This is the LAST chapter! Hope you enjoy it! (purely centered around Kai -I just couldn't help myself!) Warning: this has one piece of bad language in it.

Loud-mouthed, hyperactive Tyson.

Confident, athletic Ray.

Feisty, chatty Hilary.

Gentle, cheerful Max.

Brainy, ever-worried Kenny.

Kai's team-mates floated in front of him. As he watched, their expressions changed from happiness to sadness as their worst moments were replayed in front of Kai.

Tyson, watching horror stricken as his friends were beaten up, powerless to help.

Ray and Max, grief tearing them apart as their bit beasts were wrenched from them and used against them.

Kenny and Hilary, screaming from the sidelines as the others gave up the fight.

And everybody's worst memory…

"You're worried about Kai, aren't you?" Ray asked suddenly. Tyson stopped in the doorway of the bus. "Yeah." he admitted. "He should be here by now." The two of them were silent for a moment. Ray shook himself. "Don't worry, Tyson. Kai's probably there already. He'll give us a roasting once we get there!" Tyson grinned. "Anyway," Ray continued. "When has Kai ever failed us before?" Tyson grinned again, conceding defeat.

"Never." he admitted.

"Right!" Ray said. "Kai will turn up, Tyson." Tyson nodded, climbing into the bus. Ray made to follow him, but stopped in the doorway, face serious.

Kai will turn up…I hope. He shook himself. Now who was being paranoid?

"And welcome, beyblade fans, to this, the exhibition match between World Champions, the Demolition Boys and the Allstars, who have been invited to blade in this personally by Voltaire, boss man of the Demolition Boys-"

"Yeah, Brad," the sarcastic voice of co-commentator, AJ Topper interrupted. "You know that's just a nice way of saying that they didn't win!" There was a slight party atmosphere in the stadium, as the crowd watched, knowing that this was simply a warm-up to the big match, the Demolition Boys against the powerful newcomers, the Bladebreakers.

"And now, let's meet the starting blader for the Demolition Boys!" Silence. Sound of rustling papers. Then Brad's voice boomed out again, somewhat uncertainly. "And the Demolition Boys have just announced the first match will be fought by…a surprise blader?"

"Hey! This isn't in the script!" Picking up the unease from the two commentators, the crowd started whispering, swapping theories. Suddenly, Brad started talking again, his voice a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "Well, AJ, I can't believe this, but-"

"Dead right, Brad! The Bladebreakers aren't going to like this at all!"

"What kind of person-"

"Brad!"

"Sorry, sorry…the surprise blader for the Demolition Boys is…Kai!" The stadium fell silent as Kai entered, his face unreadable, eyes glittering with malicious satisfaction. Everyone craned their necks to try and see the Bladebreakers' reactions.

"Well, this is going to be a blow to the Bladebreakers, no doubt about that…" The commentators' stunned voices trailed away, as even they stared at the four boys sitting, shocked into silence, in the stands. Max, Kenny, and Ray automatically turned to Tyson, whose face was a mask of horror.

Kai, he thought disbelievingly. I never in a million years thought Kai would be a traitor…

The memory faded, and Kai was left shaken. Even after all the things that they had been through as a team, that one memory still held them, from over three years ago. Thank God Hilary doesn't know, it was before she even knew my name. I was a monster back then. Cold, unapproachable, convinced I was the best. I betrayed them for a chance at what I saw as true power. They took me back, though. Forgave me.

Suddenly, a wave of white-hot anger poured through him. Why had he never realised before? They had tried to show him over and over again, but he had never really listened, intent on being the best, and then, when Tyson stole that away from him, beating the best. They were his friends. And, they were probably combing the hospital for him right now, worried out of their minds, and what was he doing? Kissing someone that he had never really loved, betraying them again, all because he couldn't cope with a few insignificant memories!

Anika hastily shuffled backwards as Kai violently pushed her away from him and stood up wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Kai, what's going-"

"I want you out of my sight. Now." Kai said coldly. Anika scrambled to her feet, snarling with fury. How dare he! The two of them stared each other down, Anika breaking first, shuddering at the burning fury in Kai's eyes. Hoping despite herself, she reached out to touch Kai's arm. Kai grabbed her hand and twisted it viciously to one side.

