Here's chapter 3! Go me, eh? this ones a little more violent than the earlier chapters just to warn you now nods yup that's everything

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade! (glad that's cleared up ) Three OC's are mine Serez, Destiny, and Aubery. Katsu, Fera, and Amaya belong to Wild Kitsune.

Please R&R

Chapter 3:

"Honey, I'm home," Aubery called into the seemingly empty warehouse, spreading his arms wide as he pushed the doors open. The group of eight entered a spacious three-story warehouse.

The ground floor was a collection of different room all rolled into one. On one side of the building was the "living area", made up of a living room, kitchen, and a game area.

The living room consisting of couches, chairs, beanbag chairs, a large T.V and stereo system were encased in a large wooden shelf structure. There were two shelves on either side of the T.V one holding videos and DVDs and the other side held a vast collection of CDs. There was a large dining table about ten feet from the "living room" an on the other side of that was a kitchen, including a fridge and Microwave. On the opposite side of the "living room" were a pool table, air hockey table, a couple Bey-dishes, and a collection of other things for amusement.

On the opposite side of the building was a floor mat with benches like you'd find in a school gym on opposing sides. Against the wall, behind the mat, were two racks full of different weapons ranging from close combat to long range.

As Mariah and Rei walked by they cuffed the purple haired teen upside the head, causing him to wince and cover his head with his hands.

"That was lame Aubery," Mariah groaned as she continued on her way to one of the couches that was on the other side of the room. Rei just shook his head and headed for the stairs that led for the upper levels of the warehouse.

Aubery straightened when he didn't think another smack was pending and shrugged, "Sorry Mari, couldn't resist."

"Bought time you guys got back, where's Rick?" A voice called from somewhere in the upper most level.

"Yeah and who's the fresh meat?"

"McGregor…" a third voice called out warningly. The person that the voice belonged to was a teenage boy who had walked in through a door that was near the cluster of couches.

"Whatever…so who are they Aubery?"

He smirked as he introduced the five friends – Joseph was on Enrique's back, sleeping – who were standing close together surveying their surroundings. "New members of the Ring we just picked up. Serez, Enrique, Amaya, Joseph, and Miriam. Newbies, the brash red-head is Johnny McGregor, the blue haired guy by the sitting area is Garland Zetwald, and the first voice you heard belongs to a blonde, named Max Tate."

Serez tilted her head to one side, looking at Garland oddly, "Garland…did you know that you're named after a Christmas decoration?"

He turned and glared at her, blue eyes darkening. Amaya stepped in front of her out-spoken friend, hand already reaching for her launcher that was loaded and waiting in her pocket.

Garland's scowling face quickly turned into a grin. "You might want to learn to watch that mouth of yours girl."

"We've been trying to teach her, but she falls asleep during class." Enrique smirked as his cousin glared at him.

Johnny scoffed as he jumped down the last few steps, "They don't like much. A good wind would probably knock 'em over."

Serez crossed her arms and glared over at the slightly shadowed figure, answering in the same tone. "Seeing as your still talking to us from the shadows, you aren't giving off that much of a big-bad-wolf vibe either, pal." Amaya and Enrique snickered and quickly tried to cover it up by turning it into a cough; they failed miserably.

Garland – who had come to stand in front of the group – smirked, and everyone else in the building that had heard, exploded into laughter. He turned his smirking face to Johnny, "So, still think they don't look like much, McGregor?"

"I'll admit they got some spunk. But it takes more than spunk to run with us." He approached the group coming to stand next to Garland. His eyes widened a touch when he saw the sleeping Joseph being carried piggy-back style by Enrique. "What the hell is a kid that young doing here?"

Garland looked at Aubery raising an eyebrow in question.

Aubery shrugged, "He stood up to Rick, Johnny. Told the boss off. It was pretty funny actually."

It was Garland's turn to look surprised. "He told off Rick. Are you serious, Jester?"

He nodded, "Dead. It was the funniest thing I've seen all day…next to seeing Hilary getting splashed by some dude who drove through a puddle." Laughter accompanied his last comment.

Serez being the overly curious person she was asked, "Who's Hilary?"

Johnny glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and answered her question. "Hilary Tatibana is a member of another Ring known as the Mystics. She has a big mouth and an even bigger temper. She's an annoying pain in the ass."

