Fighting the Fears

Sacred Phoenix

SP: Dodges flying objects Phew… gets hit by can oh… faints. I know it's been ages since I updated but I had EXAMS!!! And then… I had writers block… sorry…

Kai: You're not forgiven.

SP: Shut up, you! Thank you everyone!!! 110 reviews!!! You are wonderful people!!! Hands out sugar. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Coughs well… you know what I mean.

Max: Sugar!!!

SP: Sweatsdrops ah… I always make these things too long, disclaimer please, Ally.

Ally: I'm Dawn.

SP: I hate that name, I wish I could change it. It was just a random thing I thought up on the spur of the moment, so stick with Ally… please.

Ally: Oh, I'm flattered. Sacred Phoenix does not own Beyblades. People like her are lucky enough to own themselves.

SP: I own all my OCs and that includes you missy!

- Thinking

"" – Talking

Chapter 7: Many Meetings

Tyson stared. And Ally glared.

"What are you looking at?" She snapped, feeling embarrassed in her black satin gown. Tyson just blushed and turned away, knowing better than to argue with Ally at times like these. But he had good reason to stare. The four girls looked absolutely stunning, each in their own way. Cori and Ally wore their hair up in a French bun, with a few strands hanging down. Leila had a half ponytail and Sharon simply let her hair down. Kai cocked an eyebrow with amusement and then submitted to his usual pose of leaning against the wall.

"Oh my God! Kai!" Screamed Leila, "don't do that! You'll ruin your tux!" Kai opened his eyes for a second, startled, then closed them again in a careless manner. All the boys, including Tyson had bought identical black tuxedoes with either a napkin or rose in his pocket and a matching black bow tie.

"Fine! Your problem when you end up with a white ass at the party," said Leila, trying hard not to laugh. Cori smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles in her dress and proceeded to walk down the stairs. Sharon grumbled a bit about how uncomfortable dresses were and followed suit.

Rei, being the perfect gentleman he is, held out an arm and Cori, blushingly took it. Sharon snorted and walked out on her own. Max sheepishly followed. Ally smiled at Leila and they were exiting together whenKai cleared his throat and mock bowed to Ally, holding out an arm too. Obviously he did not want to be outdone by Rei. The look on Ally's face was priceless. She froze to the spot, blinking stupidly. It took a nudge from Leila before Ally took Kai's arm, following Sharon to the patiently waiting limousine. Ally was awakened from her daze by a snort of laughter and a sharp 'no' behind her. Evidently, Tyson had tried his luck with Leila… unsuccessfully.

The hall was absolutely amazing. The bottom floor was a gleaming wooden floor, and it opened up in the shape of an oval onto the second floor. The ceiling was carved extravagantly with a central design of the fleur-de-lis. There were three chandeliers hanging from it, all glistening like diamonds, casting its warm, golden light throughout the hall. The whole of the bottom floor was for dancing, with the exception of a stage at its head, to give wannabes a chance at the spotlight. The walls were also carved and decorated with gold streamers, lily flowers and exquisitely delicate lamps. There were also a few small round tables held up on one leg that offered a refreshment of wine or light snacks. These were situated along the walls, on fire-red rugs.

A majestic marble staircase, shining with beauty, lead upstairs, where dinner was served. Scrumptious food was placed steaming on glass tables, around the candles that were emitting a gentle glow. If one tired of the food AN: Who would?!, they could lean against the oak railings and look down to the dancing floor below.

Ally took all of this in silently, determined not to show that she had never been to any place like this before. Cori did the same, smiling graciously as she greeted the doorman AN: What are they called?. Leila and Sharon giggled and exclaimed at the majestic sight set out before them.

"First time to a party?" Taunted Kai as he smirked at Ally, who was still holding onto his arm. He had seen through her mask of indifference.

"As much a first time as you are with vodka," retorted Ally, a smile tugging at her lips. Kai raised an eyebrow ever so slightly and was about to reply when Mr Dickenson interrupted him,

"Oh, good, you children seem to have found your way here alright!"

