LO: Konnichiwa minna-san! I would like to welcome you to the first chapter of Tainted Wings, the sequel to my previous fiction, Opposites Attract. If you haven't read OA, that's fine. I can fill you in. If you have read it, you can skip the next bit Or you can skip it anyway..

In Opposites Attract, the Bladebreakers have been invited as guests to the English National Tournament. They are staying at the BBA Lodge which was built especially for the purpose of the tournament. Whilst there, Kai meets a girl blading in the forest. Her name is Appolene and Kai is shocked to realise that this girl was one he met nine years previously in England and to whom he gave a beyblade. Appolene is overjoyed to see Kai and is determined to battle him in the tournament but Kai finds her annoying and does not want anything to do with her. However, he cannot stop feeling guilty whenever he upsets her and after a lot of pressuring, he signs up for the tournament. Throughout the tournament, Appolene shows great potential as a blader and is faced against Max, who she defeats and then Rei, who she ties with first but then wins. She eventually makes it to the final against Kai.

During this time, Appolene has argued with Kai, tried to be his friend and then, after being told so by her bit-beast Dalcyn, she realises that she loves him.

Kai is continually arguing with Dranzer about Appolene because the phoenix is convinced that Kai likes her but he is in denial. Rei knows that Kai likes Appolene and tries to get it out of him.

When the final arrives, Kai defeats Appolene. She is disappointed and upset and angry when Kai doesn't seem to accept her congratulations. But it turns out that Kai finally understands what he feels and kisses Appolene in front of the entire stadium, much to her surprise.

As the tournament is over, the Bladebreakers have to return home so Appolene and Kai say good-bye but Kai has promised he will see her again...

Yes, kinda sappy, I know. But this story promises to be MUCH better with more action. Especially as I've been planning this for about 9 months.

So I hope you will read it, and enjoy it and reviews would be much appreciated. Criticisms are extremely useful also. But no flames. If you really don't like it, don't read it.

Title courtesy of silverwolverina. I wanna thank her and everyone else who gave me suggestions for it. They were much appreciated.

Okay, I'd better stop babbling or you'll get bored. Oh, just to warn you, I enjoy making weird disclaimers as you may notice in later chapters. For now I'll just say I do not own Beyblade or any characters related with it. However, all OCs belong to me and me alone.

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Chapter 1 – Reunited in Russia

The students of the Abbey stood in rows across the large stone room where they resided. All seemed zombie-like, chanting. Over and over they did it, saying the same three words:

"Winning is everything."

And as they did it, their hands all moved in perfect unison, pulling the ripcord from an invisible beyblade launcher. At the front of the room, a guard watched them and beat anyone who showed signs of slowing. The students had been working on this exercise for the past two hours and another two still remained. Here, weakness was not tolerated. Here, they wanted strength. Strength in body and strength in mind. You had to have the mental ability as well as the physical. That's why each student was hand picked. Only those thought to be worthy were allowed in the Abbey.

No one heard the footsteps as they approached but as soon as the door swung open the students halted as one and stood to attention. Each of them stood erect, their faces expressionless. Not a sound could be heard except the echo of the man's feet as he walked amongst them.

After a few moments he selected a silver haired boy from the second row. Then he turned and swept out of the room. The boy followed without question and the door slammed behind him.

Immediately, the students resumed their training and the zombie-like chanting thrummed through the air once again. However, though none of them showed it, every one of them was internally wrestling with feelings of pity and relief for they knew that the boy was unlikely to return. So far, anyone who had been taken away had failed to come back. So far, no one had past the test. The test...of true power.

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Kai caught a snowflake in his gloved hand and watched as it melted slowly in his palm. He sighed, his breath rising in a misty cloud. So he was back. He and the rest of the Bladebreakers had returned to Russia for their second World Championship Tournament. Only this time they were returning as the defending champions.

The letter had arrived a few weeks beforehand from Mr. Dickenson, saying that it was officially open. Being the current champions, their team qualified automatically. They had left Japan on Monday and were originally supposed to fly straight to Russia but due to the weather conditions they had had to land in Poland and go the rest of the way by train. They travelled in first class, and the journey had taken two days because of the snow but they had eventually arrived earlier that morning.

