Teams, Tournament and Riddle
I woke up to the alarm buzzing loudly. With a groan I rolled and stared at the clock which read 4:00am. Giving a heavy sigh I hit the clock and reluctantly got up. I searched through my room trying to find suitable clothes to run in which the maids unpacked, washed, and put away. I found a black tank top and black short that went down to my knees to work out in. Quickly throwing on my clothes I snuck past all the rooms to the elevator down to the kitchen area. "Hey Maria." I said casually. "Hello Miss Ashes. What can I do for you today?" Maria had a smile on her face like always. "I just want a quick breakfast so I can start my training before the others get here." I walked farther into the kitchen and jumped up on a counter top. "Coming right up," Maria bustled around the kitchen getting my breakfast ready, "So has Master Koji started talking again yet?" "No, I'm starting to think he won't talk for a long time. Anyways he has improved on his skills a bit which is good." "That is good, so are you getting out early this time to avoid Bronco?" Maria handed me my breakfast. "I'll only avoid him when I can, and these are one of those times I can." I smiled and started eating the delicious meal. Maria went back to her housework happily.
At 4:30am was already jogging down the Manor's driveway towards the outside world. The gate was wide open so that when the teams started arriving they wouldn't have trouble getting in. Taking in slow deep breathes I jogged around the many known streets. I checked the watch on my wrist, '5:45 only fifteen minutes to go.' I ran down the steps to the beach, wiping my forehead with my arm getting some of the sweat off I ran along the beach until I hit the next set of stairs where I went back up to the roads. I glanced down at my watch again, '6:00.' I stopped jogging and caught my breathe.
"He yaw."
I looked to see where I was then noticed I was in front of a dojo. Cautiously I walked in the yard where an old man with a pony tail was slicing through the air with a wooden sword. "Excuse me." I made my presence known. The man stopped in mid-air to look at me, "What can I do for you my dear?" "I was wondering, are you the person who runs this dojo?" I smirked, "If so I was thinking maybe we can practice together a bit. I'm kind of in the middle of my training right now and believe me, this would be more of a challenge then running." "Why sure there cool cat, it'd be fun having someone to spare with. Follow me." The old man led me to a room in the house that was used for sparing, "So, do you have a name my mysterious friend?" "I'm Ashes Raven." I smiled as he handed me a wooden sword. "Have you done this before?" I nodded at his question taking up my stance.
The old man came at me with full force; I blocked his attack and made one of my own; hitting him in the back. "You're going to have to move faster then that." I smirked at him. We kept sparing, I occasionally took my eyes off him to look at my watch; which I did now. '7:59, this old guy isn't too bad.'
"Hey Grandpa!" someone's voice was yelling outside the door. To finish this off I moved to the old man's side extra fast and tripped him with the sword just as the door flew wide open. "Set and match." I held the sword over the old man's neck then removed it, "Good match."
"Hey Grandpa, what's going on?" I looked up to see Tyson standing at the door. "Hello Tyson." I smiled while helping the old man up. "Ashes? What, why are you here?" Tyson scratched the back of his head. "We were just sparing that's all little dude." Tyson's Grandpa gave a sly look, "She's quite good too; I didn't get a single hit on her. How many times have you done this?" I thought a moment, "Only once, with my older brother when I was five. It took us three hours just to stop sparing." Tyson's Grandpa had his mouth wide open just looking at me. "Anyways, I better get going." I handed the wooden sword back to Tyson's Grandpa, "Thank you very much for being my sparing partner, you're very good. If you don't mind me saying all you have to do is work on your defense a bit more cutting down the time it takes you to block." I bowed and walked passed Tyson. "Well you're welcome back here anytime." Tyson's Grandpa waved. "Huh, hey Ashes wait." Tyson called after me so I stopped when I reached the yard, "Why not hang around a while, you can train with us then we can see how your beyblading skills are." "Sorry Tyson I really can't, I have my younger brothers showing up at nine plus another team is showing up shortly after them. Not to mention I'm in enough trouble as it is since I snuck out of the house to train on my own." I said all this without facing him, "But of course you're always welcomed to come to the Manor anytime, come to think of it. Why don't you all come now that way my brothers will be physic to see you when they arrive home, not to mention you'll get a grand tour of the Manor?" "Alright I'll go get the others." Tyson ran off and returned with the others and minute afterwards.
