Shitza: Okay, now here it goes. Last chapter and one little mistake I noticed, sorry for that, but anyway it was suppose to end that Ian lost the bet anyway. If anyone noticed, you have been kind enough not to flame me. I thank you, though I wish I had noticed before I posted it.

Mistakes do happen…

Anyway, here it is, here is chapter 23 and to say this will be as rivalry as the last. You all remember that Lei Dan is as arrogant as Anto. Hehe, we will see what I have in store for Max. You must think I am cruel now, well, I am. But to say, this surely will get interesting and I hope you think so too. Summer is here, I don't expect everyone to sit around reading, but I hope you enjoy.

Okay, to explain things around. I was wondering if people know what kind of metal ring Lei Dan is using in his launches. Well, for the people who has seen Xena would know. It was that ring that inspirited me.

There is one last thing. If you think Rumoto was horribly evil in last chapter you will probably think this is ten times more hideous. I DON'T HATE MAX… I really hated to write the fight in this chapter. Oh, you will see what I mean. Lei is in my notes: Fierce with powers. Now off we go, please no flames after you have read this, please! I will make up for this one day.

Shitza

Chapter 23 Drained and Drowned

Daichi sat down by his sister's bed. His wounds from the match had been treated with different ointments and one of the more open wounds had been sewn together. But from all the rough beatings he had taken, both physically and in his heart, nothing could compare to the torture he felt from seeing his sister lying completely defenceless on the bed. True as he knew the Elementals, one of them could pop up and finish her off. His sister wasn't the most popular person to be known, at least not from the place they were born in.

Daichi yawned, scratching his bruises. The sand coloured stone hung around his neck, Serpera still kept safely there. His bit beast was safe for now. If the Elementals would win and start their plan, which hadn't been told of yet but he already knew what would happen. Knowing Veymo he knew exactly what that bastard thought.

1, Absorb every awoken and sleeping bit beast in the world. This wouldn't be hard for him, it would be a nutcase. Only thing was that the Village laws forbid it, but he knew he must have gotten through that law.

2, Use these bit beast and fuse them to form something more terrible and frightening then the World has ever known. Daichi had heard Tyson and Max talk about something called Black Dranzer, which his sister had also mentioned from time to time. That bit beast would be nothing compared to this. Mankind would surely be destroyed. Not to mention there wouldn't exist a Universe anymore.

3, Veymo, that arrogant bastard, would get the crown of the world. His sister's father, thankfully not his own, would sit on a thrown of solid gold remaking the world to look like his sick visions. He could just imagine him and the rest of the guys dangling somewhere in a tree. That was what happened to thieves in the villages and that could be what awaited them.

Daichi sighed once more. He thought about the guys, his team. It was Max turn to battle, but now he wasn't there to assist them. He had wanted to, but they knew he wanted to stay here and so they had practically dragged him to the hospital. He had given them some fast ideas about the stones and how they worked. The guys didn't have as big stones as him, but it was enough to increase their strength for the better. They were fighting immortal creatures and he didn't want to think what would happen after this.

Could they win? Or would they loose again?

Max sat on the middle of the bench, head bent down and arms resting on his knees. Draciel lay by his side, almost forgotten. The blonde American blader sat listening. Listening to the sounds of the crowd. He could remember the same sound that day, that wonderful day he had found Draciel hidden in his grandmother's necklace.

'Draciel' he thought. 'What will I have to do to not loose you. I have been close many times, and yet I don't want this to be one of those times again. Being without you, my friend, is like being alone in the shadows.'

The bit chip on the blade glowed in response and the tortoise answered telepathically in his mind.

#Just be yourself master, be the happy boy I choose to serve. Show them you are worth of possessing Me.#

Max nodded slightly thanking his bit beast for those kind words. The blonde boy looked up slowly just to be welcomed by a roar from the crowd. Unfortunate for him, Lei Dan had not received as much popularity as the charming American who was this match's clear favourite blader. Max smiled raising his hand to thank the spectators.