And now here he was, sitting on what would be a grassy slope near the frozen river, watching the flocks of novice bladers crowding in the park on the opposite bank, testing their skills against one another. The heavy snow that had been falling when they had pulled into the station had cleared up with only a few white flakes falling about him. He knew the rest of his team were somewhere among the crowd of bladers, showing off their skills, talking to their fans and generally having a good time. He, on the other hand, was quite happy to sit without any sort of disturbance and reminisce about the last time they were here. Even as he looked past the chattering horde of people he could see, just visible on the horizon, the large, cold looking building. The Abbey. Kai shuddered. He did not like to think about that place or what dwelled within it. To think he had been brought up there and almost returned there, given up his team and friends, just for that taste of pure power. He hoped he would never have to go back. He hoped he never had to see that creature again.

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Rei, Max, Kenny and Hilary all looked on with interest as the queue of people waiting to blade against Tyson increased. Blader after blader came to test their skills against the nevy-haired World Champion and blader after blader failed.

"You know, this can't be good for his ego," Rei said as their gaze followed yet another blade as it soared from the dish into the snow.

"No, at this rate his head won't be able to fit through the hotel door," Hilary added maliciously as she watched Tyson's rosy face break into a cheesy grin of triumph once again.

"Aw come on guys, let the guy be," Max laughed, "you know he loves it. And just look at that line! The kids are enjoying every minute of it, regardless of whether they win or not. Besides," he added, "Tyson needs some practice."

"What was that?" The three of them turned to look at Tyson, who was frowning at them in annoyance. "I don't believe I'm in need of any kind of practice! I'm World Champion!"

At this Kenny looked up from Dizzi.

"That may be Tyson, but you still aren't perfect. There is always room from improvement in this game and recently I think you've been a little bit lax in your training. Remember, you're going to be up against the best of the best from around the world. You're going to have to train hard if you wanna remain at the top."

"Aw Chief, you make it sound so serious! We've just arrived. Aren't I entitled to a little fun?" Tyson whined.

"I'm not sure Tyson. I really think –"

"Tyson! You need to do as you're told once in a while!" Hilary yelled. "Your reckless disregard for people's advice is going to get you in trouble one of these days!"

"Oh, who asked you?!" Tyson retorted. "No one, that's who," and he stuck his tongue out at her.

Hilary clenched her fists tightly but Rei placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Don't even bother. He's not in the mood to listen. If he doesn't think he needs the practice then that's fine. In any case he shouldn't say 'no' to a little test battle?" He grinned, bearing his cat-like fangs.

Tyson raised an amused eyebrow.

"Oh, so that's your game is it?"

"Well, what do you say then?"

The blue-haired teen smirked. Loading his blade into his launcher, he held it ready. He flashed a smile at the row of waiting kids and said:

"Don't worry; I'll get back to you in just a sec. This shouldn't take long." He turned back to face Rei. "Ready when you are."

Rei swept his coat aside to reveal his blade launcher and the glistening beyblade all locked and ready to go. He brought it up and took a tight hold on the ripcord. Around them, the line dispersed and reformed as a ring of wide-eyed onlookers, all eager to see the match. The neko-jin's pupils dilated to cat-like slits.

"Bring it on."

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Kai stood up. In front of him he could see the crowd of bladers was gathering around one particular dish in the middle of the park. No doubt two of his team were about to have a beybattle. He felt a slight smile grace his lips momentarily whilst the snow crunched under foot as he walked alongside the river. Even as he got further and further away from the park he could still hear the excited cheers of the crowd.

The snow had stopped now but there was still a frosty breeze in the air which caused Kai's scarf to billow out behind him as he walked. He pulled his pale green team coat tighter around him and crossed the bridge to the opposite bank. He decided to watch this match. He could always point out all the flaws to them later. He smirked and moved off towards the dish where Tyson and Rei were just preparing to launch.

Max was acting as referee. With a rosy grin on his face, he held his hand high above his blonde head.

"Bladers, are you ready?"

The two nodded, both their faces set with determination.

"Okay then. Three, two, one! Let it rip!" He brought his hand down and the two blades were released with great power into the dish.

Grey and white blurs shot forward, eager for battle, circling their opponent, just waiting for an opening. Dragoon was first to act. As Driger continued to prowl around it, the white beyblade suddenly spun around to meet it, crashing hard against the attack ring and letting the orange sparks fly.