We made our way to the Manor. "So how old are you all anyways? Mind me I've only checked out your blading stats." I turned around so I was walking backwards. "Sixteen, well except for Ray and Kai; they're seventeen." Kenny informed me. "What about you and your team?" Max threw the question back at me. "I'm sixteen. Koji's eighteen and Jester's seventeen." I turned back around before I tripped. "So do you know how many teams are in the tournament?" Kenny asked while rushing up beside me. I thought for a moment, "It should be around twelve teams in the tournament. You'll get all the deals about the tournament tonight if you're coming to the party; I'm kind helping to run and participating in the tournament so everyone has to be briefed about the new rules and all that other stuff." I turned me face up to the sun, "It's so nice being back in my home town." "You use to live here? How come I've never seen you at any of the schools?" Tyson was puzzled. "Oh, that's because I moved to Canada with my mom when I was four so I never had a chance to start at any of the schools here." I looked over at Tyson, "Plus it wouldn't matter anyways I'm home schooled."
We kept up with a walking conversation and arrived at the door of the Manor just as a silver bus with black flames pulled up. "Hey they're here." I waved at the driver happily then looked down at my watch, "and they're half an hour early." "So, are they going to get out here or what?" Tyson was becoming impatient. The diver of the bus opened the door, came out and went to the side of the bus opening it up for a wheel chair. The Bladebrakers watched as this happened.
"Hey there!" a women around her thirties stepped out of the bus. She was dress in black suit with her blond hair up in a tight bun. "Hey Amy." I looked past her to see two boys and a black Labrador coming out of the bus, "Hey tweebs." "Nice to see you too Ashes." One of the twin boys answered. They had messy black hair, tanned skin, and both were dressed in baggy green shorts and shirts. "Hello all." A girl with red hair and freckles rolled up in her wheel chair. "Hello Emma, how was the trip?" I had a smile plastered on my face. "Really long and boring." Emma yawned. The door to the Manor opened, maids rushed out to get the entire luggage from the bus. "Hey there squirts." Jester rushed out to the twins, taking them both into a giant bear hug. "Jester take it easy with them." Amy hit Jester over the back of the head. "Oww, oh hi Amy." Jester put the twins down and was rubbing his head. "So, Ashes who are your friends?" one of the boys asked while holding onto the Labradors chain. "Copper, T.J, Emma, Amy; meet the Bladebreakers. Max, Ray, Tyson, Kenny, and Kai." I as I saw the twins jaws drop. "Hello nice to meet you." Ray waved. "Are you serious? Are they actually here?" Copper wasn't exactly sure. "Of course we're here." Tyson laughed thinking it was a joke. "Well, how am I supposed to know for sure, I can't see you." Copper informed Tyson.
"Can't see us?" I sighed and tapped Tyson's shoulder, "Um... Tyson, Copper's blind; hence the guide dog." "Oh sorry man, I didn't know." Tyson was quickly apologizing for his stupidity. Copper laughed, "It's alright no harm done. Anyways, can we get going inside? Bruno's kind of hungry." "Yeah sure." I ushered the Bladebreakers in and followed quickly with the others behind me. I showed them into the living room. There were lots of places to sit, with a large screen television at the left wall when you entered. "This place is huge." Max was in awe. I nodded, "Go on and sit down." The Bladebreakers went in and sat, all except for Kai who was leaning on a wall. Everyone followed in suit and sat down. Copper took Bruno's chain off but Bruno stayed where he was. "Bruno down to the kitchen now." Copper ordered him. Bruno walked out of the room without a backwards glance. "Wow, that dog can sure take orders." Tyson commented as he watched Bruno leave the room. "He has to take orders perfectly or else the consequences can be deadly for Copper." Emma told him. "So Ashes, where's your father?" Amy asked noticing he wasn't around. "He went to America on business, Bronco was left in charge." I informed her. "He left that ding-bat in charge!" Amy shouted in disbelief, "Why wouldn't he just leave Doc and me in charge!" I gave Amy a stern look, "My father has his reasons." Amy looked at me and nodded her head in understanding. I turned my head at all the chatting that was going on between the Bladebreakers and everyone else present in the room. The twin's were smiling and being absolutely joyous about being in the presence of the Bladebreakers. "How's their training coming along? Are they improving?" I watched the twins while I asked Amy this. "Their training is coming along just fine, don't worry. Plus they each made great improvement since the last time you saw them." Amy informed me. "Good, I just wanted to make sure they were ready for this tournament that's all." "Well, don't worry about them. They're old enough to take care of themselves." "You're right Amy I shouldn't worry about them so much."
