I am so gob smacked, I really am, so many reviews, all bringing smiles to me. When I read them I go all tingly and warm! Thank you so much! I'm very close to the 1000 mark and I can't believe all that support. Getting there will be a goal reached! I wonder who will be the thousandth reviewer! Just less then a hundred to go now! I've been reading your story, I just haven't reviewed yet, I'm sorry! I will review, I promise!
I'm really impressed you all liked that chapter, it felt lacking in something to me! The poem was inspired by the one and only Kai! (Duh!) I get my inspiration everywhere! It's either something I'm feeling or something that moves me, or even something very random! It just comes to me, like the chapters. I can have no idea what to write and then bam! I've got something written and it's good!
I can't believe you wrote about me! blushes like mad, I'm not that amazing! I bet you can't wait for the sequel, your going to be in it! Thanks about chapter 7!! I love having you as a friend as well, thank you for being you!
I love the Lost Prophets! I think I must get some ideas from things like music and films without thinking about it, all subconscious! Kai does need someone, and I have an idea for when Kai founds out the secret that has to do with Tadashi, but I can't tell you, you'll have to wait!
Shall read your story, I promise! It takes me a while to find some time, but I will!
Will you find out in this chapter about the secret? Read on, you may, you may not!
I like being underestimated; means a can prove people wrong! I thought for ages how to make the trial not boring, and had to do some research in it! And don't worry; the fic isn't really ending, as the sequel picks up straight away afterwards. I'm doing that as I figure starting again at number one will give a new start, a new place to begin, and may encourage more readers.
Freaky dream!
Don't you just love mythical beasts? They are so wonderful, so rich, and so fascinating! To delve into the imagination that went into it just leaves me breathless every time, like when I read a good book. Thanks for recommending those that have!
I'm your favourite? Wow! Thank you! Animals do deserve better then they get, I think people forget that we are animals, and as a dominant species that has the power to destroy or protect, we should be protecting. And I love wolves, one of my favourite animals! I was very into the pokemon series on TV, but then sort of went more into the actual pokemon themselves; I even made my own character once!
I'm glad the plot is getting deeper! There are some nice little twists on their way yet before I do the sequel!
I really will beware the calico cat! And thank you, aren't the twists great?! I love them! It's so weird, when I read back on earlier chapters; I can't believe I wrote them! It's like reading them for the first time and even though I know the plot I still get excited! It's bizarre! Life can't get me down my friend, coz I'm the God of Death! I got plenty to smile about, and I do.
Voltaire's lawyer was lost in the flurry of activity, and Voltaire knew Kai could still transform, he was just betting that Kai wouldn't in front of the entire courtroom! I was so mean to the judge! He he! They were tears of anger, and we all know Kai isn't the blubbery kind of guy, so I felt subtle tears were necessary. Besides, even the coldest heart has to cry, it's a human mechanism for release. His friends really aren't scared of him, more scared of what he will do to himself like that; they all know the bonds between blader and bitbeast. And they are at the back of the courtroom, in the public stands, so I suppose he's sort of walking to them....................
This isn't the end just yet! I've a few more tricks up my sleeve, so expect a few more chapters! Thank you for all the compliments! blushes and hides. Any beyblade story I do will be based on Kai, he's the character I've get some depth with and feel more with, so he's the one I shall write about!
Everyone loved this chapter! The judge was shocked, what she expected to be a by the book case turned into feathered pandemonium! Seeing a kid sprout wings was just too much for poor judge Morgan, a weak constitution and all! And Kai will always kick ass!!!
Voltaire is so alone now! Drowning in the verdict guilty I say, but that would give away the plot ; ), you shall have to find out about the breakers and Tadashi! You explain things perfectly! I always get what you're saying, and thank you for saying them!
Wow, it was captivating? That's a good word!
Read on faithful readers!
pants, that was a long answering bit! You find out the secret this chapter!!!! And yeah, I love Linkin Park, their music is a real inspiration and I love every one of their songs.
His friends had rushed down from the stands to greet him. He stumbled slightly as he approached them, his legs felt like water, why was he always so tired? Maybe the trial had taken more then he thought to keep him going. He felt hands on his shoulders, steadying him. He wanted to cringe from it, but submitted again instead, his gut was feeling way too nauseous anyway; the sickness he felt was small compared to what the trial had done. Maybe fusing with his bitbeasts took a lot of energy; he hadn't done it often enough yet to know the full effects. Maybe Voltaire knew, but Kai would never know now.
He didn't feel it as he was lowered to a bench, had he been carried? Everything was distant, numb. He was so tired. Something covered him, a coat, a blanket? He couldn't tell, but it was warm. His vision was blurred, his eyelids heavy. He wrapped the blanket around him, and his wings then shrouded him and blanket both. So warm, so comfortable. The voices he heard didn't make any sense. Dranzer enveloped him in a feathered protective barrier, Black Dranzer barred the way and guarded. The phoenixes may have been very different, may not have agreed, but for Kai, they would do anything.
And right now, Kai needed rest.
