The Fourth Tournament

Or

Hijacked by Astro V.

This part concentrates on the rather neglected bladers. Ok, so that's everyone but Suzy and Kai! And this was supposed to be an Astro V fic! Katt's going to kill me! Enjoy!

Chapter 8

"What's the matter?" Robert asked. "Don't you like to dance?"

"I love to dance – especially with you." Kasi blushed. "But, it's just, my brother was pretty cut up earlier, and Suzy isn't looking too perky now. You don't think they've broken up?"

"Looks like it." Robert said in her ear. Kasi glared at him angrily.

"Is that all you can say? That's my brother who's losing it here! He's not some random blader off the street!" She shoved him.

"I'm sorry, Kasi. I didn't mean to seem rude and uncouth." Robert said quietly. Her expression softened and she leaned in again.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say those things. I'm just – frustrated. Kai's been through a lot and I don't like the fact that spoiled Scottish -"

"Kasi!" Robert warned.

"Spoiled Scottish brat can just walk all over him! Guns, whips, even knives can't make him cry! But he meets her, she walks all over him and – wham! – he's crying!" Robert rubbed her back comfortingly. "I wish she'd just leave him alone." Tears began to fall from Kasi's violet eyes. Robert held her close. "But they were so good." She sobbed. "I can't imagine she did it on purpose. She always seemed so nice."

"Come on." Robert murmured in her ear. "Forget them and, for once, be yourself. Don't think about Kai, or Black Onyx, or what you'd like to do to Suzy. Be Kasi." Kasi shook her head, but Robert caught her chin in his hand. "Just be yourself." Kasi tried to struggle free, but she didn't want to hurt Robert. He moved in closer, until they were touching.

"I thought you were a gentleman, Robert Jagen." Kasi said, pretending to be outraged.

"Would it be so bad if I did this?" He caught her lips in hers and wasn't surprised when her hand wrapped around the back of his head.

For once, Kasi was doing what she wanted to do.

"What's the matter?" Emma asked. "Why aren't you dancing?" Bryan looked up from the courtyard.

"I don't like it." He said, shrugging. Emma dropped down beside him.

"Are you ok?"

"I don't like crowds. Don't like dancing. Don't like people." He growled. "Oh yeah, and I hate suits." Emma rolled her eyes.

"Just one dance. Then I'll leave you alone. At least come inside." She looked up.

"Jesus!" The cry was torn out of both of them.

"Did you just-"

"Yeah, at least, I think so." They stared at each other, not wanting to recognise what they saw. Emma reached for Bryan's hand and he squeezed it. He followed her inside meekly, not wanting to remain there anymore.

"I'll go and get drinks." She said, letting go of his hand. He nodded and stared moodily out of the window. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone join him.

"A dance? For old time's sake?" Said a cool, haughty voice.

"Sierra." Bryan growled.

"Surely I haven't changed that much?"

Emma watched with narrowed eyes as Bryan followed Sierra to the floor.

"We are good together." Sierra said.

"Were. Not anymore." Bryan muttered, wishing he could get it over with.

"Oh yes. Now you have the little English schoolgirl."

"As supposed to the Russian-Spanish harlot?" Sierra ignored Bryan's slur on her personality.

"Come on, Bryan. Tell me you don't miss the old life."

"I do." Bryan grudgingly admitted. "But I have a new life now, Sierra." Sierra smiled as he said his name, like some long forgotten treasure.

"With a girl who barely understands what you say? Bryan, you should stick to your type. She doesn't understand your accent and she doesn't understand what you're fleeing from. You have nothing in common!" Bryan noticed uneasily how close Sierra was.

"You're wrong. I don't know what your game is, Valputin," he spat her name out bitterly, "But you're wrong. We have something in common. Love. And that's a concept you'll never understand." Bryan pushed her away and made his way through the crowd to the window.

He couldn't believe what he'd just said. In front of millions of people, none the less. To quote Hester's favourite film 'don't say s—t like that to me. People can hear you.' Boy was he hoping people couldn't.

"Hey." Emma's voice was as cool as the glass she handed him. "Having fun?"

"Not particularly." Bryan pressed his head against the window.

"Funny, you looked like you were enjoying yourself over there."

"God!" Bryan groaned. "Why is everyone always on my case? I was not enjoying myself with Sierra; in fact, I was trying to defend you! But maybe you need to find someone else, like everyone else who's ever got near me!" Bryan clenched his fist angrily, forgetting he had a glass in it. He groaned again as the liquid dripped down his fist, although it was strangely comforting.

"You were?" Emma's round yellow eyes looked up.

"Do you think I have a strong accent?" Bryan pressed.

"Oh God!" Emma shrieked, pressing a hand to the window. Bryan grabbed her arm and began to fight through the throng.

"Kasi!"

Kasi looked up. Trust one of her 'siblings' to but in. Robert was just getting romantic. But this was Bryan. Bryan looked scared. Bryan didn't get scared.

"What's wrong?" She asked, calmly. Bryan's chest heaved as though he had run a marathon, but Kasi happened to know he'd only been by the window.

