Unigirl: I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

All: [groan]

UniGirl: So anyway, I had a great time, and I'd like to thank you all for your reviews. I went and calculated the number of chapters I'd like to have, and there's about five or six more, if you include the epilogue, maybe more.

Also, I am doing my best to make sure Carolyn isn't Mary Sueish. Please inform me if you think she is, and how I can improve. It's just that...well...I took the original MS test and she didn't even make borderline...but I needed someone to do this role...I wanted a female. There wasn't a female in Beyblade that I really, really liked...(except Mariam, and I, as you can see, already have a role for her.)

Sorry for being so long, I don't think I can update often. Even in summer, I'm busy.

But I found more really good fics. And truly realized how much this one stinked...but at least I've pre-planned some others. I was also truly honoured when a guy (sorry, no matter how great you are, I have to respect your privacy) told Ty Kamara that this was his very favourite fic.

No one's ever told me that before. Good thing I wasn't in front of him. I think I must have blushed bright red. ( I wish my brother wasn't there, though)

To die for your beliefs isn't the greatest courage. Once you're dead, you have no guilt. You know what I think is harder than dying for what you believe in?

What?

Marina...are you willing to let another one of us die?

Marina paused. No.

You see my point? What about you, Tala?

Tala pondered it. Yes. But I wouldn't want to.

You'll never forgive yourself for the rest of your life.

I know.

That's what Boris was saying. That's why emotions are bad. To get emotionally attached to someone makes a person not able to make correct choices, even if it's for the good of the world. Would you choose the one you truly cared about over the whole world? Many men would.

Wow, Carolyn, I never knew these words would come from you.

Kai...

The day Carolyn finds wisdom in Boris' words is the day the apocalypse comes.

Carolyn...why do you know this? Asked Marina

I let someone die before. She was going to sacrifice her life to save mine, so that I would live to recruit...you guys, and so I could have another chance.

Who was it?

Aquilla.

A Thing of Legends

There was little reaction, and none of it included surprise.

So...Aquilla died.

Yes.

Let me guess, Shade...

Viper, do not call me Shade.

You let him call you Shade, you even let Black Dranzer call you Shade, why not me?

I didn't let Black Dranzer call me Shade. She just did, and I was in the middle of a beybattle. I had better things to do than tell her off.

Okay, okay, fine. Black Dranzer killed Aquilla?

Partly.

She had something to do with it.

She has something to do with everything. That's why I'm scared. If she's got the guts to stand up to me, then something makes me think that she's already called the Demons together.

We. Are. So. In. Big. Trouble. If. That. Happens.

I know. But we knew it was going to happen one day or another.

The rest of them nodded. It was true. It was going to happen, and they'd have to be ready for it.

So Carolyn...

Yeah?

Are we even now?

Nope. I still hate you.

Kai let a flicker of a smile show on his face. Then it's back to the old days.

Carolyn closed her eyes and walked out of the hallway. Kai followed suit.

Well Mari, it is back to the old days. Said Tala

No. I don't think so. But close. She replied

Shade... the venom in the voice of the huge bit beast above her caused poison to pump through Carolyn's veins.

Don't call me that.

And why not?

Carolyn turned away. She had no time for this. She stared at her opponent.

Tomas' gaze met hers. "You are going down."

"And then whose victory will it be? Yours? I really don't think so. If I return to BioVolt, there won't be any room for you."

"Your bit beast is dead. That was a trick. Boris told me. They killed her."

"I know they did."

Tomas looked taken aback. "So you really don't care what happens to your bit beast."

Carolyn felt the blood boiling in her. No one, no one insulted her like that.

You're angry again.

SHUT UP

Black Dranzer chuckled.

"AQUILLA ATTACK! WINDS OF HELL!"

The graceful white hawk shot out of the bit chip, spreading its wings and screeching.

"BLACK DRANZER ATTACK!" screamed Tomas. "You, girl, are dead."

The white winds were broken with black sparks, and all of a sudden, the winds turned red.

"AQUILLA...NO!" screamed Carolyn. "STOP THE ATTACK!"

It was too late. The winds carried the fire. An injured hawk fell to the ground, sparkling. It had been burned.

"BLACK DRANZER FINAL ATTACK!"

There was only one thing to do. Carolyn was sure now; sure that what she had feared was going to happen. She wouldn't be able to use an element of surprise to defeat them now, but if she refused, she wouldn't be able to defeat them at all.

We have to do this.

The girl nodded. I know. You're ready?

Yes.

The black phoenix hurled her way towards the limp bird, but suddenly, it flew upwards, strands of wind curling around her shoulder.

And, in front of the whole astonished crowd, Aquilla changed.

In its place was a narwhal. It was grey in colour, and its blue eyes glared at Black Dranzer. Its horn was made of pure crystal.

