Disclaimer: Still don't own it but am working on getting rights to at least the dubbed version of it… it was just pitiful.
A/N: Okay, so I really shouldn't be updating now but, anyway, here I am. I'm sorry for the long wait but just hang in there with me. I'm really busy right now and I shouldn't even be taking the time to update now but I figured I owed it to you guys. After this though I may not update for a few months. Anyway, the thing that really got me going on this, believe it or not, was the television series… the dubbed version. Two weekends ago I got to see episode 48 of GRev, the episode where Kai finally defeats Brooklyn. That episode I've also seen in Japanese and to be quite frank, I think the English dub massacred the episode. Then last weekend I was "lucky" enough to see the final four coughthreecough episodes of the series and they didn't lighten my mood. So, I was frustrated enough to leave my busy schedule and return to my fanfic where I make the rules and there are no dubbers to slaughter the storyline. ;) Anyway, that's pretty much why you have a new chapter… I suppose you can thank Nelvana a little bit… grumble
Just a few more things on this chapter. I did end up changing things around a little bit from my original plan so there is something in this chapter that was not going to be mentioned until later. In the end it just seemed to fit here so I hope the chapter flows well. The chapter is also much more of an info chapter and some information that affects the rest of the story is in this chapter so sit tight and enjoy! Just a minor warning of some violence, blood and confusion.
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Craving Freedom
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Chapter 10: Seeking Answers, Gaining Questions
Tyson's eyes stared blankly upward, his thoughts concentrated elsewhere. Although Max and Ray lay safely on his left, three of his other friends were still very much in danger. First, there were Kenny and Hilary who lay in a cold dungeon, possibly close to death, possibly already gone. Then there was Kai who'd walked off with Voltaire and could be in grave danger. And, Tyson couldn't forget, although he felt safe at the moment, whatever it was that Voltaire was doing, he needed Tyson, Max and Ray. And what was Black Dranzer's role in all of this? Why did it seem like Black Dranzer was trying to overthrow Voltaire? Wasn't Black Dranzer obeying Voltaire's orders?
Tyson thought of his battle against Black Dranzer from the day before. Apart from keeping Tyson and the rest of them at Voltaire's mansion, Black Dranzer didn't seem to gain anything from it. Besides, Tyson was already prisoner by that point. Why make it official by having a battle? Looking back on it, the battle seemed to be nothing more than a way for Black Dranzer to settle the score. After all, Black Dranzer had only suffered one defeat throughout his life, and that was to the Bladebreakers.
Yet, the other day, Black Dranzer seemed to relate to Dragoon. He didn't want to hurt Dragoon. Black Dranzer practically begged Tyson to stop. And maybe it was Tyson reading too much into the situation, but he felt that, by the end of the match, Black Dranzer wanted Dragoon to join him instead of fight him. But what was Black Dranzer's plan and how did it differ from what Voltaire wanted?
Tyson's stomach stung slightly where it was slashed from that battle. He rubbed it nonchalantly.
"So, you're awake too," Ray said from his bed. Ray's eyes turned to look at Tyson and Tyson also noticed Max's blue ones from where he lay.
"So you guys can't sleep either?" Tyson asked already knowing the answer and, as expected, Ray and Max shook their heads. "I just can't get over everything that's happened."
"I know," Ray answered with a soft voice. "You know Tyson," Ray paused and made eye-contact with Max, they had obviously been whispering to each other before, "we'll have to start thinking about the possibility that Kai is truly gone." Ray forced the words out.
It wasn't what Tyson expected in the least. He felt his temper flare. "You guys have had all this time to think and that's all you came up with!" That thought had never even crossed Tyson's mind.
"I know it's hard to hear," Ray spoke with more conviction, "but it's possible that Black Dranzer's in full control and that – that Kai is gone for good."
Tyson shook his head. He didn't want to hear it. "No! Kai is still there. Right now he needs his friends and I for one am not going to give up on him!"