"Mistress," I looked over to see one of the maids standing at the living room door, "the Death Trio have arrived." "Really?" I jumped over the back of the couch and ran just outside the living room door. One of the three boys had their arms wide open to me, I jumped up I wrapped my arms around his neck while he twirled me around once. "Zero, I've missed you." I pouted as he set me back on the ground. "I've missed you too." He bent down and kissed my lips. "GET A ROOM!" Jester's voice shouted. I broke away and turned around; my face blushing as I saw everyone at the entrance of the living room. "Hello." Zero still had his arms around me, "I'm Zero." Zero wasted no time before going into introductions for the Bladebreakers, "Behind me is Solo and Duo. You are?" "I'm Tyson, that's Max, Ray, Kenny and Kai's still in the living room. We're the Bladebreakers." Tyson stuck out his hand. Zero shook it, "Bladebreakers huh? Well nice to meet you, we're the team Death Trio."
"So, you two finally got together? When did this happen?" Amy asked crossing her arms. Zero held me tight around the waist as I answered, "After then underground finals." "So you two are going out?" Tyson asked with stupidity, I nodded, "well there go my chances of getting a girl." "Well I'm warning you now not to try anything with her still because you have to go through two people to get to her." Zero had warning in his voice, I nudged Zero in the ribs. "Hey we're not going to cause any trouble." Tyson put his hands up in defense. "I have an idea, why don't we all go down to the gym." I stumbled out of Zero's grip towards the elevator. "You guys go ahead; the Time Breakers and I are going to wonder around town for a bit." Amy told us, "We'll be back in time for the party." "Alright, come on guys." I pushed the elevator button. The door opened to a man in a wheelchair and a fat giant of a man, I backed up in fear and fell on my ass.
"I...I thought you left already." I stammered while picking myself up. "Well you thought wrong." My father spat at me, "Now make sure you win this tournament or else." "Yes, father." I automatically answered. "Bronco will stay in charge while I'm gone and don't think of getting him drunk then buggering off, he's been to AA meetings and doesn't drink anymore plus there's no booze in the house. I'll be back a week after the tournament is over." My father and Bronco pushed past us and spoke his final words, "You better not dishonor our family or our bit beasts." My gaze turned to the ground as though I was shaming myself there and now, "Yes father I understand. I'll do my best." "I don't want your best, I want perfection." My father and Bronco left the house. I looked up, brushing everything off. "Ok, let's go the gym awaits." The Death Trio entered the elevator, "Well, you guys coming or what? Afraid of what you might find there?" Solo taunted them. "Of course not, we're coming." Max answered. The Bladebreakers came into the elevator just as the door was closing.
"So, just how tough are you guys?" Tyson asked Zero, "With your blading skills I mean." "Battle me and you'll find out." Zero challenged. "You're on!" Tyson took the challenge with delight. We went two floors down, right to the gym. The elevator doors opened to reveal two nervous butlers. "Miss Ashes, you don't want to go in there." Warned one of them. "Master Koji is on a rampage, we tried to calm him down but he attacked us with his blade." The other informed. "Don't worry we'll be fine. I'll get Koji to reason." I went pass the butlers and the double doors.
The doors opened to reveal something like bey-stadium except there were more training equipment. There was a track floor, weight- lifts, a small pool, various other training equipment, and on the other end of the gym; on the far end of the room were two large beyblading dishes. Koji was kneeling at one of the bey-dishes staring into space. His blade was spinning wildly around him. "Koji!" I shouted moving into the room with no fear; he didn't look up. I quickened my pace severely, "Koji Raven listen to me when I'm talking to you!" Still he didn't look up. I took another step; suddenly his blade stopped circling him and started to attack.
