Well here is the next chapter and so sorry for the delay...I am working on my other story which isn't near as finished as this one...but that's okay......I guess....Anyway on with the fic!
Oh and I don't own Beyblade...
Chapter 12: The Tournament Begins
"Finally! The tournament begins today and I am so stoked!" Tyson exclaimed, catching many of the other bladers' attention toward them.
"Calm down Tyson! We're all excited that it's finally gonna start but you don't have to get too excited," Karen commented, grabbing a hold of him so he wouldn't go anywhere. Everyone except Kai chuckled at them when Tyson just smiled sheepishly at Karen and actually calmed down. The Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars worked hard and narrowly survived Kai and Celia's training for the past month. Despite knowing that they were already ready, both captains kept up their hardcore training schedule until they knew that their team was read for any and everything.
"Kenny, Sophie, have you registered us yet?" Celia asked looking at the two.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Kenny exclaimed, beginning to panic. Sophie just rolled her eyes and nodded, indicating that she did. She held a slightly questioning look toward Ray who just smiled.
"Attention, all teams please head toward the arena. I repeat, all teams head toward the arena at this time," the announcer said over the intercom. The crowd began to cheer loudly as the teams came in, especially loud when the Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars came in. All the teams began to make their way toward their designated spot and waited.
"Hello and welcome everyone to the first ever DuoBlade Tournament! This is the tournament that everyone around the world has been waiting for! Now let's introduce our paired up teams that are competing in this tournament," DJ Jazzman said, standing on his platform above the stadium. Most of the lights were dimmed and crowd was cheering as loud as ever. "First we have the Lightning Storm and Divine Winds. Next are the FireBlazers and Gaia Girls. Then we have the Circuitbreakers and Tsunami Sisters. Then the Heartbreakers and Wisterias. Next are Seraphim and Cherubim, the singing sensations in the blading world. The Demolition Boys and the Trinity have paired up for this competition. European champions the Majestics and Mystics are here to take the tournament. However, all the teams' greatest competition would be this hardcore pair, the Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars," he announced the teams and spotlights shown on each group.
"Hi everyone! Brad Best here along with AJ Topper to bring you the viewers the action," Brad Best announced.
"That's right Brad. Now we're about to find out who will battle who. This will be the first time the teams will see who they're gonna go against," AJ Topper said.
"All right everyone, we have randomly selected the line up and here they are," Jazzman said gesturing toward the jumbo screen. All the team captains' pictures showed up, revealing who against who. "First up today we the Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars vs. the Heartbreakers and Wisterias. Second round is Seraphim and Cherubim vs. Lightning Storm and Divine Winds. Third we have the Majestics and Mystics vs. Circuitbreakers and Tsunami Sisters. Finally we have the Demolition Boys and the Trinity vs. FireBlazers and Gaia Girls. First round teams, please get ready for battle and other teams please the arena," Jazzman stated. All the teams left except for the Heartbreakers, Wisterias, Bladebreakers, and Sacred Stars who went to their benches which were on opposite sides of each other.
"Celia you okay? You look kinda pale," Ray commented with a frown, looking at her closely. Celia was indeed paler and looked slightly nervous at the moment. She tried to shake it off and put on her normal mask to hide how she was truly feeling. At the moment, only her teammates actually knew why she was acting that way. Kai raised an eyebrow at seeing the slight concern on the girls' faces and looked at Celia. Her usual mask was put on but he could see it in her eyes that she was nervous about something. Kai decided to pull her aside and see what the problem was.
"Celia, come with me," Kai said, motioning for her to come with him away from the team. She nodded and walked with him a few feet away from the bench. They were facing each other but Celia hung her head low while Kai waited to see if she would talk first. After about a minute of not talking, Kai decided to talk first. "What's the matter? You weren't like this earlier," he asked, his face showing no emotion but the tone in his voice denied how he was really feeling.
"He's here Kai," Celia responded not looking up at him.
"Who's here?" Kai replied back with a questioning look. He was surprised when she looked up at him with slightly glazed eyes. He would have comforted her right then but restrained himself.