Max turned to face away. Ray closed his eyes. They knew Tyson wouldn't take the words well. Truthfully, they didn't want to entertain the thought anymore than Tyson, but they couldn't ignore the possibility after the way Kai had acted in the dungeon. He had told Voltaire quite angrily that he was Black Dranzer, nobody else. Although that boy looked so much like Kai, maybe it was no more than an illusion. Black Dranzer's spirit may have already completely overtaken Kai's. There was no way to know for sure, but Ray and Max had agreed that they should be ready for the possibility that it was true.
"Anyway, what do you think that Voltaire's planning?" Ray decided to change the subject.
"What did Black Dranzer mean by ultimate power?" Max said quietly.
That comment led the way into moments of silence. Nobody could answer the question. What exactly was Voltaire planning to do with them? Why did Voltaire need them specifically? These questions had any number of possible responses which left Tyson, Max and Ray worried and confused.
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Kai's eyes fluttered open. He realised he was lying in his bed, back upstairs. "How did I get here?" Kai wondered aloud. He couldn't remember ever leaving the dungeon. In fact the last thing he remembered was feeling ill.
"I brought you here. I couldn't lust leave you lying there." Kai was startled to hear the voice. It echoed in his mind yet was distinctly concentrated to Kai's right. Kai tried to lift his body to see who was speaking, but he was unable to. Instead, he rolled his head to the right and looked up from his pillow. Leaning against the dresser was a familiar boy dressed all in black, silver talons sparkling in the dark from his hands. Kai understood immediately. The boy he saw before him was nothing more than an image projected from his mind. This illusion was simply a way for Kai's brain to separate the two minds that now inhabited his body.
"Thank you, Black Dranzer." It was an odd thing for Kai to be thanking this creature of darkness and yet, it came so naturally. Kai couldn't help feeling that since Black Dranzer rejoined him, Kai felt almost full again, as if he had finally found his long lost friend. Kai could almost imagine the warmth of Dranzer's flame once more. This thought alone gave Kai the strength to get up into a sitting position. Kai wanted to know more about this relationship. "Black Dranzer, why is it that, when I look at you, I see some of my old friend Dranzer?"
Black Dranzer closed his eyes and shifted his feet. He knew this question was coming. "The truth is, Kai, I was created from Dranzer. In a way, I am Dranzer – just a darker version. I was born from anger and hatred, but don't get me wrong, I still am Dranzer."
Kai was shocked to hear it. "What do you mean you're Dranzer?"
"Think about it like this. Dranzer was a phoenix who lived aeons ago. When his soul was confronted with unparalleled hatred, it caused a rift to form between his lighter emotions and his darker emotions. The result was the formation of two birds: Dranzer and me, Black Dranzer." Black Dranzer paused, contemplating whether or not he should give any more information. "You know, you and I are alike in more ways than you could ever imagine. First, I should apologise for listening in on your conversation with Voltaire earlier."
"You heard that!" Kai yelled angrily. Black Dranzer nodded sombrely. "Then you know I'm just a fake," Kai said, hiding his face in disgust. Black Dranzer understood Kai. Kai felt as though he didn't belong in this world. He was unlike all other creatures. For seventeen years he had been living believing in a lie. Now, Kai just wanted to hide his face from the world in shame and he hoped that he could fade away into nothingness. Black Dranzer understood it all too well.
"I, too, am just a creation of Voltaire's," Black Dranzer said sadly. Kai lifted his head to better hear Black Dranzer's words. "Voltaire created me years ago, when he was fourteen. You and I are alike, whether or not you want to believe it."
"But, if that's true, then you owe your life to Voltaire. If he's the reason you're alive, why are you working against him? What is going on?"
