Chapter 25------Lost Souls Reunited
"Oi oi! Stop being so rash!" Hilary pulled her arm before Mai could leave. "Let's think about this, do you even know where he is?"
"I don't but I'll search—"
"And another thing, how're you supposed to find a bit beast?"
"I…" Mai couldn't answer. Hilary was right, a bit beast doesn't just walk out in public even though only a few can see them… and China is so big, Levian could be anywhere.
Hilary laid a hand on the girl's shoulder and steered her away from the door, "All we can do is wait and hope that Levian comes back. If he doesn't then, I'm sorry…but that doesn't mean you'll be any less of a blader than you already are." The brunette led Mai past the living room, "Excuse us –smiles at Kevin and Gary-" and into their bedroom. Tyson and Max followed too.
"So…wanna watch tv?" Lee gave a silly grin.
"Sure."
-Bedroom-
Mai had her back turned away from the other members in the room. She stared out the glass window, the vast concrete landscape and distant hills filled her scope of view. 'Levian could be anywhere…This is hopeless!' She felt her heart sink. No more Levian… No! She couldn't bear it!
"Have you guys ever lost your bit beasts before?" The ashen-haired girl spoke ever so softly.
"Not really." Tyson answered.
"I have, many times."
"Really?" Mai turned around to face the blond kid.
"Yup. I lost Draciel lots of times." Max sat himself on a nearby chair.
"Haha, he was always the one getting captured." Max looked reminiscent, "One time, I guess I overreacted and pushed him too hard during a match. His defence armour weakened and the bad guys were able to capture him…I was winning and yet…in the end, I lost Draciel…" He stared at the carpet, as if blaming himself for being so irresponsible.
"I guess you could say my bit beast is the weakest among the rest…or maybe I'm the one who's weak, since I can't seem to protect Draciel…"
"But it wasn't you fault Maxie, those guys cheated!" Hilary defended.
"Yours is different. Draciel was taken from you, mine ran away…" Mai took out her beyblade and fondled with it, thinking to herself.
"I must be really terrible huh? I mean, how many bladers actually lose their bit beats because they ran away?"
"Yeah, I think you're the first."
Mai looked at Tyson. She wasn't expecting that kind of answer…people were looking for comfort here…
In the background, Hilary was reprimanding Tyson for being so unsupportive…
'Hey, why do I want comfort anyways? Dunno…guess I like it, the attention… But this is acting spoilt; I don't want to be perceived as a spoilt girl. It's just like Kai said… I'm powered by people's words… I want to hear others say what I don't want to admit myself and to tell me that everything will be alright… I can't comfort myself but seek comfort in others…What am I doing? This is just so wrong!'
"Umm…"
Hilary and Tyson immediately shut up upon hearing Mai speak.
The girl gave a sheepish smile, "To be honest, I just wanted someone to comfort me that's all. You guys can go now."
The trio stared at her blankly…
"THAT'S IT?" Tyson shouted.
"Sorry if I wasted your time." The smile on Mai's face didn't look like she was sorry at all.
Hilary had that so-my-sympathy-was-wasted? look on her face.
"Honto ni gomenasai. (I'm truly sorry)" Mai put her hands together and bowed for forgiveness.
"Sigh…" Hilary really didn't know what to do with this girl. "So are you still going to look for Levian?"
The smile on Mai's face faded, "Maybe… but like you said, trying to find him is crazy… Perhaps I should just wait for him to come back, if he ever does."
"He'll come back, I'm sure of it." Max's voice was strong, as though he really believed that Levian would return.
The ashen-haired girl nodded her head, "Enough with the comforting already, you're making me embarrassed!" She threw a pillow at Max.
The whole room erupted into fits of laughter as pillows flung across the room, dispelling the heavy atmosphere…
-That night…-
The girl tossed and turned in her bed, her face an expression of distress…
MAI'S DREAM
The siren blared through the speakers as the whole room flashed with red light.
"Increase the voltage! We mustn't let it escape!"
A piercing cry filled the room as waves of electricity jabbed at your body.
No! Stop it! Stop it!
Somehow, my voice couldn't get through; no one took notice of me, as if I was invisible. I watched you trash about in the tank as the blue sparks got more and more intense.
Stop it! Don't hurt him!
I ran towards the control panel and pushed the man aside. I slammed my hands on the buttons, desperately trying to destroy the machine. I'd do anything! As long as it would save you.
"You little brat! Who let you in here?"
I felt strong arms grasp my arm and I winced in pain. The next thing I knew, I was flung backwards. I screamed as I hit the wall hard.
But no one seemed to hear me; I was mute to the world. But you, you turned your head my way, you heard me…
I'm sorry! I tried to help but—
-Crrrraaacccckkk- The tank burst and everything was thrown into chaos.
"Seal it! Quick!"
"AAAARRRHHHHHHH!"