"Boris. Here. In Scotland." He whispered. Kasi felt her heart plummet down to her shoes. All this time. I thought I was safe.

"Get everyone, Bryan." She ordered. Her sharp eyes had already spotted Kai come in a little while ago. He nodded. "Emma, do you know if there's anywhere we can go to escape, minus outside?"

"The cloakroom." Kasi nodded and began to make her way across.

In a few minutes they were all there, in varying stages of fear and distress.

"What do we do?" Kai asked, his arms around Suzy as though he could protect her from the malice that was outside.

"We have to fight." Spencer muttered. As the oldest, he was widely revered, but even Ian thought he'd gone mad.

"Are you mad?" The aforementioned Russian squeaked.

"Spence's right." Tala agreed. "If we don't get out there, innocent lives could be lost. Not even Bryan could deal with that on his conscience."

"What's going on?" Tala's eyes darkened as he recognised Jess's voice.

"Nothing." He said patronisingly. "Run along." But they stood their ground.

"Tell us what the hell's going on here." Katt growled.

"It's none of your business!" Tala retorted.

"If it's to do with Boris, then it's everything to do with us!" Ici yelled. Tala blinked at the sudden outburst from the small teen.

"They're right." Hester sighed. "It is to do with them. But don't ask me why. I don't want to talk about it." Hester and Jess looked at each other, black eyes meeting orange ones. A look of understanding passed between them. Tala muttered under his breath, but if Hester said it was right, then it was right.

"We're going outside." Kai informed them. "Boris has been seen inside the grounds. We want to find him." The triplets nodded and followed the others.

Boris Balkov didn't realise he had been spotted by both the hated Bryan and his English girlfriend. In fact, he was congratulating himself on the fact he had not been seen when he saw his daughter glaring at him, with Tala's arms around her. There was no doubt about it. He had been spotted. There was no point in hiding anymore. He stepped out, to see the accusing and angry faces of his old team and their comrades.

"What are you doing here?" Hester asked, her orange eyes filled with hate.

"Can a father not see his daughter?" He replied, watching the red head behind her stiffen slightly.

"I have no father." She spat upon the ground.

"You aren't here to see Hester. Why are you here?" Kasi's voice was cold, but yet, it was extremely human, as her mind struggled to find the words.

"I have my own team in the tournament." Boris replied in Russian, watching with satisfaction as only half of the people standing in front of him could actually understand.

"Of course." He hadn't spotted the three at the end of the line. "Boris always has a team in the finals."

"Be it BEGA, Biovolt or otherwise. Boris Balkov always has a team in the tournament."

"No matter what."

"You!" He growled. The triplets glared at him, and he glared back. "How did I know you would be here?"

"Sixth sense, or are we just getting predictable?" Jess taunted. Boris snarled. The triplets looked all too healthy for his liking.

He clicked his fingers and bladers began to appear from nowhere, all wearing standard abbey uniform.

He had hoped at least one of them would show some fear, maybe one of the Scottish brats, but none of them did. From Ici to Robert, they were all defiant. Not even Suzy, who Boris would have thought would look terrified.

"Prepare to launch!" He snarled in Russian. Everyone understood that.

"Hey, what are you doing?" A girl's voice came from the shadows.

"Blast!" Boris swore under his breath. " Launch!"

But even as he said the word, five beyblades came from nowhere, hitting the other blades full on.

"Funkadellic!"

"Kolt!"

"Metal Driger!"

"Elea!"

"Rom!"

"STALLION ATTACK!" The five bladers yelled. Suddenly, as quickly as he had appeared, Boris and the bladers disappeared.

"Ok. Did I just imagine that?" Said an all too familiar voice. Hiro Granger was standing there, launcher in one hand, beyblade in the other, with a whole new team.

"Who are you?" Johnny asked, confused.

"We're BBA Team Stallion." A green haired boy replied. "I'm Matt, pinkie's Ellie, you already know Hiro, wheel's over there is Koren, but you can call her Wheels and that funkadellic dudette over there is Zoe, leader of the team."

They were a weird looking team. Matt had bright green hair that fell into his shimmering yellow eyes, Ellie's pink hair was pulled into bunches, but the gleam in her eye told Johnny that she was not another Mariah, Wheels had long, navy blue hair that was coiled on top and an expensive looking laptop in her lap and Zoe? Zoe. Her purple hair hung in front of her heavily outlined eyes, her pale face was almost the same colour as the streak in her hair and her black lips scowled at them. They were all wearing black velvet, the girls, long black dresses with flaring lace sleeves and the boys were wearing flared tops and trousers. They were all wearing black velvet capes trimmed with lace hoods. Their beyblades were all black and deep purple, and their gun launchers were also black. They were the most gothic team Johnny had ever come across.

"We're here to pick you up." Zoe's voice was dark and deep. "The first round is in Japan, the day after tomorrow."

"We got here a bit early so we could join the party!" Wheels muttered, suddenly spinning off in her electric wheelchair. Hiro and Ellie looked at each other and Hiro began to run after Wheels, before she landed face first in the lake. Johnny and Mollie shrugged and walked away from the rest of them, as they began to troop back in to join the dance.

