"You have to be careful. Boris is trying to find away to activate yours too. And this time ... he won't be lenient."
Kai nodded his head in understanding. "What about you?"
"I'm fine," he smiled, "you should be more worried about yourself."
"Stop saying that, Tala. You're in more trouble that I am." He grabbed Tala by his shoulders.
Tala tried to suppress a winch, but Kai noticed it.
"What's the matter?" he looked worriedly at his long time friend.
"It's nothing," he pried Kai hands off of his shoulders, but Kai grabbed hold tighter. This time it was obvious that Tala was in pain, because he had accidentally let out a hiss.
"What's the matter?" Kai said it this time more firmly, "is it the chip?"
"I ..." Tala looked away quietly.
Kai took a deep breath and used one of his hands to pull down the collar of Tala's suit. He gasped at the sight of the redhead's neck.
It was completely black and blue.
"Tala!" he exclaimed in shock, "what happened to your neck?" he gaped at all the lacerations that marred his once perfect skin.
He pushed Kai's hand slowly away and pulled his collar back up. "It's nothing." He said quietly.
"Don't lie to me!" Kai said a little more viciously that he had meant, "Boris did this. I want to know how!"
Tala had his back to Kai and was leaning against the lockers, his head bowed. "Bl ... org ..." he whispered to quietly even for the ears of Kai.
"What?"
"Black Wolborg."
"What's Black Wolborg?"
"This." Tala reached a hand into his pockets and pulled out a black and blue blade. It's bit-chip, bearing the picture of a ferocious looking black wolf.
"This blade injured you?"
Tala shook his head. "No ... the bit-beast ... it's too powerful to control."
"Oh Tala," Kai shook his head sadly, "why didn't you tell me?"
"It's not as bad as it looks, really." He was lying through his teeth.
"Tala. Please don't lie to me ... I'm your friend."
"I know ..." Tala's voice shook with suppressed emotions. He was staring at the floor, a single tear rolling slowly down his face. His back still to Kai, but Kai knew that he was crying.
He stepped forward and circled his arms around Tala. He pulled Tala slowly towards him so that Tala's back was against his chest. "It's okay, Tala ... everything will be alright."
Tala sniffled and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "Thanks, Kai," he slowly pulled away from Kai's embrace and turned to face him, "we should get back. The second match is about to start."
"I guess you're right. How are you feeling, Tal?"
"Better ... thank you."
"It's no problem. What are friends for?" Kai gave him a rare smile, which he returned, albeit weakly.
Tala walked pass Kai when he grabbed his arm.
"Remember ... we're friends."
Tala nodded his head. "I know ... I'll tell you everything ... next time."
"Okay." Kai let go of his arm and the both made their way back to the arena.
The both of them didn't notice a little red light that kept blinking from the corner of the room.
So ... young Tala is making a fool of me, is he? Boris looked angrily at the screen in front of him. He will pay for his insolence, and Kai will fall along with him.
"It's time for the second match of the day, Max of the Bladebreakers versus Spencer of the Demolition Boys. Everyone ready with their raincoats? I know I am!" DJ Jazzman stood on his usual balcony clad in a bright yellow raincoat.
"Make us proud, Maxie." Tyson slapped him across the back.
"This time, I won't let you guys down." Max gave them a thumbs up.
"We know you won't." Rei smiled at him.
"Good luck, Max." Kai stood next to him.
"Players, take your positions." Jazzman shouted.
"Got your swimming clothes on, AJ? Cause I predict this is going to be one humdinger of a match."
"Of course, Brad. You know what they say, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on the other guy."
"Three, two, one – LET IT RIP!"
"Go, Draciel!"
"Seaborg!"
The two blades went head to head, neither one giving the other any space to attack.
"You should have given up when you had the chance, kid. I will destroy you." Spencer smirked.
"This time, it won't be so easy. Draciel!"
Draciel's green blade started glowing with a bright purple light.
"Seaborg!" Spencer called out to his bit-beast. The huge whale bit rose out of its blade. "Wave Impact!"
"Oh no!" Max gaped at the power of his opponents' beast.
"Relax, Max."
He turned to the voice of Kai. Max took a deep breath and nodded in understanding.
"Draciel," he instructed to his blade. Draciel too burst out his blade as Seaborg's attack came closer. "FORTRESS DEFENSE!!"
Within a few seconds, Draciel was completely overwhelmed by Seaborg's powerful move and disappeared in the tidal wave of water.
"Holy guacamole, Brad, both blades went down faster than the Titanic."
"By the looks of it, things aren't exactly going Max's direction."
"Wow! The awesome powers of both bit-beasts have completely flooded the dish. Who will emerge victorious?" Jazzman paid close attention to the match.