"Harpona...let's do this. FINISH HER!"

"I knew it," said Ray.

The Bladebreakers turned toward him. "What?"

"Uh...nothing."

"How did she do that?" asked Tyson to Kenny

"I have no idea. I never really believed that there was a shapeshifter bit beast."

"You mean that's what Carolyn was using...a shapeshifter. But that's supposed to be really powerful."

"It is," said Lin. "It's one of the most powerful bit beasts out there." She lowered her voice so that Ray could hear her, and no one else. "You had better call Mariah," she said, "If the Guardians are back, she needs to be here."

Ray nodded. His hand instinctively went to his chest.

NO! You know what trouble you just got us in? Now the whole world knows.

If we lost, then there would be no world. Okay?

You could have...

What could I have done? Nothing. You can't help me here. I know what I'm doing.

Marina stood up. Carolyn always knew what she was doing? No way. From your reputation, you've gotten us into everything that's ever happened. Every time one of your "unfoilable plans" backfire, we pay the price. We would not be here, battling, if we hadn't listened to your "master plan to save the world," Okay? It's not that we don't trust you, it's that we can't.

Tell me this later. I need to concentrate.

And blow up the world while you're at it? I don't think so. Look, you told us to stay on this wretched earth after you told everyone you were leaving. And look what it's gotten us into? Huh? I'm proclaimed dead, I fell of a cliff. He survived a raging forest fire with little explanation why, you even lost Harpona once. DO YOU THINK THIS IS WORTH ALL THAT? TELL ME! TELL ME! DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO LOOK UP TO YOU AS ALMIGHTY AND POWERFUL? AFTER ALL YOU'VE DONE TO HARM US?

Look, girl. Back in the old days, you were our leader. But not now. You have little right to be our leader. We wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble if you weren't trying to be noble, trying to save the world. Look, you can't say that you were trying to help. Maybe you were, but if you minded your own business like the rest of us then maybe things would have turned out a lot better. Look at Harpona! Just look at her! Look what BioVolt's done to her? You know they musn't get any of Harpona's secrets, but they are very close. Look what they've done, what you've done to the one you trust most in the world.

Carolyn ignored her.

"Harpona, finish this. Quickly."

The blade rammed its opponent, and, surprisingly easily, flicked it off the stadium.

She stared at Black Dranzer in puzzlement. No way...that was way too easy.

Shade, you still have the finals. You're not going to win that. See you tomorrow.

You'll see...

"That was a fluke, girl. You know it," Tomas was glaring at her.

"I know it, all right."

"Then you know you won't win tomorrow."

"That's what you think."

"You can't beat me and Black Dranzer."

"There has only been one bit beast who has ever been able to defeat Black Dranzer. And she will be in the stadium tomorrow."

"She will not be enough."

Carolyn's face was expressionless. "Believe what you want to," she said quietly. With her face to the ground, not looking the least bit victorious, she walked out of the stadium.

Ray was shocked. Up until now, he had regarded Eltila as a thing of legend, immortal and indestructible. He had regarded her as someone who was godly, perfect. Now, though...she looked completely human, she looked, for the first time, old.

And she looked like someone could come up to her and knock

Dinner was an unusually quiet affair for the Bladebreakers. Even Tyson had noticed the mellow mood, and was unable to wolf down food at his usual rate. Kenny was trying his best to find any information on Harpona that didn't involve legends. Hilary stared from one of them to another. Ray and Lin had their heads low, looking very disturbed, and Max kept shooting nervous glances in their direction. He knew this had something to do with these Mages. Harpona. He remembered that name, somewhere.

Ray twiddled his thumbs. At long last, he stood up and walked to another table, to another one of them. He had made up his mind.

"Hey Ozuma."

"Yeah?"

"This evening. You know where. We're going to find out what's going on."

The moon had disappeared. The night was cold and dark. Clouds covered the skies. But the eight people on the balcony didn't care.

"That was Harpona. It was, and I know it," said Michael

"Who cares, it's not like anything that ever comes out of your mouth is true," said Drolcyan lazily.

"It was Harpona. Drolcyan, behave yourself,"

"Behave? What does that mean?"

Lin sighed.

"I wish I had been there," said Mariah.

"You could stay here, and go there with me tomorrow," offered Ray

Lin turned scarlet. In the night, it didn't make much of a difference if she had turned purple with pink polka dots.

"That's not the point," said Johnny impatiently, "We need Eltila here."

"It's not like she's going to come whenever we want her to."

"But she's the Guardian of Air. This is her fight. This is hers and Kariey's and Yaleri's and Helenia's fight. We didn't want this. They did," said Ozuma.