There were several "oohs" and "aahs" from the watching crowd. As they gazed in awe and wonder, Kai pushed his way to the front, glaring at a few people as they realised who he was. He blatantly ignored the small group of fangirls that started to swarm around him and just stood and watched. None of the other Bladebreakers even realised he was there.

Driger was well prepared for Dragoon's attack. The grey blade met the white blade with equal force and the two remained locked in the centre. Then they both shot back and circled the edge of the dish again. The two bladers frowned as they watched their opponent. They were equally matched but both blades had their strengths and weakness and each of them was looking for just the right moment to expose them. After a few more moments of circling the rim, Rei smiled.

"Okay Driger! Tiger Claw Attack!"

The bit-chip atop the grey beyblade began to glow and a blue light shot into the air. The majestic white tiger leapt forwards, sending a powerful roar into the sky.

The crowd all gasped in amazement, staring wide-eyed as the tiger bit-beast commenced its attack on Dragoon. Below it, the grey blade seemed to vanish as it moved at great speed, simulating the swiping paw of the bit-beast. Dragoon took a few hits as it was caught slightly off guard. Tyson gritted his teeth.

"That's not going to make much difference Rei," he said. "Dragoon! Attack!"

A second blue light shot into the air but this time the large blue dragon flew up and turned to face Driger. It raised its large blade like claws and caught Driger's paws and stopping its onslaught.

"Heh."

The two bit-beasts grappled above the dish whilst the two beyblades became locked together again below.

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A black-haired girl, who had found herself stuck in the middle of a large crowd, looked around as those around her gasped and cheered.

"What's going on?" she asked anyone who'd listen.

"Rei just released his bit-beast," a boy next to her explained, "and – Woah! – now Tyson's let out Dragoon! Oh man this is so awesome!"

"Rei? Tyson? You mean from the Bladebreakers?" the girl said.

"Yeah! Who else? You think we'd watch just anyone?"

"Wow! But then I wonder...does that mean –"

The boy didn't hear the rest of her question as she had vanished into the throbbing mass of people in front of them.

"Excuse me, pardon me, can I just get through here? Thanks, sorry, excuse me."

She pushed her way through the crowd and managed to arrive at the front. Sure enough, the bladers were who the boy had said they were and behind them stood Max and the boy who always tagged around with them. Also that girl who seemed to have recently become a member of their little team. All of them seemed absorbed in the battle. The girl frowned and looked around. Where was he? Surely he was here.

A flash of white caught her eye and the squeals of several girls made her look over at a small part of the crowd to her left.

"Ah! He's here! I knew it!" she cried as she spotted Kai, frowning as he watched the beybattle and pretending that there was not a small group of girls desperately trying to get him to sign their coats and arms. She smiled, clapping her gloved hands together in delight. "Wait 'til I tell her. She's going to be so pleased! She's been looking out for him ever since we got off the plane yesterday." She laughed and pushed her way back through the crowd.

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The two bit-beasts roared as below them the two blades came together in one final hit before flying back into the hands of their owners. Both dragon and tiger dissolved into blue light once more and returned to their respective bit-chips.

"And it's a tie!" Max yelled above the crowd who had all broken into a volley of cheering and clapping.

Tyson and Rei both grinned at each other and then at the surrounding crowd. Everyone started thrusting forward paper, jackets, scarves, hats, all kinds of things, begging them for their autographs. The entire group sweatdropped and it was here Kai decided to make himself known.

"Alright, that's enough showing off for now," he said sharply, pushing out of the crowd and striding across the snow. "Back to the hotel right now."

All of them except Tyson turned to leave.

"That's all we have for you today folks," the navy-haired boy announced to the disappointed fans, about to take a bow but Kai grabbed him by the back of his team coat and dragged him away before he could do any such thing. "Aw, come on Kai!" he protested, "I was just having some fun and you know they enjoy it."

"Your ego is big enough as it is Tyson. I don't want to have to call a specialist when its so big you can't leave the hotel," the captain snapped back, releasing his hold on the coat and letting Tyson fall in the snow.

"Huh, you're starting to sound like Hilary, you know that?"

"Hn. I don't want to hear anymore of your annoying voice. Get off your lazy behind and move it back to the hotel already."

"You're the one that dropped me in the snow!" Tyson shouted but Kai had already walked off. "Sourpuss," he muttered.

"I heard that Tyson," Kai's voice floated back.

Tyson scowled, pulled himself up and brushed the snow off his coat.