The group watched in horror as Kai staggered his way towards them. They had left the public stands as soon as Kai had started to fuse, the guards in the courtroom too engrossed in watching Kai to stop them. They all knew Kai was desperate to see Voltaire stopped, but this? Would it work, or would it make things worse. None of them knew the answer. Not the trial was over, the verdict yet to be reached. His wings seemed huge, yet still the right size for his body. They stretched slightly to support the blue haired teen as he wobbled on his legs before reaching them and almost collapsed. His two lawyers followed behind him quickly. Kai was now slumped in Ray and Tyson's arms, mumbling almost silently to himself, his dark mahogany eyes unfocused.
Rowan reached them first. "This way, there are private rooms for this sort of thing, well, I think for this sort of thing. He can rest there till we find out if the verdict will be reached today or at a later date."
She walked purposely out of the room and they followed her out, Kai still slumped between his friend's arms, Seko closing the doors behind them.
Kenny waited to speak with Seko, both of them a few paces behind the others. Kai's wings seemed to be the most eye catching thing, drawing both their eyes with their size colours, like a feathered crimson and black banner.
"Will what Kai just did damage his chances to you think?" asked the short teen.
Seko sighed. "I have no idea; I've never seen or heard of the like happening. At least it made Voltaire confess, and hopefully that will help Kai's case, but I really can't say. Voltaire may have a lot against him, but he does hold a lot of power, not just in Russia but here too."
Kenny nodded. He really hoped the jury would favour Kai, there was enough evidence!
Tadashi could only watch in mild horror as they dragged Kai into a small, warmly decorated room. She watched as they lowered him onto a padded bench, Tyson's dad laid his large coat on the still mumbling boy. She wanted to cry when she looked into his half lidded eyes, at the things she saw in their murky depths. He wasn't listening to anyone, couldn't see them. His eyes finally closed and he blocked them all out when his wings shrouded him completely.
She frowned as the feathers turned completely black facing them, yet the ones facing him went red. She understood what the bitbeasts were trying to do to protect him. Since her failed fusion with Phagus, the pair of them were closer. Where she used to know what the snake beast was feeling and thinking, now she felt it like it was her own, yet still there was a distance between them. Phagus was still in her blade, whilst Kai could call on his to be part of him. She ran her tongue over one of her new fangs as Phagus caressed her mind caringly, the bitbeast understood, and also held Kai in high esteem. Phagus cared for Kai almost as much as Tadashi did.
She hoped he would wake up soon. Prayed for it.
The group of people that made up the jury sat speechless around a large oval table. None of them knew what to say, they were all ordinary people who had seen something very unordinary. Finally someone spoke up.
"I can't believe it. My son plays beyblade, he always said their were such things as bitbeasts, and I laughed it off. How can their be all that without us knowing it exists? They let children play with those creatures for god's sake!" muttered a woman, her voice rising.
The man at the head of the table sighed. "That's not why we are here; we are here to make a decision on this trial, focus people!"
They all jumped and looked around at each other guiltily. This was an important trial; child abuse was too serious a matter for them to loose concentration.
"Right, now I have your attention! I feel this will be wrapped up today. Voltaire has too much proof stacked against him for him to walk free from this trial. He has admitted he is guilty, meaning a slightly lighter sentence is required, yet he still abused that boy. Are we all in agreement?"
The room nodded grimly, there was no objections, they all felt him guilty. They was no point in discussing the evidence, they had already seen it and discussed it before hand. They all felt deeply sorry for the boy, yet now there was a different aspect they needed to consider.
"Now the new question is what do we do with Kai Hiwatari? I feel him a danger to the public if he is let to remain the way he is. We have seen the damage he did to Voltaire when cornered in self defence. If he feels threatened again who knows what he will do."
"What are you proposing?" asked another person down the other end of the table.
The man clasped his hands in front of him, resting his elbows on the table. "I'm proposing we offer Voltaire the opportunity to reduce his sentence slightly if he lends us his skills and knowledge about this fusion thing to reverse its effects in the boy. Voltaire is still imprisoned but escapes the possible death sentence and the boy stops becoming a public threat. The only other option would be no involvement from Voltaire and after the display we've just seen, the boy will have to be contained and I don't think he will do well after what he's been through so far."
Murmurs and nods went round the table, all in agreement.
"Then it's unanimous, we will discuss Voltaire's sentence and how we will get him to agree. Then what we do with the boy."
"How did you figure this out?" asked a more suspicious member of the jury.
"I was approached by none other then Mr. Dickinson himself, head of the BBA. He has been keeping an eye on Kai Hiwatari for some time, and knows the situation. After discussing it with the boy's team, they have all agreed it's for the best for Kai to be removed from these 'bitbeasts' as they seem to be doing more harm then good. He has completely changed, become more emotionally unstable, and more aggressive. He is now apparently also more prone to weaknesses in his body. He is shutting himself away from them and becoming more dangerous. The report is in the doctor's documents if you haven't already read them, I suggest you do now please. He is unsound and unfit to be placed in the public."
