UniGirl: Hi. I don't know where all my reviewers went…I'm so sad…And I'm so sorry this came so late. My defense is that I have a long chapter. That's all. And that the Internet crashed on me when I was going to put it up. Anyway I found a nickname for Kai I quite like……NEMO! Yup that little cute fish in the movie. Yeah. That's my good news for today.
Kai: Nemo…cant you think of anything better
UniGirl: Grass…can't you think of anything better?
Kai: I was bored
UniGirl: has it ever occurred to you how many people stepped on that?
Kai: Hmph
UniGirl: Gosh anyway I watched the grev previews in Canada. YAY! I wanna see wut happens next…Kai looks totally cool. He's obsessed with grass though…But he looks so good chewing grass, so I don't care. Yes. And now every time I see a particularly long blade of grass, I think of Kai. Max's voice went through puberty, and Dizzi doesn't exist. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Ray looks like an elf. I loved his line. Re-enactment:
Tyson: Ray, What is your problem?
Ray: To tell you the truth Tyson, you're my problem
[At this point UniGirl squeals] but it seems so OOC of Max to abandon Tyson. Ah…
I know Im making all u non Canadians jealous… Anyway I don't own Beyblade
Kai: And I hope you never will.
UniGirl: that wasn't nice Nemo.
Kai: Hmph.
UniGirl: Aw. It doesn't annoy him any more
Kai: *Walks away*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ozuma walked up to the stadium, facing Bryan. It seemed so weird of them to step down. Why? He may never know. What he did know was that if Flash Leopard won, they would go to the finals.
******************
Kai met up with Carolyn shortly after the brief encounter of the Bladebreakers.
"How'd it go?"
"Fine."
"Yeah right."
"You watched?"
"I have better eyesight than you take me for."
"Right." Carolyn was nice enough, but it didn't mean she was not annoying.
"Where are you going now?" she asked as Kai rose from his chair to put the cup he was drinking from in the sink.
"Out."
"Right. That tells me a lot."
"I suppose what you don't know can't kill you." Kai replied as he walked out the door.
Deep blue eyes followed him through the window. A fiendish smirk appeared on Carolyn's face. "But it can." She whispered maliciously.
**************
"Let it rip!" called Ozuma. Bryan merely grunted.
"Attack!"
Bryan grunted again.
The blades flew at each other in a speed thought impossible. They ground at each other, and then did it again.
Ozuma grunted as Flash Leopard pushed Bryan's Falborg against the walls of the stadium.
"Falborg!" Falborg quickly shook it off.
"Brad…you're supposed to be commenting."
"Right. Those two are really ripping it out. The tension in here is building."
"Exactly."
Falborg slammed Flash Leopard against another wall.
"Ooh I think Flash Leopard just took a blow to the head."
"That's it…" Ozuma had enough. "FLASH LEOPARD!"
the blade rushed out and gnawed at the other.
Falborg held its ground. It attacked back.
"FALBORG" Falborg rushed towards the other blade
Flash leopard dodged it with ease and ran after it.
Falborg rushed at it again. This time, its aim was true, and Flash Leopard was sent back.
"I've had enough of toying. FLASH LEOPARD CROSSFIRE!" Flash Leopard glowed and Ozuma put a hand to his chest to stop the jewel there from glowing in response. The Leopard Bit beast ran at its enemy.
Flash leopard met its mark, but Falborg just stood there.
"FALBORG!" the falcon rose from its bit chip and dove at Flash Leopard
"Flash Leopard counter!" The black blade rushed toward its opponent. It met its mark, and Falborg bounced out of the stadium.
Bryan picked the blade up and looked at Boris, who had a frown on his face.
Ozuma held up his hand, and his blade spun back just as Jazzman announced them the winner.
Ray was puzzled. Last time he remembered Bryan, he wasn't this easy to beat. He must have something up his sleeve, or else Ozuma wouldn't have defeated him.
Lin noticed the frown on Ray's face. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Wait." Said Dizzi. "Last time we met Bryan, he wasn't this weak."
"I know."
"What are you talking about?" asked Hilary and Lin at the same time.
"Oh" said Ray, " In the Bladebreakers' first tournament, I battled Bryan in the final round. And he was tough."
"Ooh," said Lin. "Then he must be good."
"Nah," said Tyson. "He's brutal, but that's about it."
"Um guys…where's Ray?" asked Max
They all turned around, but no sign of Ray.
Ray walked down the path between the rows of flowering trees. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he was going somewhere.
