Chapter 2 – Unraveling

"But then…wait a minute," Kenny turns to Daichi.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You didn't make up this story just to get Tyson in trouble did you?" Kenny asks him.

"Oh! So now you think I'm a liar! Thanks for nothing!" Daichi answered.

"I don't think Daichi is the type to be lying Chief. Don't you agree Max?" Ray said.

"You're right. And Tyson doesn't really lie either," Max agreed.

"But if the Tyson that Daichi thought was Tyson really wasn't the real Tyson, then who was he?" Kenny wondered.

"I think I might have an answer to that."

Everyone jumped in surprise as Hiro entered.

"Hiro! Nice to see you. So, what have you got?" Kenny asked.

"There was an article in the newspaper saying a group of scientists have found a fast and better way to create human clones."

"Human clones? That's just crazy," Hilary commented.

"The article says that they think the scientists have been using the clones for spying or other similar deeds. They say it's because they aren't really sure who the scientists are and they think they have great ties with criminals. That's basically what it says," Hiro explained.

"I'm not so sure I believe the article," Ray said.

"I don't think anyone does. But what if it is true? Then I could be talking to you right now, but it really wouldn't be you, and then the fake you would know what I had just told you, and it could've been a big secret or something," Max pointed out.

"This is really messing my head," Daichi complained.

"Tell me about it," Tyson said.

"Quit it you two! Can't you see how serious this is?" Hilary shouted, "If these scientists make a clone of you, they could pretend to be you and know one would notice. They could go to world championships, lose, and completely ruin your reputation."

"Hilary's right. From now on, we've got to be really careful," Hiro said.

"I don't care how dangerous this is!" Tyson said, trying to sound heroic, "I'm going to track down these mad scientists and give them a piece of my mind! No one can make a clone of me!"

"I don't think you have any mind in you to give," Hilary teased.

"Hey Daichi," Hiro asked, "The other night, did the Tyson you were with seem kind of different?"

"Well, he did seem a little more aggressive, and less hungry, I guess," Daichi answered.

"Hm. That's one thing a clone lacks: personality," Hiro pointed out, "A clone may be able to look like someone physically, but on the inside, they're just a bunch of metal parts."

"So that could be our only way of knowing whether we're talking to a clone or the real thing," Ray said.

"Exactly."

"Huh?" Daichi still didn't understand what was going on.

"It's alright Daichi," Kenny said, "I'll explain everything to you later."


During all this confusion, Kai is walking around the town, searching for Kiera. He finds her sitting on a bench, watching a few kids beyblade.

"Kiera!" he cries out. Kiera looks up. "I've figured it out," Kai continues, "I've figured out who you are."

Kiera gives him a disgusted look, "That's just wonderful." She gets up from the bench and starts to walk away. Kai grabs her hand.

"Don't go."

Kai could tell by the look in her eye that she didn't feel comfortable staying with him. He could understand. But he wasn't going to let go, "I can still remember those years we've been training in Biovolt." Kai can see Kiera's eyes watering, "Then one day, your bit beast showed up…it was…so powerful. They lost control."

"You're right. And they dumped me out on the streets with nothing because of that pathetic Boris," Kiera shouts, trying to hold back her tears.

"I'm sorry," was all Kai could let out.

"You should be. Sitting back, watching them throw me out like worthless garbage. You were no better than the rest of them," Kiera said. She forces her hand loose from Kai's and turns back, "You can't change what happened, Kai."

Kai is left in shame, guilt, and misery. He can't believe what Kiera had just said to him. Worse, she was right. He got up and continued his way home. Tomorrow, he wasn't going to go searching for her.


The next day, Kenny and Hilary come barging into Tyson's house.

"Tyson! I think I might have found something!" Kenny yells.

"Really? What?" Tyson asks.

"Check this out. The other night, the cloned Tyson was dragging Daichi with him, leaving a few of his molecules behind. I took a close look at the ones he left on Daichi's shirt and I found out that they are made with the energy of many different bit beasts," Kenny explains.

"That is kind of crazy, you know," Hilary comments.

"Give the chief a break, Hil. He's tried hard," Tyson says.

"Hey! If you guys think this is a joke, then it isn't, and it's very serious," Kenny starts to get frustrated.

"We believe your story Kenny," Tyson explains, "And we're going to beat these guys no matter what."

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Tyson calls. He opens the door and finds himself face to face with a pretty Goth girl. "Um, hello. Can I help you?"

"You can start by letting me in," she says and pushes her way into the house.

"Hey watch it! You can't do that!" Tyson shouts.

"Too bad 'cause I just did," the girl says, "Now I need you to tell me everything you know about what Kai has been up to lately."

"Why would you be interested in Kai? And I don't even know where he is," Tyson answers, "And even if I did know, why the heck should I tell you?"

"Oh. I have a piece of decent information that might interest you," she explains.

Kenny calls out, "Hey Tyson! Who's your friend?"

"Friend?" Tyson makes a face, "I don't even know who this girl is."

"Call me Glaze," the girl (who is Kiera) lies.

"That's a funny name," Tyson ridicules her. Glaze gives him the cold shoulder.

"I'll be needing a place to stay for a few days. You see, I'm a traveler and I can't afford very much," Glaze lies yet again.

Tyson is very suspicious, "Well you can't stay here."

"Tyson!" Kenny yells.

"What? We don't even know who she is," Tyson says, "You should've seen her first act and that'll convince you."

Hiro hears the racket and comes to check it out, "What's going on here?"

"Some stranger who is apparently a traveler wants to camp out at our place for a few days. Yea, in your dreams!" Tyson says.

"Well, I already know he doesn't like me," Glaze thinks aloud, "It's alright. I'm sure there are many other decent homes around the area." She sighs then turns around.

"Wait," Hiro calls, "You can stay here."

"What? Are you nuts?" Tyson asks.

"She's a traveler. What harm can she do?" Hiro explains.

"Oh by the looks of her, I think she can do plenty!" Tyson retorts.

Glaze ignores his remark, "Thanks. I appreciate it. And don't worry, I won't cause much trouble. I'll repay sometime."

Hiro blushes, "Oh, there's no need for that."

Glaze smiles at him and walks into the house.