Sacred Phoenix
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SP: I'm back!!!
Everyone: *Groans* Not you!!!
SP: *Tears in eyes* You mean you didn't miss me? Wait a minute – don't
answer that! By the way…
A BIG HUG AND THANKYOU TO ALL MY REVIEWERS!!!
Kai: I can't believe you got any.
SP: I didn't ask for your opinion!
Kai: Hn.
SP: Grrr… You do the disclaimer!
Kai: Who do you think I am? Your bloody servant?
SP: *Grins evilly* You're not even that coz you don't get paid, and I can make you do things you don't even want to know about… *smirks*
Kai: *Sweatdrops* Fine! Sacred Phoenix does not own Beyblades coz if she did… *shudders* I hate to think…
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"" – Talking
- Thinking
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Chapter 2: The WaitingAlly stepped out from the hotel and onto the green. She drew in a deep breath. The crisp morning air awoke and refreshed her in such a way that she felt invincible and ready for anything. This was a new day, a new chance, maybe a new struggle, but this was life, and she liked it.
"You're up early," yawned a slightly disgruntled Cori.
"It's the finals today! No point lazing around in bed when I know I won't get anymore sleep," Answered Ally, without turning around.
"You need your rest!" Protested Cori, "especially since…" she trailed off, leaving the thought hanging between the two girls.
"Cori, don't worry so much about me," sighed Ally, "I'm going to be fine. I don't need him just as he doesn't need me! Only one thing matters to me now, and that's to win!"
Those are such brave words, Ally, but do you really mean them? Thought Cori, brushing a blonde curl from her face.
Sounds of laughter and tripping came from the stairs. Leila and Sharon stumbled through the door and joined the rest of the Shadow Rangers.
"Um… guys? We've got bad news…" Leila started hesitantly.
"Well? Spit it out!" Said Ally, turning to face her team.
"Well, someone from the BBA rang up, and said that according to some crap new rule… the two people waiting rooms will be shared by the two competitors battling against each other!" Leila continued, looking worried,
"What's more, we, as a team, are not allowed to watch each other's battles or communicate with each other during the tournament!"
"What kind of rule is that!" Exclaimed Cori indignantly,
"How are we supposed to work as a team if we can't watch each other and cheer each other on!"
"The BBA said that it was to test us individually and to see how bloody organised we could be before the tournament," explained Leila gruffly.
The news was out, Cori and Ally were speechless while Leila and Sharon exchanged dark glances.
Oh no! I thought I'd sorted my feelings out, but now they've all come rushing back to me. I feel so weak. But I'm not!!! I have to stay in the same room as Kai? What am I going to do? Ally's thoughts were in turmoil once more. Her so called calmness had evaporated and in its place was a hot, drowsy and panicky feeling that she could not block out.
Cori looked worriedly at Ally but did not say anything,
Maybe it's better if I don't say anything. Maybe she's strong enough now. Maybe this is something she needs to get through on her own. God! I thought that as her friends, we could support her every step of the way, but instead… Damn the bloody new rule! And damn the BBA for passing it!
Sharon pushed back a lock of chestnut hair and drew in a deep breath,
If no one else is going to say anything, I might as well.
"Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but we have a tournament up, so are we going to stick to the plan or… " Sharon's cool voice broke the silence and she stole a glance at Ally.
Ally snapped out of her thoughts and back to reality,
"Sharon's right, we've got a tournament to win! And yes, we will stick to the plan. Cori's first up against Rei, then it will be Leila against Tyson, Sharon against Max and finally, me aga… against Kai." She spoke the last words with defiance, as though she was reassuring herself at the same time.
This is my life now… I'd better get used to it.
~*~
The Shadow Rangers arrived at the Beystadium. All that should have been said had been said. Ally put her hand out and the rest of her team did so too.
"Team!" They cried, determination filling their voices. With that, they all walked into their separate rooms.
Kai was already seated, in his usual position, arms folded, eyes closed. Ally did her best to ignore him and took a seat at the opposite end of the room.
Time crawled by and there was absolute silence in the room. Ally did not know what to do. All she knew was that Cori was battling now and she was not there to cheer her on, instead, she was here with the silent one, the cold one, the heartless one, the one who she loved and hated at the same time, equally with the same immense, fiery passion. She was here, with Kai Hiwatari.
"And…" The intercom sprang into life. Ally jumped.
"The match is a draw! Would you look at that, they could not have been better matched, move by move, every spin in time with the other! So breathtaking to watch!"
Cori walked past, beaming at Ally through the window, she grinned back. Rei followed, looking pleased, but bewildered at the same time.
Kai frowned slightly,
How did Rei draw? Why did he look so confused? And this girl, Ally, why does she say nothing?
Ally's attention drifted to Kai. He looked the same as ever. The same two toned dark-blue and slate hair, the same blue triangles…
She would never forget the first time they met, or what happened afterwards.
~*Flashback*~
They were lined up outside a room, all the newcomers to the Abbey. They were to be tested for their physical and emotional strength. That included Ally and Cori. They were in fact, first in line. Noises came from inside the room, voices as well.