Black Dranzer didn't respond. He didn't want anyone to know his plan just yet. However, Kai had grown close enough to Black Dranzer over the past few days to know what he was thinking. "Listen, I have let you battle Tyson and I let you inject Kenny and Hilary with that stuff. I even let you implant these stupid claws in my hands. Now, I want some answers," Kai said firmly. Then his expression softened. "Besides, you've held up your end of the bargain. For the first time since Dranzer died, I almost feel whole again. I want to help. You can trust me," Kai smiled.
Black Dranzer understood he could trust Kai, for the first time in his life, he could trust. "It all started aeons ago when, as I said, the great phoenix Dranzer lived. In fact, there were four sacred beasts who lived. They were god-like creatures who ruled over the four elements: the blue dragon of wood who controlled the wind, the white tiger of gold who controlled lightning, the purple tortoise of water, and the red phoenix of fire – Dranzer. Now, I don't know that much about what happened to them, but somehow, they died."
"What do you mean 'you don't know that much about them'? I thought you said you were Dranzer?" Kai blurted out.
"I am. However, when I was created from Dranzer, it was Dranzer who kept all the memories of his past life. I only know what I have lived through. Only Dranzer knew what exactly happened. I have only heard stories. You see, everything that is happening now is because of a prophecy that was made at the deaths of those four sacred beasts."
"A prophecy?" Kai listened on intently.
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Tyson soared lower and lower. The wildflowers and grass whipped underneath his belly. The air was cool and refreshing and Tyson couldn't have felt freer. Just as the thought crept into Tyson's mind, a sharp pain blazed across his hind leg. Tyson's head crashed to the ground and then his body followed suit and slid through the muddy field. Finally, Tyson came to a stop.
Tyson got up quickly and roared. His battle cry reached the distant mountains. Tyson looked down from his great height upon those who dared to attack him. Many humans spotted the ground insignificantly. They did not know their place. These creatures would never let Tyson rest. Humans were odd beings who believed they were better than even the gods. They trapped gods and used their powers for their own purposes.
The humans who stood defiantly before Tyson now prepared to release their own wave of captured gods. Tyson was used to such an attack. The humans had tried numerous times to capture Tyson. He was one of the most powerful gods in the world and the humans' greed led them to attempt to use Tyson's power to further their rule over other humans. Tyson would not take it any longer. He went into a rage and attacked with his razor-like claws. The humans sent small spinning devices in counter.
The clouds rumbled and it began to rain, the fields soon sparkling in the wet downpour. Tyson faced ten creatures. They were former gods, now nothing more than slaves to the humans. Tyson didn't want to fight them, he never wanted to fight, but he had no choice. The various animals charged at him but Tyson was too quick for them. His long body snaked from side to side, dodging attacks. Finally, Tyson struck and each swipe of his claws hit their target dead-on. Within seconds, all ten gods had fallen. Next, Tyson set his sites on those who had sent them.
The humans, having been defeated, began to panic. Some started to run; others still stood bravely grabbing more god-capturing devices no doubt willing to try to capture Tyson in one of them. But Tyson wouldn't stand idly by. Tyson lost himself in his rage once more. If any of these creatures escaped, they would come back. Tyson would be forever haunted by them until none of them were left. Tyson had to stop them. If Tyson wanted to someday be truly free and no longer have to fight, he would have to go into battle now.
Tyson cried out one more time. Then, with the swiftness of the wind, he took out the humans who insolently stood before him. The corpses of those Tyson had slaughtered hadn't even touched the ground and their blood still flew through the air as Tyson reached the humans who'd run. He killed them as well. In order to be truly happy, he had to. There was no other way… But no matter how much Tyson told that to himself, he couldn't get over the sickening feeling in his stomach. Tyson looked at his bloodstained claws. He didn't want to have to kill to live but it seemed no one would let his wish come true. The rain water began to cool Tyson's scaly body. It was refreshing. It offered a blanket of comfort. It washed away Tyson's guilt for taking those lives. But it left something worse - sadness. Tyson's stomach stirred some more. Why must his life be so painful? If only there was a way out…
Tyson let out a whining sound of forlorn. The fields faded away into a world of white. He looked down at his hands. The blood was gone. His hands were sweaty and he was sure his face was pale.