Drolcyan made a face of mock annoyance. "Wow, you finally noticed... But let me tell you something, Eltila's an arrogant brat who..."

"Well, Drolcyan, are you sure you want to finish that sentence?"

Drolcyan turned, "Hi," he whimpered.

But as they all looked towards the source of the voice, they jumped. It wasn't Eltila. It wasn't Yaleri. It wasn't even Helenia or Kariey.

It was Mariam.

"Hi," she addressed the crowd.

They looked at her, open mouthed, and Ozuma asked, "What are you doing here?" quite rudely, in Ray's opinion.

"Yeah, what are you doing here?" repeated Johnny. This surprised Ray a bit less, since Johnny was known for his rudeness and big mouth, something that, he supposed, Robert wouldn't stand for.

Kane was the first one to piece everything together. "You're the traitor Eltila was talking about, aren't you?" he asked.

But to their surprise, Mariam shook her head. "I feel I owe you all an explanation."

"Yeah, you do," said Johnny. Drolcyan seemed strangely quiet.

As if in answer, Mariam held out her hand. The sky was dark, but there was just enough light from the city that seemed so far a way to illuminate a small object she held in her hand.

"Ray. RAY!"

Ray shook his head groggily. "What?" The world slowly came into view. Kenny was shaking him awake.

"I've been up all night, searching up what that shapeshifter bit beast is."

"Oh. What have you found?"

"Not much, but all the sites seem to say something about the only Shapeshifter every alive was Harpona, spirit of Air, and something about her belonging to the "Gods of Bit Beasts" or something."

"Why do I need to know this?" asked Ray. Lin had come into the room, and was doing her best to keep her mouth shut.

"Because they say that when these "Guardian" people left the earth, which they obviously haven't if these things are true, they left eight people to keep the earth running for them. They gave them stones like theirs which hold powers and stuff."

"And?" asked Ray. Then he noticed his stone was gone.

"And they're supposed to be all really powerful bladers."

"Yeah? And?"

"Don't tell me you know nothing about this, Ray."

"Why would I know anything, anyway?"

Kenny sighed. He withdrew a gem out of his pocket. It was pure black except for the gold framing it and the chain that hung from it.

"When I first took this, it was bright green. I guess it needs a person to keep it's colour."

Ray growled, but took it back. "What is it?"

"Ray, you know exactly what it is. At least I think you do. I had Dizzi look at it – she is a bit beast, in case you forgot."

"What did she say?"

"It's one of the gems. From when those "Guardians" left."

Ray pretended to look wide eyed. "Where'd you find it? I bet it's really valuable."

Kenny was going to answer, but a cold voice beat him to it.

"Of course it's valuable; you should know. As for where he found it? He found it around your neck."

Ray turned. His eyes narrowed. "What do you want anyway?"

"Nice way to treat me. Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Hardly. How do you know about these gems? Huh? Last time I checked, Kai Hiwatari, you went, betrayed us to some lousy team that hates you..."

"How I know about these stones, Mage?" he cut in coldly. "If you haven't notice, Eltila's on my current team."

"That woman isn't Eltila. Eltila's a strong soul. Eltila's not devious...not like you."

"You'll see, but you will regret it, mark my words. Eltila? Strong? Never heard of such a thing."

He left.

Ray cursed under his breath. How did Kai know? He was told that Kai wasn't a Mage.

But after what happened with Mariam last night, anything could happen. The Guardians didn't lie, but they don't tell the truth either.

"So Ray?"

"Chief, leave me alone."

"You know something about that shapeshifter. I know it...and here," he handed back the stone. Ray took it in his hand. It sparked green again.

Kenny turned to leave.

"Chief?"

"Yes?"

"Next time, ask me before you take something of mine."

Breakfast was a quiet affair, yet again. Lin, who was usually bubbly and cheery, kept shooting unhelpful glances at him. It didn't help the fact that Mariah had come overnight, and he had waved off the question of how she got here off. It seemed Lin's anger with Mariah had quite evaporated, given the conditions. They both were in the room the time Kai walked in, and both of them were frightened out of their guts. The answer was quite simple. Kai knew about the stones. He wasn't a Mage. Guardian's aren't the least bit like him. Ray knew that Eltila, for one, prized loyalty over all the other values combined. Kai had to be a Demon.

That was uncomforting for Ray. Kai had trained with him...he had trained him. He knew everything he could about his strategies. If he had to fight Kai, he would surely lose. No one knew how much he had improved, but seeing him battle Max, it seemed he improved a lot.

Finally, when Tyson, who noticed nothing wrong and shoved food down his face all the same, had finished, Kenny asked Ray, "So are you going to tell us more about those weird bit beasts?"

The attention of the whole table tuned up. Evidently, Kenny had told Tyson and Max about it, too. Ray breathed, noticing the attention he was receiving, and said finally, "No, I'm not going to tell you."