His teammates sat around him smiling back. Ray tossed his long tail-like hair over his shoulder. Tyson gave him the thumbs up. Kai gave him one of his rare, but very confident smiles. Come to think of it, Kai had been smiling an awful lot of late. Hilary smiled at him as well and Kenny, with Dizzy open in his lap, nodded. The bit beast seemed though to complain a lot from inside as Kenny had previously damaged the buttons from all of his typing and not once had he spoken a word for her. To say, Dizzy was thinking of a Log out!

Max however turned his attention to Lei Dan, who stood overconfident on his side of the dish, waiting with an evil grin. The metal ring in his hand gleamed in the faint light. Max stared at him with something that was rarely seen in the blonde boy's eyes. A blazing flame of rage circulated in his burned in his eyes, reflecting his very thoughts about this man. Max slowly stepped up to the dish, the roars following the sounds of his footsteps. Lei answered the blonde blader's look by a frown and more hate.

This would indeed turn out to be interesting. These two bladers were really disgusted by each other and would do more then anything to rip his enemy apart.

Jazzman looked from one to the other, slightly shaken by the tension. The two bladers were already caught up in a deadly fight. Their eyes reflecting that fight.

"Bladers, are you ready?" Jazzman asked, his voice not as loud as usual.

The two bladers responded by taking out their launchers and getting ready for combat. Jazzman counted down and they launched. The new launchers the Bladebreakers had been given had improved their games, but Lei was a blader with dirty tricks, even worse then what Rumoto's actions had caused Daichi. His blade landed in the dish, but the launcher continued whizzing in the air. It bounced on the back of the stadium, missing Hilary by half an inch. Then it zoomed back again, hitting Max in the back. The metal tore his clothes and the pain was so intense he could swear on that his back had been cut in half. The pain spread as the ring bounced away hitting a wall before returning to Lei's hand. Max bent down in pain. He could swear that something on his back was bleeding, but to his surprise as he touched it wasn't. However it felt bad and he knew from where he sat, bent down, he would need help to get up. He couldn't move his back, not even get back to his feet. Max growled and the spectators around gasped.

Behind him his team made a move to come for his aid, but they never got the chance. Once more Lei tossed the ring. It bounced from the wall, zoomed right in front of them, stopping them in their tracks, bounce on the other side before retuning to his hand.

"This is between me and him. Don't interfere."

In the dish Draciel was loosing and Buetra, the piranha, attacked over and over again, sending huge waves at him. Max saw this in fear and tried to summon his strength to help out. But the pain on his back was fierce, kneeling him to the ground. Lei took the opportunity to drain them both with a gigantic wave of water. Buetra swum on top of it, roaring angrily. Max gasped as the water hit him, soaking him, drowning him. Before he knew it everything darkened and he could see no more.

Up in the stands the other teams sat, shocked. This was not what people had expected and many of them questioned themselves… why? Emily sat looking through the rules in the Elite Tournament matches and had to surrender to the fact that these things were allowed. People could actually die out there. Jim was counting in his heads how much the odds were against them. Mariah was kept still in her seat, pulled back by her teammates. The pink haired girl could easily have jumped down there and thorn him into pieces. She wasn't the only one being concerned about the cheerful blonde. Tenesee from the Black Cats had taken out her lasso while her teammates desperately tried to calm her.

"What happened?" Oliver asked his own teamcaptain. The French boy sounded confused, lost and most of all frustrated.

"Lei must have weakened Max physically with that foul launch, making it possible for him to attack without fear. Max can't concentrate or focus as long as that blow to his back still aches and hurts."

"That must have been the worst battle I have ever seen, Mama Mia!" Enrique said, watching as Max was led back by Tyson and Ray.

"I really wish the rules weren't this cruel. Boy I am glad we're not the ones doing the fighting. They should really change those rules, what's the point with all of this?" Johnny asked.

Robert turned to his team. "I have no idea."

