Chapter 17
Swiped off the Streets
I awoke in the morning; free from a night of nightmares and mysterious dreams I still couldn't answer.
I got out of bed and grabbed Orelin off the dresser. I changed into a light purple and yellow shirt with long sleeves whose sides were laced and netted. I slid on a pair of blue jeans and put on my team jacket. I looked up on the desk again to see a plane ticket to Cairo, Egypt. I picked up my blue bag and plane ticket, knowing the guys wanted me to meet me out in the main room, and was ready to leave.
I walked out the door and down the hallway to meet the others. I suddenly felt a pair of hands on my shoulders.
"Ready to knock out the--" I started to hear a voice. I turned around in surprise and hit whatever was behind me. Unfortunately, what was behind me was Johnny.
"Ouch!" He said as he fell to the ground, holding his face.
"Oh man!" I said, sitting next to him "I'm so sorry!"
"I was going to say, 'Ready to knock out the competition,'" Johnny said, "not me!"
"I'm sorry!" I said, putting my hand to his cheek, "It'll bruise, but I didn't hit you as hard as I could of."
"Good one." He said sarcastically.
"I said sorry." I said.
"Don't worry about it." He said.
"Come on." I said as I helped him up, "Where are the others?"
"I think they're in the front room." He said, "Or already outside, I'm not really sure. In fact, I haven't seen them at all since early last night."
"Me either." I said as we walked to the entrance of the main room, "I'm not sure just where they could--"
"Surprise!" I heard as Johnny and I both jumped back. We looked out into the hallway to see the rest of the Majestics in a decorated hallway. There was a large sign that said 'GOOD LUCK!' in big bold letters with balloons behind it.
"What the--" Johnny started, "What is all this?"
"It's a good luck wishing for you guys when you battle the Windwakers tomorrow." Oliver said, "It only took us a little time to set this up last night."
"Wait," I said, "Tomorrow?"
"Yeah." Enrique said.
"They just announced that they had to hold the matches back a day." Robert said.
"Well that gives us more time to train." Johnny said.
"Thanks anyway you guys." I said, "I think we'll need all the support we can get."
Enrique looked strangely at Johnny's cheek, "What happened to you?"
"Don't ask." We both said at the same time. We both laughed.
"If you must know," I said, "he came up behind me and freaked me out, so I accidentally socked him in the jaw."
"Ouch." Enrique said.
"Well you got what you deserved for fighting with her all this time." Robert said.
"Sure." Johnny said, "take her side!"
We all started laughing.
"We better get moving," Oliver said, "we booked a flight with all the other teams."
"Really?" I said.
"Yeah." Enrique said, "and all our seats are arranged differently."
"So in other words--" Robert started.
"None of us will sit together." I said, "well that's okay; I wanted to speak to the other teams anyway."
"That could help us with strategies too." Enrique said.
"Wait," I said, a thought dawning on me, "are all the teams going to be there?"
"Yeah, I think so." Oliver said.
"What if the Demolition Boys are on there?" Enrique asked.
"Then we'll ride with them." I said, "they have just as much right as we do on there; they're Bladers in this tournament, so they are just as equal as we are."
"Alright," Robert said, "Let's get going then."
We walked outside with our bags and tickets and got into the limousine waiting for us. It drove out of Rome and to a large airport outside of the city. It dropped us off as we got out of the limousine.
"Bye Piddelsworth." I said with a smile, "Thanks for having and somehow surviving us."
"I thank you." He said.
"No I thank you." I said, "You had to put up with all of us, and Johnny too; now that's bad."
"I heard that!" Johnny said, walking up, "Now you're gonna-"
"Bye Piddelsworth!" I said, tugging Johnny off and talking to him, "I'll deal with you later, McGregor."
Piddelsworth laughed.
"Thank you Ayia." He said as he drove off.
"Bye!" I said while waving.
"Come on!" Johnny said, "The plane leaves in ten minutes!"
"What?" I said as we all sprinted through the doors and down the right hallway. We ran through the terminal gate and onto our next match in Egypt.
I walked into the plane with the others behind me and looked at my ticket. I walked down the isles until I found my seat and my partner who ended up being—
"Maxy!" I said as I sat down next to him.
"Ayia, hi!" He said, "who do you guys face?"
"The Windwakers." I said.
"Ooh-they're tough." Max said, "Are you facing Skylar?"
"Don't tell anyone," I said, "but Johnny and I are going to face the Windwakers in a tag-team match."