A red glow emitted from the blade, a human like bit beast emerged holding up a sword. I raised my right hand straight out in front of me with my palm raised. "Koji call back Tsume now!" I yelled at him but kept cool. Koji looked up, his eyes seemed like they were lost. He stood; I finally noticed the wet streaks on his face then the black around left eye. His blade charged at me. "Stop Tsume!" I ordered and the blade stopped then flew back to Koji's hand. He caught it without even noticing, I finished walking towards him. "Koji." I said gently as I touched his face with my hand; he flinched. "Koji, you got this because I wasn't here wasn't it?" he didn't move. "I'm sorry, I won't do that again. Can you ever forgive me?" His moved nodded 'yes'; I gave him a gentle hug, "Go to the kitchens and get some ice for your eye ok, then come back down here." Koji gave nod and started walking away. "What was that all about?" I jumped now noticing that Tyson was behind me. "Nothing, we just have a lot of family issues." I answered quickly, "So are you two going to blade or what?"
While Zero and Tyson were blading, Kenny recorded everything and everyone else was cheering. "Come on, quit playing around Zero. Show these guys who we really are." Duo shouted ready to see some real action. Zero smirked, "Alright then I'll quit fooling around. Devildon; deep torture." "What? You were playing around? Oh man, Dragoon!" Tyson called out his bit beast as well. "Come on Tyson, you can beat this guy." I shouted with a giggle. Within a nano-second Zero looked at me sharply, "Hey I thought you were cheering me on." I giggled and shrugged, "Just cheering on the underdog." Zero gave me a stern but loving look, "You are so going to get it when this match is over." "Lets just see you try." I stuck my tongue out at him.
The blades were going wild as each blader became stronger putting in their all. "Alright Dragoon, Storm attack!" "Devildon Deep Torture!" Zero called as soon as Tyson called his attack. Like a flash of lighten the blade clashed other and surprisingly Zero's blade was the one knocked out of the dish. The red Devildon blade fell at Zero's feet. "Yeah I won!" Tyson bounced around happily as did most of the Bladebreakers. Silently Zero picked up the blade then turned on me playfully, "You jinxed me." "So what if I did, you need it." I laughed. "Do I now?" Zero ran towards me; chancing me. I stopped at the edge of the pool, I waited for Zero there. When he reached I stepped aside and let him fall into the pool with a big splash. Everyone laughed when they saw this. Zero took a big breath of air. "There now you're all cooled off." I laughed with a smile plastered on my face. Zero splashed me with the water; I glared at him, "Hey no splashing." "Oh I'm sorry did I get you wet." He splashed me again then came out and hugged me while sopping wet. "Ahh, Zero." I tried pulling away but couldn't, "Come on let go, you're drenched and you're getting me wet." I heard him give a small laugh only I could hear, "That's good, for me at least." He let me go as I took a step back he frowned, "Unfortunately you're not wearing a white shirt." "Zero!" My face went near crimson.
"Ashes are you going to battle someone?" Solo shouted so that Zero and I were interrupted. I turned and ran over to the group around the bey-dishes. "No thanks there's no one here I want to battle, plus you'll all be eating your blades at the tournament when I win." I made myself sound cocky, "but don't worry I'll try not to destroy your blades too much." "Oh yeah, let's see if you can back up your words." Tyson challenged by holding up his blade. "I wouldn't try that if I was you Tyson." Doc had come down to the gym, "It's not wise to challenge her unless it's for a tournament. The last person who did that ended up with dust as a blade and she took away his bit beast." "You took someone's bit beast! How low can you get?" Ray blurted in outrage while shaking with fury. I sighed and bent my head then faced them again. "It's not as you think. The boy I took the bit beast from was abusing it somehow; he didn't deserve such a gift. I told him that when I took it and said if he changes and becomes a better person then his bit beast will come back to him. The bit beast is free to leave anytime but it hasn't yet because the boy hasn't changed. Therefore the bit beast is safely locked up in a secret room only I know of, it's the same for the others I have as well." I gave a weak smile, "I guess you could say this is a bit beast safe house. Bit beasts know there will be no harm to come to them here." Someone made a sniffling sound. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard." Max was covering his eyes with an arm.