"Well, a life with the McGregors is never dull." Mollie mused as she trailed her hand into the crystal waters of the lake.

"Is dull what you want?" Johnny asked from behind her, the darkness of the night sky reflected in his violet eyes.

"I didn't say that." Mollie teased, leaning back on his strong figure. "It's just a long way from Newent Farm." Her blue eyes looked at the elaborate fountains and her pointed ears heard the delicate dance music. "In Newent, you'd get apple bobbing and Baby Got Back. It takes a while to adjust." Johnny grinned.

"We could always have that here." He murmured in her ear. Mollie punched him.

"Get real Johnny! Your parent's are already going off on one about Suzy and Kai, and at least he's got money! What are they going to do when they find out you like a penniless farm girl? It's not the Cotswolds I live in, that could be acceptable. I live in a small farm that's already losing enough money!"

"Sheesh!" Johnny raised his hands in defence of himself. "They'll just have to deal with it. Seems like Grace was the only one who actually did what she was told, anyway. Suzy already feels second best to the ghost of her memory and we all know Jo isn't what my parents were hoping for!" The mention of his dead sister turned his face sombre. It was one thing knowing you were a disappointment to your parents, without saying it out aloud.

"Aww… Feeling sorry for yourself now, Johnny?" Mollie said, tilting her head until she could see Johnny's face fully. "The guilt trip doesn't work on me!" Mollie kissed Johnny quickly and then began to run. Johnny chased after her, her laughter echoing through the night.

"Hester? HESTER?" Tala yelled, looking for the purple and orange haired girl. After the surprise encounter with her father, the fourteen year old had just disappeared. His sharp eyes caught a flash of purple and he began to walk towards it.

Hester sat on the bridge, dangling her legs.

"Oh. Hey." Hester said in a small voice for the violent punk.

"Hey, why are you here? You aren't thinking of jumping off are you?" Tala sat next to her, his ice blue eyes sparkling as they reflected the water.

"I don't know." Hester whispered, staring at her trembling hands.

"Hey!" Tala said in a warning tone, pulling her close. "Don't you even think about it!" Hester laid her head back on Tala's shoulder.

"It's just – I think he's tracking me, Tala. He always knows where I am. And he's always there." A single tear slunk down Hester's cheek. Tala wrapped his arms around her and she finally let go of the emotions that had been troubling her since she saw her father.

"You hang around with us. For all you know, it could be Kai, or Kasi that he's following. Hey, it could be me!" Hester grinned through her tears. "Come on." Tala stood up and offered a hand to Hester. Hester smiled shakily and took it. "You owe me a dance," He teased, putting an arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the buzzing hall.

Hiro shuddered. Since BEGA, he'd acquired a fear of enclosed spaces. Claustrophobia, he'd heard it was called. Ellie grinned at him. He gave a weak smile back as they entered the hall.

At the sight of seeing five bladers, dressed all in black, with hoods up, the music stopped and everyone stared.

"Are you the new age Dark Bladers or something?" Tyson quipped, scratching his head.

"I thought you would recognise your own brother, Tyson." Zoe's voice was a low growl and she motioned for the Stallions to take their hoods down.

"Hiro!" Tyson gasped, standing in front of Hilary.

"Party's over!" Wheels said, spinning around. Zoe grabbed one of the handles to stop Wheels from landing in the punch bowl.

"Your planes leave in two hours. I suggest you get ready. The first stage of the tournament will be soon." Hiro said, avoiding Tyson's eyes.

"OK, how many of you can drive?" Matt asked, pulling Zoe close to him. Zoe glared at him and Matt gave a cry of pain as one of the strands that hung in front of his eyes went up in flames. Hiro and Wheels burst out laughing.

"That gives a whole new meaning to crashed and burned!" Wheels snickered. Ellie hi-fived Zoe. Matt scowled.

"In your teams, have you each got someone who can drive?" Wheels said, between gasps of laughter.

"We haven't." Kenny said. Zoe looked pointedly at Hiro, who ducked.

"I'll drive you." He muttered, staring at the floor.

"What?" Tyson choked on his drink.

"It's either Hiro, you walk or…" Ellie trailed off.

"I can drive." Said one of the bladers they'd brought with them.

"…or Garland can take you. Which do you want?"

"Hiro then." Tyson muttered, glaring at his elder brother.

"You have seriously a long way to go before your glares become anything like Zozo's!" Brooklyn muttered, an arm around a pink haired girl. "Whoa!" He ducked as the curtain behind him went up in flames.

"Dude! Did you just-?" Tyson gasped, staring at Zoe.

"It's called pyrokenisis." Zoe growled, putting her purple lenses on. "You can create fire by will. Dead useful." Tyson backed away. "Majestics, Garland will drive you. Garland, stop making out with Jezz." The silver haired blader jumped and pulled away from a spunky blue haired girl. "Take the limo. The big one." Zoe threw him a set of keys.

"Ici!" Kai called, just before they were about to go.

"Yeah?"

"I have a tip for you in the tournament."

"What?"

"Don't use that castle of air thingy."

They had no idea what they were getting into.