"Oh wow, really?" Max said, "Now that's Beyblading!"
"Really?" I said.
"Yeah." Max said, "You're putting total trust in each other and your Bitbeasts."
"Thanks Max." I said, "At least you have some faith in us."
"Anytime." Max said. I saw him dig into his bag and pull out a new Draciel.
"Is that Draciel?" I asked, "It looks modified."
"Yeah." Max said, "Kenny did it for me after my last battle. It's called
Draciel SD."
"Wow." I said looking at its new features. It had been shortened a little and its Attack Ring was sharpened for a better attack, "going more on the attack, I see."
"It's just so I can keep up with other attack strengths." Max said, "then I'll release my defense."
"A very good balance." I said, "Who are you guys up against?"
"The All-Stars." Max said, "I face Emily."
"Well fight like you did last time, and you'll win for sure!" I said, "What about all the other teams?"
"Here's the line-up." Max said, handing me a piece of paper as I looked it over.
The Demolition Boys were against the White Tigers, who had already lost one match. I looked at the Bladers who would face each other. Mariah was against Ian, Bryan was against Kevin, and Lee was against Tala. Their chances were slim, but it was possible for them to win, though. If Mariah beat Ian and Kevin beat Bryan, it wouldn't matter who won the third match. But something told me that the White Tigers would fall, and fall hard tomorrow.
I knew the Bladebreakers would probably win against the All-Stars. But---our match---I wasn't so sure. But Orelin had told me that my choice was right, and I needed to trust in Orelin, Johnny, and Salamulyon.
I pulled Orelin out of my bag and put it into my pocket so I could look it over after the plane took off.
Suddenly, the plane engine started and the plane moved down the runway.
"Ugh." Max and I said at the same time.
"You not like the take-off either?" He asked.
"No." I said, "not at all."
The plane left the ground and soared into the air. It actually wasn't that bad. I figured that if I were going to go to five different countries, I'd have to get used to this.
I then began to wonder about Egypt. I'd love to go look around, but I had no idea what was there. I wondered if the flight attendant might have a map or something.
I put Orelin in my pocket. If anyone on the plane tried to attack me with their blade, I'd be ready. It was odd how jittery I had gotten around the Demolition Boys. It was as if I expected that they would attack at any second.
I walked up the isle and close to the captain's door. I looked over to one side and froze. There were Ian and Bryan sitting on one side of me, and Spencer and Tala on the other.
"Things just keep getting better and better." I mumbled to myself as I rapped on the cockpit door. An attendant came out and I asked her for a map. She handed me one and I turned to walk back to my seat when my gaze caught Tala's. His eyes were still blackened over a bit and he looked to be in some kind of trance.
I shook it off and kept walking. I walked farther down the isle and noticed something strange; the All-Stars were missing.
I sat down next to Max.
"Hey Max," I said, "you have any idea why the All-Stars aren't here?"
"Yeah." Max said, "my Mom's their coach; she said that they were taking their own flight and would meet us there."
"Your mom's their coach?" I asked.
"Yeah, my mom and dad are divorced." Max said. I started to feel sorry I ever asked, "My mom works in New York at the Beyblade Research Center as a scientist, and my dad owns a Hobby Shop in Japan."
"Oh." I said.
"I still love them both and they still love each other. I get to see them both a lot too." Max said, "I get to see my mom when I blade, and my dad when I get my blade repaired.
"That's good." I said. I started to wonder whatever happened to my own parents.
"It's good we don't blade until tomorrow." Max said, "I need some more rest after the last round."
"Yeah." I said, I thought we all could use some rest, "I wanted to look around Egypt anyway, I mean, how many times do you get to go to Egypt?"
"I know." Max said, "My first time going through the World Championships, I went places I never had before—it was all amazing!"
"I wanna see the Pyramids—and well---everything!" I said.
I suddenly felt the plane drop a little lower.
"We will be landing in ten minutes." I heard a voice over the intercom.
"I can't wait to see Mom!" Max said as I smiled, "Oh, Ayia, I almost forgot, this is for you."
He handed me a dark blue bracelet. It was made of sapphires and had a clear stone dangling off of it. It also had a heart made of sapphire hanging off it also. I saw that the word 'Best.' was engraved into one side.
"What's this?" I asked.
He lifted up his wrist. There was a similar bracelet, except his heart had the word, 'Friends' on it.
"It's to show what great friends we are." He said as I put the bracelet on. I felt it jingle around my wrist.
