Heya right then. I really MUST apologise so much to you all. I'd originally finished writing this chapter, well about 2 weeks after I'd posted the last one… but I've been so busy I haven't been able to post it until now. I was really hoping to make my last update efficient – guess that's gone out of the window. Thank you to all my reviewers who reviewed the last chapter!
Kyogue: I know, I'm sorry. You all hate cliff hangers, but this one had to be done! Don't worry you'll find out what happens soon enough!
Luna-chan - A MaSk Of LiEs: First a poke for Secret Desire, and now a slap? I'm just a punch bag to you aint I:P Ah well. Oh no you have writers block? That can't be good… Is it for Sprits Within? I hope not cause you seemed to have that story planned down to the ground! I know its weird how far we've come since starting writing, its been good though! I'm proud of you too Luna! I hope this update is acceptable! Not too much of wait – I think! Oh and another think, I recall it was you who thought Cassie's dream in chapter 34 reminded you of Tala and Wolborg. You clever girl is all I can say!
AnimeGirl329: I've had the idea for this part of the story for AGES, and I mean ages… it's been over a year ago since I first came up with this idea, and I had this finale in my head then! Not bad for some who usually has a bad memory eh? Well glad you liked the chapter. There will be a sequel if you guys want on, so let me know!
crimsonskye06: Yup it's the last chapter, so sad… I kinda don't want it to end because I love Cassie and Team Twilight as characters, but I will make a sequel if you lot want one! So let me know! Thank you for reviewing!
lil' angelgrl: Sorry but I wanted to end it on a cliffie lol. Oh glad you like the battle scenes, they're the bit I'm least confident about writing, mainly because its so hard to put into word what I'm imagining, if that makes sense! Thank you for reviewing.
Kimkizna: Heya, I didn't think two weeks was too bad by my recent standards… it certainly shorter than this update. Sorry for not reviewing your story earlier – it's my fault, I didn't add it onto my alert list so of course I didn't even think to check it! It shouldn't happen again, as I explained in my review cause now its added :) Oh and I'm ok now, I don't have writers block for this chapter, tis all good. Thanks for reading this fic.
SpiritualEnergy: Yeah sorry Tala is like the main baddie in the two chapters… If it makes you feel better, then just say to yourself, "He's just brainwashed, he's good really" over and over again. You never know it may be true!
Night Angel Of Rain: Ooo one of the best so far? Cool, that's got to be a good thing right? I hope it is. Thanks for the praise!
DarkTrenital: Luckily for you, you won't have to wait anymore after this chapter. I hope it meets you expectations! Glad you like the story so far.
Silent Storm 2000: Ah yes you are sort of right about the whole ordering Tala to torture Cassie because of Kai scenario. Congrats! Glad you like the chapter so much.
XxKaexX: Nope, you misunderstood me; the last chapter and this one are sort of a two part last part of the story. If that makes sense? Basically THIS chapter is the last one. But do not fear, if you want a sequel then just say and I'd bee happy to write one. Luckily I have already thought a new plot for it lol (if you want one of course)
HeartlessDevil: Sorry, but I wanted to make these last two chapters as a sort 2 part end for the story. Hope its ok…Glad you like my story!
Zangoose9229: Aww well the only reason I haven't answered any of your previous question is because they get answered in the story. Luckily for you though, the thing with Wolborg isn't really explained, so I'll elaborate for you. Basically do you remember in chapter 34, Cassie had that dream? Well in short the dream is coming true… so the wolf in the dream represents Wolborg and the lady that attacks her is supposed to be… well you'll find out that on :P
Grounded angel: Heya glad you liked the chapter. I hope you like this final one!
BloodyShadows: Yes sadly this chapter is the last, but have no fear there will be a sequel should you want one. Let me know what you think!
AngeGardenvoir: Hopefully this update was quick enough for you!
Ilovecake2: Heya I like your new review style because now I know which bits you like and why. Ehehe I like your comment about her dress – truth is I don't think she was intending on getting so hurt, plus that is her team costume so she can't really change it. Now about the flash back, yes it did happen – it was in the dream in Chapter 34… Its ok if you didn't like that bit, now that I think about it, you weren't keen on the dream sequence at the time – one thing I would like to say though, when you reviewed chapter 34 you mentioned how the dream would have been good for a battle against Tala, well that had been my plan all along, hence why this battle is happening the way it is – I hope now all the connections make sense. Thanks for your review!