"Hey!" Tim protested, taking a step forwards. He gulped as Kai turned his blazing eyes in him, and backed away, knowing when he was out of his depth.

"I don't want to be anywhere near you two, do you understand me?" Kai hissed venomously.

"But Kai," Tim pleaded. "We're your mates-"

"No, you are not!" Kai spat. "I know what real friendship is now, and you two come nowhere close. Do you hear me, nowhere close!" Tim opened his mouth to protest, but Anika silenced him with a sharp look.

"I can't believe I ever considered you two my friends!" Kai continued, a single tear trickling down his cheek. "Friendship isn't about wary respect, grovelling, lust. Real friendship is about people who you would give anything to protect, and who would give anything to protect you. It's about people who forgive you, no matter how awful you've been towards them in the past. It's about making you laugh inside, even if you don't show it on the outside. It's about accepting you for who you are. And it's about giving you second chances." He swept them with a scathing gaze. "Now, for old times sake, here's your second chance. Either you get out, now," He lazily rolled his sleeves up, never taking his eyes off the two teenagers standing in front of him. "Or I make you patients in here. It's a month for a head injury. Trust me, I know. Wonder how long you'll end up in here for?" He watched Anika's face intently and was rewarded with the faintest flicker of fear, Tim already dissolving into a pool of frightened jelly. Smirking, he took a step forwards, lowering his voice. "Get out. Get out now." Tim turned and fled. Anika stayed a moment longer, looking with some regret at the tall figure in front of her whose eyes blazed magnificently. They could have been incredible together, if only he hadn't gone soft…

"I said, get the fuck out of here!" Kai hissed. Anika shrugged carelessly, turned, and ran.

Kai started shaking, breath coming raggedly as his legs gave way and he collapsed against the wall, tears now streaming unchecked down his cheeks. He had done it. Anika would never bother him again. But, he was tired now. So, so…tired… "Guys…" he muttered, looking hopelessly up the corridor, his vision blurring. "Guys…I need you…" he pleaded softly. "Help…"

"Ssh Kai, it's okay, we're here, everything's fine," said a gentle voice.

"What?" Kai whispered. Not more voices, please no… A different voice spoke.

"Hey, Kai bud, pull yourself together! It's us!"

"T-Tyson?"

"You'd better believe it!" Kai tried to work out what was happening. He could dimly make out several figures. His vision cleared slightly and he smiled involuntarily. Hilary, the only one who could do so without huge loss of face, was hugging him tightly round the waist. Ray and Tyson stood either side of him, one hand on each of his shoulders. Even Kenny, who was well aware of Kai's normal opinion of him, was there, one hand resting lightly on Kai's left arm. All of them were smiling tearfully.

"Guys, I-"

"It's alright, Kai," Ray said softly. "Tell us later, yeah?"

"You get some rest now, bud." Tyson said, squeezing Kai's shoulder gently. Kai felt something being put into his hand. Opening one eye, he looked.

Draciel.

"Max said to give you this so's that you knew he would much rather be here than stuck in bed." Tyson grinned. Kai leaned his head back against the wall, finally relaxing. Everything was all right now. He had his friends, his real friends with him. Everything was going to be fine…

"Hil, I'm hungry!"

"You had a chocolate bar in your pocket last time I looked. Eat that." came Hillary's snappy reply.

"Oh yeah…"

Kai grinned inwardly. Yes, they were his friends, and he wouldn't swap them for anything. Well, Tyson's eating habits needed work… He smiled to himself, satisfied as he slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Well, that's all she wrote, folks! (sorry, couldn't resist it) I apologise for the inaccuracy of Kai's "memory", it's been a heck of a long time since I've seen that episode. Who wants me to make a sequel? And if you do, what do you want? More Sarah? Ray/Hilary fluff/lime/lemon? Something else to do with Kai? And what on earth do you want to happen? Plot ideas, pairing ideas, anything and everything is welcome. It's your call, all you wonderful reviewers! Review and tell me!

Thank you again for bothering to stay with me throughout this whole fic, you are all amazing! Love you all!