The Majestics sighed. On the row above them team Psychic sat, equally as depressed. The Bladebreakers had lost four matches in a row and if this continued then it would be bye, bye BB for them.

Some rows in front of them, four scary looking guys sat, as if they were taken from a Halloween story. The Dark Bladers had reluctantly agreed to follow with the others, but now as they saw what was happening they eyed the Elementals with the deepest disgust.

"And I thought we were horrible." Zomb said.

Max woke up after a while of shaking, feeling oddly lost and confused. His back was still bruised and even if the ring hadn't cut his skin, it had probably misplaced the bones in his spine. He felt as if he was paralysed r something, he couldn't move.

Slowly he opened his eyes and found out why he couldn't move. Someone had placed him on some kind of stretcher keeping him lying down. The blankets had been tucked in so hard he was taken down. What did this mean? Had he lost his match? He needed an answer.

Taking a deep breath he used all strength he could muster to take him out from this prison. Sitting up, ignoring the searing pain in his back for a moment, he looked around. He was in the changing room, alone. Wincing as he straightened his back a little he got up to return to the others and his match.

His walk back seemed to take forever and during it he could reflect upon moments in his life, those precious moments he always kept close to him. His lips flickered before turning into one of his famous hyper smiles. His life had been great, except for some periods but that was life after all. He had his team now to think off and he most of all wanted to repay them for his happiness. He wanted them to be happy, he wanted them to win.

Smiling he opened the door towards the stadium and walked out. It was a shock; a great feeling and much worry to everyone who saw him, for people had believed he had almost died.

Max stood in the doorway, limping slightly as he walked up to his friends in an odd sort of determination. Tyson and the other hurried over to meet him, all looking equally as worried over him as he would be over them if they had been hurt.

"Max, no worries buddy. We'll quit your matches, I mean we can get them anyway."

Max shook his head. "No you guys, I've been thinking a lot about this, and my answer is no. You will not quit, I will go back up there and win for us all. You guys…" he winced in pain "You guys have been like a second family for me. You are my best friends and whatever happens we always end up together as a team. I think it could really be for a reason then a coincident. I want to do this guys. I need to do this; I don't care whatever happens to me. Please!"

Hilary and Kenny was about to object, but Tyson shook his head towards Hilary and Ray put his hand firmly over Kenny's mouth silencing him.

"Okay max, but do be careful." Ray said remembering his own determination that day he had been facing Bryan.

"Yes, it's hard to fins a suitable replacement for the team. There aren't many bladers who specialises in defensive moves rather then speed or attacks."

Max nodded smiling. Leaning on Tyson he made his way towards the dish were Lei Dan was waiting, smiling in amusement. Max responded in the same way, which seemed to pull the other blader of edge.

"Bladers ready?" Jazzman asked, his voice sinking lower and lower for every word.

Max and lei nodded. They prepared their launchers and on the signal both blades flew. This time though Max ducked right before that cursed ring managed to hit him. It did hurt to move quickly, but it would have hurt more or less having that ring in his back. Lei was violent and in many words deadly.

"If my little trick don't work then this may. Buetra drown him again. Piranha, attack him!"

Water erupted from the dish, drenching it to the brim. Max gritted his teeth since Lei's blade was obviously much lighter then his own. The blade spun on the water, and not even Chief had any idea how. However as far as Max could see, Buetra herself was doing the job. He could not understand though how she managed to keep a blade on the water.

"Draciel!" Max called. He couldn't see his blade, but his heart told him nothing was decided yet.

As if it had been given a special signal the blade shot out from the air. It landed in the water, or to be precise bounced on the water before continuing chasing after the other. The blade glowed purple as it went on, showing that Draciel himself was doing this.

'I have to ask him about it later' Max thought as he watched his blade proudly. Behind him his team cheered him on. They had no idea what was going on, but they all could describe it with three words. "Way Beyond Cool!"

The bit beasts stood raring at each other, not attacking just roaring. But as Max watched his bit beast in the fight Draciel's attention turned to him.