Bladebreakers: A matter of life or death eh? Oh dear it's a good job I've updated fairly soon then isn't it? Glad you like the story so far, I hope this last chapter won't disappoint you.
Richard: Glad you like my story. I've tried updating as soon as I could!
I think I've mentioned everyone who reviewed, thank you all. Well this is the last chapter, so I hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, I only own my OC's and their Bitbeasts
Chapter 45: The Spirit of the Black Panther
People screamed as they dodged the razor sharp icy remains of the ice chamber. Many ended up hiding behind, or under their seats; others tried desperately to shield their faces from the shards. Either way the stadium was full of chaos.
In the panic the demolition boys had found cover behind their team bench. Kai slowly picked himself up from the floor. He vaguely remembered after hearing the ice crack, being pushed to the floor by Spencer and Brian.
Deadly icicles were still falling from the sky but he didn't care. He had to check Cassie was ok; he knew she was free, but the scream before this chaos filled him with dread.
Carefully Kai peered over the bench observing the scene before him. Team Twilight were still in their positions, but their faces filled him with concern – they seemed worried, but about what?
Then he saw her.
Cassie
The girl seemed in a bad way; panting heavily while on her knees. A huge wound was visible on her left side, along with several others including the ones on her back. Her once white dress was now streaked with blood.
Kai shivered involuntarily.
Although Cassie seemed worse for ware, he knew she still had strength in her – but was it enough to beat Tala?
His gaze shifted to the red haired Russian. Tala stood awkwardly, his breath ragged but generally seemed ok, minus the odd cut here and there. However something had changed, it was then that Kai noticed the evil glint now clear in his eyes.
A small smirk appeared on Tala's face as he watched Cassie. Then very slowly he began to laugh, but it was not a happy laugh. No, there was something far more foreboding in this gesture, and Kai knew it.
Cassie glared at the boy, her look questioning her opponent. As if reading her mind, Tala answered her thoughts.
"You're so helpless now, it's really quite amusing," sneered the boy
The girl narrowed her eyes, and began the painful process of getting to her feet, trying as best she could not to show Tala she was weak form her previous attack.
She glanced briefly to see both Wolborg and Patiere were still spinning. Turning to her left slightly she saw her faithful bitbeast was beside her, looking back to Tala she could make out the Wolf bitbeast was also beside it's master.
"Will you not give up girl? You can't possibly still fight." Mocked Tala
"I… never give up" panted Cassie
A devilish grin emerged on the boys face.
"Oh I suggest you do," replied Tala in a malicious tone
Cassie grit her teeth
"I said! I never… Give… Up!"
"Fine have it your way. Wolborg!"
The wolf bitbeast launched its way towards Cassie
"Patiere!"
Obediently the Black Panther blocked its attack. The two blades hammered into one another at an immense speed.
"I warned you to give up, but you wouldn't listen! Now you pay the price!"
The silver blade slammed into Cassie's purple one, making it wobble. Again and again it attacked like this, not even giving Cassie time to defend herself. Simultaneously Wolborg attacked Patiere with unspeakable ruthlessness. The panther's cries echoed around the arena, sending a shiver down many people's spine.
Cassie gasped in despair
"No Patiere!"
Then the pain hit her. With each hit it grew. She screamed in agony until she fell to the floor, just managing to support her weight on her arms. Her weak body slumped forward, her body shaking with each struggling breath. Tears welled up in her eyes.
A silver twinkle from Cassie's neck caught Kai's attention. After closer inspection he realised what was reflecting the stadium light:
Her necklace. The same one he had given her all those months ago; the necklace that symbolised their eternal love.
Without realising it, Kai found himself tracing the outline of his own half. He'd forgotten all about it, well not forgotten - he had never taken it off - he had simply not been aware of its presence.
He touched his silvery Yang sign; its warm metal sent an usual feeling down his spine…
'She never took it off… after all I've done to her… she never took it off.'
