Sweet Faith And Hope...And Charity: Computer problems exist in everyone's world, it seems. -_- Ugh…ugh…more ugh…
Keri: Thanx, I will follow my schedule!
Beyblader-grl: Actually, Tala makes an effort to get along with her, Hru's making it complicated, lol!
The Great Kuro Neko: *nods frantically* Yes I did, yes I did, yes I did, lol! I think you like it better when they fight. O_O
bey-girl-nicky: O_O *Ray runs off to hide but he's pursued by someone who's even more dangerous than the Fire Warlock, oh no, it's bey-girl-nicky!* Lol, sorry, I couldn't resist!
Unicolyon * Gurl: You don't like Ray? Then who do you like? Ray's okay, he's stealing the spotlight for now until someone snatches it away from him!
blue-phoenix5: I've updated, but it isn't really about Kai yet, not his turn yet, lol!
Ocean Breeze: ^_^ Thanx! That's real nice of you to say so!
Wandering Soul: ^_^ R_T_A's all washed up I see. Your review was funny, ^_^, I like that announcer thing!
~*~Prodigious girl*~*: I hate my computer, yes, it's mega annoying. Thanx for Tala's last name, I can't even pronounce it, lol!
Black Iris: You're speechless? ^_^ That must mean I'm not losing my touch yet! ^_^
Reicu: Yeah, maybe I should've, but Ray was sorta out of it in that chapter. :P
dreamer_gurl: O_O *sulks off in a corner* I'm losing my touch, hmph!
sessy's girl: Wow, you wrote in all capital letters, O_O you must mean business…
whisper*2*imaginary: Yeah, last chappie was TOO long, I'm NEVER writing this much in one chapter again! O_O They're made for one another? O_O Oooh, Hru isn't going to be very happy…lol!
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Chapter 14: Nothing's For Sure
The Fire Warlock sneered and prepared his final blow. Willow looked up through a hazy vision, her blue eyes dazed and pained, every part of her body burned and she was helpless to do anymore.
Ray's eyes turned savage, //I won't let her die...not after what she did for me!// He grabbed his spear and leaped up, "YOU'LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID!!!!!!!"
The Fire Warlock turned around just in time to see Ray's spear pierce in his neck.
"Ray!" Willow cried, jerking her head up to witness the scene, "Oh, be careful Ray!"
"This will teach you!" Ray snarled as he pummeled a stream of flames into the Fire Warlock. He spun out his Beyblade, "Driger, TIGER CLAW ATTACK!!!!!" His green tiger Bit Beast leaped out, snarling and slashed its claws through the warlock. The armor that the Fire Warlock wore disintegrated, as did the blade he carried. Soon, after Ray's constant assaults, the Fire Warlock dissolved into nothing. Ray fell on his knees, feeling drained and shocked at his own actions. The Fire Scepter fell into Ray's hands, glowing brightly.
The fire ropes that binded Carly, Johnny, Hru, and Tala disappeared and they were free.
Johnny scrambled to Carly and felt her pulse, breathing a sigh of relief. Carly didn't wake though.
Tala helped Hru up after some hesitation and Hru gingerly accepted without a word, too tired to argue any further.
Kai, Holly, Max, and Kailee also got up, mostly unharmed.
Ray hugged Willow tightly, "Oh my gosh, we have to get you fixed up."
"You too," Willow whispered, smiling weakly, "You're battered."
Ray held her tightly, "So are you. Willow, I-"
"Hug later," Kai said shortly, "We've gotta get back otherwise Enrique, Cassandra, and Carly might not make it."
"How do we get back to the Dream Realm though?" Holly said worriedly.
Just then the Guardian of Dimensions appeared as a vision in front of them, "Well done...you may return now. Use the Fire Scepter, Ray. I'll be waiting here, hurry."
"You heard her," Johnny snapped, looking very testy, "HURRY!"
"Okay," Ray muttered, holding up the scepter. The gem of the scepter glowed red and all 12 of them disappeared in a blink of light.
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"Put the injured on the hospital beds," the Guardian of Dimensions said quietly, "Do not panic, their injuries aren't severe."