They did read it, and all decided strongly that Voltaire Hiwatari would get life imprisonment instead of death, and that Kai Hiwatari would undergo a procedure to make him safe for the public.
Kai still hadn't woken up. A doctor had been in but couldn't even see how Kai was through the strong layer of feathers. Anyone that tried to get too close couldn't get near, and were strongly repelled.
Tadashi was the last to try. Walking carefully and slowly up to the bench he was laid on, she knelt close to where his head should be. She could feel Phagus recoil and hiss in her mind, visualising the king cobra based beast spreading her hood menacingly. Black Dranzer was protecting Kai.
She didn't know how Kai could love that bitbeast; want to be part of it. It was evil, threatening. Dranzer was like life, and Black Dranzer the taint of death. How could he not want rid of that beast?
"Kai? Kai, wake up, please, we need you here. Wake up Kai!" she whispered. Somewhere, buried deep in her mind, something stirred that she had almost forgotten was there.
Tori.
How could she have forgotten the essence of the girl that had kept her alive? More importantly, kept Kai alive? The penetrating blue eyes of the girl pierced the darkness of her mind. They both called out to Kai, verbally and mentally. Phagus remained coiled, as if to strike at any wrong move Black Dranzer might make on the plane they seemed to exist in outside of Tadashi's own.
She kept at it, gentle encouragement. It didn't seem to be working, but she didn't believe in giving up. Soon enough, feathers shifted gently. A gap parted between downy soft wings, and a tired face was exposed. Eyes blinked wearily as he awoke.
Tadashi smiled, they hadn't lost him to the bitbeasts yet. She remembered, far, far back in her past, when Kai had first turned up at the abbey. A small, tear stained boy. Her and her brother had been told how special Kai was, how his training and punishments were to be more intense then anyone else's. They were only two years older, yet they were still to treat him as if he was far beneath them. Tadashi had been told all about the fusion process, the way to make the weapon. Only she knew here that Kai could completely surrender to the fusion and be lost to them forever. It was the only reason she had agreed to get them to remove the fusions effects. She had doubted her decision ever since.
The wings and hair started to fade, so subtly, so softly. Kai felt safe now. Phagus relaxed in her mind as Black Dranzer went from sight with the wings.
She smiled at Kai, "come on, they want us so they can announce the verdict."
Kai frowned at them sleepily, he just couldn't seem to wake up. "That was quick."
"It must have been an easy decision to make." They all went back to the courtroom, everyone smiling encouragement at him.
He didn't trust it, something was wrong. The hair on the back of his neck refused to go down. He swallowed down the feeling with the tinge of fear he had started experiencing and took his place at his table, his lawyers either side of him. His friends went back to the public stands. The judge and jury were already present, Voltaire was standing in the docks, mumbling to himself between two guards. Kai frowned, the room was full of guards! What were they expecting? Maybe a reaction from Voltaire, or him.
He paid attention to the jury, who had begun to speak.
"We find Voltaire Hiwatari guilty of the crimes he has been accused of. The verdict in total equals the death penalty", Kai's heart leaped up, could he be free? "He has agreed, however, in a bid to reduce his sentence by participating in the reversal of the fusion process he enacted on his grandson, Kai Hiwatari, to ensure public safety."
Kai's heart plummeted. They were going to try and remove the bitbeasts without his permission! They couldn't do that, the phoenixes were the only things that kept him going, to remove them now would be to remove his soul! His heart beat started to rise. Surely his friends wouldn't let them, surely they would help him. He whirled around to face his friends. He had stopped listening to what the jury were saying, only survival counted now. Suddenly he felt very awake.
His friends either refused to look at him or were openly guilty. Everything clicked, even Tadashi wouldn't meet his eyes. They knew! They had known all along! This was what they had been hiding, why they had been acting funny. The stench of betrayal broke his heart.
He couldn't rely on them, they were now the enemy. He was on his own, him and the phoenixes, alone again. He had to get out of the building, now!
Falling
It would just be too easy
To let go of the hold
I have on this precarious life
My lifeline to the world
My cries go unheard
Silent are my pleas
Angels will never know I was here
No hand of God can I seize
Could I really give up?
Which is the coward's way?
To carry on living these lies?
To obey gravity this day?
Do I have the strength
To pull myself up?
Do I have the courage
To succumb to the drop?
How can I have doubts
When the decision should be made
Do I try to make the mark
Should I let my memory fade
Questions always asked
No answers are ever found
I am here on the edge of life
All this freedom has me bound
The waves below call to me
Their dark song too much to bear
The wind wraps round my limbs
It taunts an open dare
For a moment I have wings
They could carry me so far
Never has anyone felt the same
To let go, to remove the bar
The sea rushes up to meet me
The answer had been so clear
Letting go had been so easy
When you've nothing to hold dear
No final goodbyes are said
No tears shed at the loss
As I felt one last cold embrace
In the end I was my own boss
Now I'll stand here on the edge
Watching the horizon forever more
At the place I fell from grace
I was barred at heavens door