I'm getting these fits of temper, and this need to spend time alone. I don't know why. Ray put his head in his hands and sat down on a bench. He had fifteen minutes to think this over. He wanted to be back in the stadium before the match begun.
Softly but distinctly, Ray heard footsteps coming his way. Pricking up his ears, Ray jumped onto the branches of the tree. He didn't want anyone finding him. Especially not Tyson.
Carolyn walked down the path. Her violet hair was up in a bun. The wind blew through the trees.
Ray watched for the source of the footsteps. Slowly a figure appeared. It seemed to be walking slowly, so he figured it wasn't Tyson or any other Bladebreaker. As it neared, Ray held his breath.
Carolyn was still strolling along when she heard a tiny gasp. She was very observant, and even though the gasp sound very suppressed and was hardly noticeable, she found it obvious among the sounds of the wind. In the distance there were a few children screaming and shouting. She raised her hand. "Aquilla" she said.
A white hawk flew towards her hand and she whispered to it. Then it took off again. Carolyn watched it. Then it screeched and the girl smiled.
Ray watched as the girl continued walking down the path as if nothing happened. He slowly relaxed. Then he tensed as she stopped right underneath the tree he was hiding in. He watched as her eyes travelled up the tree and stopped right where he was. She smirked and continued walking. Then she stopped about a few meters away.
"I told you we'd meet again, Ray." She said with a hint of amusement in her voice. Then her bird flew to her again, and started growing and mutating until he saw what it really was – her bit beast. She grabbed a handful of neck feathers and climbed on as if she had done this every day. Spreading its wings, Aquilla took to the sky.
Ray stared at her in shock. He had almost forgotten about Carolyn.
*****Flashback*****
"Why can't you stay with us?"
"I'm a wanderer."
"All beybladers wander."
"My only root is with my bit beast. I side with no one."
"Right. But will you come back?"
"Let's just say we'll meet again."
*****End Flashback*****
Ray jumped down and started running. It was almost time for the battle. If he didn't get there soon, he'd be late.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
/What a complete waste of time./ commented Aqua.
/We could go./ said Wing.
/We just got here./ said Storm
/Okay then, me and Storm will stay here while you and Aqua go./
/No thanks. I don't want to spend a day with Wing./
/I feel insulted./ said Wing sarcastically
the rest of the Celestials ignored her.
/They're coming back in./ said Storm, indicating the Demolition Boys minus Tomas and the Saint Shields.
/I wonder what happened to Tomas./ said Aqua half to herself.
/Why do you care?/ asked Flame.
Aqua was silent.
/Tell you what, I think that he's getting "Consequences" from Voltaire right now./
/I'd rather have "consequences" from him rather than Wing./
/I heard that./ Wing said.
/Why?/ asked Storm
/Well, it's one thing being beaten up by an adult, it's another being beaten up by a kid half your size./
/You have a point./ said Flame
/Do you have anything else to tease me about other than my height?/
/Your width?/
Wing, who knew full well that she was literally skin and bone, made no comment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ray took his seat just as the beybattle was about to start.
"Where were you?" asked Lin
"Huh? Just wandering."
"You had me all worried."
"You had us all worried." Said Tyson.
"Sorry." He was saved from further questions as Ozuma and Bryan took the stage.
"LET IT RIP!"
The two blades raced at each other again, and Bryan called up his bit beast.
"Falborg."
Ozuma watched the blade, but no falcon appeared. Instead, the winds kicked up and, before he knew it, Ozuma had started shivering.
"He's on with the same tactic he used on Me." Said Ray.
"Ozuma doesn't know." Said Max worriedly.
"You're right."
Meanwhile, in the stadium, Ozuma was struggling against the wind.
"What? Too cold for you?" Bryan snickered.
"You should say. You live in Russia. FLASH LEOP…" he broke off and grunted as a strong gust swiped through his gut.
"The kiddy forgot to bring a coat." Said Bryan tauntingly.
Ozuma reached toward his neck. He was a creature of fire. Of Kariey. No bit beast could overpower his jewel. Suddenly his blade flashed and the jewel sparked. Luckily his hand was covering it. But he had understood his bit beast's warning. He had to do this without the help of his jewel. If he called on it, all would be lost for the Mages.
Ozuma struggled to his feet. "FLASH LEOPARD!"
The bit beast emerged from the bit chip. Ozuma relaxed a little. But as he did, Bryan sent another sharp gust at his shoulder, slicing it.
"Wha-?"
"This was easier than I thought. FALBORG FINISH IT!"
All of a sudden, the winds got stronger, and both Ozuma and his beyblade were knocked off the stage.
