Disclaimer: Still don't own Beyblade.
Fixed the Irish thing last chapter ... again.
I'm so sorry for the late update. Writers block, work and just simply laziness got the best of me.
As the Ice Breaks.
Part 25: Fiery End Part 2.
"Bold" – Commentary by Brad and AJ.
Both blades battled each other with much ferocity.
Tala locked eyes with Tyson, his icy gaze almost knocking Tyson off his feet.
"Geez, Tala. Lay off the iciness, dude." He grinned at the intense redhead.
"I have no idea what you mean," he returned Tyson's grin with a smirk.
"Hey, Tala," Tyson looked at him seriously for a moment.
"What, shrimp?" Tala seemed to be tired at his attempt at a civil conversation.
"... nothing," he said after a while.
"Whatever," Tala huffed, "lets battle!"
"Dragoon!" Tyson called out his dragon bit-beast.
Tala eyed his opponent's beast intently; he seemed to be studying the dragon sacred beast. His brain waves started working overtime as it processed a strategy to defeat the opponent.
Tala's eye glinted suddenly and he smirked. He readied his body movement as if to attack.
Tyson caught his sudden movement, expecting Tala to unleash his bit-beast; he called Dragoon forth to attack. "Phantom hurricane attack!" he shouted, and out of nowhere, a powerful wind blew around the stadium, blowing hats off of people's heads and skirts up from girls' butts.
When the raging winds died down, what was left was Tala's black blade ending up outside the boundaries of the dish, completely knocked out.
"Err ..." Jazzman gaped, his brain not having enough comprehend the first round of the final match ... ended in such a short time, "the winner of the first round ... Tyson ..." he said with a little uncertainty.
Even the crowds looked on in confusion at the easy loss of their icon.
"The dude's not even trying!" Michael said disapprovingly.
"What's up, Tala?" Tyson looked at him as he bent down to pick up his blade, "I didn't think you'd actually hand the win to me. I don't know what game you're playing, but feel free to keep it up."
Tala had his back turned to Tyson as he picked up his blade. "I chose to let you win the match," he snickered.
"Oh, you chose, did you? You chose not to win, huh, Tala?" Tyson said angrily at being looked down upon by his opponent.
"You're to eager to show off your power, that you leave yourself open to being studied, Tyson. You might have made it though this far, but the truth is ... you are nothing more than an amateur!" he said ferociously before turning on his heel and walking back to his teammates.
Tyson stared dumbfounded at Tala's retreating form. For a few seconds he stood there, mouth agape, until a tap on the back brought him out of his reverie. He turned back to meet the concerned face of Max's.
"Are you okay, Tyson?" he looked concerned at his navy-haired friend.
"Uh ... yeah," he smiled at Max.
Satisfied with his reply, Max flashed him a grin and beckoned him back to the stands where the others were waiting to congratulate him on his first round win. Max chatted animatedly with Tyson, or more ... to Tyson. He didn't seem to be hearing anything Max was saying to him. Instead, his eyes were looking forward, not seeing anything. In his mind, Tala's words repeated themselves over and over.
"– nothing more than an amateur!"
Tyson shut his eyes tight. He had been called that many times in the past, most of the times by Kai. When his opponents called him that, he didn't care; instead he became more determined to defeat them. But the way Tala had said it ... the look on his face when he said it. People in the past, like Kai, had said it more times and with much more force, but the difference this time, was that it ... hurt.
Tala's words had actually made Tyson feel stupid.
Damn you! Tyson swore at Tala.
"Tyson? Are you sure you're alright?" Max's big blue eyes looked up at him.
"Yeah, sorry, Max. I just have the second match on my mind. It isn't going to be this easy."
"Oh ..." Max nodded, "okay."
0-0
"Very good, Tala," Boris patted him on the shoulder.
Tala just eyed the wrinkled hand warily and nodded his head. "The kid is just a fool. He fell so easily into my trap," he smirked.
"Yes ... nobility it's called, or so I'm told. A funny thing it is indeed." Boris looked at Tala one last time and turned to walk out.
"Ceh," he spat, turning away from the door. Foolish, he thought, wiping the imaginary dust off from where Boris had placed his hand on his shoulder.
"So, Tala," Bryan smirked, "Boris' words finally got to you, huh?" he looked accusingly at their redheaded Captain.
"Yeah, Tala ..." Tala turned to the icy glares of Ian and Spencer.
