Disclaimer - If you recoginize it, then I do not own it. The only thing that I own that deals w/h Beyblade is 5 mangas, 32 beyblades, 17 DVDs, a lot of story ideas & a love of Yaoi.
A/N - I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and tell you how much I appreciate your support. You will have to wait a little longer for the pairings & fluffiness though. I have to get through the tournament first since the 2 are on opposite sides at the moment. This chapter is a bit long. I didn't want to split it into 2 so it's a bit lengthy. I hope you all enjoy it!
Chapter Four - Preparation
If there was one thing Takao learned after coming out, it was how relentess the media could be. The press simply became unbearable after the match that had landed Yuriy in the hospital. He couldn't leave the BEGA building since they seemed to be camped out at all the entrances and were waiting especially for him. They all wanted an interview to find out why the former world champion supported BEGA and why the current one did not. It was all the sport and talk shows that focused on beyblading would discuss for days afterward.
It became old after only a few hours that Takao had to give up watching television since they kept showing pictures of Kai. All of the networks and radio stations were hounding the BEGA staff wanting the opportunity to speak to him but thankfully Boris managed to keep them at bay. He had made it quite clear that when Takao was ready, he would talk to the press. That was why he had wanted to stay hidden in the shadows since his privacy was ensured but Kai's challenge had changed everything. Fortunately, Boris was quite protective of his bladers and besides they had a tournament to prepare for instead of wasting time with interviews except for Ming Ming.
Several days after Kai had thrown down the gauntlet, Boris had made a decision about the upcoming tournament. He had decided that it would follow a five-on-five format. That way he could showcase more of the talent that BEGA had to offer. That meant Kai would have to put together a team of five to battle the bladers they would face. Takao easily figured that he would chose Max and Rei. There was no doubt about the two of them and possibly Daichi if the situation was extreme enough since the runt was pretty good. He would probably have difficulty filling only one spot.
BEGA had an entirely different problem. They had more than five bladers who were skilled enough to compete. If they used only the top five bladers that meant that he, Garland, Mystel, Ming Ming and Akane would qualify for the tournament. There was a problem with that logic since Boris wanted to win at all cost and they had a secret weapon that he wanted to showcase. Brooklyn was unranked and it had been planned that way on purpose.
When Boris had started to put together the BEGA venture, he had searched the world for bladers with skill and talent that didn't compete in the tournaments that the BBA organized. He knew that one day he would take over the company and he wanted one skilled blader in the organization without any existing game data. That way it would seem like he had come to BEGA as an amateur and they had turned him into a champion. From what he had learned from Akane, the only time Brooklyn had been an amateur was probably when he was still in his mother's womb. He had all ready been quite the expert blader when she had met him on a playground when they had both been nine.
He won at any game that he played; he was unfamiliar with the word loss. Because of his talent, the other children had accused him of cheating. It was quite remarkable at how cruel children could be to one another if one child was different in some little manner. Akane had understood Brooklyn because she had been somewhat of a child prodigy herself. She hadn't been a master of games like he was but an talented violinist by the time she was ten so she knew how it felt to be taunted.
Well, Boris wanted Brooklyn to participate in the upcoming tournament. Brooklyn was content enough to continue his life as he had thus far without the need for tournaments or titles. That had led to Akane's predicament on that particular day. Takao had challenged Garland to a battle since most of the other top bladers were not in. Moses was visiting his sister at the hospital while Ming Ming was promoting the new ID system that Boris had created to keep track of beybladers. The card would give them access to parts and offers that they normally could not get.
Takao wasn't stupid and knew it was a tactic to keep the unregistered bladers from getting replacement parts for their beyblades like Kai and the others. There was nothing he could do about it since he had chosen his side. Mystel was over in the States for an exhibition match in New York leaving Garland as the only top ranked blader in the building. Well, Akane and Brooklyn were around somewhere but there was no way he was going to challenge the ginger-haired boy to a rematch. He figured that Garland would provide some entertainment and competition. They had been in the middle of their match when it started.
"But I don't want too," came the childish protest from the hallway. Both Takao and Garland turned to the doorway of the training room to see what was going on. The voice sounded oddly like Brooklyn's but he hardly ever came into the room since he didn't practice. "Boris wants you to compete in the tournament," another voice argued that sounded like Akane, "and usually what Boris wants he gets. You have the talent and skill, why the hell do you not want to compete!"