The reaction was immediate. "Why?" asked Hilary, "Why won't you tell us. We just want to help."

"We're your friends, Ray. We want to help you. You seemed depressed over the past few weeks. I'm sure it has something to do with this." Said Kenny

"Bud, c'mon. You're starting to totally act like Kai."

Tyson had crossed the line. Ray's anger had been building up over the past week, and it was very hard to restrain it. He raised his voice, which was quavering dangerously. "Don't you ever say I'm like that..." but he couldn't find the precise insult for what he felt about Kai at this moment. "I'm not like him. I'm not a traitor, like he is."

Max frowned. "He's not a traitor. He's been there for us when we really needed him. Sure, he's rude and grumpy, but he always comes round. He knows we're his friends, and I think, deep down, he's our friend too. He just doesn't like to parade it out."

"Don't talk about things you don't understand," Ray snapped.

The rest of them fell silent, surprised at this change of character.

"Look, I'm tired."

"That's just because you've been up all last night."

"I don't want to talk about this."

"We want to help you."

"I need some alone time."

"You do sound like Kai."

Ray ignored the last comment and left the table. How many questionings would he have to tolerate? For how long will he have to deceive his best friends? Eltila always told him...he stamped out the thought. All his respect for Eltila had long gone. They needed her. All of them needed her at this moment. Why was she still avoiding them, then?

So great was his frustration that, when he arrived back in the room, he screamed and threw himself onto the bed.

There was a knock on the door, causing Ray to scream about a dozen swear words and how people will never leave him alone.

The doorknob turned and Ray angrily faced the person who had just walked in. "Oh," he said, turning slightly pink.

UniGirl: How was it? I hope it was okay. I had major writer's block somewhere in the middle. There was a Grev preview yesterday, made me very happy. It was episode...four, I think. The one where Ray meets up with his sensei that acts, in my opinion, a lot like Tyson's grandpa. The only drawback was that Hitoshi said really cheesy lines an Kai only got one line in it, but it was a good one. I wish it would hurry up and show episode 48. But then again, I dread what Nelvana will do to it.

Eleven reviews! Thanks a million guys! [hands out Kai plushies]

Dranzen: The Bladebreakers split apart. Ray went to the White Tigers, Max to the All Starz, and Kai back to the Demolition Boys. (Blitzkrieg boys in Grev, but you know what I mean, Tala and those guys.) Tyson was stuck with Daichi and Kenny. (he wins, obviously) Dranzer kinda...I think...disappears for a few episodes. There was the longest time when the whole fandom thought Dranzer disappears forever, but Rubellite told me that he appears in the last episode, after Tyson defeats Brooklyn. The third series goes until the end of the championships, and then Beyblade [sob] ends. YTV never showed the preview on the thirtieth, annoyed me greatly. Apparently there had been a mistake. I like Brooklyn. I kinda like Garland, I don't think I like Moses and MingMing though. Hitoshi does rock.

Rock: Thanks for the info. Justice 5? What kind of name is that?

Vampyre Neko: This isn't called soon. I think I blushed purple when the extremely nice guy mentioned above told me he liked my fic the best... You do? [blushes purple again]

Nessi: I think it cleared up in this chapter. Thanks! I don't think I updated soon.

Demon's-gurl: Thanks. What happens? I think you'll just have to read...

Britt: Thanks for the compliment. I'm evil and nice? The irony is killing me.

Swithblade Silver---SD SilverDragon: What happened to all those nice and short names? Just kidding. You're not confused? Oh no...I meant for you to be confused for one more chapter...I think next chapter a lot's gonna clear up. I think I'm going to write five or six more chapters. Oh, there is a lot revealed, but there are some more mysteries. You are really good at predicting what other people are going to do. But the sequel will be focused on a different point. There will be a tournament, but it won't be focused on winning the tournament...oops...I think I'm giving a little too much here.

TNTiggris: Is Wolf's Rain really good? I saw some pictures of it and it's pretty intriguing. Tala's real nickname is "Night" I thought of "wolf" first but then I realized he doesn't have a wolf bit beast any more.

Jule: Thanks a lot. Wow, and we're jealous because UK gets Grev...man, people never get enough, don't they. I never liked Vforce a lot, mind you.

Phoenix the 1st: Oh, it's just good to have you back. Don't worry, I feel your pain. I'm sure it wasn't crap. I mean, Reiven said that her fic wasn't that good on the forum and...look what happened to it.

Puppalupp2008: I like your name...I started favouring long chapters when I realized how annoying short chapters were. The only drawback is I don't update as often. The whole point of the first three quarters of this fic was for you to get confused, so it's perfectly normal. I confused myself too.