"What's your problem?" he raised an eyebrow at his teammates.
"The better question is, what's your problem, Tala?" Ian narrowed his eyes.
"You guys have lost it," he snorted and turned to walk out.
"You sold out, Tala," Bryan said from his spot leaning against the locker with his arms crossed over his chest, "we thought you were different. That you wouldn't be one of Boris' pawns," the lilac haired blader opened his eyes and looked directly at Tala.
"I guess we were wrong. Power hunger finally got the best of you too."
"You guys don't know what you're talking about," he looked away, "I have my reasons –"
"Of course," Ian said mockingly, "one, you're not strong enough. Two, you're not good enough. Three, Boris just too convincing, eh?"
"Don't talk about things you don't understand, Ian," Tala gritted his teeth.
"We always knew that you hanging around that traitor Kai would be no good. He's a traitor, and you're a sell out," Spencer rose from his seat, towering over his captain.
"You think I sold out?"
"Give a crumpet to the brilliant captain," Bryan mocked. He turned to Tala, his face losing all of its amusement, "I guess out promise from before didn't mean squat, did it, Captain Tala?" he put emphasis on the 'captain', driving hard his distaste.
"You all can think what you want," Tala looked at the floor, not wanting to show the hurt in his eyes at their accusation.
"We have," Ian walked past his left side, towards the door. His actions showing clearly the disrespect he felt towards Tala.
"And we have come to the conclusion, that," Spencer walked past Tala's right side, not looking at him.
Bryan walked up to him; his eyes bore deep into Tala. "It is always the case of 'like father, like son.'" He knocked his shoulder hard into Tala's before walking out with the rest of the team.
Tala stumbled back a step from the force of the collision. Slowly, Bryan's words started to sink in. They know!
0-0
"Don't you think we were a little hard on him?" Ian looked at the two other boys as they made their way away from the locker rooms.
"He deserves it," Bryan said coolly.
"But still ... he is out captain. And he can't help it that Boris is his father," he turned his eyes to the floor, guilt building up inside him.
"He sold out to Boris!" Bryan said firmly.
"Maybe he had a good reason to," Spencer reasoned.
"And you're just thinking about this now?" Bryan stopped in his tracks and turned back to the two, "are you having second thoughts?"
"Well ..." Spencer and Ian said simultaneously.
"Great!" Bryan was on the verge of grabbing his hair in frustration, "what about the 'we're not looking back' crap you said a few minutes ago? I thought you said Tala needs to be told off!"
"I still think we were a little hard on him, you know?" Ian twiddled his fingers nervously, "he has always been there when we needed him."
"Yeah ... he would defend us from Boris when we made a mistake," Spencer added.
Bryan considered what they said and sighed loudly. "I can't believe I let you guys talk me into giving Tal the cold shoulder."
"Talk you into?!" the both of them spluttered.
"You were the mastermind!" Ian shouted at him, his finger pointed accusingly at the blank faced Bryan.
"A mastermind would be nothing without his apprentice minds, Ian, remember that."
"What are we going to do about Tala?" Spencer looked at them.
"Well ... an apology would be a good step," they both looked pointedly at Bryan at this suggestion.
"What?" he raised an eyebrow.
Ian sighed exasperatedly.
"Tala," Spencer said suddenly.
"Yes, Spence, we're going to apologize."
"No, Tala," he pointed a finger to a spot ahead of them.
"Oh ... hey, Tala," Ian said.
Tala just walked past them, not acknowledging their presence. His attention focused in front of him.
"Tala, we just –"
"No," he replied, "you are entitled to your opinions. You don't have to apologize for that," and without giving them a chance to retort, he continued on his way, not looking back.
0-0
Soon after the first match, Mr. Dickinson had left, saying that he would be heading to the hospital to check on Kai's condition. He had been hesitant to leave his your charge's side and only decided to do so for the sake of giving some words of wisdom to Tyson.
He now sat in the white lined hospital room, his eyes glued to the television as the second match of the world championships began it's run. His eyes once and awhile glanced over to the still form of Kai.
Kai lay peacefully on the stiff bed. He still hadn't regained consciousness since the incident in the emergency room, his face serene; something that you would have not believed possible if you had seen his condition just the night before.
Dr. Olga had dropped by a few times, checking over his vitals and blood pressure, while giving some reassurance to the old man.