#Only you know the true powers of water. Use it! # He said.

Max had no idea what he was talking about. In the next moment Buetra was knocked out and Draciel returned to his blade. The glow too disappeared making the green blade sink back into the water.

Lei Dan was shocked beyond shocked. He looked back to his team to see their reactions. Raya looked oddly concerned, Rumoto was deep in her thoughts ever since her battle with one of their ex-members Daichi. Sakhmekh didn't seem to care and Anto looked furious. Veymo himself was staring coldly at him with eyes saying you must win with all cost. He knew their leader wouldn't care if the Bladebreakers died as long as he got what he wanted. Lei didn't know what to think. He wanted to win; he wanted the ultimate bit beast to be born. But something felt oddly wrong and he had no clue what it could be. For the first time in the warrior's life he didn't know what is purpose was. Should he fight and win, but completely wreck this boy's life as he now had gotten his first impression of how close they stood together. Or should he surrender, let them continue this odd bound that shone so brightly, but face the horrors of loosing.

Max smiled over to him. The American boy could see how much the loss had affected him. Suddenly it was not him being bent down, it was Lei crawling on the ground fighting with these two questions in his head. Max gave him a reassuring smile as he realised these people actually were human inside, no matter how rough they seemed to be on the outside.

Max looked back at his friends, who were of course cheering for their first victory. Max smiled back and did a V-sign with two fingers. "Show off!" Tyson said laughing.

All around the other teams, except for the Dark Bladers and Neo Borg were cheering as well. The crowd chanted his name as he smiled back at them.

In the meantime Veymo walked up to Lei with something new for his next battle. It was a sharper version of his old metal ring. The edges were like razors and Lei stared at it. He could cooperate with the old version as it was his own style, but this could be pure murder. Frightened he stared up to his master to find that the man was looking down at him. Veymo looked angry and in the same time demanding.

"Do it, or you will regret it later." He said leaving the poor boy in more confusion and Lei had to admit the only reason for following Veymo's orders were fear, and that thought would slowly change his life and his ambitions.

Daichi sat by his sister's side watching the outcome of the two matches. He couldn't believe his eyes when Max had won and he realised that the Bladebreakers were more then just friends and good bladers. They were a true force, and it startled him to think of them like that. He could feel himself smile as the cameras closed up on Max.

Then again he wondered what was happening over at the stadium and if there perhaps would be more problems now that Veymo must have realised they weren't as weak as he must have thought off them. He could bet that the Dark Tyrant had some extra dirty plans up his sleeve. He wished he could have warned the others, but he had to stay here and protect his sister. Yes, that was his mission right now. To protect something highly valuable both for the world and for himself.

He looked over at his sister, who was still asleep. A faint aura of light surrounded her, healing her. This was something he knew would happen sooner or later and he hoped that the powers from the bit beast of light would help her.

Daichi sighed, playing with a plant in front of him. He sat playing with it, making it grow bigger, making the leaves thicker and letting the flower die. He sighed again. This had been the reason for him leaving in the first place, and now it had caught up with him again. He stroked the leaves with one finger and the plant died. However one second later a new plant grew to replace the old one. "Amateurs" he whispered as the new one grew bigger and stronger then the forerunner.

(Shitza: Sorry for interrupting, but more of these weird matters will be explained in the sequel.)

Back at the stadium the two bladers got ready for the last battle. Max looked calm and steady as he readied his launcher. Lei on the other hand couldn't focus straight and his hands trembled as he put his blade in the middle of his launcher. His hands were wet from sweat, as he got ready to choose his angle. His choices were to play a fair match for once, or lay dirty again and this time probably kill the boy.

Max got behind his launcher. He smiled once more. "I just want you to know that I think you are a really good blader, and I hope even if we are different that we can be friends."

Lei almost dropped his launcher at the word. "Friends?" he said questioning, deeply in shock.

"Yes, I think we can be friends. You know, I have rarely battled someone who hasn't ended up as being a friend of mine."