Tyson looked up to see Dragoon and he looked at him sadly. "What's going on Dragoon?" Dragoon stared back and when he spoke, his voice echoed hollowly.
Four past the new millennium
As the moon begins to wane
The realm of phantoms will open
And great gods will rise again
Should spirit and soul combine
Body will be gained anew
But a destiny denied
Grants future peace to be true
Harmony already found
With what cursed them in life
True freedom will be theirs
No longer under strife
When Dragoon finished, Tyson was very confused. "What?" he asked. He didn't understand a word of what Dragoon was saying.
A sudden burst of wind blew around Tyson. The white disintegrated and Tyson fell.
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Tyson awoke with a start. He sat up in bed panting. A few sheets of paper fluttered back to the floor as if they'd just been blown about. "What a weird dream," Tyson mumbled to himself.
A flash of light captured Tyson's attention. Looking to his left he became fearful. A tangle of electricity surrounded Ray. Next to Ray, water was circling Max. Tyson was beginning to think that there was more of a connection between themselves and their bit beasts than they realized.
Max moved in his sleep. Although he was now engulfed in water, he still slept on peacefully. Watching Max and Ray, Tyson had the hunch that they were having similar dreams to the one that he'd just had. These bizarre circumstances were somehow connected to the ancient powers of their spirit allies and Tyson vowed that he would find out how.
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"But what does that prophecy have to do with Voltaire?" Kai asked curiously.
"Voltaire plans on fulfilling the prophecy. He plans on resurrecting the four sacred beasts."
"What?" Kai was shocked. The idea almost seemed ridiculous. "Why would he want to do that?"
"He is planning on using his technology to control the beasts and use their immense powers to rule over all peoples. He wants to reign supremely over the world," Black Dranzer explained patiently to Kai.
"And what are you planning in all of this?" Kai asked suspiciously.
"I simply want to feel whole again, just as you long for it. I believe that, if I regain the body of Dranzer, I may finally be able to feel that." Black Dranzer paused and his expression became dark, his eyes sharp and daring, "But I won't be controlled! Once I have my body, I will turn on Voltaire."
"And that's why you want Tyson and the others on your side?" Kai understood now. Black Dranzer wanted Dragoon, Drigger and Draciel to turn against Voltaire as well. But the way he was trying to gain their trust seemed foolish indeed. "But why don't you just ask them? I'm sure they would agree with you. I don't know anyone who likes to be controlled. They would probably join you willingly."
"I can only rely on them if they trust me first." Kai laughed. "What's so funny?" Black Dranzer snapped.
"You are. You know, trust is a two way street."
"And what does that mean?"
"Put your trust in them and they will trust you in return. The way you're going about it, you're going to be the reason they side with Voltaire," Kai said matter-of-factly.
"I have never trusted anyone."
"You trust me," Kai said quietly. Black Dranzer looked at Kai intensely. Kai smiled.
Black Dranzer looked away. "That's not the only reason I haven't told them. It's possible that their bit beasts do not wish to return to their bodies. Unlike me, they are happy and they are full. They have no reason to return to their bodies. It is said that they lived a sad life. They always had to fight to be free. Now, they no longer have to. With Tyson, Ray and Max, they can live happily. They have no incentive to return to their bodies. If I told them what was going to happen, and they didn't want it, they could escape before the procedure or worse. They could destroy Voltaire's machine."
"What machine?" This was the first Kai had heard of it.
"The machine he will use to recreate their bodies and transfer the spirits from their bits. It is the only one in the world and has taken Voltaire many decades to build. If they destroyed it now, there would be no second chance. I would never be able to regain my body."
