Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. All unrecognizable characters however, belong to me (aside from those mentioned in chapter nineteen)! M2M's Pretty Boy inspired this chapter; I also do not own that. Some of the traditions in the World Tournaments take after the Olympics, I do not own the Olympics.

Thanks to all those who reviewed!

As requested, a character list has been posted on my author's page for your reference!


"" For speaking

'' For thinking

Italics just for the fun of it!


She's Going Where?!

Chapter 22- Rousing Emotions

Written by Euphrosyne


"I am a princess, I live in the clouds. If you wanna kick it with me, you better bow down. So get on yours knees and call me your highness, cause baby believe me, I'm Gen-X's finest!"

Amongst the thousands of people seated in the audience, Vivinne grumbled under her breath as Gen-X went up to collect their trophy. The reigning champions once again, squeezed together on the podium laughing and cheering as they posed for pictures. Tashiana Evans, the cheer queen herself, waved her twin sister over, Charlize grabbing her second ranking team to join the photo shoot.

The cheerleading competition had been close this year, M-Class mere points away from taking the grand title. But none of that mattered to Viv; Middleton ranked a measly seventh place overall!

They would have at least made it to the medal contendings if Viv were still captain. That pink-haired brat led the team all wrong! If Viv ever figured out who had rattled her out for spying on the top-two teams during rehearsal, she would wring their necks, snap their bones, and rearrange their face until-"

"Ohmygosh! Are you thee Miss Vivinne DeCourte?"

The blonde turned to see a cute looking Chinese girl eagerly holding a notebook and pen for Viv to sign.

"I'm like your #2 fan!"

Viv raised a brow. "Who's my first?"

The girl giggled before tugging the arm of the boy beside her. "Duh!" She smacked her forehead with one hand. "My friend Emmerich here is like totally in love with you!"

The blonde turned to check out the said boy who forced a smile after the Chinese girl stomped on his foot.

He wasn't much of a looker but the Sitric president was a pretty good catch nonetheless. Viv cocked a smile, "Really?" She leaned over to sign the girl's book.

Bringing the autograph to her chest, the girl's face suddenly faulted. "I was totally looking forward to seeing you perform today. What happened?"

The blonde muttered some cover-up excuse.

"I bet it was some Gen-X hoe or wannabe hoe who screwed you over!" exclaimed the girl. "They must have seen how good your team was…they're jealous…!"

Emmerich saw the cranks slowly begin turning in Viv's head; the blonde nodded at the possibilities, eating up the other's statement.

…What a dumbass…

The Asian continued luring the girl into her trap. "You can't just let them take your trophy like that…!" She placed a thin manila folder on Viv's lap. "…Inside is a copy of Miss Lovett's registration forms-"

"What? Riley's?"

"Mmhmm. A group of us were able to retrieve it. Make good use of it."

Viv slowly shook her head after skimming the info over. "I don't understand…"

The girl held back the urge to shatter that thick skull of hers. "Well, the tournament rules specifically state competitors need only register up to three tournaments…"

"You want me to sabotage Riley?"

Emmerich sat with his head in his palm. God the girl was slow. They were falling behind on schedule.

The Asian laughed. "We want you to represent all those who despise Gen-X. Just because they've won a few games, the judges practically throw medals at them. It's not fair!" There was a pause, Erika realising she had practically slipped their beyblading strategy. "Take your cheer squad for example. You've gotta show'em what they're up against. You're perfect for the job! No one will ever suspect Vivinne DeCourte."

Both Sitric students stood. "We're all counting on you. All the people in this arena who have encountered Gen-X's manipulating wrath…they're depending on you…"

The Sitric captain smirked. Ah, the d-word; dependence. Erika definitely outdid herself, sealing the deal.

The two left the stadium with Viv completely focused on the folder in front of her.

This was her chance; handed to her on a silver platter. No strings attached.

Hands in his pocket, Emmerich calmly followed the Chinese girl towards their limo. "I must applaud your performance. Such a brilliant show, to think you never even had to give her your name…"

A sudden blank expression fixed on her face, Erika's eyes were shadowed by the darkness of the hall. She silently spoke. "I do what I have to succeed, not because I want to."

The captain was a little taken back. Studying the girl's pace and posture he could tell she was serious about that statement.

Did she deserve more respect than he was giving her? The captain never questioned his team's past, their reasons for being here, as long as something was propelling them to win.

Everyone in this tournament, not only in beyblading, was fighting for something. For money, for recognition, for family, for friends, or just for themselves; every competitor shared a common goal.

The need to triumph.

"I know what you mean."

If the girl heard him, she didn't signify it with an answer.


"Thanks for saving me a seat, Maeve!" A gold medal around her neck and still in her cheerleading uniform, Riley slid into the seat next to the Azn4 captain.