Garland and Aubery rolled their eyes simultaneously. Aubery looked back at the group and smirked. "Don't mind him, he's still sore because the last time we got into a scrap with the Mystic Ring, Hilary whopped his ass with her fans…we've all grown to hate those things. Though she is a royal pain, she's also smart and deadly with those fans of hers."

"Shut up, Spade." Johnny growled, and swung at the still grinning teen, Aubery expertly ducked the punch and sidled around behind Garland, out of the short-tempered redhead's reach.

Amaya blinked, "And people say I have a short fuse."

Her three friends smirked, "You do." Amaya turned and glared at her so-called friends, they just stood there and grinned at her innocently.

Still curious as to whom everyone was, Serez turned and addressed Garland. "How many other Rings are there besides this one and the Mystics?"

"Loads. But the only ones we really have to worry about are the Mystics, Predators, and Night Stalkers. Though the 'Stalkers are still a small group they have some wicked fire power, Bit-Beast-ely speaking of course."

Miriam voiced her question and concern next. "Do they all have weapons besides Beyblade's?"

Garland nodded, "Yeah most do." He saw fear flash through Miriam's eyes as she looked back at the sleeping boy in worry. "Don't worry, we'll teach you guys how to defend yourselves. Mostly all the Rings keep to themselves, we clash with the Mystics often though, because we have some history."

"What kind of History?"

Johnny scoffed turning to face the green-haired girl who was looking around the warehouse seemingly not paying attention to the conversation at all. "You ask too many questions,"

She mock pouted at him as she approached tilting her head back so she could keep eye contact with the taller boy. "If I don't ask, how am I supposed to learn, huh?"

He glared down at her, a smirk playing across his lips. "Curiosity killed the cat,"

"And satisfaction brought her back," she smirked up at his bewildered face. "If you aren't going to be helpful… Johnny right?" He nodded, "If you aren't going to be helpful Johnny, go play in traffic or something." She waved her hand dismissively as she continued past him and explored her new home.

Since the conversation had started Mariah had left the couch and was approaching the group, she smirked when she reached Serez. "Maybe you lot aren't so bad after all." She turned and faced Miriam, a small smile on her face. "I apologize for attacking your little brother."

Miriam looked at her, considering for a moment before nodding. "You're forgiven, on one condition."

"What's that?"

"You guys got something for us to wear other than these, skirts and shirts?" She tugged at her soot-streaked clothes, a look of disgust flashing across her face before being replaced by a teasing grin.

Mariah giggled slightly noticing similar looks on Amaya and Serez's faces. "Come on, I'll see what I can cook up."

The three girls started to follow the pink-haired Neko, but Miriam turned back to Joseph, who was still being carried by Enrique, "What about…"

Garland put a hand on the shorter girl's shoulder, "I'll take care of him." He then turned to Enrique and motioned him to follow him. "Come on Blondie, I'll show you where you can put the kid, then we'll see about finding you two some clothes."

He scowled at the older boy's back as he followed, "My names Enrique, not Blondie." He turned a glare to Serez when he heard her laugh.

Garland just shrugged, "Whatever. Once you five get settled here a bit more, we'll start you in on learning to take care of yourselves."

Serez couldn't help it she turned and glared at him slightly, though he couldn't really tell because her sunglasses still hid her eyes. "Who died and made you King?"

Mariah looked back at Serez, "While Rick's gone Garland's in charge, and if he's gone Rei is. They're Rick's seconds."

Serez looked at Mariah, slightly surprised. An embarrassed blush soon spread across her face. She turned back to Garland, "Oh, um… sorry."

Garland just shook his head chuckling, "I can see now why Rick asked you all to join. I think our lives just got a lot more interesting."

Serez and Amaya both started to laugh tossing each other amused looks. Aubery looked at them questioningly, "What's so funny?"

Enrique adjusted Joseph's weight, careful not to wake the sleeping boy. He rolled his eyes at his two laughing friends, "Aya and Rez have a very… weird sense of humor. It's best if you just ignore them."

Miriam smirked and added her bit, "Unless they seem to have gone missing is the only time you should really worry."

"Why?"

Serez turned and faced Aubery grinning disarmingly. "You'll find out eventually," was her cryptic reply. She turned back to Mariah her grin still plastered on her face, "How bout those clothes, if I'm stuck in this skirt for one more minute I will scream."