Kai listened to Black Dranzer carefully. Then, he closed his eyes. "Very well, if you do not want me to tell them the truth, I won't."
There was a pause in the conversation. Kai broke the silence first. "What does all of this have to do with me though? What did Voltaire need a clone for? Why was I created?"
"Only Voltaire knows the answers to those questions."
"But I thought you said you were created sixty-three years ago. You were alive when he was creating me."
"Voltaire kept me locked away for years until he began to develop the ultimate beyblade - the Black Dranzer blade. By that time, you had already been born."
"Don't say that word!" Kai spat violently. His face contorted. He was produced, brought into this world artificially, not born. When Kai was younger, he remembered always wondering where his parents were. Voltaire used to tell him that they had abandoned him and that Voltaire was the only one who could ever care for him. What a lie! That bastard had lied to him all his life and was still keeping things from him. As long as Voltaire was alive, he would go on lying to Kai.
Kai continued to think back on his childhood. He remembered all the times he tried to imagine what his parents looked like. Sometimes he could almost see the face of a woman smiling at him but as soon as he tried to focus on it, the thought disintegrated from his mind. Who was that woman who he had seen so often but could never recall? Now, as Kai sat on the edge of his bed remembering, the woman's face reappeared. It was clearer than ever before and for the first time, Kai was able to study it.
The woman had a soft complexion. He looked up at her from the ground and she looked down at him. The setting sun caused a halo-like glow around her hair. She had dark eyes and blue hair, the same colour as his. She looked at him with such love he had never seen before. It was only the love a mother could give to her child. Then, the image of the woman disappeared once more.
Kai's eyes snapped open and he drew a sharp breath of air. "What is it?" Black Dranzer was still there, leaning against the dresser. However, at Kai's alarming expression, Black Dranzer stepped forward to the side of the bed. "What's wrong?"
"I want to know who she is. I want to know who that woman is and I have a feeling only Voltaire can tell me." Kai was speaking more to himself than to Black Dranzer. Black Dranzer put his hand on Kai's shoulder and the coldness snapped Kai's mind back to where he was. Kai looked up at Black Dranzer. "I'm going to see Voltaire," Kai said decisively. Black Dranzer nodded. Kai stood up and grabbed his coat. Within seconds, he was back in the hallway, on his way to Voltaire's little office room once more.
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So there you have it. I hope it was good enough for the wait… and I hope you're all still with me. Here's to those who reviewed:
CrystallineWolf: Yep, Kai's a clone and in the next chapter we're going to find out more about his family's past. Just stick around ;)
Golden Lunar Eclipse: Well, I hope this chapter met your approval (not that it really matters). I guess what I'm trying to say is I hope you liked the chapter and I hope your reading this before I leave for Europe… heh Talk to ya soon! Luv ya!
MasterFranny: Yeah, Kai will need some kind of psychiatric help for sure… and some family therapy winks. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'm sorry for the long wait and the potentially longer wait coming up. I really have a lot on my plate right now though… with University applications, water polo tournaments and practices, classes of course, and a grad/school trip coming up. (Squea! Can't wait. I'll be in Italy and then in Greece in a week… I love travelling!) Anyway, it may not be a while until I can finish another chapter so please wait patiently. And no death threats, okay? Promise?
Light of the Blue Rose: Hope you haven't been missing your fanfic fix too much. I'm sorry it took so long. I just hope you can hang in there with me. Coming up next chapter will be a little more on the Hiwatari family. I'll continue to email you when I get new chapters up if you want. It's not a problem.
Dancing Wolf: Thank you for taking the time to drop by. I hope you find some time later to come back and read the rest of the chapters.
Thanks again to all those who reviewed and I hope I haven't lost anyone with my scattered updates… sigh If only life weren't so busy… Anyway, next chapter we'll delve into the Hiwatari History. Yep, Kai's down in the dungeons and looking for answers. 'Till then!
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. -Albert Schweitzer
.:Fey Phantom:.