The Asian nodded but offered no verbal reply. Riley smiled; she had always felt a connection to the older girl. Both represented several associations at school, including Gen-X's student council. Intelligent, sophisticated, and independent, both women aside from their obvious physical differences were identical from the back! Same height, same hair colour!

Rye smiled. No one knew about this, but she idolized Maeve. The girl was always so calm, so well-composed, making life seem so easy, almost trivial. While the red-eyed girl fought to keep up her parent's legacy at Gen-X, Maeve battled to prove that though she was adopted, Gen-X potential did not only lie in blood.

Maeve stood to her feet, smiling and clapping. Shifting her attention back to the ring, Rye saw Tai's arm being raised by the ref, declaring him this year's martial arts champion. She grinned and stood to join the Azn4 captain.

Once Gen-X's school anthem ended, the dark-haired boy jumped off the podium to greet the two girls.

Holding his first place medal for the girls to see, he draped his arm around Rye's shoulder and acknowledged the gold medal around her neck.

"Congrats to the whole cheer team."

Rye couldn't help but smile. "Not bad yourself, Mr. Leigh."

Tai laughed, squeezing the girl closer before kissing her on the forehead. "We're both 1:1, two more tournaments to go-"

"…We took gold for debating today too…"

The red-eyed girl totally forgot about Maeve's presence. How awkward, especially now that she was aware of the girl's feelings towards Tai.

Rye took a step towards Maeve, hugging her from the side. "That's right. Maeve led Sasha and the others to victory. Isn't that great, Tai?"

The said boy smiled politely, offering a hand in congratulations.

Oh. My. Face. A handshake? She wasn't Barbara Walters!

Wrapping her two friends in a hug, Rye suddenly escaped through the centre, Tai and Maeve's shoulders making contact.

The girl blushed.

The boy chased after Rye, "Where you heading?"

Rye smiled waywardly. "We should celebrate our accomplishments at Ash's restaurant! Your butt kicking skills and Maeve's snappy comebacks-!"

"-I wasn't that great. Your friend Kenny and his team came pretty close…"

Riley mentally cursed herself. Not exactly the best time to be modest, Maeve! How hard-headed were her two friends? Could neither catch the hint?

The red-eyed girl turned and sighed before waving Tai and Maeve towards the door.

"Let's go, the others are probably all there."


"Second place, guess that wraps up all my duties at the Worlds." Kenny sheepishly adjusted his glasses as the waitress placed their food in front of them.

"Good job Kenny. Too bad the blonde bimbo isn't here to join the celebrations." Michael turned his attention on Kai. "How did you escape the stocker's surveillance this time?"

Kai sneered dryly at the American's comment. "Viv said she had to drop some forms off or something."

Mariah nodded at Johnny's direction; the redhead completely focused on the three empty stools on the small performance stage. "What's up with Johnny-boy?" teased the pink-haired girl.

Is if on cue, three dark-haired girls walked on stage, all dressed in flowing white summer dresses.

Scarlett giggled into her mic, brushing a strand of red-streaked hair away from her eyes as she waved to a few cheering males on the balcony.

Maeve took the centre stool as Riley unhooked her mic and took the last on stage.

"Riley sings?"

The pink-haired girl smiled. "You beat you does. After wining cheer, she's got beyblading and vocal left. She's much looking forward to the last competition. Forgot why though, something about her mother?"

"Nothing beats my girl's stunning performance today. First time at the World's and placing seventh already. Gen-X and M-Class better watch out cause there's a new cheer queen in town." Ray kissed his girlfriend on the cheek.

The restaurant lights dimmed as the band slowly began strumming away.

I lie awake at night

See things in black and white

I've only got you inside my mind

You know you've made me blind

Scarlett and Riley's voices soared across the room as Maeve entered with her solo verse.

I lie awake and pray

That you will look my way

I have all this longing in my heart

I knew it right from the start

Johnny studied Scarlett's expression. Her eyes were closed, her brows furrowed as she smiled.

Did she mean what she was singing or was this another one of her I'm-a-helpless-biting-bitch tricks?

Tala turned towards his best friend. "You know you've gotta talk to her, Kai."

The blue-haired boy took in a deep breath and slowly began nodding. "…You're right…The next time we meet, Riley and I will sit and talk, resolve our problems."

The song slowly came to and end. The crowds cheered wildly at their unsuspected special treat, some hollering for an encore.

Little did the audience know the three girls had chosen this song for their own personal unannounced reasons. One was fighting the emotional problems of her past, another battling the pain of unrequited love in the present, while the last sung completely unaware of the possible relationship standing in front of her, for the future…


How's that for some fluff? Bwahaha. Kai/ Riley encounter in the next chapter as requested, dun dun dun.

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