"Don't give up, Max." Judy covered her mouth his her hand and she surveyed her son's match from her seat with the All-Starz.
"Go, Max!" Michael cheered his fellow American on.
Slowly, the water began to drain. And much to everyone's astonishment –
"Max has managed to hold on!!" Jazzman yelled in excitement.
"How did he do it? Everyone thought he would have already been swimming with the fishes."
"Sheer determination, Brad."
"GO, MAX!" Tyson jumped up in the air, "You can beat this chump!"
"W-What?" Spencer looked shocked that his attack had been stopped.
"Okay, Draciel. It's time to win this match," he used his opponents sudden distraction to his advantage. "WAVE GHETTO!!"
Draciel sped towards Seaborg with the force of a tsunami. Before Spencer even realized what had happened, Seaborg flew out of the dish and missed his face my a few inches.
"And the winner of the second match ... MAX!"
"YEAH!!" Max punched his fist into the air. "I did it!" He almost toppled over when Tyson came flying out of nowhere and tackled him.
"Knew you could do it, Max!"
"And that ends round two. With both side tied at one a piece, all will be determined in the third and final match. So now is the time to refill those snack bags ... the final round isn't going to be a doozie."
"WOOT!!" Tyson said loudly from the confines of their locker room. "Max totally kicked some Seaborg ass!"
"That was an awesome match, Max." Rei said proudly.
"Thanks, you guys ... and Kai," he turned to his team, "I couldn't have done it without you."
"Don't get too confident. There's still to match to go, and everything's depending on this one," Kai looked at Max, "don't lose your concentration."
"I won't." he smiled.
"Anyway, to celebrate the second match win," he held out a lollypop, "for you."
Max laughed. "Thanks, Tyson."
"That was the most embarrassing match I have ever seen," Boris glared at Spencer, "have I taught you nothing?"
"No, sir." He stood stiffly in front of the raging Boris.
"Then why are we not celebrating a first session victory?"
"Because I was careless, sir. It won't happen again."
"You had better make sure of that. You know the punishment for losers, do you not?"
Spencer gulped nervously. "Yes, sir."
Boris turned on his heel and stomped off, obviously to contact Voltaire.
The other three were sitting to the side, careful not to get in the way of Boris' temper.
"That guy sure has some temper tantrum, doesn't he?" Ian was sitting on one of the plastic chairs.
"Purple headed freaks always like the sound of their own voice." Bryan sat on the chair opposing him, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed.
Ian snorted in laughter. "You do realize that lilac is a form of purple too, right?"
Bryan's eyebrow twitched in irritation. He cracked open one eye and glared at his short teammate. "What was that?"
"Eh ... nothing." He answered hurriedly.
"You okay, Tal?" Spencer walked over to the two seated at the table. He noticed the redheaded captain slouching on the bench, his head bowed and rubbing the back of his neck. Tala didn't seem to hear him, so he called again.
"Huh?" Tala turned one eye to them.
"You all right?"
"Oh ..." he turned his head away, "I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"Yes! Now drop it!"
"Fine."
The Bladebreakers were sitting in their locker room, discussing possible strategies, when the door burst open, and a small redhead bounced in.
"You were so awesome!!" he had stars in his eyes. "I think I have another Idol I'll look up to!!"
"Good to see you too, Sacha." The two of them sweatdropped.
"Who's the kid?" Rei asked. Kai and Kenny also nodded, feeling lost.
"Oh," Tyson raised an eyebrow, "Oh yeah! You haven't met him yet. This is Sacha. He's probably the biggest Tala fan I've ever met." He turned to Sacha, "these are Max and my teammates. Rei, Ken ... hey ... you listening to me?" he waved his hand in front of Sacha's dreamy face. "You in there?"
"Oh ... my ... god," he pointed, "you're – you are ..." he looked in the verge of collapsing, "KAI!" Sacha grasped his chest, looking like he was about to hyperventilate. "I'm meeting Kai! I can't believe it ..." he had tears in his eyes, while mumbling under his breath, not unheard by the Bladebreakers. "Tala ... Bladebreakers ... bladers ... Kai!! If a lightning would strike me right now, I'd die a happy kid."
They just sweatdropped at his enthusiasm.
"I have to go," he cried into his sleeve, "I'm so happy." He turned on his heel and ran out the door. Leaving half-moon eyes to stare back at his retreating form.
"Strange kid." Kai mumbled.
God. Kill me now, so that I can cherish this moment forever. He continued his running, not realizing someone was coming from the other way. They collided and Sacha fell back on his butt.
"Sorry." He looked up to the scary goggles worn by the Abbey director.