Tala continued to attack, with each blow his eyes widened in a sadistic manner.
The girl screamed in pain once more. She looked to her beloved Bitbeast as it was thrown to the floor by Wolborg. Patiere desperately tried to get up but collapsed on its side.
"No…" she whispered
She felt her energy begin to drain from her, but that didn't not stop Tala. He ordered Wolborg to keep attacking the Panther. Patiere's battered body was thrown across the whole stadium; each time it clawed the ground to escape the murderous wolf.
Tear fell from Cassie's eyes freely.
"Patiere… Hang in there, please…"
Something burned inside of Kai. He looked to Boris and saw the man laughing at the scene before him. How could he laugh at such a thing? Was Boris really that heartless?
With a last ounce of strength, Cassie looked to the demolition boy bench. There she saw the crimson eyes of her boyfriend.
"Help – me… Kai…" she breathed
But it was too late. By now Tala was laughing like a maniac. His eyes had a devilish quality to them.
"Cassie!" yelled Kai
The boy tried desperately to reach her but Spencer and Brain held him back. Boris snarled at the ex captain, slapping him to the floor. Kai fell motionlessly to the floor.
"Quick finish this!" ordered Boris
The red haired Russian nodded, and turned back to Cassie.
"I told you to surrender but you wouldn't. Now you pay with your life!"
Cassie eyes went wide in horror. She gazed at Tala, until her sight fell on a ghostly image beside of him. Maybe she was hallucinating from the loss of blood but it looked so real. There, next to Tala stood the woman from Cassie's dream almost in spirit form. The woman was dressed in the same attire; a long icy-blue dress - her white hair blew gently beside her waist.
Cassie froze as the woman gave her the same haunting smile that she gave in the dream. A smile that chilled the girl to the bone.
"Wolborg!" screamed Tala "Finish it!"
With one last attack the wolf struck Patiere. The panther's body flew one last time in the air then landed lifelessly on the floor. At the same time, her elegant beyblade shattered into hundreds of fragments.
"No!" screamed Cassie
Suddenly the girl stopped screaming. She felt dizzy, her head span violently. She felt her remaining strength drain from her own body. The girl began to panic; the words of her elder rang in her mind.
"You and Patiere are like one spirit. Use this to your advantage by all means, but be warned, your connection is so strong that one cannot survive without the other…"
The Spirit of the Black Panther began to weaken. The image of Patiere was fading with every second.
Cassie looked desperately towards Kai's team bench and at the still body of the boy she loved. Her energy was leaving her fast. Then she saw him twitch. Very slowly the boy supported himself by his arms; he looked wearily towards the girl, a small smile appearing on her sad features.
'Kai…'
Without warning Cassie's whole body went limp, everything seemed to be going in slow motion as her body collapsed on the ground.
"Noo!" yelled a frantic Kai
Fear consumed his soul as he scrambled to his feet. Boris made a grasp for him but the boy punched him out of the way. The man yelled out in pain, ordering someone to stop him.
Kai sprinted on towards Cassie's lifeless body; he had almost reached her when he heard a deadly voice.
"Wolborg! Stop him!"
Without thinking Kai launched his beloved phoenix with all the emotion he could summon.
"Dranzer!"
Needless to say the phoenix destroyed the silver blade in one movement, the force sending Tala crashing into a nearby wall.
But that did not stop Kai. He ran as fast as he could, skidding along the floor when he finally reached Cassie's still body.
He fell to his knees, gazing at her, unsure of what to do next. His stomach turned when he saw how white she was, and flinched when he touched her cold skin.
"No…" his whispered
Very gently he rolled her onto her back and into his lap. She wasn't breathing. He desperately put his ear to he mouth for any sign of breath, but there was nothing there. He checked for a pulse… nothing.
Fear took hold of him. Tears fell freely from his crimson eyes. He began to cradle her still body desperately.
"You can't die…" he whispered
Daren, Team Twilight, the Bladebreakers and everyone else watched helplessly as the usually emotionless boy broke down.
"You can't leave me Cassie…" mumbled the boy through tears "We promised we'd stayed together forever…"
He tenderly picked up her Yin necklace and fitted it together with his own Yang half.