The Saint shields rushed to their team mate's side.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
/Well I must say that was amusing./ commented Wing.
/Yeah./
********
"That was brutal," said Hilary.
"How could he?" asked Lin
"That's the Bryan I know." Said Ray.
"And you won?"
"Barely," he said.
"That's my Ray for you, always so modest."
Lin didn't notice the glare.
Ray got up again.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh. Washroom."
"Okay." Lin got up.
"No Lin. I'm old enough to go by myself."
"I was going to get a drink." Said Lin defiantly.
Ray walked towards the washrooms, but then, after he was pretty sure Lin had walked away, he took a turn and headed out the doors. At times like this, I wish Yaleri was here. He thought.
Ozuma was one of them. He was sure of it now. He had felt another jewel just as the winds had started getting fierce. Ozuma had thought of using his jewel to protect him. He didn't blame him. It was dangerous for all of them, though. Unless, of course, his Guardian showed up. The chances of that: zero to none.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ozuma limped into his changing room, supported by Dunga.
"How could he be so brutal?"
"That's your typical Demolition Boy." Said Mariam without thinking.
"What?"
Mariam mentally hit herself. "Oh I heard rumours about the Demolition Boys."
"From whom?"
Mariam kept silent. Helenia's gonna kill me. She thought. But I'm already dead.
"It's okay sis," said Joseph, "We know you've been getting together with Max."
Mariam hit the earth with an unpleasant bump.
"Max?"
"Yeah."
"I haven't talked to Max since the breakfast we had together before the semifinals."
"Oh Mariam has a crush." Said Dunga.
"Max and I are over. If we ever started"
"Really." Said Dunga sarcastically
What Mariam said was true. She had been so busy during the last few weeks that she had never actually gotten a chance to talk to Max.
"Cool down you guys." Said Ozuma
"You know, Ozuma, you've been saying that often."
"Then why don't you and Dunga stop fighting?"
"Okay that was unlike you."
Ozuma kept silent. He was thinking. He felt guilty. That was so selfish of me. I almost got all of us found out. I almost blew our cover.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The final battle was almost starting. Aqua couldn't stand it any more.
/That's it! I'm going./
/Go by yourself/
/You're not coming?/
/Nope. At this rate, it's us against those Demolition Boys at the finals./
/Right./
Flame got up. /I'll go too./
/Flame?/ asked Storm
/What?/
/You're going?/
/Yes. I can't stand it here with so many people./
/Okay just be here on time after the battle./ Wing added a glare after her sentence.
/All right./ Flame knew how Wing hated it when people were late.
Ozuma walked up to the stage and held Flash Leopard close to his jewel. This might be his last time with his bit beast. He shook his head slightly to clear the thought. Don't think about those things he told himself.
The final battle began.
Bryan wasted no time in giving Ozuma the hardest time he could.
"Falborg" the winds started up again. This time there were even fiercer and colder than before.
Ozuma was ready. "FLASH LEOPARD!" Flash Leopard emerged from the bit chip. All of a sudden the winds were engulfed in red flames.
"ATTACK" Ozuma screamed. All the energy poured into the blade as it ran towards the opponent.
"FALBORG COUNTER" The two blades made contact and pushed each other as far as they could go.
"Keep going" urged Ozuma.
"Falborg get him off of you!" screamed Bryan. His blade gave a heavy nudge and Flash Leopard bounced off.
The winds started up again.
Ozuma put one hand to shield his face. Big mistake. A particularly strong gust came at him and sliced his arm. Blood welled up in the wound, and he cradled it. It didn't work. Another gust circled his legs and finally, with tremendous force, one hit him in the stomach, causing him to fall back.
"OZUMA" called Mariam as she rushed forward.
"no Mariam." He said. "I can handle this. FLASH LEOPARD!"
"Oh no." said Dizzi, "Flash Leopard is getting weak."
"Ozuma's in big trouble." Said Kenny. "Any advice?"
"What? Don't run with scissors?" [A/N that's not mine.]
"Dizzi."
Ray stared at Ozuma. Then he made up his mind. He stood up.
"OZUMA!"
Ozuma turned his head. "Ray?"
"Hold still. Stay strong. Don't give up. That's what Bryan doesn't like."
Bryan turned at Ray. "Stay out of this."
"Ozuma's my friend."
"How would you know?" asked Ozuma.
"I battled Bryan before." He said
"Right." He turned back to the task at hand. Ray's words echoed in his head. Hold still, Stay strong. Okay, he thought It's worth a shot. All of a sudden the winds seemed colder and stronger.
"FALBORG!"