"Watch where you're going." He wiped the non-existent dust off of his clothes. "Hmm ..." he took in Sacha appearance, "interesting hair, you have there, boy. The same colour as a certain someone I'm familiar with."
"Tala," he sobbed harder, "I'm so extremely happy right now, I have to leave. I'm sorry again, sir." He continued with his running.
Boris stared at Sacha. He smirked suddenly, and continued on his way.
"The third, and final match of the day. This will determine the winner of the first bout of the World Championship. Players, take your position. Three ... two ... one – LET IT RIP!!"
"It won't be so easy this time, blondie."
"Right back at ya'." Determination shone brightly in Max eyes. I'm going to win this match.
The match went on for ten minutes, neither one getting a chance to attack the other.
This can't go on for much longer. I have to do something. Max wracked his brain for a plan. Just like a light bulb turning one, he figured out a way to defeat the Demolition boy. Here goes everything.
"Draciel! Retreat!" he shouted to his bit-beast, much to the astonishment of those around him.
"Retreat? What is that boy planning?" Robert studied the blonde haired Bladebreaker with an interested eye.
"Did I hear that right, AJ? Retreat?"
"Apparently, Brad. I'm sure young Max has a trick or two up his sleeve."
"I sure hope so, for his sake."
"Scared, kid?" Spencer smirked at the retreating blade.
"Yes I am." Max grinned.
"What?"
Max's blade started spinning further away from Seaborg. For a few minutes, it seemed like a game of cat and mouse. It's now or never. "Draciel!" the purple Genbu, rose out of its blade in a brilliant colour. "WAVE GHETTO!" It did a sudden one eighty degrees turn and headed straight towards Seaborg.
"Seaborg. VODA IMPACT!" his blade too rushed towards Draciel.
The two collided, splashing water all over their teammates and the spectators.
"Is it over?" Jazzman opened his eyes and surveyed the battle. "Yes it is! And the winner of the second match ... Spencer! So this concludes the first session of the World Championships. Stay tuned folks, tomorrow, same time, same place."
The crowd seemed speechless, but after coming to a realization, they cheered on both the winner and his opponent.
Max looked disappointedly at his blade that lay motionless at the bottom of the now empty pool. Spencer's blade was still spinning, albeit a little wobbly. He walked quietly forward to get his blade, as did Spencer.
"Good match, kid."
Max's eyes became wide when he heard Spencer whispering the word to him, and only him. He just nodded his head and walked back to his teammates, but not without a chant ... for him.
The crowd, obviously pleased at the battle that had taken place, expressed their enjoyment by chanting both Max's and Spencer's name.
"Sorry, guys."
"It's okay, Max," Tyson circled his arm around Max's shoulder, "I win one back, next match."
"But then, what about Rei?" Kenny squeaked.
"Hey you!"
The four of them turned to the unfamiliar voice, and came face to face with Bryan.
"Umm ... can we help you?"
He looked directly at Rei. "You and me, tomorrow!" He ordered and stomped off without waiting for an answer.
The five of them stared at his back, before looking at Rei.
"What was that?" Tyson asked him.
"I don't know ... I think he wants to battle me." Rei answered somewhat bewildered at his attitude.
"Do you even know him?" Max raised his eyebrows.
"Err ..."
Silently, Kai snickered. I guess Tala was right. He looked towards the boy in question. Hang on, Tala. I'm going to help you ... one way or another.
Tala gave Kai a last shadow of a smile, before he and the other Demolition Boys followed Boris out of the arena.
Boris stood at the exit where all the all the people were piling out. He caught sight of a particular redhead and pulled him to the side.
"Boy." He glared down at him.
"Sir ... if this is because of just now, I'm sorry. I-"
"Silence, boy. I just wanted to enquire if you wanted an up close meeting with the Demolition Boys?"
"Wha –? Yes ... I do!" he said excitedly.
"Very well. Follow me." He smirked and beckoned Sacha to follow him. Yes ... very good indeed. He chuckled as the both he and Sacha disappeared behind the corner.
End Part 20.
Next chapter: Match two! Till then ... Review!! XD
Jouka: Yes, Wolborg still exists. Kai has it.
SyaoranLover: No, there won't be one chapter per match. Originally, this was one chapter, but it was too long, and no, this won't be Yaoi. I do love Tala/Kai, but like you said, Yaoi fics are a dime a dozen, so this won't be one of the dozen. There will be a few flirting things, but nothing too serious XD
MasterFranny: No Yaoi. But they are close friends ... Tala even tries to hit on Kai. Kay? =D And about the beta thing ... I don't really know 'that' many people per say. But I could beta for you if you want.
Thanks to all the other reviewers.
So, thank you all very much. [[Glomp]]