Kai stiffened at the word 'children' and death-glared Mr Dickenson, who did not seem to notice. Maybe he had finally gotten used to this icy Russian. Ally stifled a snort and replied smoothly,

"Of course, there was no way we could be late when you organised everything so considerately." This time it was Kai who snorted, but he did not even try to be inconspicuous. Ally stamped on his foot, hard and smiled innocently up at Mr Dickenson.

"Well, I just wanted you all to remember that we are here to celebrate your victory, and of course, to meet new people, hopefully making them your friends," said Mr Dickenson.

"We know them all," said Kai, being anti-social as usual, "White Tigers, All Starz, Psykicks, Saint Shields, Majestics… Demolition Boys." He said the last team with obvious distaste, but Leila squealed and started squirming around impatiently.

"Yes, yes," said Mr Dickenson excitedly, "But there are two new teams! The Fallen Angels and the Risen Devils. Apparently they battle side by side. They are an interesting assortment of bladers and I thought that it would be… nice… and… ah… useful if you got to know them."

Interesting, very interesting… Thought Ally, Teams who work together and achieve everything together. She frowned, stealing a glance at Kai, does Mr Dickenson want us to work like that? They seem like good bladers, they defeated the Demolition Boys and the Majestics respectively in the quarter finals… but there's something about them that I don't altogether like…

Meanwhile, Kai was deep in thought too, I wonder if these two new teams have anything to do with Biovolt. As much as I dislike Tala and the D-boys, I don't think they work for that rat hole any more… but it's so unlike Biovolt to lie low. I'll have to investigate, I can't let anything happen to my team mates and Ally… Wait a minute! I did not just think that…

"Oh look, here they come now, make good use of this opportunity children!" Advised Mr Dickenson, before scurrying off somewhere.

Ally and Kai turned slowly, to find themselves face to face with four pretty and flaunting girls. Ally vaguely noticed that the Fallen Angels team were made up of two pairs of twins, only one girl whom she would fancy meeting.

"Hello darling," slurred a pale purple haired girl, batting here eyelashes at Kai. This was Victoria, or VickyBlackwell, the flirt, notorious for her stubbornness and nasty temper. Kai turned away, already regretting his decision to meet these bladers with his team mates. As soon as Ally saw Vicky's jaw strut out and her sky blue eyes narrow dangerously, she knew there was trouble. Fortunately, her twin came to save the day, unintentionally.

"Hey sis, wassup?" Asked Tiffany Blackwell, slapping her twin on the back. Her own sky blue eyes darted around at the Bladebreakers and the Shadow Rangers and she broke into a grin. This was typical hyper, fun-loving Tiffany, who could be very silly or very stubborn… or both at times.

"Hiya! Let me introduce my team," said Tiffany, "I'm Tiffany, and this is my twin Vicky. This…" she reached over and dragged a shy-looking pale pink haired girl towards them, "this is Bethany, or just Beth and her twin is our team leader, Viv!"

The leader of the Fallen Angels inclined her head slowly, as though considering if these bladers were worth her time, then smiled a smile that did not reach her amber eyes, "Vivien, an honour to meet you."

"Ally, pleasure," replied Ally shortly, returning the cold smile. Kai nodded curtly and disappeared into the shadows.

"Don't take it personally, Kai's like that with everyone, he's really antisocial," said Rei apologetically, "By the way, I'm Rei, this is Max and Tyson. We are the Bladebreakers. This is Ally, Cori, Leila and Sharon. They are the Shadow Rangers"

"I know all about you, Bladebreakers, and I will learn all about you, Shadow Rangers. Have a good night," said Vivien, turning away.

"See you around," said Bethany, smiling. Her smile was not unlike Cori's, Ally failed to understand how two sisters, two twins, could be so different. Tiffany and Vicky waved their goodbyes and followed their team leader.

Ally let out a long breath, after all that, we still don't know if they can be trusted. Though, if only judging on what Vivien last said… I don't think we should trust them. I'll have to talk to Kai, after all, we're in the same boat here.

"So you're the champions?" Asked a husky voice, cutting Ally's thoughts short, "You don't look so tough." Ally turned slowly, fighting the urge to roll her eyes, how many times had she heard this at the Abbey?