Lei looked down, then he too smiled. "Friends!" he said almost laughing of joy. He nodded and Jazzman began the countdown.

"3-2-1-LET IT RIIIIIP!"

Draciel flew down in the dish circulating it waiting for Lei's move. Lei stepped back before swinging his own launcher. The metal ring left his hand, heading towards Max. Max looked shocked as the blade landed and the ring gained on him. He couldn't move and he couldn't believe Lei did this after all he had seen.

Veymo crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in a relaxed manor. But his little smile disappeared as he saw the real intentions for the ring. It didn't hit Max; it went perfectly beside his left ear before continuing into the wall where it stayed.

"No more…" Lei muttered. His blade flashed and his bit beast arrived. Draciel too rose from his blade to continue the fight. The dish, which had been water-emptied during the small break between, gleamed red as the two blades zigzagged through, leaving red marks as it went on.

"Buetra, I think we need to cool this down!" Lei said, yet his voice wasn't as cold as before. It was filled with warmth and anticipation. The bit beast roared and summoned a new gigantic wave. Max gritted his teeth not to say anything, for his back still hurt even though he still could move.

"Draciel!" he called over the rumbling waves. The black and purple tortoise turned and shielded his master from the remaining waves. But this left his back uncovered so Buetra attacked biting on the thick shell. Draciel howled in pain and Max tried to think clear.

Only you know the true powers of water. Use it!

The words rang in his mind and two new words formed on his lips.

This was the new and powerful attack of Draciel, king over the seas, ruler of the North.

"Draciel, Imperial Flood!"

Draciel's eyes glowed bright for a moment before he too raised a wave, which made Buetra's tsunami attacks look like nothing. This wave rose like a gigantic fountain over their heads before falling down. Lei gasped and Buetra roared as she was forced down in the impact. The bit beast retreated back to her blade and Draciel became the victor.

Lei slumped down on his knees, tears in his eyes. After everything he had tried Max still remained the best. This was his second loss to the Bladebreakers and he couldn't believe it. He could not believe it.

Before he knew it he saw two legs before him and he looked up to see Max standing over him, holding his hand down to give him a hand up. Lei accepted smiling, happy for his friend's win. To his surprise he noticed the happiness overwhelmed his sorrow and he laughed as he got up to shake hands. The roars around him could not though drown the roar of happiness in his own chest.

One minute later however as he got back to his team the first thing that met him was a sharp pain to his cheek. Veymo had slapped him for being so obedient, but h knew better then to crawl by this man's feet. Instead he looked him into the eyes and said.

"You know what. I don't care for that anymore. You could do what you want, but I know something. I am going to warn my village for your Demonic mind and if you ever as much as put a foot into our borders then you will be then one to crawl."

On his way to the changing room he noticed Rumoto, who now seemed to have gotten over her mumbling, stick her tongue out to Veymo before running after him. He smiled happily as he was not the only one who seemed to have understood.

Behind them Veymo was talking to Sakhmekh about the next match, which would be a catfight between Ray and Sakhmekh. Veymo explained his visions for him but the tiger seemed not to care really. He just yawned and scratched himself behind the ear.

"No worries sir, I just do things my own way."

"Ray, are you ready?" Chief asked the raven-haired teen. Ray nodded holding Driger in his hand.

For this time it would be a slashing and clashing match.

To Reviewers:

fastblurd: I am really sorry I did those things to Max, I hated to do it but I wanted to add some real tension into this chapter. Oh well, it's 2-4 to the Bladebreakers now. I hope that the guys can really hang in there, don't you. I'll try to update sooner next time, this chapter took around four days to write though.

End Notes: I will try to hurry with next chapter. I am going back to my summer cottage next weekend, to stay for around 2-3 weeks. It's not my idea, complain on my parents but I am not allowed to stay home.  Anyway, we will bring a Mac up there, so I'll continue writing from there. Be patient, I am trying to write a fast as I can.

Shitza

Ps: Till next time please review. How will I know your opinions if you don't tell me?