Since both boys were distracted, Dragoon and Apollon hit one another and flew out of the beydish at the same time. Takao was more interested in what was going on out in the hallway than his beybattle. "There are not any worthy opponents," the first voice stated, coldly, "I don't battle unless someone can pose a challenge to me. I'm going outside to enjoy the day." Garland took a moment to look at Takao. "What is that all about?" he ask as Takao shrugged but they got their answer soon enough.
"Akane!" Brooklyn shouted as he was drug into the training room by the petite blond, who had him by the ear. She might have been smaller than he was but she was a force to reckon with when irritated. "We have to prepare," she snapped, "you have to practice for the upcoming tournament whether you want too or not." With the way she was glaring, the other trainees abandoned the room leaving only he and Garland. She attached her launcher to her forearm, secured her beyblade and aimed it right at Brooklyn's head.
"I guess I don't have a choice then," Brooklyn remarked with a sad sigh as Akane held the launcher in his face, "who do I battle?" (A/N They are both using the white launcher like Brookie did in his 2nd match against Kai. I like that one.) "I guess me," she remarked with a smirk, "I am the only one in the building who loses to you and keeps coming back for more. By the way, Takao, Boris wants to see you." Takao would rather watch Brooklyn practice since that happened once in a blue moon but knew that Boris was more important. He certainly didn't want to anger the older man as he left the room right when they launched. He felt the vibration of when their blades struck and wished he could have stayed in the training room to watch the match than answering Boris' summons.
He found the director in his office after he knocked and was called in. "Takao," Boris greeted, "I assume that Akane told you I wanted to see you." "Yes, sir," he replied, "I was in the middle of practice." "Now, that is what I like to hear," Boris remarked, pulling a box out from his desk, "I have something for you that will make your next few matches easier to win. We designed and made this especially for you. I thought it was time that you had a new one since you proudly support and stood by the BEGA league."
Takao took the box that he was offered and opened it. Inside of it lay a new beyblade that was black and silver. "I would like to introduce you to Dragoon GT," Boris stated, "or Dragoon Galaxy Tempest, the finest beyblade that BEGA can offer. It will increase your attack strength and speed. You will be unmatched by any in the dish."
Takao took out the beyblade and held it in his hand. It was heavier and a bit larger than the blade he was currently using. He couldn't wait to try it out. "Thank you, sir," he replied with a smile, "I can guarantee that this will be put to good use." "I hope so, Takao," Boris mused, "from what my sources tell me, your former teammates have decided to make their own blades to counteract our own and are getting parts from a group of rebel bladers, who have joined their side. We will not know the capabilities of these mystery blades until the Justice Five tournament so you will need to be prepared for whatever they have in store for us."
"I will be ready for anything, sir," Takao replied with a smirk, "you do not have anything to worry about with me." Boris dismissed him as he returned to the training room to see the outcome of the match he had left. He was surprised to hear coughing as he entered the room to find a thick layer of dust and debris in the air. When it finally cleared, Zeus was still spinning in what remained of the beydish but Akane's blade was still. She had lost to him yet again but this time it appeared that Brooklyn had to actually work for his victory.
He appeared to be deep in thought as he stood there looking at his spinning beyblade as Akane picked up her own. At least it hadn't shattered into pieces like Dragoon had in his battle against Brooklyn. "You have gotten better," Brooklyn admitted with an odd expression on his face, "you didn't use to blade with such an intensity before." "You had better get use to tougher competition, Brooklyn," Akane informed, "because Kai and his friends will pose even a challenge to you. You have never faced anyone with their skill and spirit before so you had better prepare yourself or you will lose."
It seemed that Akane had pointed out Brooklyn's one obvious flaw as Takao had to hide a smirk. He would have loved to have seen their battle. It obviously had been quite intense if the shattered dish was any indication. He decided to ask Garland about it later. He was surprised when Brooklyn for once took the advice he was given and could be found practicing with the others during the next few weeks.
When the rebels went to the mountains to practice and create their new MS blades, Takao used the time to master his Dragoon GT blade to the fullest. Boris had been right about the power increase that it contained. He had destroyed more dishes and opponents' blades than he could count. During that time, the other trainees started to treat him as though he was Garland and would avoid battling him if possible. Everything was falling perfectly into place at the BEGA corporate headquarters.