"Right, come on you three. I'll show you guys around while I'm at it."

"Thanks Mariah."

"No sweat Miriam. Most people just call me Mari though."

"We'll try and remember that," Amaya said; she glanced around the building as the four girls made their way up the stairs. "Does everyone in the Ring live here?"

"Yup. The main floor is where we spend most of our time. The doors around the room lead to bathrooms, closets, and storage rooms. The second level is mostly bedrooms, there's a few bathrooms up here too, and a smaller kitchen, just a fridge and a microwave incase we want a midnight snack. The uppermost level is the conference room. It's rarely used, too organized for our tastes," she smirked as the three girls chuckled.

"A little freedom will be better than what we've dealt with the past couple of years," Amaya said.

"Where have you guys been staying? If you don't mind my asking."

"At an orphanage for the past two or in some cases three years," Miriam said tossing a look at Serez.

"Why'd you guys leave?"

Amaya shrugged, "Got bored. Besides, no one wants to adopt kids who were about to become teenagers. We just decided we'd had enough and left."

"Are you guys from the Orphanage that burnt down today?" It was the voice that they'd heard earlier, but they had yet to put a face to it.

Mariah shook her head and faced where the voice was coming from, "Get out here Max. It's disturbing talking to just your voice." Her request was followed by a chuckle and a thud.

A short kid with messy blonde hair jumped down from the rafters that held up the third floor. Blue eyes gazed out at them from under his bangs. "Hey there. Nice to meet you, the name's Max."

"Hello." Miriam said with a grin, peering around Mariah to get a better look at him. "I'm Miriam Tashi, and these are my friends," she pointed to each as she introduced them. "Serez Spectro and Amaya Ryusumi. Serez's cousin Enrique Giancarlo is downstairs with my little bro Joseph."

"Wow, Rick's never recruited this many people at once before. Wonder why?"

"If he'd only asked some of us to join, he wouldn't have gotten any of us. We left the Orphanage because we didn't want to be split up." Amaya said scowling slightly at the floor.

Max nodded, "I guess that makes sense. Well welcome to the family." He grinned at the three girls as he walked by. "I'll see you guys around, I'm gonna go on patrol for awhile."

"Take Johnny with ya Max. He needs something constructive to do." Said the Neko a smirk on her face.

Max laughed as he climbed up onto the railing, back facing out into the open air. "Sure thing Mari. Well see you guys later, try not to wreck the place while we're gone, okay?"

Serez smirked and mock saluted, "Yes sir," Max rolled his eyes and slid down the banister. A few moments later they heard the door swing closed loudly.

"He's a strange kid,"

"Max just doesn't let life get him down, he always looks on the bright side of thing's…or at least he tries to." She paused in front of one of the many wooden doors that lined the hallway. "This is my room. I'll show you guys to your rooms after we get you some clothes. Come on," she let the door swing open and flipped on the light as she walked into the room.

It was pretty lavishly decorated for a street-kids room. Blackout curtains covered the windows; a twin bed was against one wall so it had a good view of both the door and the windows. A desk was against the far wall, papers littered it's surface, a two level shelf was above, the top and half of the bottom was filled with books, and the other half was filled with tools and Beyblade parts. Papers, books and other paraphernalia were strewn across the room; it looked like a junk-bomb went off and they hadn't gotten around to cleaning up the mess yet. Set between both the windows was a 5-drawer dresser, and next to the desk was a closet; its doors were closed.

"Nice room," Serez whistled appreciatively as she looked around.

"What did you expect; squalor?" Mariah looked over her shoulder and leveled her gaze at the green-haired teen; a hint of challenge was in her voice.

"What, no," she shook her head raising her hands in defense. "I just didn't expect it to look so…" she waved her hand trying to find the correct word.

Miriam decided to come to her friends rescue, "…Normal. We didn't expect it to be filthy or anything, we just didn't expect it to be so decorated and stuff."

"Hmm, I can see what you mean I guess. Rei and me were surprised when we first got here too. Sorry for snapping at you Serez."

"No prob. I kind of deserved it, I always speak before I think."