"See, we're connected – two halves of a whole… you can't leave Cassie, I love you so much…"
Giving into despair the boy closed his eyes and held the girl close, their necklaces still joined.
Everyone now in the stadium was crying freely, the Bladebreakers included. Tyson was trying his best to console his girlfriend.
Suddenly Hilary gasped.
"What is it Hil?" he whispered
"Look!" she breathed whilst pointing at the Cassie and Kai.
Sure enough something strange was happening. The Yin Yang necklace had begun to glow a bright purple colour. Gradually the light grew so that it covered both Cassie and Kai. But Kai seemed too consumed by grief to notice the majority of people gasp in surprise.
With a cry Dranzer emerged from its still spinning blade. The beautiful phoenix called out as the remaining image of Patiere disappeared into a purple light. Specs of the light remained in the air before they slowly moved towards the glowing couple, increasing the brightness of their aura. Dranzer flew gracefully towards its master and without warning wrapped both its fiery wings around Kai and Cassie.
It stayed like that for a second until it called out again with an even louder screech. To spectators it seemed that Dranzer's fire began to shrink. In fact its whole body shrank, but it was shrinking into the joined necklace. Instead of her returning to her bit chip, the fire phoenix had somehow transferred its energy to the Yin Yang sign. The flames faded as Dranzer's tail entered the necklace, as did the purple glow.
Everyone fell silent.
For some reason Kai suddenly felt at peace. Although he never opened his eyes, he was aware of his bitbeast's presence around him. He welcomed the heat from her body.
Now Kai was in an almost trance like state, forever rocking Cassie's body in his arms. Hoping this was just a nightmare. His tears had dried but he dare not open them for fear that this was not a dream…
He jumped suddenly as he felt Cassie's body gain warmth. Hope kindled his heart. She twitched, causing the boy to snap open his eyes. He looked down at the now, not so pale figure in his arms.
A groan escaped Cassie's lips before she awkwardly moved her sleepy body.
"Cassie?" gasped Kai, not quite believing his eyes.
"Kai?" asked Cassie in a sleepy voice
She fluttered her eyes open to see Kai peering down at her. She smiled softly, before yawning. Kai chuckled kindly, a smile edging its way onto his features. Happy tears threatened to fall.
"I thought I'd lost you," he whispered
"Lost me?"
Cassie looked to Kai with a confused expression, but he nodded sadly.
The girl yawned again, before smiling.
"You should know I'm harder to get rid of than that."
She began laughing but winced when she felt an explosion of pain in her ribs. Kai looked down at her, concern obvious in his eyes, but Cassie waved it off.
"I'm ok," she insisted.
The both smiled, that lie was no way going to fool either of them.
Before she could protest, Kai had picked her up, bridal style.
"I'm not taking any more chances," he reasoned.
Cassie was about to argue when a thought struck her.
"Patiere!" gasped the girl. "Where is she?"
Kai smiled.
"The same place where Dranzer is. Can't you feel it?"
For a brief second Cassie sat confused, but then on reflex placed her Yin necklace in her hand. Kai nodded wisely.
No more words were exchanged between the two. Kai began to carry Cassie out of the stadium. He wanted to leave the tournament behind forever, to take Cassie away from all those that had hurt her, to forget about Boris and all that had happened.
He nodded to Daren, before continuing to leave the stadium. By now the whole crowd was cheering, and crying with happiness.
Cassie smiled to herself as she snuggled into Kai's warm body.
"I love you Kai," she murmured
"I love you too Cass, more than you'll ever know," replied Kai
Although her own body ached from the various cuts and bruises, Cassie knew she was now safe.
She touched her Yin sign again and smiled softly.
The Spirit of the Black Panther had returned.
The End
Hooray! This story is finished! So did you like it? I hope it met all your expectations… I think it's turned out exactly how I wanted to, though I'll probably change my mind soon!
Thank you to all of my patient reviewers for bearing with me the past year and a bit. I hope you've all enjoyed reading this story. If you do want me to do a sequel then do say. However I must warn you it may take me awhile to start writing it, I don't know, it just depends on how much school take over my life!
Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this, my first story on fanfic. I love you guys! Please review!
Wreckless Spirit