Author's Note: Okay, all you wonderful people, it's time for a new chapter! I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. School's gonna be a killer for the next couple of months. I have to write a 20-40 page (no, it's not a typo) senior thesis, so my updates may not be as regular. Please bear with me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. Michelle and Dramikun belong to my friend. Please don't sue me!

Chapter 4: First Meetings

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Bit beast mind-chatting with its master

Eri ran down the sidewalk, following the path she had seen the girl take. However, she quickly lost sight of her in the darkness. Agh…I lost her. Pyrix, can you sense where she is?

I believe I can sense her. She has a bit beast as well. Take the road on your left, Pyrix replied.

That will take me to the park, Eri said.

I know. She may have gone there to seek solitude, Pyrix replied. Eri kept running until she came to the closest park. Multiple beydishes were set into the ground so kids could practice and battle each other. Russia was well-known for these kinds of parks. Beybladers came from all over the world just to challenge the Russian players. I can see her in the far corner, in the shadow of that cathedral.

Eri cautiously moved to where Pyrix indicated. Sure enough, she found the blonde girl standing in front of a beydish. A violet beyblade was spinning in the center of the dish. The girl looked up in alarm as a red beyblade was launched into the dish. Pyrix spun in place as Eri stood across from the girl. "Who are you?" the girl asked defensively.

"I saw you running outside the Abbey, so I decided to come see what the problem was," Eri replied.

The girl called her blade back to her hand. "There is no problem," she replied emotionlessly as she started to walk away.

"I can tell you're lying," Eri stated, calling Pyrix back to her hand. "Pyrix and I can both tell something's bothering you. We know how it is to face tough situations, so maybe we can help you."

The girl suddenly whirled around to face Eri. "You really wanna know? Fine, I'll tell you," she said harshly as fresh tears started to stream down her face. "The person I trusted more than anyone else has betrayed me and my teammates. I can't stand it! I feel like I've lost him forever and he's never coming back." She held out a familiar blue beyblade. "This is all we have left of him."

Eri stepped closer and examined the blade. "Is that…Dranzer?" The girl nodded. "I know that blade. My name is Eri. What's yours?"

"I'm Michelle," she replied. "So how do you know Dranzer?"

"Let's find a place to sit and talk first," Eri suggested. They found a bench off to the side of the park and sat down. "Dranzer belongs to Kai, former member of the Bladebreakers. That means you're on that team too, right?"

Michelle nodded. "I've been on the team since Mr. Dickinson first brought us together in Japan. Do you know Kai?"

Eri replied, "Yes, I met him six years ago. I've lived at the Abbey since I was seven, so I trained with Kai on several occasions. However, he mysteriously disappeared soon after I came. Just yesterday I saw him back at the Abbey practicing with Black Dranzer."

"So it's true. Kai really did abandon us in order to get Black Dranzer," Michelle said. "Since you live at the Abbey, you work for Boris and the Demolition Boys."

"Believe me, it's not by choice," Eri stated firmly. "I can't stand Boris, and I hate living in that stupid Abbey. I just wish Tala and the other Demolition Boys would find it in themselves to stand against Boris."

"So I guess you really like Tala, don't you?" Michelle asked. "I mean, I can tell you're really worried about him."

Eri blushed. "Wow, nothing gets by you, does it?" she asked sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess I do care a lot about him. It just pains me to see Boris ruining his life by using him as a pawn. And it's not just Tala. It's every beyblader in that Abbey. Boris killed my parents just so he could get his paws on my bit beast." She paused and then added, "And I'm guessing you really like Kai, right?"

Michelle blushed. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. We've been friends for a while now, and now I think I've developed deeper feelings for him. But I still haven't found the courage to tell him."

Eri smiled encouragingly. "I'm sure he'll get the message eventually."

Michelle decided to change the subject. "So you said you have a bit beast?" she asked.

"Oh yeah. Let me introduce you." Eri held up her beyblade so Michelle could see the bit chip. "This is Pyrix, my best friend in the whole world. She's been there for me and helped me survive ever since I lost my parents."

Michelle held up her beyblade so Eri could see the bit chip. "This is Dramikun." He was a blue phoenix with yellow-tipped wings. "He's a phoenix that controls ice and lightning. He's also been my best friend for years."

Meanwhile, in Eri and Michelle's beyblades…

So you must be Dramikun. I am Pyrix, Pyrix greeted her fellow sacred spirit.

It is a genuine pleasure to meet you, Dramikun replied. I understand that you are the legendary Fire Wolf that Boris has been seeking.

I am, but I will never submit to his wishes, Pyrix resolved. I will do everything possible to remain by Eri's side. She will need my help by the time the World Championships are over.

I feel the same way about Michelle. Kai's betrayal has upset her greatly. Dranzer has not taken it well either, Dramikun explained. She blames herself for what happened to Kai, saying that she was not strong enough to meet his high expectations.

Dranzer must realize that she cannot be held responsible for her master's actions, Pyrix said. There must be some way to bring Kai back from the darkness.

We can only hope, Dramikun concluded.

Back with Eri and Michelle…

"If you really want to escape the Abbey, Mr. Dickinson might be able to help you," Michelle explained. "However, our team has to expose Biovolt's cruel intentions by winning the World Championships first. I'll tell Mr. Dickinson about you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Make sure to mention the Demolition Boys and the other trainees. They need help just as much as me," Eri said.

"Of course. You can trust me," Michelle replied confidently. She stood up. "I should be getting back to the hotel."

"And I need to get back to the Abbey before the guards realize I snuck out," Eri said.

"Whoa, you're brave to sneak out," Michelle remarked.

Eri laughed and said, "It was Pyrix's idea." She waved and bid her new friend farewell before heading back to the Abbey.

The next morning, Michelle raced to Mr. Dickinson's room to call an emergency team meeting. Tyson, Rei, Max, and Kenny assembled in the room a few minutes later. "So what's the deal with getting us up so early?" Tyson complained. "I'm still sleepy."

"Zip it, Tyson. This is important," Michelle barked. She immediately told the team about meeting Eri in the park and their conversation. She especially emphasized the need to help Eri, the Demolition Boys, and the rest of the trainees escape from the Abbey.

Once she finished, Mr. Dickinson said, "I agree wholeheartedly with your ideas. We must put a stop to Boris and his Abbey. Unfortunately, we don't have enough evidence to convict him and Voltaire of a crime. We must expose him by defeating him and his Demolition Boys in the World Championships. If we can do that, I will be able to help all those bladers in the Abbey."

"But to do that, we'll undoubtedly have to face Kai," Rei remarked.

"I know we can beat him if we stick together as a team," Max said confidently.

"And don't forget I'll be there every step of the way too," Kenny added.

"Then let's do this for Eri, Kai, and every beyblader in that cruddy Abbey!" Tyson exclaimed. The whole team cheered.

'Don't worry, Eri. You're not alone,' Michelle thought to herself. 'We'll do everything we can to help you.'

End chapter 4

Author's Note: So how did you like it? I know it was all talking, but it was necessary for the plot to continue. Oh and please don't flame me for adding a new member to the Bladebreakers. It was for my best friend. Also, school's gonna get a lot more demanding over the next few weeks, so I won't be able to update as often. Please be patient. In the meantime, you could always review… I like reviews!