Mariah grinned. She then turned and motioned towards the dresser and closet, "Right, I'm supposed to be getting you guys clothes. Go ahead and raid my stuff and find something you like. I'll talk to Rick later tonight and see if we can find some time to take you guys to the mall and find you some clothes of your own."

"Hey shopping, I remember that." Amaya sighed whimsically. She held up a dark purple shirt against her front and looked down at it. Serez giggled as she pulled a black tank top over her head. She still had on her skirt; she had tossed her dress shirt into a wastebasket that was next to the desk. Amaya tossed her a pair of blue jeans that had deliberate rips in the knees. "Here Rez, try these.

"Thanks Aya." She pulled them on under her skirt then discarded the skirt into the basket along with her shirt. "Ah, much better." She said with a smirk, stretching her arms above her head.

Mariah got a good look at Serez's eyes for the first time; she had taken off her sunglasses to put on the shirt. "You got cool eyes, Serez."

Serez blinked and looked down at her sunglasses that were resting on the dresser. "Um…thanks, I guess. Most people just freak out when they see them, it's why I wear these all the time." She picked up her glasses and placed them on top of her head.

"Same with Rei and me. A lot of the time our pupils are just slits because of the sun glinting off all the glass and metal around the city. We just don't care anymore," she shrugged like she really didn't care. "No one will bug you about them here, and if they do just knock them on their ass."

Serez grinned, "Sounds like a plan to me."

The others had by this time changed their clothes. Miriam looked a little uncomfortable in her midriff blue top, and hip hugger jeans, but Amaya looked right at home in her purple shirt with rips across the stomach and a few inches below her neck, and black baggy pants.

Mariah looked them over, "Not bad, you guys definitely look better in street clothes than Orphanage attire."

They all grinned, "Agreed."

Miriam's stomach decided at that moment to protest the fact that it wasn't being fed. A blush rapidly spread across her face, "Um…apparently I'm hungry."

The three girls laughed until their sides felt like they were splitting. Mariah was the first one to calm down enough to speak coherently. "Sorry Miriam. Come on lets head down to the kitchen and get something to eat. I'm kind of hungry myself."

Amaya picked herself up off the floor, holding her sides still laughing quietly. "Food does sound good right about now, we haven't eaten since this morning."

Mariah stood up and made for the door. "Come on then last one there has to cook." Before they could say anything, the Neko took off like a shot into the hallway.

"Hey no fair!" They tore out of the room and chased after her. She was already halfway down the stairs when they reached the top.

Amaya smirked and climbed up onto the banister, like Max had done earlier. "Coming down! Look out below." While she slid down Miriam and Serez hurried down the stairs.

Before the two of them even made it halfway across the ground floor Mariah yelled her victory from the kitchen. "I win!"

"No fair, you cheated." That was Serez.

"…So, what's your point?"

Serez thought for a moment but couldn't come up with anything, "I guess I don't have one, but it's the principal of the thing."

Mariah shrugged and opened the freezer above the fridge, "So you guys like pizza pops?"

Joseph, Miriam, and the others spent the next few weeks training, learning how to defend themselves, and learning the ropes of the streets and where their territory began and ended. Their first full day there, they had gone out shopping so they wouldn't have to keep borrowing clothes from their teammates. They traded off duties with everyone else. Sometimes they had to cook, or clean, or keep a lookout from the roof for any intruders in the Under-Ground's territory.

After a few weeks of training, Rick decided that it was time that the newbies went out on patrols, instead of just keeping a lookout from the roof of the warehouse. Which is why Amaya and Serez found themselves outside in the blazing hot sun that was being reflected off the glass and metal of the skyscrapers and cars.

They paused to lean against the side of a building and catch their breaths. Amaya raised her arm and used her sleeve to wipe the sweat off her forehead. "Damn it, we had to get stuck with patrol duty on one of the hottest days this summer. Why couldn't we have gone out yesterday when it was cloudy and cool, instead of hot and sticky?"

Serez rolled her eyes at her friend, "Because Aya, we drew lots to see who went out this week and we drew this day. It's just bad luck that we got the best weather to go out in." She crouched down on the ground and doodled in the dirt.

"I suppose so. It still sucks," she pushed herself off the wall and smirked down at Serez who stopped doodling and grinned up at her. "Come on, let's get this done with so we can get back and get something to eat."