The time past quickly and soon it was only a week until the tournament. Boris and his staff seemed to be in a disagreement over who would compete. Boris wanted to use the top five bladers ranked in the database but some of the others thought that the amateurs should have an equal chance at a spot as the pros. The problem was Brooklyn. Takao had once heard Boris say that he was important to the BEGA project and he wanted the teen to compete if Akane could convince him to participate.
Takao didn't think it would be wise to choose the five player team from data collected in a computer. Brooklyn was proof that there were a lot of skilled bladers that hid themselves from the public eye. They should give everyone an equal opportunity to battle and see if they had the skills to compete on a pro level. Oddly enough, it was Akane and Garland, who came up with a solution when the adults could not. They suggested that the adults hold an open invitation tournament with a pro in each block.
The amateur bladers would have an equal shot at a spot on the team and could prove their talent if they could beat one of the top ranked players. It would also provide them with some last minute practice. Boris oddly approved of the idea since it would bring the public on his side. They would simply think that everyone was getting an equal chance to blade. It was a simple yet effective solution that would bolster BEGA's popularity.
It didn't solve all of their problems but created one with Moses and Ming Ming. Akane had moved up a place in the rankings a few days before the qualifying tournament and was now ranked fourth while Ming Ming had been shunted to the fifth spot. It had happened because the pop diva had been busy promoting BEGA and had not practiced as much as she should have. Everyone in the building had probably heard the result of Ming Ming being supplanted by Akane in the standings. She had thrown a major tantrum and had accused his sister of being Boris' pet.
It had nearly led to a cat fight between the two if Moses had not grabbed Ming Ming while Garland and he had tackled Akane. Moses had a hard time holding onto the pop princess as Takao wondered what the media would think of their little darling if they had saw her almost foaming at the mouth. Fortunately, Boris had come to watch them practice and had broken up the argument. When Ming Ming protested her fall in the rankings, Boris had tried to reassure her that everyone was important in BEGA and each had their role to perform. Ming Ming brought in new bladers and advertised the league.
She was a dangerous blader but Akane was better than she was and wouldn't be used as their mascot. Moses didn't have a problem with being ranked sixth. There was no way that he would say a derogatory word to Boris since the director had all ready paid for his sister's operation. He was going to participatein the qualifier and if he lost then he would spend the day at the hospital by his sister's side and watch the matches on television. Takao had a feeling that Ming Ming would regret questioning Boris' judgement later.
During that last week, the television programs speculated on who Kai would chose to be on his team. It seemed that his team had not been officially chosen and made Takao wonder what the dual hair had up his sleeve. He wouldn't be surprised if they chose someone completely unexpected to compete in the fifth match if it was needed. He still couldn't get the look that Kaihad given him at the match nearly a month before whenout of his head. That glare had haunted his dreams every night since and he found that he couldn't discuss the problem with anyone including Akane.
He also wasn't surprised to discover that Hitoshi had offered his services as their coach. They were sorely mistaken if they thought that his training would be an advantage. He had learned a few things since his abrupt departure from New York and would showcase his new moves during his match in the Justice Five tournament; no sooner. If Kai, Rei, Max or Daichi thought they knew him, it would be their downfall since he didn't know who he would compete against yet. Boris wasn't going to make the final decision until after the qualifier.
Takao knew that his friends would probably think they were cheating in some way especially when they got a load of Brooklyn's ability. From what he had seen, everyone had worked hard for their power and skill. It had nothing to do with cyber-enhancements or powerful dark bit beasts. They all had worked hard to become as good as they were with the exception of Brooklyn and Boris wanted to prove to the world that his league was legitimate. His entire venture was riding on this tournament and he couldn't risk losing everything he had worked for.
Takao was glad that he had decided to use his old blade instead of showcasing his new one when the day of the qualifier came. It was going to be broadcast on TV and if his former friends watched, it might give them an edge over him. Akane was bouncing around with a hyper Mystel as they walked to the stadium. Moses seemed amused by their behavior and chuckled from their antics. Ming Ming frowned while Garland just raised an eyebrow in amusement. This after all was their first big tournament so they had a right to be excited.