The shouts and screams faded as I slowly lost consciousness. I touched the back of my head, it felt warm, my hands, they were covered in a warm crimson liquid…I…I…
"Aaaaggghh!" I sat up, gasping for air. I clutched my chest as my heart beat raced. I looked scanned my surroundings: sheets, bedroom, Hilary. 'It was a dream?'
-Cling-
'Bells?' I looked around, a white creature lay by my bedside; apparently it got woken up by my sudden outburst.
My eyes widened, "Levian?" I scrambled to my feet, "Is that really you? You don't know how much I've missed you!" I reached out to touch Levian but he backed away.
'Don't come!' He barked.
"! –stunned- But Levian I—" I took a step closer to him but a fierce growl sent me retreating.
'Why? I don't understand…' I looked at Lev, trying to understand his actions. He was so cold, growling and snapping at me as though I was the enemy.
I decided to give him space and climbed back into bed, not once taking my eyes of Lev. He eased up a bit and lay on his side but didn't let his guard down; he was still in a position where he could react quickly enough.
"I guess you haven't forgiven me huh?"
A low growl escaped from Levian.
"I understand if you're still angry… but you didn't have to run off like that. I have feelings to you know? I was so scared when you left me… I ran around looking for you, I didn't even know where I was going, but I didn't care so long as I found you."
'Hmph, why are you telling me this? It's not as if I care… You don't care either; all you care about is Eden.'
'It's not as if I care…' Those words sounded really hurtful. Mai resisted the urge to argue back, she didn't want to make Levian angrier than he already was.
"If you don't care than why are you here?" I spoke as calmly as possible.
The wolf looked away, 'I said I didn't care about your explanation…I never said I didn't care about you…'
"Levian…"My eyes grew watery and my body suddenly felt warm, it was just so comforting to know that he was still around…that he still cared.
'But you have Eden to protect you, you don't need me anymore.'
I jumped from the bed and grabbed Levian before he could react in time.
"What're you saying?" Tears streamed down my cheeks, "Of course I need you!" I hugged Levian even tighter. "–sniff- Sometimes I'm stupid, -sniff- I say things without thinking and –sniff- I hurt people but I never –sniff- wanted to hurt them. I never wanted to –sniff- hurt you. I'm sorry."
I looked up and ruffled one of his ears, "I believe in Levian very very much –sniff- no one could ever replace you."
'That's all I wanted to hear…' I thought I saw Lev's eyes soften.
Levian suddenly glowed white (Mai: Levian? What's happening?) and disappeared, leaving behind flecks of white sparkles.
A speck of the white substance fell onto Mai's palm.
'I'll always keep my promise…'
The girl smiled and enclosed her fingers…
END OF DREAM
-Morning-
"Mai, wake up." Hilary shook the girl with her foot.
"Ugh, lemme sleep a bit more, I wanna find out what happens next…" Mai mumbled.
The brunette cocked an eye brow 'She's dreaming…', "What're you doing on the floor? Get up now!"
The Zeelan continued to snooze…
"GET UP! GET UP! GET UP!" Hil whacked her with a pillow.
"WHAT!" Mai snapped at her.
"IT'S 11 IN THE MORNING! YOU HAVE TRAINING TO DO!" Hil replied with the same tone Mai had used on her.
"Alright! Alright! Sheesh…" The girl got off the floor, 'Huh?' She looked from the floor to the bed, 'How'd I end up on the floor?'
Mai decided to let it slide; she wasn't going to bother with such trivial things in the morning. She dragged herself to the kitchenette, tying her hair into a messy bun along the way.
"Morning!" Mariah greeted.
"Morning…" Mai pulled out a chair, folded her arms on the table and buried her head in them.
"Aw c'mon, aren't you excited? Today's the big opening ceremony! Here, eat up." The pinkette pushed a plate of toast towards Mai.
Mai lazily lifted her head. She grabbed a piece of the stale toast, spread jam on it and munched slowly, 'sleepy…'
Levian: Hey, look alive will ya?
"! –shocked- You're back! Then it wasn't just a dream?"
Mariah and Hilary were shocked at her sudden uproar. "Dream?"
"Uh nothing, sorry…" The girl sat back in her chair.
Levian: Where else can we communicate but in your head?
'Yeah, you're right… Oh and Lev?'
Levian: Hm?
'I'm really glad you're back.' Mai couldn't help but smile; the happiness she felt was just so immense that her body unconsciously showed signs of it.
"So! Where are the rest?"
"Someone's suddenly perky…" Hilary commented.
"They're training. We tried to wake you but you were so dead to the world, we gave up trying." Mariah shrugged.
"Hehehe, warui warui. (playfully saying sorry) We'll go after I get changed ok?" Mai gobbled down her toast and strode off to the room.
-Training hall-
"So you think you can beat me huh?"
"Yeah!"
"Heh, don't run home crying after Dragoon trashes your blade!"
"Dream on tubby!"
Mai and Tyson continued to throw cocky remarks at each other.
Rei shook his head, "Those two…"
"Haha –chuckles-, it can't be helped. Besides, I've never seen Mai this happy before." Mariah stood abreast her fellow neko-jin.