"This is your punishment, Kai! You are a Hiwatari. You were born to become the best blader in the world, and by god you will be!" A cold voice hissed from inside.
"Grandfather! Please don't! I'll work harder! I promise!" A little boy's voice cried.
His cries were in vain.
Dreadful screams came from the room. They were screams of despair, of hopelessness… of acceptance. They pierced the silence like a knife, slicing it into a million pieces.
Cori covered her ears and whimpered softly. But Ally stared at the door, and wondered what horrors awaited them inside.
Suddenly, the door flew open and a hand shoved a boy out. He was a mess. His clothes were torn and there was blood on them. He crumpled to the floor and slowly, attempted to get up. He tried once, and collapsed back onto the floor, he tried again, only to fall harder. Ally could stand it no longer, she rushed up to the boy and held out a shaking hand.
The boy looked up, scarcely believing what his eyes. He took the hand and it hoisted him to his feet. Ally looked into his crimson orbs and saw all the suffering and hurt. They pierced her like a thousand pins, thrusting into her fragile heart. His face was whip-lashed, and sweat was dripping from his temples.
"Who are you and why did they do this to you?" Asked Ally, her voice quavering.
"I…I'm Kai. Who are you? And why did you help me? The boy asked, confusion showing in his eyes.
"I'm Dawn, and I don't want to see anyone hurt as much as you are today!" Answered Ally defiantly.
"Dawn Himana!" A cold voice said,
"Get away from Hiwatari, he has done wrong and has been punished accordingly." Boris appeared from behind her and pulled her away. Kai was pushed and shoved into another room.
"Corinne Kinara and Dawn Himana may enter." The speaker boomed.
Boris opened the door for them with a mocking smile,
"Don't forget to have fun!"
Darkness loomed in front of them but they had no choice but to go forward. Ally glared fiercely at Boris and helped Cori inside. The door clicked shut behind them. Their only source of light was gone. They had nothing but each other.
Some people entered the room from another entrance, Ally could feel their presence. Suddenly, a fist met with Ally face, she fell to the ground with the impact. Cori was kicked in the stomach and staggered back as she tried to get air back into her system.
"Welcome Himana and Kinara, to the physical test…" A voice sneered. Ally felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over her.
Then came most blows, most met their target, but Ally held on, she would not give in to this evil, this darkness.
Finally, it was over. Or so they thought.
A screen lighted up and a scene began to play. Ally paled and stumbled backwards. Cori gripped her hand tightly.
"That's right Himana, you go first. You didn't give in to the physical pain, but can you stand the emotional ones?" The cold voice sneered.
The screen showed a dark room and a man and a woman leapt out from bed. An intruder had entered their home. There was more than one!
"Call the police!" Cried the woman, retreating aware into the clutches of an intruder,
"Ahhh! Let me go!"
The man spun around and another intruder took his chance, BASH! Something sharp and hard smashed into his skull. He was dead before he hit the ground.
The woman screamed, one so loud and so shrill that a window cracked behind her.
"Shut up woman!" An intruder hissed, gagging her.
/Flash/
Meanwhile, a girl was cowering and whimpering underneath her bed.
/Flash/
A dagger glinted in the dark, the intruder, laughed a low, terrible laugh. He ran the blade along the woman's neck and stabbed, again, and again, and again…
"Nooooooooooo!" Cried Ally,
"Mom! Dad! No!"
"Yes Himana, your parents are dead, and it's all your fault. Your fault. Your own. No one else's. You could have come out from hiding and helped them, but no, you are a COWARD!"
"COWARD! COWARD! Coward! Coward!" This word echoed in Ally's head. She fell to her knees, tears pouring down her cheeks. She clawed at her face, covering her ears, trying to block out the cruel, ruthless word that was eating her from the inside.
"No! Dawn A clear voice cut out the echoes,
"Dawn! You are not a coward! You were only 5! It is not your fault! It's their's." Cori turned to stare into the darkness.
"They killed your parents! And they showed you this so that you would feel guilty, feel weak and submit to their commands! They did this to break you! You can't let that happen!"
Ally regained her senses and burning hate washed over her. At that moment, she knew that she hated Voltaire, she knew that she hated Boris, she knew that she hated Biovolt and everything that it's done. She bit her tongue and stood up, tears streaking her face.
"Whatever you do to me Voltaire. Whatever you do to me Biovolt. I will endure it! I will learn from it, and some day, I will use it against you in such a way that you never imagined possible. Biovolt will fall, and you Voltaire will die! You mark my words!"
~*End of Flashback*~
Ally was stunned. She hadn't meant to go that far into her memories. But now that she remembered them, they didn't hurt at all. Instead, they brought her the burning determination that she needed; to win.
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SP: Wow! I didn't expect it to be that long!
Kai: You made me weak!
SP: Correction, I made you like a 8 yr old kid! You can't always have been cold and heartless.
Kai: Wanna bet.
SP: You're hopeless! Anyways, reviews away!