Takao decided to forget about what was going on, put on a happy face and joined the duo's bubbly mood. They stopped when they entered the stadium and stood in the back row. Mystel jumped up into the stands to get a better view since he was shorter. Takao looked around and noticed that a certain ginger-haired blader was not present. "Where's Brooklyn?" he whispered to Akane as they waited for Boris. "He'll come when it's time for his match," Akane reassured, "he promised me that he would."
He did see her expression darken as she mumbled something beneath her breathe and he knew it had to do with the missing youth. He had to smile since he had caught a bit of it and knew that both Grandpa Ryu and Ojiisan Masoe would not approve of such foul language. "I wouldn't allow grandpa hear you say that," he whispered, "he doesn't approve of foul language and would probably make you practice kendo for several hours as punishment." "That isn't much different than Ojiisan Masoe's punishment," she whispered back, "I once had to sit in the family shrine for an entire night meditating for the use of one measley curse word. It was quite uncomfortable."
At that moment, Boris and two of his staff member appeared above them. "Welcome to the invitational tournament," Boris stated, "you are all here to earn a spot for the upcoming Justice Five match. You are the best of the BEGA organization. We have divided everyone into five blocks from A to E. The winner of each block will make the team."
The other bladers cheered but Takao and Akane both smirked. "They won't be cheering in a moment," Takao whispered, darkly. "However," Boris continued, "each block also contains a top pro beyblader. These are the best BEGA has to offer. In order to beat them, you need to display incredible strength, skill and determination. Here are the pros that you will be facing."
The vid screen above him showed every participant and the block they were in. Takao noticed that he, Garland, Mystel, Akane and Ming Ming's names were highlighted in red. The amateurs weren't too happy and started to complain about the fairness of the qualifer since the winners had all ready been decided. Boris wouldn't allow that as he silenced them with a speech about having faith in their abilities. If they thought the situation was hopeless, they had no business blading at the professional level.
The other bladers considered this and were soon cheering once again. "That is going to be brutal," Akane murmured as Takao turned his attention away from Boris to his sister. "What is?" he ask as she motioned to the screen. Takao noticed that he was in Block B, Garland was in Block A, Mystel in Block C, Akane in Block D while Ming Ming was in Block E. She was pointing to the name above Ming Ming's as he even gasp.
"She has to battle Brooklyn," he murmured as Akane had to stifle a laugh, "I don't like her but I feel sorry for her." "It probably has to do with the fight that she picked with me," Akane fumed, "I am not Boris' pet. I think it is the perfect revenge. I hope Brooklyn stomps her so I can laugh about it." Takao decided not to say anything more about the subject because of the insane smile on her face. (A/N - I guess you can tell which blader I am not that fond of.)
Takao actually felt sorry for the pop diva as he looked to see that she wasn't smiling anymore. The look on her face was murderous and he reminded himself to never get on Boris' bad side. Well, she had done it to herself. She should have took her fall in the rankings more maturely but instead she had acted like a spoiled brat. Boris was the one who had turned her from a fast food server to a popular pop diva.
"Let us begin!" Boris shouted as there were more cheers. As predicted, the pros easily took care of the amateurs in each of their blocks. Some of them wasn't even worth Takao's attention as he easily battled his way to the top of his block. Mystel was dominating with his slingshot launcher while Garland shattered several blades with his one of his martial arts kicks. Akane's speed and quick strikes led her to victory as Ming Ming breezed through her own. The outcome was just as Boris had predicted until the arrival of a certain ginger-haired blader.
"The winner of Block A is Garland," DJ announced, "the winner of Block B is Takao. The winner of Block C is Mystel and the final round of Block D is in progress as we speak!" From where she was standing on the platform, Takao could tell that Akane was relieved that he had finally shown up. She was battling Moses for the fourth spot on the team. Brooklyn was preparing to battle in his first match as she finished her own match so she could watch.
Akane used a straightforward power attack that launched Gigars from the dish. Several of the competitors had to duck as Moses' blade impacted with the wall and stopped spinning in its own crater. "Akane is the winner of Block D!" DJ shouted as her blade shot back into her hand as she jumped down from the platform and ran to where Brooklyn was competing, "Let's see how Block E is faring." Brooklyn won his first match by simply outlasting his opponent. His blade simply danced around the other and he didn't even have to attack since the other one stopped spinning first.