"Yeah. Something good must've happened." Rei watched the two bladers launch their blades into the beydish.
"Loser buys the winner a milkshake!" Mai called out.
"DEAL!"
The blades did a few laps around the beydish, picking up speed so that their attacks would be more powerful.
"Don't let Dragoon touch you!" The crystal blade swerved left and right, avoiding Dragoon's attempts to knock it off balance.
"You're no match for Dragoon without a bit beast Mai! DRAGOON ATTACK!" The blue bit beast emerged from the blade and charged straight at Levian.
'You're in for a surprise Tyson.' The girl grinned. "LEVIAN! WATER MAGE NOW!"
A beam of white light burst from the centre of Mai's blade. It fanned out to reveal a white wolf crouched and ready to attack, the blue embers around its ankles blazing wildly.
"! –shocked- She got Levian back!"
"ALRIGHT!"
In a flash, Levian turned into water and dissolved before Dragoon reached him. Time and again, he would materialise in another area and dissolve before Dragoon could even lay a claw on him.
"He's playing with you! Try to anticipate Levian's next move!" Tyson shouted.
The rest watched in awe at how the match was progressing. More powerful attacks, greater skill, more competition, everything was so amazing! It gave them an insight on what they would face if they ever had the chance to face each other in a tournament in future.
Dragoon stood in the centre of the dish, its eyes darting around trying to figure out Levian's next move. Suddenly! The water materialised into several copies of Levian. The clones surrounded Dragoon, moving in a flowing pattern to confuse its enemy.
'Damn! There are just too many! Which one's the real one?' Tyson searched in desperation for a flaw that would single out the real Levian from the rest but every one of them were perfectly identical. "Just take 'em all out till you find the real one!"
The dragon obeyed and swiped at the nearest Levian copy but it dissolved instantly upon contact. It did the same with the other copies.
Dragoon: This isn't working! You need to think of a better plan.
'I'm trying! Uh, try stopping their movement? There's gotta be something causing that effect.'
"Now Lev! ARTIC FLARE!"
The clones dissolved to reveal the real Levian. Lev slammed right into Dragoon, the blue flames scorched the reptilian's body as he fell backwards and crashed into the side of the dish.
"Katta. (I've won)" The realisation hit her as she saw Tyson's blade land on the ground outside the beydish.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Max exclaimed while running up to congratulate Mai.
"Yeah! And you got Levian back! That's great!"
The girl blushed, "Haha, thanks."
"I think someone owes someone a milkshake?" Hilary elbowed Tyson in the ribs as he joined the group.
"Yeah I got it. Hey, why don't we all get one? It's nearly lunchtime."
The gang agreed and everyone filed out of the hall.
"I want a strawberry milksha— oh! Sorry!" Mai had accidentally bumped into someone.
"No, it's o—kay…"
The two strangers held their gaze...
"Co-Copellia?" Mai couldn't believe her eyes, was this for real?
"Mai?" The maroon-haired girl's eyes started to tear up.
"Oh my god! I thought you were dead!" The Zeelan embraced her long-lost friend, trying to suppress her tears.
"Me too, me too –sniff-" Copellia pulled away and held Mai's hands in hers, "But you're alive! And you're…you're here!" She just couldn't believe it! Mai wasn't dead! It made her extremely happy to see her friend standing right in front of her, in the flesh.
"Copellia? Something wr— Mai!"
Mai recognised that voice, 'That voice!' She hoped her guess was right as she looked past Copellia's head.
"RIYA! DREX! MIT-CHAN! YOU GUYS!" She ran over and wrapped her arms around them, not caring if she squeezed them to death. The foursome huddled together, savouring the moment of finally finding each other.
"I'm so glad you're all alive. I thought I was the only one left –sniff-" Mai wiped a tear from her eye and took a good look at her friends. They were the same as ever: Drex and Mit-chan with their white hair and Mit's signature trademark, a silver-cross earring dangling on her right ear lobe, Riya still had the same shaggy brown hair but he had grown a bit taller and Copellia with her maroon-hair which was braided into a long messy ponytail which wentdown to her waist.
"Urh-hum! –clears throat- Mind telling us what's going on here?" Tyson interrupted. The whole group looked puzzled, Mai hugging some people they'd never seen before and blabbering stuff about being alive? What on earth was going on?
"Oh sorry." Mai turned to face the group. "These guys are my friends. This is Drex, Mit-chan, Copellia and Riya. Riya's uh…"
"I'm her fiancé."
"FIANCE?"
Ugh...so sleepy but at last, this chapter's done. It's pretty long this time round coz I wanted to end it with a cliffhanger haha XP Anyways, kudos to all those who reviewed last time and I know this chapter had a lot of water works but the next one will be happy happy joy joy ok? Lol... happy happy joy joy reminds me of Ren an Stimpy from cartoon network, haha was such a bad cartoon gone wrong.
See yaz! Pls weviiieeeeeuuuuuwwww!