"Heh heh, come on Tyson, we don't wanna leave you behind!"

Tyson looked up at Max, who was grinning. He joined him, looking irritable but Max simply said:

"Don't mind Kai, Tyson. You know he doesn't like this place. Especially after what happened last year."

"Oh yeah. I hadn't really thought about that. I just assumed he was being normal," Tyson mused. "But we got rid of Biovolt. Or at least we made it clear that Kai wanted nothing to do with them. And without Kai they aren't much. After all, I managed to defeat Tala in a beybattle and he was the strongest they had. So I dunno what Kai's worried about."

He and Max paused by the river and looked over the horizon where the outline of the Abbey was just visible.

"It's just the bad memories. Remember, before last year Kai had no idea he'd grown up in the Abbey because he'd been suppressing the memories in the back of his mind."

"I guess..."

"I know you think he should have gotten over it by now and that he should just deal but with Kai, things like this just take time. Kai has a habit of taking things hard and blaming himself for them," Max explained. "I mean, just look at his reaction to when Wyatt got hurt from the Cyber bit-beasts. He took it so personally that he almost lost his battle with Goki."

Tyson looked at Max who was still staring at the horizon. The blonde haired boy turned to face him and Tyson frowned. For a boy that could behave very childishly when he wanted, Max could come out with some really deep stuff. Tyson was impressed. Max saw him frown and smiled.

"Just try not to get on Kai's bad side at the moment, okay Tyson?"

"Yeah, okay."

They began to move on again, still chatting but they moved off the subject of Kai and focused their attention on the upcoming World Championships.

"If you ask me, it's going to be a wild one," Tyson grinned.

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Kai had almost reached the far side of the park, where the exit was located. He could see Rei, Hilary and Kenny a few feet ahead of him. He frowned. Where the hell were Max and Tyson? Were they deliberately being slow to annoy him or had Tyson found another group of fans to make an idiot of himself in front of? Irritated, he turned back the way he had come to go find them and tell them to move it or be in training for the rest of the evening, no meals allowed. He smirked as he thought of this. That'd teach Tyson.

"Urg, why is it so cold?!" a voice yelled.

"Do you think it has something to do with the fact that this is Russia, it's snowing and you're not wearing a coat?" a second voice responded.

"You expected me to wear that ugly thing? Ha! Not likely," the first voice shrilled.

"Well then, stop whining," a third person said.

Kai stopped. The first two voices he hadn't really paid much attention to but the third one...the third voice sounded familiar.

"Kai? Kai!"

There it was again. That same voice. Only it was nearer and it had said his name. He knew that voice! He turned, just in time to catch the figure that had come crashing into him. They both tumbled into the snow and Kai caught a glimpse of a multicoloured bandana holding a mass of brown hair in place. His eyes widened and a smile played on his lips.

"Kai! I can't believe it's you! I didn't know whether Heather was telling the truth when she said you were here but she seemed so positive that I just had to find out! And here you are! I'm so happy, I missed you so much!"

Kai sat up and wrapped his arms tightly around the figure.

"I missed you too," he said. "What are you doing here Appolene?"

The brown haired girl looked up at him with large blue eyes and frowned slightly.

"What kind of question is that?"

"It's a question that wonders why my girlfriend is here in Russia."

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here for the World Championships silly," Appolene beamed.

"You came to watch?"

She shook her head.

"Nope, I'm here to participate. My team, along with several others from around the world, is here for an exhibition match against your team. Just like last year."

Kai frowned as memories of last year's tournament crept into his mind. Last time, there were exhibition matches because Biovolt wanted to steal bit-beasts. Hopefully they wouldn't try that again this year. Then he realised what Appolene had said.

"Your team? You have a team?"

Before she could answer, the sound of muffled giggles could be heard and peering around her shoulder he caught sight of two girls. One was wrapped in a thick blue, red and white coat, with dark hair bound into a plait on either side of her face. Her cheeks were slightly rosy from the cold and she was smiling widely. As he looked at her, he was somehow reminded of Max. They had the same child-like smile. The second girl was blonde, her curls flowing just to her shoulders and pulled out her face by a red band resting on her forehead. She had her arms clutched tightly around her as she shivered. She was not wearing a coat.

"Aww, don't they look so cute?" the dark haired girl said to the blonde.

"Mmm," the other responded, rubbing her hands together. She wasn't much in the mood for talking.

