Breaking a Promise

Chapter 16

"You okay?" Dina asked, upon seeing Hilary enter the dressing room that following morning. "You don't look so good."

"Yeah. Did you get enough sleep?" Roxanne joined in, concerned. Lita looked up from her area, the same worried look on her face. Hilary didn't know what to tell them. True, she had had a rough night.

She was spared the misery of answering. Kitten broke in, "She's fine guys. Now get ready. The match begins in a little bit." They returned to their activities without protest, but Hilary was sure they were glancing at her every chance they got, especially when they thought she wasn't looking.

As they were walking down the hall to the stadium, they could hear K-man announcing the stats and the amazing, awesome, spectacular battle ahead. They entered and went to their respective places. The BladeBreakers were already there. Hilary noticed Ray glance at her. Was that pity? Or apprehension?

"Alright! This is gonna be an exciting match, here, folks! Prepare for the most overwhelmingly astonishing battle since the world tournaments! Please, put your hands together for...THE BLADEBREAKERS!"

Cheers erupted for the stands, and the BeyKats saw Tyson showing off for the fans. Kitten rolled her eyes. Hilary laughed to herself. Typical Tyson.

"And now...let's hear it for THE BEYKATS!" Just as much rooting and applause was heard for them. Dina started flashing a broad smile in the BladeBreakers' direction. Tyson grinned, too. Kai didn't appear amused and looked about to flip her off.

"Well, we ain't getting any younger, folks, so let's get this party started! First up is Max against the hometown hottie...Lita!" Whoops could be heard from every direction, and Lita stepped up the dish, her expression not too enthusiastic.

"Let's do our best, okay, Lita?" Max suggested happily. Lita gulped and nodded, attempting a small smile.

"3! 2! 1! LET IT RIP!"

Lita and Max launched their blades, and the two tops spun in circles around the rim of the dish, unconsciously stalling for time. The two wielders of the beyblades knew they couldn't keep this up forever, and gazed into each other's eyes as if to say "I'm sorry," their 'weapons' mimicking their emotions.

The tops picked up velocity (whatever it is), and, now super-charged, rammed at each other, preparing to hit each other with everything they had and finish the battle in one hit. Smoke piled up around the stadium from the impact, temporarily blinding everyone. Coughing could be heard from every direction as the gas invaded their lungs. The suspense was almost too much to bear. Who had won?

The smoke cleared away slowly, and the crowd, as well as the teams, gasped as they saw the results. Max's blade fell weakly, and Lita's, wobbling dangerously, did the same milliseconds later.

Some of our little American's fans were disappointed. Someone bested Maxie?

"Well, that was unexpected," K-man muttered into the microphone. "Lita is the victor." He then regained his announcer confidence and announced, "Now, let's move on to...Dina, of the BeyKats, and Tyson of the BladeBreakers!"

Shouts of "We Love You, Tyson!" echoed in the stadium, nearly blowing out the competitors' ears, and posters flashed all around. Tyson was rather enjoying the attention, but Dina, feeling upstaged, wasn't about to let his attention off of her so easily.

"Hey, Tyson! Save the victory act for after you've won!" she cried out at him, trying to sound intimidating. To Tyson, she only sounded hotter.

"Sure, whatever," he answered, aiming his launcher at the dish, his opponent doing the same.

"Let's begin!" K-man cut in. "3! 2! 1! LET IT RIP!"

Two blades flew into the bowl, immediately clashing into each other. Dina's plan was to win this battle so that she could win over his heart. She started grinning at him, directing his interest at her, rather than his blade. Her long eyelashes began beating abnormally fast in an attempt to attract him. She blew him a kiss. A few people awed, and a couple booed (Haters!). He looked entranced with her, spellbound.

Or so it seemed.

He 'snapped' out of it. "Sorry, Dina, but I think I'd rather save the flirting for when I beat your tail. See ya!"

Dragoon had been attacking her blade the whole time, and she hadn't noticed. She had been too caught up into her 'tactics' to detect it. Well, she realized it now as it soared past her face, its wind catching up a lock of her hair (basically, her hair was blown up by the 'wind' its momentum caused), an expression of pure shock on her face.

Tyson was already making victory/peace signs at the crowd, doing that dance of his. Dina sighed, with fandom and discontent at the loss, retreating back to her friends with an apologetic air. Kitten thought about lecturing how stupid and naïve her little ploy was, but she shrugged it off. Judging from the look on Dina's face, she already knew that and didn't need the captain telling her that.

"Tyson is the winner! OK, Tyson, can you please stop the dancing and let the next challengers have a spin?" (K-man)

Kai then stepped up to bat (figure of speech), bumping Tyson's shoulders rudely and purposely to tell him to cut the crap. Before Hilary could react, Kitten stood, putting her arm out in front of the still sitting girl. Kitten would take this round.

"Well, isn't this intriguing?" K-man asked the crowd. "Leader versus leader. This should be fascinating."

The two competitors' scowls didn't let up, and no response met K-man's remark. They silently lifted their launchers and waited for the countdown. At the signal, the two simultaneously jerked the ripcord out, firing the blades directly at each other midair. Their strength must've been equal, for neither power bested the other, and they bounced back into the ring, circling the rim as Lita and Max had done, only these players were out for a win, not some last-second chance at a compromise.

"Dranzer!" Kai called out, as Kitten summoned her Manul.

'Hilary,' they each thought, for she meant the world to both of them (No, Kitten's not a lesbian, but they're close friends, and she likes to look out for Hilary. After all, they went through the same torture...). 'This is for you.'

Each captain thought that their way for Hilary was the best way, and wouldn't give up their ideals without difficulty. Kai for love, and Kitten to protect her buddy from ever being hurt by another man again. They alone knew that there was a battle of wills going on that only this could decide. Hilary herself didn't know what was riding on the victory.

Flames erupted from the dark blue beyblade as the BeyKat's released immense quantities of charge, creating a sort of lightning storm. The two superpowers slammed together, surges of energy sparking everywhere.

The spectators hung onto the edge of their seats, breathless with anticipation. The conclusion of the fight came none too quickly. And the victor was...