"Kids ... I have some bad news."
Mr. Dickinson sighed and got to his feet. He walked over to Kai's bedside; taking his limp arms in his own, he whispered quietly into Kai's ear. "Stay strong, Kai ... your friends are waiting for you."
"The extent of his injuries is unknown–"Mr. Dickinson pulled the chair he had been sitting in before, closer to the bed. His hands still intertwined firmly with Kai's, he took a seat, surveying the match currently being played on the television, the sound being interrupted by the slight and continuous beeping sound of the machines.
"However, the one thing we know is this it has affected a large proportion of his brain. How serious it is, we don't know-"
Tyson was showing tremendous endurance as his match continued with him and Dragoon being completely overwhelmed by the sheer force of Tala and his blade.
"We fear ... that when Mr. Hiwatari regains consciousness ..."
Mr. Dickinson coughed slightly, his age finally catching up to him. He was an old man, he should be sitting at home in his lazy-boy chair, sipping a glass of martini with a little blue umbrella on the side; not walking in and out of a hospital, every time with more things to worry about.
His free hand reached over and brushed Kai's stray bangs out of his eyes. He watched on sadly as Kai's face contorted in pain suddenly, not being about to do anything but sit by, brought tears to his eyes. The agony on his face passed as quickly as it came, and Kai seemed to fall back into his, somewhat, painless slumber. This is all Boris' doing, he thought angrily, I will bring him down. I will be standing at the very front as the row as they lock you up in solitary confinement and throw away the keys.
"...he might not be the same person you knew before."
"Fight this, Kai," he gripped his cold hands tighter, "fight this!"
0-0
"Whoa! Dragoon gets driven hard into the ground by the sheer power of the defending champion!"
Spectators were biting their nails in excitement. The second match, as opposed to the first, had brought out the best in Tala. Tyson had absolutely no chance of getting on the offensive. It was just hit after hit. Black Wolborg, clearly out to make an example out of Tyson as to what would happen once Boris and the Biovolt corporation started their global domination plan.
The world would be completely ruled by sacred beasts as strong, of not stronger than Black Wolborg.
Tala winced slightly as he felt the power of Black Wolborg tear him up from the inside. He knew that a new wound had been slashed open, adding to the many other injuries that adorned his back as a result of training the evil beast.
I will not let you control me, his eyes flared up with determination. The creation of Black Wolborg was not to be controlled, but instead, to be in control. As was the case of Black Dranzer: the more Kai used it, the more it began to take control of him. It began merging with Kai, draining his life essence, making him vulnerable to be slaved by the dark phoenix. Good thing his teammates had been in time to break the control and Black Dranzer wasn't given a chance to complete the bonding.
'But what about me?'Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice when Boris yelled out to him.
"Finish this immediately, Tala!"
Tala nodded his head in conformation and turned back to Tyson, who was panting for the loss of energy.
"Is that all you got, boy?" Tala smirked, ignoring the stabbing pain in his shoulder, "I think I will stand by my earlier comment, amateur."
"Shut up, Tala!" Tyson shouted at him, "Dragoon!"
Tyson gigantic blue dragon rose out of it's bit. With an echoing roar, it flew towards the blade of Tala's, ready to inflict as much damage as it's battered body could muster.
"Cute dragon," Tala locked eyes with Tyson, "but it's nothing compared to the power of my Black Wolborg!"
Tala's blade shone brightly. An almost burning coldness overwhelmed the arena, making the audience lean back slightly while shielding their eyes from the vividness of Tala's blade.
It's rose, slowly, like the black plague sent to disrupt the earth; it's appearance, not very different from the said.
Black matted fur covered the muscled body of what seemed to be a mutated version of Wolborg. The yellowing teeth shone in the light, and prepared to shred anything and everything in its path. Its eyes glowed red, like the burning fires of hell.
The sight of Black Wolborg brought many gasps and tears of fright from the people. Even Tyson had to do a double take; to make sure that he wasn't having a nightmare, because that was what Black Wolborg was ... a vision of a nightmare.
"Go, Black Death!" Tala shouted out the order.
A dark mist evaporated out of the pores of the black wolf, enclosing around Dragoon. The black blade that it dwelled in crushed hard into Tyson's grey one, and within a few minutes ... the match was over.
"And the winner of the second match ... Tala!" Jazzman said with much excitement, however, the crowd still seemed too horrified to react.