"Don't say that," Holly whispered to the Guardian, looking anxiously at Johnny, "He might freak out if you do."
Johnny glared at the Guardian, setting Carly gently down on the bed. Tala managed to pull Enrique on a bed and Kailee did the same with Cassandra.
"Thank goodness that's over," Willow said to Ray.
"Yeah," Ray said, "That was freaky."
"No kid-" Willow started, then all of a sudden feeling nauseous, she wavered and collapsed into Ray.
"Willow!" Ray gasped, catching her in his arms.
"Put her in bed," the Guardian said, "Their injuries will heal in time, and these beds replenish their energy."
"Ray..." Holly breathed.
"What?" Ray looked at her strangely after he set Willow down, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Your wounds...you were so badly scratched and bruised," Holly said, 'T-they're gone, you're healed."
Ray looked down at himself, amazement written all over his face, "You're right, but how...?"
"You received the Fire Scepter and the scepter automatically heals you, but you only," the Guardian explained. She looked around at everyone else, "You have done excellent, your skills combined destroyed the Fire Warlock and brought freedom to the Fire Kingdom."
Ray set the Scepter on a table and sat down by Willow, "I'm not moving till she wakes up." He gazed intensely at her face, "It's my fault..."
"Why-" Kai started.
"You may ask questions later," the Guardian interrupted softly, "Right now, I wish for you to eat or sleep to replenish your energy. I will answer your questions when everyone is well again."
"Carly..." Johnny murmured.
"She'll be okay," Holly said, pulling his sleeve gently, "Let's go get something to eat, it'll do yourself no good starving yourself."
Johnny reluctantly tore himself away and followed Holly.
"What about Cassandra and Enrique?" Hru asked, "Shouldn't they eat too when they wake up? Maybe one of us should stay here to watch in case they do wake."
"I'm here," Ray said, "You guys go ahead and eat."
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"That was tough," Kai remarked, "But it wasn't completely impossible I guess. Except Ray went a little crazy in the middle there."
"I wonder why the Fire Scepter lured him on like that?" Holly wondered, "It was pretty creepy."
"The whole thing was creepy," Kailee whined, "I don't wanna go back!"
Max sat down beside her, "Don't worry Kailee, it wasn't that bad."
Tala sat down as well, after helping himself with a plate full of food, "Next time, I'll be ready for ANYTHING."
Hru groaned silently when she saw that she was the last one to fill her plate and the last seat was beside Tala, //Oh fun...perfect...just what I always wanted...//
Tala grinned wickedly at her when she sat down and edged to the side of her seat, "Nice of you to join me."
Hru tossed her hair, "Hmph! I'm not, there's no where else to sit, that's all."
"Hru, are you okay?" Holly asked, "You have a sour look on your face."
"Yeah, you look like you've just swallowed a lemon or something," Kai teased, "A whole lemon."
Hru scowled as Tala laughed quietly, //Score one for you, but I'll get you back.//
"Johnny, eat something," Holly said, nudging him, "Come on, you're gonna make yourself sick."
"I'm not hungry," Johnny mumbled.
"Johnny!" Holly said in a no-nonsense voice, "Eat something! You heard the Guardian, Carly will be fine!"
Johnny sighed and sulkily tore off a piece of bread.
Holly and Kai exchanged glances, but before either of them could speak, an unmistakable voice rang out.
"Don't worry buddy, I'll get you something to eat, you just sit tight!"
"Carly!" Johnny said, standing and knocking his chair down.
"Hi ya Johnny," Carly said, oblivious to the relief on her friend's face, "Please don't tell me there's no food left. Oh good, Enrique's hungry and stuff, so I'm gonna bring him up some stuff since his arm's still nastily broken."
She bounded down the stairs, "Hey guys, what's up?"
"You're awake?" Kai asked, blinking in surprise.
Carly scowled at him as she reach for a plate, "Of course and if any of you ever mention me collapsing, I'm going to toast you and hang you out to dry and that's a threat I will be good to."
"Carly, shouldn't you be resting?" Johnny persisted.