"Alright I hope you all know why you're here. There's an upcoming tournament in two days that I'm helping the BBA organize. Out of every team in the world including the underground teams, you twelve teams have been selected. Six official teams and six underground teams, everyone is competing for the same title of Worlds Best Beyblading Team and Worlds Best Beyblader." I paused, "This time only the underground teams have to blade differently considering we're playing the official way. Also you'll each be receiving a new launcher that the BBA came up with, with the data gathered from all battles you've ever been in that will max your performance. They have your team logo on it and it will record your blades rotation speed throughout the matches and how many times you've rotated it. You must have this launcher when participating in a match or else you will be disqualified and that player may be replaced by someone else but you must find a candidate within half an hour or the whole team will be disqualified, thank you." I stepped down from the stage I was standing on and went back to the party as the band struck a note.
My brown hair was down as I wore a black skin tight dress with long flowing sleeves. I walked around looking at all the different teams. "Hey Ashes." I turned to find a familiar person behind me. I smiled in delight, "Ozuma it's so nice to see you again. How are you?" "Totally psyched for the tournament to begin," Ozuma announced to me, "You're going to be in it right?" "Of course what kind of person wouldn't want to be in this tournament?" I laughed at the question. "Good because we need a rematch." Ozuma smirked. "You're on Ozuma." I took his rematch challenge, "I'll see you at the tournament." "Alright, just be ready to face defeat." Ozuma called after me. "Whatever Ozuma." I laughed and walked off to where Max was leaning against the wall. "Having fun?" I asked while leaning against the wall beside him. "Yeah, it's just." He paused, "I'm worried about the tournament, what...what if I let my team down?" "Is that all, well you'll be great at the tournament it's the least of your troubles." I heard a good song come on, "Your only worry right now is deciding if you're going to dance with me or not." Max blushed light pink; I giggled, "Come on." I pulled Max to the dance floor and started dancing he joined in after a minute. "Yeah go Maxi!" Tyson shouted from the snack bar, Max smiled, waved and laughed. The song ended but Max and I kept dancing with each other; having fun.
Someone bumped into me on the dance floor. "Hey watch where you're going." A spiteful voice rang as I turned around, "oh it's the freak. Long time no see freak." "Yeah long time Linda." I looked straight into her eyes. She was dressed in an emerald green dress as her light brown hair was pulled into a loose bun. "So how's your freak family doing? I'm actually surprised you can deal with all this freaky stuff but then again you are the ultimate freak in the world." She said coolly as she crossed her arms over her chest. Almost all the bladders in the room had made a circle around us seeing what was going to happen. "Listen Linda don't even try to badmouth my family or me all because you can't handle your own family or is it because your puny mind can't comprehend all of that." I crossed my arms seeing she was getting mad. "I challenge you to a beyblade battle or are you too chicken to accept." She tried to make me look bad. I shrugged, "Alright lets go, follow me." Everyone followed me outside to the backyard where there was a stone beyblading dish waiting for us. I stood in position ready to launch; Linda did the same. "Alright we'll do this underground style."
Linda announced, "Three, Two, One, Let It Rip!" We released our blades, without delay my blade looked as though it disappeared. "Quit playing your games and face me, unless you're afraid you'll lose." Linda was easily getting mad. I waved my finger at her while tsking, "You shouldn't get so mad it tends you cloud your mind when blading." Linda growled, "Flash Fang attack the freak." Her blade emitted a green light as it charge but was suddenly flew back as my blade reappeared. I yawned, "This is boring; I shouldn't even be playing around like this. It's pointless and annoying." My blade charge at Flash Fang, it dodged but with a quick maneuver my blade hit it. With lightening speed it flew to a nearby tree. Linda grinded her teeth together, "Flash Fang; green lightening attack now!" Flash Fang rebounded off the tree and came straight for my head but once again my blade knocked hers around. The blade chased mine around the dish as though it was a game of cat and mouse. "Why don't you call out your bit beast?" Linda struck a nerve, "or are you afraid of everyone seeing you for what you really are...a freak." I quickly got mad and yelled, "This match is over!" The mouse now became the cat and knocked the blade straight up into the air then went up after it, hitting it with much power the blade shirked to its owner. Flash Fang skimmed the left side of Linda's face; drawing blood then shattered on the ground. I stormed away from the match after catching my blade. "Hey Ashes wait up." Tyson's voice came upon deaf ears. Everyone followed me back inside a little confused and asking questions. I took the stairs up to my room, Koji made sure no one went up after me. I swung open and slammed my door shut with rage then just laid on my bad waiting for it all to pass.