"It's all over!" DJ announced as Brooklyn simply shrugged his shoulders, "Brooklyn is the winner! Now it is time for the final round of Block E." Takao joined Akane near the platform so they could watch the final match between their two teammates as Garland and Mystel joined them along with Moses, who didn't look upset at his own defeat. "This should be interesting," Garland remarked to no one in particular as the two prepared to launch. Ming Ming was determined to earn the last spot on the team but it was destined for Brooklyn. "Burn baby burn," Akane cackled evilly as her green eyes locked on Ming Ming, "Brookie baby, show her what you can do."
There was no love lost between those two as Takao had to hold back a laugh at his sister's behavior. He wasn't laughing at Ming's expense because he didn't want anyone to get hurt in a beybattle since he knew from experience what it was like. "3, 2, 1 - Let It Rip!" DJ shouted as they launched their blades into the dish. Unlike the other males that Ming Ming had battled against, her charm and cuteness did not appeal to Brooklyn. He simply saw through all of it.
A few minutes later, Ming Ming's blade was thrown from the dish as Brooklyn stood with a smug and arrogant expression on his face. "Your winner is Brooklyn!" DJ shouted, "it looks like BEGA has discovered another incredible blader within its ranks." Takao knew that the pop princess was masking her true emotions as she looked perky but sad at the camera. He could only imagine what she would be like when the cameras were turned off. He knew it wasn't going to be pleasant and was probably why Boris had left his perch to join them on the floor of the stadium.
"There you have it folks," DJ continued, "BEGA has selected their team and to be honest I have never seen such power and skill in my entire life. So stay tuned for the upcoming BEGA Justice League Battle and get your tickets now because it will definitely sell out. See you next week, bladers!" When the cameras turned off, Ming Ming was about to pounce on Brooklyn and Akane but Boris stopped her. "There is no need for that," he snapped as he glared at the girl, who then looked ashamed by her behavior, "since you did not make the team, you will make rounds of all the television programs to promote the match. I want the stadium full of BEGA fans and you are the only who is capable of that."
His voice turned gentle at the end and he smiled at the aqua-haired blader, who nodded in understanding. "The rest of you had better practice and prepare yourselves," he suggested but it sounded more like an order, "mentally and physically for the challenges that awaits you in one week's time. Failure is not acceptable at all cost." The five of them nodded as he motioned for Moses and Ming Ming to come with him. Takao was glad that he could finally leave.
"I think I am going to get a bite to eat and then hit the sack," he remarked as he stretched and then yawned, "I haven't slept well the past few nights thinking about the qualifier today." "Sounds like a good idea," Akane added with a smile, "but I have a few matters to attend too before I can follow. I'll see all of you later." She disappeared leaving three of the four boys looking confused by her mysterious behavior. "Is there any truth to what Ming Ming claimed before?" Mystel ask, "are you certain that she is not Boris' pet?"
Takao sweatdropped and gave the small Egyptian a glare that Kai would have proud of. Akane had her own secrets that she liked to keep and it wasn't his job to act the part of the protective older brother. That was suppose to be Hitoshi's duty. "You three are so perverted," Brooklyn mused as he laughed, "I know exactly where she goes and what she does. You should trust her more." Brooklyn disappeared as well, leaving the other three to think over his remarks.
The matter was forgotten as the next week past by in a blur. All Takao could remember was practicing and the lectures from Boris about winning at all cost. Before he knew it, the day of the tournament arrived. If he was nervous before, it was ten times worse now. He couldn't sit still as they waited in their locker room. He was bouncing around as badly as Mystel was.
"Will you sit down!" Akane snapped as her emerald orbs shot open, "you are making me nervous, little brother and I'm not even blading today." "The pacing helps," he murmured as his hand went into the pocket of his cargo pants and grasp Dragoon tightly. The mighty blue and white dragon was the only one who could calm him when he was in this mood. He hadn't even felt this way when he had battled Yuriy in his first world tournament or when he battled Zeo in his second. He was unaccustommed to feeling so nervous from the prospect of a beybattle but this was no mere match.
The entire future of beyblading was hanging in the balance and Boris' future rode on their five shoulders. 'This is when I need a sarcastic remark from Kai,' he thought, 'to tell me to grow up and act like a true blader. I won't admit it to anyone except myself but I miss the support of my old team. Now is not the time for doubt however. I have chosen my side and I must defend the BEGA organization. It is my home now.'