Appolene blushed slightly and looked at Kai. He raised an eyebrow.

"Your team?"

She nodded.

"Yeah, well, two of them at least. There is one more."

"AHA! There you are!" someone shouted.

All three of the girls turned towards the voice. Kai looked too. A red haired boy dressed in a blue, red and white coat was running through the snow towards them.

"Talk of the devil," the blonde said.

"Darn!" the dark-haired girl sighed, "he found us."

"I've...been looking...everywhere for you...girls," the boy panted, coming to a halt in front of them. He took a few minutes to catch his breath before straightening up, frowning. "Why did you leave without me?" he demanded.

"Well, you were still asleep," the blonde sneered.

"And our captain was dying to go looking for her boyfriend," the dark-haired girl added.

The three of them all turned to stare at Appolene. She went very red and had to look away from them. The boy turned back to the dark-haired girl.

"So what? You could've woken me up!"

At this, the girl without a coat snorted. "Not likely! You'd sleep through the Apocalypse! And you snore whilst you did it!"

"I would not!"

"Yes you would!"

"Yeah? Well you'd probably be one of the first to die if there was an Apocalypse as you'd be trying to lug all your precious clothes with you!"

"There's nothing wrong with that!" the girl shrieked.

Appolene and the other girl exchanged weary looks. Kai smirked.

"So? Is this all of them then?" he asked Appolene.

"Yeah. That's everyone."

The couple watched as the black-haired girl tried to pull them apart.

"Gwennie! Delaney! Please, stop it! You're making complete and utter idiots of yourselves! And in front of Kai none the less."

Both halted immediately. Gwennie went red and ran her fingers across her hair, embarrassed. Delaney blinked as he turned to stare at Kai. His cheeks went slightly red and his grinned apologetically, his hand scratching the back of his head in a nervous fashion. Appolene giggled. Then she gasped.

"Oh my gosh! I've been cutting off the circulation to your legs!" she cried, "I'm so sorry Kai!"

Kai watched as she tried to get to her feet but the snow beneath them was rather slippery and she simply crashed back on top of him.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed apologetically.

He laughed and hugged her tightly, causing her face to turn bright red.

"Awwww," Gwennie and Heather squealed.

Appolene buried her face in Kai's shoulder in an attempt to hide her blushing face.

"Stop it you guys," she said in a muffled voice.

The two of them simply giggled.

"Ah, love," Gwennie sighed happily. "I hope one day I meet someone who loves me as much as Appy loves Kai."

Delaney snorted and Gwennie shot him a look. Delaney simply blinked at her as if to say "what?"

Just like Hilary and Tyson, Kai thought. And speaking of Tyson...

"Hey Kai!"

The entire group looked around to see the navy-haired blader coming towards them, waving. Max was just behind him, grinning from ear to ear.

Kai got to his feet, helping Appolene as he did so in case she fell over again. He frowned as they reached them.

"And where the hell have you two been?" he demanded.

"Hey, chill Kai," Tyson said, "we were just talking and enjoying the scenery. Nothing to get in a flap over. Geez, I mean –"

He stopped and stared as Appolene dusted the snow from her coat. She looked up at him.

"Hi Tyson."

He blinked.

"What the heck is she doing here?"

Appolene's eyes narrowed and before he had a chance to move, Tyson was hit in the face with a snowball. Max burst out laughing.

"Oh, you walked right into that one Tyson," he gasped.

Appolene giggled.

"Ooh, you're gonna pay for that one," Tyson frowned, wiping the water out of his eyes and scooping up a pile of snow.

SMACK!

A second snowball hit him on the top of the head. Appolene looked away innocently when Tyson scowled at her but her smile was a dead giveaway. Kai smiled. It looked like everything was as it had been. And as he thought this, Appolene looked up at him, her face glowing with happiness and he leant in and kissed her softly.

Gwennie and Heather squealed, Max and Delaney grinned and Tyson rolled his eyes, a snowball in his hand. Appolene went several shades of red and bowed her head, embarrassed.

Yes, everything was indeed as it had been. And nothing was going to spoil it. Nothing.

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Well, I hope you enjoyed that and please leave you thoughts.

For anyone who is interested, this is a scene from the chapter of Appolene jumping onto Kai:

www. deviantart. com /deviation /9283118/

Remember to take out the spaces.