Tala waited for none before recanting his blade and walking away. Even his teammates looked at him with shocked expressions at his newly acquired beast.
Boris patted him approvingly on the shoulder and walked by his side.
Bryan and the others looked at their retreating forms, thunderstruck. One thing running though their minds; what happened to Wolborg?
0-0
oO Dream Oo
'Tala ...everyone ...I can't take this anymore ...'
... Kai ...
Kai's ears perked up at the sound of the new voice. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
Only silence and darkness greeted him.
The tingling in the base of his neck had lessened slightly, allowing him a moment of peace, one thing, which he had come close to forgetting.
The pain before had been excruciating, it was as if someone has lit his whole body afire, a raging fire that had burned to his very soul. His head had been pounding in his head, and on a few occasions had felt as if it was about to explode. Kai was on the verge of giving up many times, but the memory of Tala had kept him going on.
'Tala ...'
...Kai ...
He could vaguely sense a presence close to him, calling to him, someone that seemed familiar. He knew the person, yet he couldn't remember whom.
Just when he thought he was finally given a break, the pain started again, this time stronger than every. He felt his body spasm as it was being tortured by the unknown source. He could do nothing to stop it. It grew stronger and stronger. It started to blur his vision, making him feel as if he were goring blind.
It deafened him. It made sure that he couldn't cry out. He felt it plunge deep into his mind, ravaging this thoughts and memories. As it slowly sucked away the essence that was him, the tears, which he had kept in, slowly streamed down his face.
'I can't take it anymore ...'
The vision in front of his eyes started swirling around, like a gigantic black hole, swallowing all in its way.
He saw the faces of his friends being lost in the huge vortex. Mr. Dickinson's kindly face, lost to him. Tala ...his redheaded friend was being taken away from him. Torn out of his mind. He could not let it be.
He reached his arm out to take it back, to take it all back. He would not allow Boris to destroy everything he had grown to love.
He grabbed the hand of his friend; watching as the icy blue eyes stare back at him, and with a weak smile, vanish from his sight.
Everything disappeared; he was left alone in the darkness again.
Then, as soon as it stopped, there was a suddenly flash, and a white light conquered his line of sight. He felt warmth, comfort and tranquility in the light. He could feel himself being pulled slowly towards the light, his body moving by it's own accordance. He wanted to go there ... he had to.
... Kai ...
He knew that voice ... missed it very much. And now he knew ... they could finally be reunited.
The last thoughts that ran through his mind was of the people he cared about. 'Forgive me.'
Soon, the calling became too powerful to resist and he just let his body follow it.
...Come to me ... Kai ...
With an explosion if brilliantly coordinated lights ... it finally consumed him.
oO End Dream Oo
... A continuous beeping sound stopped ... being replaced by a shrill sound of a stopped heart.
0-0
The third match was close to starting. Both players stood at the side of the podium, readying themselves for the conclusion of one of the most important even of their lives.
When Jazzman gave the signal, Tala and Tyson moved to walk up the stairs to face each other one last time.
"Tyson!"
Tyson was stopped in his tracks by the voice of Max. He turned abruptly to the sight of Max running towards him.
Max panted when he finally reached his capped friend, "Tyson," he has his hands on his knees for support.
"What's wrong?" Tyson looked nervous at the tone Max was using, and the fact that he seemed to have run a distance. Max hated running, and having Max running without being told to by Kai was even more worrying.
Max stopped to catch his breath. "Mr. Dickinson – phone call –" he gasped for air, "It's Kai!"
"Kai!" Tyson grabbed him firmly by the shoulders and shook him violently, "what's wrong with Kai? Has something happened to him?"
Max winced slightly, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. "Tyson, I'm sorry, but ..." he looked at his feet, aggrieved.
Tyson's eyes widened, his mouth muttering a disbelieving, "No..."
End Part 25.
Sorry again. I swear, the next chapter (last chapter) will be out before the sixth Spiderman installment, you can quote me on that.
o.O Evil cliffy, ne? So if you want to know how everything turns out, review and tune in.
It's late, and I've just written the whole chapter today. So might be many mistakes, I'll fix them tomorrow.
Thanks to all the reviewers' too (too tired to mention all) so ... Arigato gozaimasu.
Yeah, you added me to your C2, and first?! I'm touched T.T and extremely flattered. Thank you.