"Nonsense," Carly said, waving him off, "I just need a good meal, that's all. I feel much better now that we're back but I STILL can't believe that Ray beat the Fire Warlock. That's SO unfair, I wanted a piece of that idiotic minion. If Fire hadn't been my weakness, I would've done MUCH better, you know. And besides, at least he paid for what he did to Enrique and Cassie. I STILL don't get why I'm so WEAK against Fire, I mean, I know that it's my weakness and all, but why can't I be strong enough to fight it? Where is the Guardian of Dimensions anyways? I've got a TON I wanna ask her - oh yeah, I forgot, Ray told me she'll answer our questions later. Poor Willow, she's still unconscious, man, she looked bad, like she was ran through a machine or something. You guys have gotta tell me all the action I missed and I want every SINGLE gruesome detail and - why are you guys staring at me like that?"
Everyone was sweatdropping and looking at Carly as if she had gone mad.
"You're a bit...talkative, aren't you?" Tala remarked.
"She's back to herself all right," Kai chuckled.
Carly started filling her plate, "I feel like I haven't talked in a million years!"
Johnny rolled his eyes, "At least you're back to normal."
"Normal?" Hru demanded, "Carly, are you seriously gonna eat all THAT?"
"Hmmm...?" Carly turned around, "Oh no, this isn't for me, I'm bringing it up for Enrique."
"Gee, are you going to spoon-feed him too?" Johnny asked
sarcastically.
"As IF," Carly retorted, "Funny Johnny, real funny, I see you
haven't lost your sense of humor at all.
I'll be back down later, beside Enrique broke his left arm, not his
right, he can still eat."
"I TOLD you she's okay," Holly said to Johnny as he sat back down, "Now will you believe me when I tell you things?"
"Okay, okay, I'll believe you, I'll believe you," Johnny said, smiling and shaking his head.
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Willow's eyes fluttered opened weakly, "Ray?"
Ray scrambled over to her side, "Willow! Are you okay? How do you feel?"
"Dizzy," Willow whispered, "I'm so tired Ray."
Ray hesitated and gently felt her forehead, brushing his hand over her cheek, "You're badly hurt. What happened to you?"
"I got hit by fire," Willow replied, huddling closer to Ray, shivering, "I-I'm not sure why I did it myself. I was so scared. You were unconscious and the Fire Warlock wanted to drain your powers and I couldn't let him do it. I had to do something...so I covered for you. A-and the Fire Warlock got mad so he blasted me until I fell, then you killed him."
Ray looked somber, "Willow...I...that's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. I-I don't know what to say."
Willow clutched his hand, "You would've done the same for me, wouldn't you?"
Ray squeezed her hand, gazing into her eyes, "Of course. I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. I would've died if it weren't for you."
Willow looked down, "That's why I did it, because I was scared you'd die."
Ray hugged her and held her close, "Everything's fine now, you're safe and your wounds will heal soon, okay? Do you want something to eat?"
"No thanks," Willow shook her head, "I think I'm going to sleep some more."
"Okay," Ray said, releasing her and watching as Willow slipped back under her covers and fell asleep. Ray hesitated, making sure that Willow was asleep. He leaned down and gave Willow a quick kiss on the cheek before turning downstairs.
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"Come in," Tala called, "It's open." He was lying on his bed and reading a random book he found on the shelf. He waited for the door to open, but it didn't. Frowning, he called out again, "Hello? Is anyone out there? Don't knock if you don't want to talk." The door creaked open and Hru stood outside, looking uneasy.
"Oh hi," Tala said with a lazy grin when he saw who it was, "Can I help you?"
"Very funny!" Hru snapped.
"Well, come inside, I don't bite," Tala said, sitting up, "What is it?"
"Well...um...I...uh...I just wanted...um...to say that...uh...thanks for helping me back in the Fire Kingdom," Hru stammered, looking uncomfortable, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Tala said, smiling for real now, "Listen, I'm sorry for acting so arrogant before, I suppose I didn't want to mix with you guys because I have my own way of doing things. I was always a loner, so it's hard for me to look out for others and stuff, I prefer to do things my own way, you know? Hey, why don't you sit down?" He gestured to the chair.