He didn't feel the hand on his shoulder until it tightened. He turned to see Garland trying to offer a bit of support. "You must pull yourself together, Takao," he remarked with a smirk, "thinking about the past only makes it worse." Takao nodded his thanks as an aide opened the door. "It's time, kids," he stated with a smile, "show them all what you can do." When he stepped out into the corridor, he could hear the roar of the crowd just like before. It was time to face his destiny.
"Blading fans of all ages, welcome to the BEGA stadium!" DJ Jazzman greeted as the crowd went wild with cheers, "and day one of the highly anticipated Justice Five Tournament! Now, let's introduce the teams! First up is the BEGA bladers! These five represent the all-new BEGA league!" Takao took a deep breath as they walked down the tunnel into the wildly cheering stadium. The fans were screaming their names as cameras flashed and he had to shield his eyes.
"And here they are," DJ continued, "the best that BEGA has to offer. The BEGA team features the mysterious Mystel, the silent but deadly Garland, the enchanting and charming Akane, our favorite dragon master Takao and the newest rising star of our sport, Brooklyn." The crowd cheered loudly for them as various fans shouted each of their names. Takao calmed down when he heard a yell of "We love you, Takao!" His former teammates and friends might have turned on him but the fans had not.
Takao refused to sit down as they waited for their opponents. He was anxious to see who Kai had chosen as the fifth member of his team since he was certain of four of the members. "Now let's bring out their competition," DJ Jazzman stated as butterflies flew around in Takao's stomach, "and they are going to be tough so please give it up for the world champion Kai and his G-Revolutions." There were light cheers as their adversaries walked into the arena that went oddly quiet. The only sound you could hear was their footsteps.
Takao's eyes would not leave Kai as he ignored the others. He was too focused on the dual hair to notice the other members of his team. Kai caught his gaze with a glare that Takao would not turn away from. Takao could feel a blush rising in his cheeks from seeing the object of his crush; even though they were on opposite sides. "Takao," Akane whispered, making him turn away from Kai as he looked at his sister, "look at their team."
"Now, let's see who is on your team," DJ announced, "I see Rei, Max, little Daichi and team captain Kai of course. But hey wait a second, what are you guys trying to pull here? You are missing one blader. Do you mind telling us who your fifth blader is?" The crowd started to get restless and jeer since there were only four of them. Takao's eyes narrowed as he scanned the bench to see Kyoujyu, Hiromi and Hitoshi sitting on it but they were obviously not blading.
"Our fifth blader could not make it to the stadium today," Kai stated, coldly, "he will be here for his match the day after tomorrow." The crowd continued to taunt them but when Boris stood up, they went quiet. "As chairman of BEGA," he stated, "I declare this tournament open." "But sir, you can't be serious," DJ called, "the rules state that the teams are to have five bladers present. The BEGA team has shown their five members but G-Revolutions has not."
"I am quite serious," Boris stated as he looked toward the G-Revolutions, "It is quite all right since Kai is a blader of his word. If he says that he has a fifth member, then I will take his word for it. Besides, their mysterious teammate may not be necessary since my BEGA bladers could win three in a row. If that happens, we will be victorious and they won't need a fifth blader." "That is so awesome!" one fan yelled from the stands, "Boris, you are the greatest!"
Boris waved and smiled back as Takao's attention turned back to Jazzman. "The time has come to introduce the starting bladers for today," Jazzman shouted. "Up first for G-Revolution is Daichi," Brad Best announced from the booth, "who brings to the dish, his ever dangerous Gaia Dragoon." Takao noticed that Hitoshi was giving the others some last minute advice from what he could tell since the vid screen showed Daichi up first followed by Rei and then Max. It was too bad that they didn't know the bladers they would actually be facing off against.
"And starting off for the BEGA bladers," DJ continued as everyone's eyes turned to the vid screen. "And let's see who they picked to go first," AJ Topper remarked from the booth he shared with Brad, "oh wow, this is totally unexpected! Please give it up for everyone's favorite blader, Takao!" The crowd went wild as most of G-Revolution look stunned. Takao had a smirk on his face as his former friends looked startled and confused. "What?" Daichi questioned as he looked surprised, "you mean I'm blading, Takao." 'You are in for a thrashing, runt,' Takao thought as he stepped forward and waved to the crowd, 'let's do this and I'll show them who is the best.'
AS