"Jamie," she managed to choke out. Kai's eyes widened slightly at hearing that and looked over to the other team and indeed saw a blond haired, green eyed guy. He clenched his fists slightly, remembering what she told him so many nights ago.
"Look, you're gonna have to stand up to him sooner or later. Show him you're not the same person you were back then," Kai encouraged while still keeping up with his straight face. Inside, he was about to explode. He hated to see her like this and wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and protect her from everything.
"I don't know if I can do it alone," Celia said trying her best not to break down and reveal herself.
"Hmm..." Kai made his way back to the bench and went to Ray. "Ray, you're not gonna blade with Celia, I will," he informed the dark haired teen. Everyone had a surprised look on their face, especially Celia.
"Why?" Ray asked, wanting to know the reason but secretly already having an idea why.
"I have my reasons," Kai simply said.
"But we haven't even practiced together. How are we gonna be able to blade together? Plus you're listed as a substitute and clearly Ray isn't injured enough of to sit out," Celia reasoned, understanding why he was doing this but he also needed to think about the tournament.
"We'll manage. I can always tell Dranzer to follow you and vise versa. Besides, I'm the leader of this group and my way goes," Kai reasoned back, wanting to have this arrangement. Celia saw it in his eyes and sighed in defeat. Little did they know that when Sophie had registered them, Ray had asked her to put him as the substitute.
"Fine, have it your way," Celia said. She didn't show it, but she was really glad that Kai was willing to help her out in facing Jamie. The others had questioning looks but didn't ask when Kai gave them a glare. He sat down at one end of the bench and pulled up one knee and rested his arm on it while his other was at his side. Celia, putting up a brave and emotionless front before she sat down next to him. Only Kai noticed that she was fidgeting slightly, knowing that she was nervous, not about the tournament but about facing her ex-boyfriend that abused her not so long ago. In an effort to calm her nerves, he placed his hand on top of hers that was out of the others' view. She looked at his hand on hers and then at Kai with a very slight smile on her face. He gave her the reassurance she needed when she looked into his eyes. His face was void of emotion but his eyes said everything that she needed.
"All right! Will the first bladers please approach the dish," Jazzman said looking at both teams and waiting for the bladers come. Max and Julie shared a smile before going toward the dish and met their opponents, Stephan and Mia.
"Okay let's check some stats. Stephan from the Heartbreakers is more of the attack type and with his coyote bit beast, Rujing, he's able to deliver a fierce attack. His partner Mia is more of the endurance type and her seal bit beast, Chicanry, gives her the edge," Brad Best said, informing the people of the bladers stats.
"But that doesn't mean you can cut Max and Julie short. Max and his bit beast Draciel have some hardcore defense that is nearly impossible to penetrate. His partner Julie however is the total opposite of his style, an all out attacker and her black wolf bit beast Eczelon will send chills to her opponents with her ice attacks," AJ Topper said.
"All right bladers take your positions," Jazzman said looking at both pairs. Stephan and Mia readied their blades with a smirk that showed that they were confident while Max and Julie got ready with an emotionless face, not giving away anything. "In 3...2...1...Let it rip!" At that four blades were launched into the classic bowl dish and circled each other, each waiting for someone to make the first move. Being the impatient type, Stephan made the first move wanting to get the match over with.
"Rujing, attack now," Stephan commanded, pointing toward Julie's blade. She waited for his attack and anticipated it. At the last moment it dodged the attack and then began to attack it from behind.
"Chicanry, get in there!" Mia exclaimed and her blade advanced toward the lavender blade but was stopped short when a green blade knocked her out of the way.
"Not so fast. Draciel go!" Max shouted, telling his blade to attack the pale yellow one. Each were in their own battle, concentrating solely on their opponent. Julie decided to attack, wanting to get the match over with.
