Second chapter is up and running. I am glad to be posting again and I hope that you like this story so far. I am going to work on my other fic. again. So another chapter of that one should be up very soon. Thanks to my # one fan, Jessica-Yuy. Glad you like my stuff and I hope you like this one too.

"Are you ready for the tournament Enrique?" Oliver asked as they walked into the lounge of the Jurgen mansion.

"Not really, I know we'll win. Then we can head off to the World Championships this year."

When they walked in they saw Johnny playing chess with Robert. They laughed heartily as Johnny once again lost to Robert.

"What's going on you guys" Enrique inquired as he sat down next to Robert.

Johnny shrugged as he sipped on some Jasmine tea. Robert stood and walked over to the fire pondering, a letter was tightly clutched in his hand. He was stressed out; he had every right to be. It had been 12 years since he had heard from his sister, apparently she still believed in the promise he had made her before she left. She knew he wouldn't decline the proposal even if it did mean going behind his mother and stepfather's back. In a way it was what he had been waiting for; a challenge from his own flesh and blood, just like he had anticipated since he had found out about the Abbey 2 years ago.

"Robert, what's wrong?" Oliver asked as he watched Robert closely with concern.

"Yeah, what's bugging you Robert? You've been a little off lately." Enrique stated with mild curiosity.

"It's more of a family matter of the private type." Robert said evasively

"Robert, stop being a prat and tell us. There used to be nothing about your family that you wouldn't tell us; now spill it Jurgen." Johnny replied stubbornly like always.

Robert turned around slowly as he sighed; this is one thing he never had wanted to tell his team mates. Johnny was right though, it wouldn't be fair to his friends to hide it any longer.

"This letter is from Russia, where my sister currently holds residence. We haven't been in contact with each other in 12 years, when my parents divorced. So the father that you know, Theodore Jurgen, is not my biological father. My real father was forced to leave with my sister. Now she's about 17 and has challenged one of the members of our team to a 3 round bey battle after the European Tournament is over."

"Why didn't you tell us about this earlier Robert?"

" I didn't think that this would be an issue, but apparently Elizabeth finally decided to show my mother that she was just as worth it as I was and that our father could raise us just as well as she could. It's that simple, Oliver, although I can't understand why she would want to challenge us before the World Championships."

"I suppose we'll be accepting then. I mean it wouldn't be right to deny her the opportunity no matter what the reason. Would it?"

"No it would be impolite and knowing Elizabeth she would show up anyway. I suppose it's either now or later. I guess I should let her know our answer. Who should battle her?"

"Well that depends on how strong her bit beast is; we'll want to match her power as closely as possible without over powering the poor girl." Oliver sighed as he contemplated who would be the best choice.

"Why don't we call the girl up and ask her preference so that way we don't have to worry about picking some one to strong." Johnny suggested as he walked over to the phone and picked it up.

"Robert, your sister has a bit beast right?" Enrique asked as Robert walked over to the phone.

"She does Enrique….a very powerful one that was used in Russia's army when the Tsars ruled. The bit was to be mine, but I guess my father passed it to the only person he could."

"Robert who is your father?" Oliver asked quietly as he watched the fire blazing in the fire place.

"My father was a native Russian. You have seen him before actually, back at the last World Championships. Undoubtedly Elizabeth still bares his last name, but I cannot see her entering the training regime of the Abbey."

"Robert we were asking for a name, not back round on your sister and father." Johnny replied impatiently

"Come on Robert, we are your friends, not some random people you find on the street." Enrique said calmly

"My father is……..the president of the Abbey, Boris Balkov."

Oliver, Enrique, and Johnny stood there in shock, this was some of the strangest news they had heard in quite some time, and it was a little disturbing. Robert, however, turned to the phone and began dialing the number for the international BBA Center that could give you the information on any beyblader in the world.

I heard the phone ready as I finished my packing for tomorrow's trip out. I hope that the letter I sent my brother had reached him so he would have a heads up that I was coming for a challenge.

"Balkov residence, Liza speaking. Can I help you?" I asked as I answered the phone.

"Elizabeth," I heard from the other end. "This is your brother Robert. I called to let you know that the Majestics have accepted your challenge and we're inquiring as to which blader you would prefer to battle."

"Robert, it's nice to hear from you. I hope you are well. I don't actually have a preference. Since you, obviously, don't know who to pick we shall decide at the Tournament who you will have me crush." I replied casually, smirking.

"Elizabeth stop being uncouth, it's not healthy before a battle. What you suggest does sound like a good idea though. It's settled then, we shall decide right before the battle which team mate of mine will have the pleasure of battling you. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Good bye sister."

I heard the phone click. I turned to go back to my room to finish packing. Something was a little un-nerving about Robert's call. I returned to the phone and dialed Tala's number.

"Liza….. is something wrong?" Tala said, concern unwillingly creeping into his voice.

"I just felt like talking, that's all. Is this a bad time?"

"No, I was just about to do a little training, why don't you come over for a quick battle. A little extra training never hurt a blader."