Hru hesitated and sat down, something about Tala still made her feel uneasy. It was like he had a split personality or something. His attitude bothered her a lot, but at the same time, his sky blue eyes enchanted her.
"Is there something you wanted to ask me?" Tala asked, looking at her intently.
//It's like he can read my mind, scary...// Hru thought. She forced a casual smile, "Actually, yeah, I was wondering what you meant before when I said that...um...you weren't acting human and you said 'maybe I'm not' It was sorta...weird."
Tala sighed, "I did say that, didn't I? I guess I wasn't thinking when I said it, I really shouldn't have."
"Well, what did you mean?" Hru persisted.
Tala took a deep breath, "I used to work for the Biovolt Corporation when it was still in effect, you know about Biovolt, right?"
"Right," Hru replied, "Kai told me all about it, his grandfather ran the place."
"Uh-huh," Tala said, "Anyways, I worked for Voltaire and helped them with their plans and such. Remember what Carly said when she introduced me to you?"
"About you trying to take over the world?" Hru asked, "I thought she was just joking."
"Well, it's partially true," Tala said, "You see, before my final international match against Tyson, Voltaire gave Boris permission to cyberize me."
"Cyberize?" Hru looked confused.
"Sorta like a machine. It's supposed to make me block all emotions and focus on destruction. So, technically speaking, I'm half machine, half human," Tala finished with a quiet smile, "I won't get into detail, you get the idea. Scientists couldn't remove the machine data stored inside my brain so I'm still cyberized, but the effect is starting to wear, but they said I'll never fully recover." (A/N: I don't know exactly what being cyberized did to Tala in the future, so I made all this stuff up, it goes along quite well with the fic actually ^_^)
Hru's hand flew to her mouth, her dark eyes shocked, "Oh my gosh...I'm so sorry I asked."
"It's okay," Tala shrugged, "I mean, whatever, I let it slip. Carly knows about it and she still treats me like any other normal person she knows, so I don't really care."
Hru's mind was swimming with the facts, "Oh..well..uh...thanks for telling me...I'm going to bed now...good night." It changed everything and made her even more confused now, even more unsure of what to think of Tala. She quickly walked out and closed the door behind her without looking back.
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"Carly, go to bed," Johnny said, trying to yank her away from Enrique's bedside, "He'll be fine."
"He has a broken bone!!!" Carly cried, "What if it gets infected or something????"
Johnny sighed, "Carly, the new medicine here will heal broken bones overnight, he'll be as right as rain tomorrow morning."
"Okaaaaay," Carly said reluctantly, "You know Johnny, if it were you, I'd be just as worried."
Johnny blushed, grateful that the room was dark and Carly couldn't see.
"Enrique's one of my best friends, next to you of course. He, Michael, Kai, and Hru are all my best friends and I couldn't bear it if something bad happened to them," Carly said, "Okay, I'm tired, let's go to bed."
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"Willow? Something wrong?" Holly asked, "You're awfully quiet."
"It's Ray," Willow said, tears filling her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Holly looked alarmed, "You're crying! What's happened?"
"Nothing," Willow said, wiping her eyes tearfully, "I'm just so confused, I don't know how Ray feels about me and I feel so much when I see him. What if he likes Mariah better than me? Then my heart's going to be shattered."
"I don't think he does," Holly said, "I mean, compared to you, who would like Mariah better? You like him, don't you?"
Willow nodded, "A lot. I think I love him after what I did for him in the Fire Kingdom, I was so scared when there was a possibility that he could've died. What if he doesn't share the same feelings for me? Holly?" She started to cry softly.
Holly put a comfortingly arms around her friend's shoulders, "I don't know Willow, I don't know. Nothing's for sure anymore."
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^_^ Whew, that's one Kingdom down for Ray! What do you guys think of the cyberized thing? I think it's rather intriguing, it was fun to write, it'll fit in nicely as long as Tala doesn't kill me in the process for going to such depth of his life, lol! You know the drill, review! My last chappie was too long, don't you think?
PS: If you like Beyblade, check out my site @ www.geocities.com/ice_archergirl/. Thanx!