Ozuma winced as Falborg struck yet another blow. Usually he worked to protect his bit beast. He couldn't even protect himself today.
"Flash Leopard…" said Oliver
"He's not going to make it." Said Robert.
"He is." Said Johnny.
"Huh?"
"I don't remember Johnny rooting for someone."
"Argh." They didn't understand. OZUMA'S THE OTHER MAGE OF FIRE YOU IDIOTS! He practically screamed the words out loud but then what would he say? I'm a boy with magical powers? As if.
Bryan was annoyed. Why didn't he give up? Maybe he should turn the winds up a notch.
As if Falborg was listening, the winds grew fiercer. If he hadn't experienced it, Ozuma wouldn't have believed it possible. He slowly felt himself losing consciousness.
Ray gasped. Last time he had battled Bryan, he hadn't been this strong. At this rate, Ozuma would die. Like it mattered to him. According to what Kai said, the Demolition Boys were to win at all costs – even if it meant taking a life.
Ozuma fell to his knees yet again. All the Saint Shields were on their feet. Ozuma had to keep telling them not to come.
"Forfeit, Ozuma," shouted Mariam. "We don't want you hurt."
Ozuma shook his head fiercely. But he realized that Mariam had suggested the only way out of this. He slowly tried to get up onto his feet to announce that he had enough, when another blow struck his thigh and he was forced to fall again.
Then he realized: These winds could not be stopped. They were going to play until there was a winner.
And unless he found a way, then they would play until he, Ozuma, died. He was already so weak.
He had a choice. He could use his jewel to save himself. If he did, then all the Mages would be discovered. If he didn't he'd die, and the Mages will fall apart.
Ray knew what he was thinking. He had been faced with this same decision
*****Flashback*****
It was now or never. Summoning all the strength from his jewel, he wrapped it around himself like a barrier. He wove Driger into it. The crowd would think that Driger had sacrificed himself. Even though he didn't like it, he had no other choice.
*****End Flashback*****
The problem now was, Ozuma was most definitely a Mage of fire. Which meant his glow would be red, not brown. Driger was white, and it could have passed. But Ozuma's colour was red. It'd definitely be seen. Unless…
Ozuma thought quickly. Both would hurt all of them greatly. Then a thought hit him If Kariey came, he'd be saved. Chances? Close to zero. But if he didn't try, it would be zero. He summoned all the warmth he could muster.
Bryan stared in disbelief.
"FLASH LEOPARD!" he shouted. Suddenly he was on his feet. The stadium burst with red light.
And as quickly as it came, the light went out.
Kariey stood in a shadowy corner. He had sensed a jewel being used. He had to suppress it. His own jewel, the one that he had controlled so expertly to match the colour of his skin, suddenly sparked a fiery crimson. He reached out mentally to Ozuma's and the light dimmed. He had arrived just a second late, and although Ozuma was fine, the ones who already knew in the first place might know what this meant. Specifically speaking, Voltaire might know he was back.
Ozuma watched as his jewel dimmed, and, whirling around, saw the faintest spark in one corner. "Thanks" he mouthed before turning to the battle – and gasping.
Flash Leopard was spinning very very weakly. Bryan met his eyes and he smirked before ordering a final attack. Flash Leopard flew out of the stadium easily. Ozuma watched his beloved bit beast go – before collapsing onto the grounds.
Kariey scowled. He turned to go before he was blocked by two men standing at the doorway. One of them lifted his hood, and he immediately recognized him as Voltaire.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! REALLY! ;_;
How was that for length? For me, I'm proud of myself. I think the Celestials will battle in the next chapter, but there's still the aftermath of Ozuma, Kariey, and of course
Reviewz! Thanks!
Phoenix the 1st: Cool. I've never heard of them. Where are you in the world? Sorry about the long wait. I was very very busy. Yeah. But actually I'm thinking of writing a new fic after I finish my other one about Inuyasha. Of course then I'll still keep this going…I think
Britt: Who doesn't hate Boris?
Demon's-gurl: You feel so what? Anyway Celestials will battle in the next chapter. Also, I got a review from Nessi thanking you. You're always a lot of inspiration.
Dranzen: YOURE BACK! *glompz* I haven't forgotten you. Wow. Almost everyone's got an account now! Kai…no spoilers.
Nessi: I know I'm evil. Anyway Tomas…is kinda complicated. He's got a ton against Boris but don't we all? ^_______^
*Quote*
[A/N if you read some of the quotes carefully there are hints dropped in them.]
"Bravery is an act, not a value."
~ Don't know where I've heard this.