"Eczelon, Freeze Swipe attack. End this now," Julie commanded and her blade complied. The air around the dish became slightly chilled when the lavender blade began to spin faster and with lightning speed, made its way toward the red blade. On impact, the red blade started to freeze and soon was covered in ice. With a final hit, it was sent flying out of the dish. Stephan had a shocked look on his face at being beaten and just stood there, not able to do anything. Mia began to panic and lost focus. It was at that moment that Max sent her blade flying out of the dish.
"And the winners of the first match are Max and Julie!" Jazzman exclaimed, pointing toward the two bladers. Both bladers just smiled and went back to the bench after getting their blades. "Will the next bladers please come up to the dish?" Jazzman asked. Karen calmly stood up from the bench and smiled at seeing Tyson jump off from his seat. They approached the dish and met their opponents, Evan and Riley.
"Now let's check their stats. Evan and Riley are they captains of their teams and with Evan's fox bit beast Daijing and Riley's water sprite bit beast Peonal, they are going to get a victory. But Karen and Tyson aren't gonna let them push them around and with both having dragon bit beasts, Dragoon and Entranza, they are bound to make one deadly pair," Brad Best announced, telling the people of their stats.
"Bladers, are you ready?" Jazzman asked. All four bladers readied their launchers with a serious expression. "In 3...2...1...Let it rip!" Once again four blades were launched into the dish. The outcome however was very much the same as the last. Both Tyson and Karen were able to isolate their opponents' blades and take them out in no time. "Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars take the second match!" The crowd was cheering at the sheer power and speed that they were showing. "And now for the final match, bladers please step forward," Jazzman stated, waiting. Kai stood up and waited for Celia who was a bit hesitant but stood, not showing any emotion as was Kai. They met their opponents at the dish and Celia's old fear rose once again at seeing Jamie after so many years but shook it off. At that Jamie smirked.
"Long time no see, Celia," Jamie greeted with the smirk still present.
"Yeah, I wished that it would have stayed that way too," Celia shot back with a glare on her face.
"I'm hurt, truly I am," Jamie said sarcastically with a mock hurt expression.
"All right bladers, ready?" Jazzman asked, looking at both sides.
"You'll be hurting more when we're through with you," Celia spat, voice dripping with venom while readying her blade. Kai followed suit and stayed quiet the whole time. Jamie and his partner, Whitney, got ready as well.
"Bladers, in 3...2...1...Let it rip!" Four blades landed in the dish and circled each other, anticipating and waiting for the first move.
"You haven't changed a bit," Jamie remarked with a teasing smile. " The same weak and naive girl that I met so long ago," he added with an arrogant smirk. Fire flared up in Celia's eyes and her anger seemed to boost her blade even more. "Yup, the same pathetic, helpless girl that came running to me," he sneered. His blade came to life and began to attack her blade ruthlessly, not leaving her any room to retaliate. Shock appeared in her eyes as she clenched her teeth together. She noticed that he had gotten a lot stronger since the last time she had seen him and his bit beast just boosted up his power. She was beginning to lose it, not being able to focus with Jamie's taunting and her own emotions jumbling her concentration. She shut her eyes, willing the threatening tears not to fall.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Kai growled, eyes not leaving sight of Whitney's blade. Celia jerked her vision toward Kai with a slight surprised look on her face.
"Kai?" Celia looked at him with a confused expression.
"Show him that you've changed and that you're more than capable of taking care of yourself," Kai encouraged to the slightly distraught girl. He spared her a reassuring glance that made Celia smile. Concentrating on the task, determination began to flare in her eyes. She looked at Jamie and he was slightly taken aback at the sudden change.
"I'm not the same person I used to be Jamie. I've changed and I'll show you how. Esdraloon, take him down," Celia commanded to her white blade. It instantly flared to life and attacked the dark gray beyblade. The tables turned and Esdraloon was not allowing him time to attack back.
"Dranzer, finish this girl off now," Kai demanded. Dranzer complied and sent her blade flying out of the dish. Kai then turned his attention toward the dark gray blade who was getting the beating it deserved. Celia took the time to glance at Kai and gave him an offering gesture. He nodded and looked back at the dish.