"Right. This place is giving me the creeps for some reason anyway." She got to her feet and repressed a shudder.

"What d'ya mean, Rezzy?"

"Well…like we're not supposed to be here. I've been all throughout Under's territory and have never felt like this any where…"

A cold voice interrupted Serez's voiced thought, "That's because this isn't Under-Ground's Territory. It belongs to the Predators."

The friends whirled around, putting their backs against the wall. Now facing them were two very unfriendly looking people. One was tall with dual-coloured blue hair, lighter in the front than the back. Two blue triangles were tattooed on both his cheeks. He wore a zippered up red vest over his torso, and baggy blue pants on his legs, and in his hand he gripped a loaded launcher. Beside him stood an even taller boy, he had silver hair and eyes, and wore a green t-shirt and black pants, his arms were crossed over his chest and he was glaring at the friend's threateningly.

"Who the hell are you?" Serez demanded straightening and pulling out her own launcher and Beyblade; she was careful to keep her back against the wall. She felt more than saw Amaya pull out her own launcher.

"The better question would be who are you, and what are you doing in our territory?" It was the kid with dual-blue hair that spoke. His violet eyes were glaring dangerously.

"Serez Spectro,"

"Amaya Ryusumi. We belong to the Under-Ground Ring. Now who are you?"

"Humph, Under's. No wonder you two are so cocky." It was the pale teen that spoke this time. Serez tried not to squirm as he leveled his gaze at her. This guy was giving her the creeps.

"Kai Hiwatari, second-in-command of the Predators and this is Bryan Kyzenstov."

Serez and Amaya's eyes widened upon hearing the names. Running into Kai wouldn't have been too bad, but throw Bryan into the mix, and they were screwed.

Bryan smirked at the two's obvious discomfort, "If you surrender now, we might let you go with just a few scratches."

Serez was never one to be intimidated even by people who freaked her out. She couldn't keep the fear from her voice, but she could still try to keep up a brave front. "Even if I wasn't a member of Under-Ground, I wouldn't back down from the likes of you."

Amaya nodded her agreement, "Bring it on,"

"If you insist, I'll let you take these two Bryan. They seem more scared of you than they are of me anyway."

Bryan nodded and stepped out in front of Kai. He raised his launcher at the two younger teens. Before they even had a chance to say anything or do anything to defend themselves, he had launched his blade at them. They dove to the side and tucked into a roll coming to their feet. Kai blocked one exit, and the spinning blade was positioned between the two girls. Neither of them would leave without the other.

Serez yanked on her ripcord and launched her blade straight at Bryan's. "Icezray, attack!" Her bit-chip flashed an icy-blue and a majestic European dragon emerged from the light, roaring as it rose up.

Bryan didn't seem worried at all. In fact he smirked at the green-haired girl and called on his own Bit-Beast, "Falborg!" It was smaller than Icezray was, but Serez had learned through her training that just because the 'beast was small didn't mean it was weak.

"Icezray, don't give the feather-duster a chance to attack. Icicle Storm!" The sky around the two 'beasts darkened and ice rained from the sky, pelting the armored falcon with pointed shafts of ice.

Falborg fell back a bit as it covered its head with its wings, protecting its more vulnerable parts. Bryan was still smirking as he turned to Serez, "Nice try girl. Now it's my turn. Falborg Stroblitz!"

Serez didn't see anything, just felt the wind shift. The next thing she new she was echoing Icezray's screams of pain. Amaya tried to get to her friend's side but Kai moved from his spot on the sidelines and blocked the blonde youth's way. "Sorry Blondie, this fights between Bryan and your friend."

Amaya growled and without stopping to think threw a punch at the smirking boy's face. Kai barely managed to avoid it, twisting just enough that it just grazed his face, leaving a faint stinging were Amaya's fist had touched. He retaliated by trying to hook her ankle and bring the shorter girl down. Amaya jumped back but was distracted by Serez crying out once again and her thud as she dropped to her knees. Kai took his chance and punched the blonde in the stomach knocking the breath from her lungs. She had enough sense left to block as Kai aimed a kick at her chest.