After agreeing to meet him in 5 minutes, I grabbed Wisteria and told my father where I was going. As I began walking, it started to snow lightly in a harmless fashion. As I approached Red Square, I saw Tala launch Wolborg and watch it spin as though in deep thought. I launched Wisteria and she sped off to attack Wolborg. I watched as Wisteria's surprise attack throw Tala's blade of balance, but I held her back from actually using a great percentage of her strength.

Tala turned around and smiled as he recalled Wolborg. I had a funny feeling he didn't want to bey blade, he seemed somehow more human than he had since he was cybertized by my father 2 years ago. He handed me Wisteria and when I took her his smile faltered, as if the joy in his life was threatening to vanish into thin air.

"Liza I didn't ask you here to battle. But I think you might have already figured that out. I've wanted to talk to you for some time, but I couldn't find the words to use. You remember the last World Championships when you're farther…….when he…"he stated as his confidence began to waver.

"I remember Tala, how could I forget!"

"Well your father did it so I wouldn't have emotions anymore. He didn't do it so I could beat Tyson. He did it because he hoped it would not affect me when you join the team." Tala said looking away from me.

"I don't see why he did that; it doesn't make any sense what so ever. We're friends and we have been since I moved here."

"Your father seems to think that...that we're to close for his liking…"

"Do you think he was right in his thinking then?" I asked surprised by Tala's apparent loss for words. It was odd seeing Tala so upset by something like what my father thought we felt for each other. My father did have a point though, he and my mother had been friends from school and then they got emotionally involved with each other and look what happened to them.

"I don't know…..the cybernation apparently was flawed because when I am near you I feel human again. I'm really grateful for it, how else would I have survived these past years being completely without feelings?"

I stood there, shocked; this is how it happens in the romance novels. The guy is all sincere and sweet and then he says something like Tala just said and then the girl is supposed to fall into his arms and then they live 'Happily Ever After'….not exactly my forte.

"I'm glad that I was able to be there for you Tala." I said, blushing a bit from the whole awkwardness of the situation, "I am glad you and I are friends, it's nice to have some one you can tell things to without worrying."

"It's getting late, I will walk you home." Tala said smiling sweetly as he offered me his hand.

I took his hand with mine as we began walking. We didn't need to say much on the way; it was best left in silence. This was really awkward for me; it seemed like Tala was intentionally escorting me home, hand-in-hand, to show my father up if he happened to be looking. I know he was taking a risk by doing this, but it was actually really nice to walk home with some one for once.

"Thank you for walking me home Tala." I said as we reached the front door.

"It was my pleasure Liza, thank you for coming out tonight," he said as he raised my hand to his lips and whispered, "Until tomorrow my dear."

I blushed as he left, and watched him walk off towards his home. I walked inside and was headed to my room when I heard some one in my fathers' office. I crept over and listened in on the unknown person.
"I don't see what the problem is Boris, they are just kids after all. You can trust them not to do anything stupid. Tala and the rest of his team know that Mr. Voltaire is not happy about BIOVOLT becoming totally legitimate even though it's for the best."

"Liza doesn't know what's riding on her as a blader. If the team loses when she's on it, the blame will be thrown on her shoulders and then Voltaire will order her to be killed. I couldn't live with myself if Liza was to die, it would be entirely my fault." I heard my father curse.

"Boris, do you think Voltaire would be able to lay a hand on Liza? There is some one in her life who would allow no such harm to befall her besides you."

"You can't mean Tala!"

"I do; he adores her and yet you refuse to see it. Why Boris? They are not you and Rebecca. They are completely different people…. I must go. I will talk with you later."

"Alright then; be well my friend."

I ran to my room just as the mystery guest walked out of my father's office. This was not turning out as I had hoped. Now I can't fail… it would put my father and Tala in danger. I sighed as I got ready for bed. This was going to be an interesting trip, now my father will not only worry about my safety but also about losing me to some one else.

"It's settled gentlemen; we will decide tomorrow after we win the tournament."

"Wow, a Russian blader, your sister no less, coming all the way here to prove that the can hold their own in a battle of bitbeasts." Oliver said in awe.

"I'll take care of her, first the battle and then a romantic candle lit dinner." Enrique suggested sheepishly grinning at Robert's look of disgust.

"Enrique, you cannot take an opponent out to dinner even if she is gorgeous. It's not proper etiquette." Johnny stated semi-amused.

"Especially not my sister, you don't even know her. That's just not right. Maybe if you concentrate on the battle tomorrow instead of what my sister looks like we may be lucky and over throw her." Robert said quietly in disapproval.

"Of course we're going to beat her Robert. She can't be as strong as us."

"Quit the contrary Johnny. My sister has quite enough power with her bit to over throw Spencer from the Demolition Boys without breaking a sweat."

What do ya think of my groovy new fic so far? Reviews are always welcome and your input is very important to the creation of these stories. Tell me what's up and until chapter 3…………………….