Hours later I came down dressed in light blue pajamas, the p.j pants dragged around my bare feet. Almost everyone from the party had gone to their hotels. Koji was still sitting at the bottom of the stairs making sure no one went up. When he noticed me he stood up and waited until I reached the bottom stair before hugging my gently. We walked to the living room where the Runes, Bladebreakers, and Death Trio sat. "Feeling better?" Doc asked as I entered the room. I bent my head, "Not really, I'm still a bit mad at Linda." Jester laughed a bit, "Of course you're still mad at her, you two are arch enemies." "Knock it off Jester, it's already bad enough she got upset once today." Zero walked past him and hit him in the back off the head. I put out my arms to Zero as he came and hugged me gently then lead me to a couch to sit down beside him. "What's up with what this Linda girl said?" Tyson wanted to know the details. "Should we tell them?" Doc asked me with caution. I shook my head; no, "They can have the poem but no more then that because it'll all fall apart at the tournament." "Alright then." Doc nodded then cleared his throat,
"Keeping secrets deep inside, no bit beast will confirm nor deny
The existence of two and two alike, who will always win the never ending fight
The battle within, with nanos' acting as friend
No one knows who or what made them live, but bit beasts know that everything they say is a fib
They make everything safe while falling apart, but are truly the strongest bit beasts at heart."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Tyson shouted with confusing. "Try to figure it out or just watch everything at the tournament it doesn't really matter, I'll have to explain sooner or later." I muttered but the room could still hear me. "Why don't you just quit the games and tell us then?" Kai spoke in an annoyed voice. "Because everyone reacts differently towards me and I've had a bad experience once, no one knows what it's like except for my brother." I made my hands into fists. "Which brother?" Kenny asked kindly. I took a deep breath, exhaled and looked at the door to make sure the doorway was clear then turned back to them. "We're not suppose to talk about him anymore but he's my eldest brother; Nick Raven." I mentioned quickly. "Why can't you talk about him?" Ray asked with a concerned voice. All eyes were on me except for Doc's; whose were watching the door ready to react if anyone was in the hall. "He was exiled from my family when he was thirteen for standing up against my father, when I was being punished once. I tried to speak up about what happened but there was too much yelling going on for me to get a word in then he was suddenly exiled from the family and we were ordered never to speak of him again." I paused as a hot tear slid down my face, "If I never lost that one match then he would still be with me." Zero's arm around me tightened as I leaned into him. "Hey Ashes don't beat yourself up over it, it was Nick's choice to leave while he could." Jester put a hand on my shoulder, "Your father doesn't even know the real reason you lost that beyblading match; he doesn't know any better." I sighed wiping away the tears, "You're right plus who knows maybe he'll show up for the tournament."
"So are you guys staying over the night or what?" Duo asked politely looking at his watch. "No why?" Kenny asked looking at him confused. "Because it's a little past one in the morning." "Really?" Kenny looked at his laptop time, "It is, we better get going guys. My parents are going to kill me." I gave a little laugh, "Aw you'll be fine. Doc you wanna drive them home in one of the cars." "Sure come on guys." Doc stood and waited at the door for them. "Uh... it was nice meeting you guys. I guess we'll see you around." Tyson shook Zero's hand. The Bladebreakers walked away. "Hey Tyson." I called after him. "Yeah," he turned around and looked at me. "Come here tomorrow morning, we'll all train together and make sure you bring your Grandpa, I want to spar with him again." I told him. "Ok, sure." He walked away with the others.
Afterwards everyone went up to their rooms and slept peacefully. I kept tossing and turning as nightmares and bad memories flooded my head.