Serez was holding herself up with one hand as her other clutched at her bleeding arm blood dripped down her face and other arm, her sweat seeped into the cut causing them to sting even more that the all ready were. She kept her eyes on the fight, trying to help her Bit-Beast as much as she could. Icezray had similar injuries to hers but Bryan and Falborg remained untouched. Falborg can manipulate the air currents. She realized with a start. "Ice-Icezray, Cascade Wall," Icezray dropped back and landed behind his Mistress. The ice dragon spread his wings then brought them around both himself and Serez as a dome of ice encased them.

No matter how much she wanted to right then Serez kept herself from dropping to the cement beneath her. "Damn it. How the hell did we end up wandering into Predator country? We're going to get the stuffing kicked out of us and we aren't going to make it back home, not tonight at least. Damn it!" She screamed her frustration and glared out at the ice where she imagined Bryan would be, most likely still smirking. "Not fair. Why'd we have to run into these guys of all people? Someone up there hates me, I know it."

She heard a muffled sound, then ice cracking. She looked up in horror as Falborg used his Stroblitz attack to break through the dome of ice. Wings engulfed her, blocking the falcon from her view, and Icezray screamed out his challenge.

Suddenly she heard Falborg screech in pain, and the rest of the dome collapsed. She didn't think Icezray had attacked so she was curious to see what had. She peered out through the tiny slit in her Bit-Beasts wings and observed the scene before her. A red and yellow Beyblade was smashing into Bryans pale one repeatedly forcing it away from Serez and Icezray, and Garland stood before Amaya – who was picking herself up off the ground wiping blood off her chin – and over Kai, massaging his fist. Kai had backed up a few steps keeping out of Garland's reach.

"Trust you guys to get into trouble, and against some of the worst people too,"

Serez blinked when she recognized the voice. She used Icezray's wing to pull herself to her feet unsteadily. It moved the other so she could see what was going on better.

"What the hell took you two so long?" She demanded weekly, her voice only a shadow of the usual cynicism and mocking it usually held. She raised her hand and her blade rebounded back into it, she didn't have the strength or the concentration needed to keep fighting. Icezray disappeared back into his bit-chip, leaving Serez standing under her own power.

Garland and Johnny's eyes darkened when they saw the state their second Ring-mate was in. Garland's hand shot out and he grabbed the collar of Kai's shirt and dragged him forward. "What the fuck is up here, Hiwatari? You never usually go this far."

Kai just shrugged and grinned uncaringly up at the older boy, "What can I say, I was bored,"

Garland released him so abruptly that Kai stumbled, which gave Garland the opportunity to plant a solid kick to Kai's chest, knocking him on his ass.

"Salamulyon, Fire Rod!" Before Johnny's Bit-Beast had a chance to execute its attack, Falborg disappeared back into its chip and the blade flew back into Bryan's waiting hand.

"Sorry fire-top, but not today." Johnny growled at the nickname but otherwise ignored it. He left his Beyblade out just in case they two Predators tried anything.

Kai picked himself up off the ground and started to walk away, "You should teach your Ring-mates where your territory lies a little better, Zetwald. Next time we won't be so lenient."

Serez opened her mouth, most likely to shoot off some sarcastic or scathing comment, but Johnny cut her off. "Let it go, Spectro. Now's not the time. Though trust me, I'd love to hear what you have to say."

Serez smirked, "All right, I'll save it for another time." She mock pouted as she walked slowly over to where her friends were standing. "But it was a really good one."

Garland grinned at the younger girl, "Remember it for when you can fight back. Because I'd bet that whatever you have to say, Kai won't like it."

"Deal."

Kai just scoffed, "Hn, why should I care about the noise of some weak little girl?"

Before she could shoot her mouth off Johnny– who was the closest to her – covered her mouth with his hand. "Shut up for once, would you?" Johnny growled in her ear. She scowled but otherwise remained quiet.

"Now get out of our territory Under-Ground." Kai snapped out, both him and Bryan had their launchers aimed at the four friends.

Garland glared but nodded nonetheless. "We're going Hiwatari, but hear this: If you ever hurt one of my Ring-mates like this again," he pointed at Amaya and Serez who were using each other as leaning posts. "I don't care if they deserved it. I will hunt you down myself, you got that?"

"Psh, whatever Zetwald. Now get out."

"Let's go, before I do something we all regret," thejoke came from Serez who was grinning tiredly trying to get her cut and bleeding legs to work. Garland nodded and led the way out of the alley.