"Esdraloon/Dranzer, finish him off," Kai and Celia said at the same time. Both white and blue blades sped toward the opposing blade and with great force, knocked it out of the dish. The dark gray beyblade shattered to pieces and showered a shocked Jamie, not believing that he lost.
"Oh and for the record, you came to me, not the other way around," Celia stated with a smirk.
"And the win goes to Kai and Celia, and with three straight wins, the Bladebreakers and Sacred Stars advance to the semi-finals!" Jazzman exclaimed to the wild crowd. Kai and Celia walked back to their team, leaving a defeated Jamie behind. Karen, Julie, and Sophie smiled brightly at seeing the relieved and satisfying expression on Celia's face.
"You guys did a great job! Now, how about we go out to eat to celebrate our first victory?" Ray suggested with a smile. Everyone, except Kai, smiled in agreement and decided to stay to watch the other rounds. Later that evening, they went to a nice little restaurant with a simple yet beautiful garden. Mr. Dickenson was glad that the restaurant wasn't all-you-can-eat. Celia wasn't very hungry and ate very little. She excused herself and went out to the garden to get some fresh air. She sat in blissful silence for a minutes when there was a sudden rustle in the bushes behind her. She stood and turned around quickly, ready to take out her blade if she needed. She raised an eyebrow at seeing the least person she expected.
"What are you doing here Jamie?" Celia asked with slightly narrowed eyes.
"I just...wanted to see you and...to apologize," Jamie responded in a hesitant voice. He hung his head low, feeling too ashamed and guilty for what he did to her to even look at her. She clearly showed him that she had changed and moved on to become a much stronger person.
"Why would you want to see me?" Celia asked, still wary of his actions.
"I'm sorry for what I did to you so long ago. I knew that you were right and I was smothering you, I just wanted to keep you for myself. I was being selfish," Jamie explained. "I honestly don't know why I would do that to someone I cared so much about. I know that you still probably hate me and that's understandable, but all I ask is your forgiveness and even that is asking too much in itself," he finished in a slightly pleading tone. Celia wasn't sure what to do. Sure he apologized to her but was he sincere? She wasn't sure. It was then that he looked at her straight in the eyes. She was surprised to see that his eyes were glazed over and showed that he was indeed sincerely sorry. Celia gave him a small soft smile.
"I hope that I won't regret it when I say that I accept your apology," Celia said in a slightly softer yet teasing tone. Jamie's eyes widened and then broke out into a thankful smile. He would have hugged her but was unsure if she would appreciate that.
"Thank you and you won't regret it," Jamie said in a relieved voice. His smile brightened at seeing her smile again. They began to feel slightly uncomfortable with each other and Jamie was a bit nervous. "You know, what I said was true," he said. She gave him a questioning look, wondering what he meant. "That I cared a lot about you. When I was arrested, I thought the feeling faded, but seeing you again made the feeling come back," he replied sheepishly. He had a light blush rising to his cheeks. Celia eyes widened and understood where he was getting at.
"I'm sorry Jamie, but we can't just pick up where we left off. I've moved on and to tell you the truth, I think I've fallen for someone else. No names though," Celia responded with an apologetic look. Jamie just gave her an understanding nod and small smile. "We could still be friends," she offered with a small cheerful smile. His smile brightened and gave her a small grateful hug. He didn't want to be apart of her life. She returned it and pulled away. The said good bye to each other, leaving the small garden in two separate directions.
Unknown to them, a figure was watching and listening to them the entire time. He was worried that she hadn't returned after a good few minutes. He went looking for her and found her talking to Jamie. He was surprised that she had forgiven him so easily but then became curious and slightly hopeful when she said that she had fallen for someone else. He hoped that it was the person he was thinking of...but of course Kai wouldn't admit that to anyone except himself.
Well there you have it...the beginning of the tournament. Surprisingly enough...this story is actually coming to an end...only about three more chapters to go.................YES!!!!!!!!! cough cough Uh...I mean to bad, huh? Well, don't forget to review and see what happens in the next chapter.....
later, kurai hoshi