"Oh no," Dranzer gasped. "Who?"
"Our own people want it this time," Dragoon growled.
"WHAT?" Dranzer screeched. "Who the hell?"
"I don't know. But apparently she wants the Wise Ones to come back and lead our people into war," Dragoon said.
"What's going on?" Kai asked angrily, "What happened to Takao."
Dragoon looked down at Takao with a somber expression. "He is merely unconscious," he explained. "However, I think his ankle is hurt, can you take him while Dranzer and I talk?"
Kai gave Dragoon an angry glare before taking his friend and leaving the two Spirits to talk.
"You used your powers, didn't you?" Dranzer asked.
"I had no choice. They were willing to capture me," Dragoon growled.
"So it would appear we are in quite the predicament," she sighed. "Our power is bound to our hosts. We can't fight back, and whoever is leading this knows that." Dranzer chewed on her thumb, a nervous habit she had for centuries. "They don't want us to lead, they want a pawn," she said in realization.
Dragoon nodded, "Apparently the majority of those at home are still loyal to us after 16 years."
Dranzer shook her head, "Amazing," she growled. "No wonder it's so messed up there. What about Drigger and Draceil?" she asked.
"They are in different areas of the world," Dragoon said. "I do not have the power to contact them."
"We'll see them soon enough," Dranzer sighed. "Well then, how's Takao?"
"He is fine. Just tired, and I think shocked. The one who attacked me tried to destroy him first. Our people are not fond of the Neko Jin," he growled.
"Pity," Dranzer sighed, "I mean they really are sweet kids, I hoped that the peace with them would show them that. Apparently all it did was breed contempt."
Dragoon raised and eyebrow, "Apparently," he agreed.
"What do you propose we do?" Dranzer asked.
"I'm not quite sure," Dragoon growled.
"Ow!" Takao yelped as pressure was applied to his ankle.
"Stop being so childish," a voice growled.
"Kai?" Takao asked. "Where's Dragoon?" he asked.
"Out talking with Dranzer," Kai said. "What happened?"
Takao's ears went back, "We were attacked by this guy who told Dragoon to come back and lead whatever that means. He also called him a 'Wise One.'"
"So you don't know any more then I do?" Kai asked.
"Nope," Takao said and sat up.
"Are you all right?" Kai asked him.
"I'm fine," Takao said with a grin. "Or I will be soon. It's just a twisted ankle."
Kai gave him a small smile, "Thank god it wasn't your head," he teased good naturedly.
"Shut up," Takao said but with a laugh.
"Think they'll tell us anything?" Kai asked.
Takao shrugged, "Who knows? Dragoon never tells me anything," he sighed.
Kai smiled wanly, "Yeah, I know that feeling."
At that moment Dragoon and Dranzer came into the room. Dranzer gave Takao a small smile, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Takao said with a grin. "Nothing worse then what grandpa does on a hard training day."
Kai almost laughed, he knew Takao's love for swords play and how tough his grandfather could get.
Dragoon nodded, "Very well then, are you fit to walk?"
Takao smiled sheepishly, "Ummm…"
"No," Kai snapped.
"Thank you mom," Takao said to Kai with a withering look.
Kai merely glared at his friend but didn't reply to the comment. Instead he looked at Dranzer and Dragoon, "What is going on here?" he asked.
Dranzer flipped her hair over her shoulder, "We're the Wise Ones from the Spirit World. The leaders if you will. We came here in a peace effort to stop the war 16 years ago."
"You are?" Takao asked.
Dragoon nodded, "Yes, and we think that someone is trying to restart the war efforts in out world. This may prove disastrous because our powers are tethered to you through the stones that you two have put in your tops."
"Beyblades," Takao corrected immediately.
"Yes, yes," Dranzer said saucily. "The point is we are all in a bit of a bind here."
"What do you suggest we do," Kai growled.
Dranzer have him a small smile, "To tell you the truth I'd like to travel back home and see the damage but that's not the best plan I'm sure."
"No it's not," agreed Dragoon. "And the other Wise Ones must be in the same problem we're in."
"Who?" Takao asked.
"Draceil and Drigger," Dranzer said.
"Wait," Takao said. "You mean, Rei and Max's friends?"
"If you'd prefer to think of it that way, yes," Dranzer replied.
"Rei is in China and Max is in America, how are we going to tell them this is happening?" Kai asked.
"E-mail?" Takao said.
"Will they believe us?" Kai replied.
Takao blinked, "Point taken," he admitted.
"Maybe we should wait for them," Dragoon said fairly. "It's not like this is an immediate problem."
"No!" Takao said sarcastically, "They're just trying to kidnap you."
Dragoon coughed, "I think you should be more worried about yourself."
Takao crossed his arms indignantly. Kai nodded and patted Takao on the head, "I agree with that," he added.
Takao swatted Kai's hand away, "Yeah, thanks for that," he muttered.
Dranzer grinned, "Ah well, Dragoon and I are going to plan a few things out. Kai, make sure Takao doesn't try and get up," she said and grabbed Dragoon's wrist pulling him out of the room.
Dragoon followed, slightly puzzled. "Dranzer?" he asked.
"Shhh…" she said with a wicked grin and led him into the living room, "Let them talk for a bit."
Takao slumped back on the pillows and sighed, "This is confusing," he muttered.
Kai nodded and put his chin on laced fingers, "I'm afraid they know more then they're telling us."
Takao shrugged, "Probably because they see us as little kids. I had no idea about any of this though…"
Kai nodded, "It's a lot to take in."
Takao yawned, curled into a ball and began playing with Kai's tail. "I hate not knowing stuff," he muttered.
Kai blushed as he felt his tail being stroked by Takao. "Yeah…" he agreed.
Takao finally let go of the tail and Kai moved into a position where he could face Takao. To his surprise the normally hyper teen looked a bit sad. "Dragoon must miss his world, huh?" he asked.
Kai blinked, "I guess…" he said.
"I mean, I know they did it on their own free will but… 16 years. That's a long time," Takao said.
Kai nodded, "I know." He reached over and stroked Takao's ears, a motion he knew normally calmed his friend down. "It'll work out."
"Will it?" Takao asked. "I hope so."
Kai sighed, "I'm the pessimist here," he told Takao.
Takao laughed and sat up, "I know, sorry."
The two boys smiled at each other then Kai stood up. "Well, want to go see if anything was planned?" he asked.
"After you!" Takao said with a grin and leaned on Kai to get out of the room.