Flashback

Boris stood next to Voltaire, glaring at the scene that unfolded before him. It was downright unnerving, That Dawn Hikaru… she had defeated every single blader at Biovolt (except Kai), beating Tala Ivanov in the finals. Boris watched as Tala walked around the dish and slapped Ally on the back, grinning as though he had won.

He will have to be punished later, thought Boris, making a mental note, Ivanov must be taught the importance of victory and the disgrace of failure.

Every single blader had been so sure that they could defeat this eight-year-old girl in one sweep, assuring Boris with the words, "She doesn't look so tough" but this raven haired girl raised her head determinedly and crushed each opponent, regardless of what they threw at her.

Boris clenched his hand into a fist, her every victory was an act of defiance to him, and such bladers were dangerous, they need to be broken and if they couldn't… they needed to be eliminated. Boris had brought this up with Voltaire many times, but Voltaire refused to listen, he was blinded by the power that this champion promised and did not realise that this power was already out of his control…

Voltaire's eyes flashed and said to Boris, "this Hikaru is worth training, she will battle against Kai tomorrow morning. You will supervise it yourself and you will bring the results directly to me." Seeing the look on Boris' face, Voltaire hissed, "are you questioning my authority?" Boris quavered under Voltaire's glare and shook his head.

When the purple haired man looked back towards the stadium, he saw Ally staring straight at him, her violet eyes burning with hate. At that moment, Boris knew that those very eyes would watch Biovolt fall.

End of Flashback

Ally faced four guys, the Risen Devils, male counterpart of the Fallen Angels.

How lovely, thought Ally sarcastically, both teams decided to pay us a visit. I just hope this one will be as pleasant as the last. .

A pale blue haired boy stood in front of his team mates, assuming that he was the leader, Ally looked himstraight in the eye. Violet locked with violet, neither looking away.

"Oh a glaring competition, mind if I join in?" Asked Kai sarcastically. Ally dropped her gaze, and without turning around she answered, "oh, decided to grace us with your presence? Well, better late than never."

"Quit standing around, we came here to battle didn't we Felix?" asked a blonde haired boy, his dreadlockshanging like snakes from his head. The question was directed at the leader of the Risen Devils but Tyson answered instead.

He snorted, "You? Battle you? You weren't even in the finals, keep on dreaming wannabes." Max laughed and slapped his best buddy on the back. Kai however, knew that this team weren't just going to disappear, "Not here, not now."

"Where and when then? Ricky's right, we didn't come to chat," An orange haired boy asked, from one glance, Ally could tell that he was a fighter, this was going to be a challenge.

"You going to Takaitera Training Camp?" Asked Cori, trying to make peace.

"No, but I'm sure we could drop by just for the battle," said a green haired boy, following Cori's example, "is that ok with you Ross?"

The orange haired boy nodded, "Whatever, Nathan, just make sure we get a battle."

"Ricky?" Called a voice that was unmistakably Vicky's.

"Gotta go," said the blonde flirt, "try not to chicken out." Felix scanned his future opponents and followed suit, he was the leader after all. Ross slammed a fist into his palm and dragged an apologetic Nathan with him.

"Well, that's the new teams met," said Ally, turning back towards her team mates, "but I'm afraid to say that I don't think much of any of them.". Leila was trying very hard to hold Sharon back from attacking the bladers who had insulted them.

"Let me at them!" Exclaimed Sharon.

"Sharon, you don't even know who's who!" Reasoned Leila.

"That would be a good start to analysing those teams," said Kai, sending Sharon a death-glare. She stopped struggling and looked around sheepishly, "sorry, I guess I wasn't going about the right way of dealing with them."

"It's ok Sharon," said Ally, defending her friend, "and the analysing can come later. We have the rest of the night to get through. "

Kai shrugged, "whatever."

SP: I know this chapter wasn't good enough for making you guys wait so long, but I promise it leads on to important parts of the plot! And I swear I won't make you wait so long ever again. But review! It's what keeps me going.