"Thanks Maxy." I said as I gave hum a hug, "I'll never forget what friends we are; even if we have to battle."
"Sure thing Ayia." He said.
I looked over Orelin the rest of the flight until the plane landed and was hooked up to the terminal gate. Max and got up and walked out into the main gateway. I saw Max look around until he saw the All-Stars and a young woman in the middle. She resembled Max exactly with her long blond hair and big blue eyes; she must be his mother.
"Mom!" Max yelled as he ran to his mom and hugged her.
I couldn't even remember what my parents were like, or even their names. I wished I could know them---or know what it feels like to love your parents or hug them or see them smile at you when you did something right. I almost wanted to cry watching Max and his mother hug.
"Hey Ayia!" Max said, "come meet my mom!"
I shook it off and walked over to her and Max.
"Mom, this is my friend, Ayia." Max said, "Ayia, this is my mom, Judie."
"Hello." I said as I shook her hand.
"Hi." She said, "Max has told me nothing but good things about you."
"Max?" I said turning to him as he looked around nervously.
"So---uh---" Max started, "Let's go Mom!"
He grabbed her and started pulling her off.
"Bye." I said with a laugh and a wave.
I turned around to find my own team waiting on me.
I walked over to them and we walked out of the Airport. I felt the heat of the afternoon air scorch my skin as we walked out.
"Aww man." I said, "We definitely need to get some new clothes."
"You said it." Oliver said.
"Maybe there's a market around here somewhere." Johnny said as we walked into a small square to see row on row of shops. I dug in my bag and pulled out some money. I'd pay anything to have a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
"I'm going to buy some better clothes." I said.
"Let's split up and meet here in an hour." Enrique said.
"Deal." I said.
We split up and I started walking through the shops. I saw a small shop with finely woven clothes and jewelry. I saw a tan and brown short shirt with a lace-up low cut collar and brown shorts. It also had brown tall boots and a long dark brown cloak.
I also bought one arrow-like earring and many golden bracelets and put them on. I went into a nearby empty building and changed into the outfit and put my other clothes in my bag. I put the cloak on and continued to walk down the street.
I suddenly caught a glimpse of the Demolition Boys and curiosity grabbed at me. I pulled up the hood of my cape and ran to the nearest building and ran to the top floor. I busted out of the door to the roof and followed them by rooftop. I saw the four walk into an abandoned building as I jumped onto that rooftop. I slid down the gutter and slid into an opened window and onto a small hallway hanging. I crouched down; barely hanging onto the railing so my foot wouldn't slip. I looked into the interior of the building to see the four talking amongst themselves. I crept nearer to only get snippets of what they were saying, and Tala did most of the talking:
"You sure this will work?"
"We have to plan it right."
"But if the BBA finds out--"
"They'll never know."
"When?"
"Tonight."
"But we could just take care of it during the tournament."
"No. They'll be kicked out tomorrow for sure, and we could never do it afterwards."
"Think we can pull it off?"
"They'll never know what hit' em."
My foot suddenly slipped and the metal bar clanged as they all looked up.
I was out the window and onto the next rooftop as quick as I could. But when my feet hit the next rooftop, the window was smashed to pieces by their blades.
I ran down the steps to the bottom floor and out onto the street. I ran down a back alleyway and backtracked until I was back at the market as I pondered over what they were saying.
'What could they be thinking?' I thought, 'they're probably planning to steal someone's Bitbeasts, but what team's? It had to be a team who had already lost a match. So that left the Windwakers, All-Stars, and White Tigers. It could be any of them. But it would be at night. I would just have to keep a lockdown on all the teams.
I saw the others waiting for me, each wearing a shirt, vest, and shorts. I walked over to them.
"Hi." I said as Enrique turned to meet me.
"Oh—uh—hello miss." He said; he must not recognize me with my hood up like this, "Have you seen a girl named Ayia anywhere?"
This would be fun.
"What does she look like?" I asked.
"About my height, long brown hair, big, beautiful blue eyes," He started, "has a Wolf Beyblade and Bitbeast, and has a great voice and smile, and laugh too."
"Does she look anything like this?" I said as I drew down my hood.
"Ayia!" He said.
"Great smile, huh?" I said with a laugh.
"You know it's all true." He said.
"Yeah." I said with a laugh, "just kidding."
"By the way, we found a place to stay." He said, "We'll stay with the Bladebreakers; we're going to the hotel now."
"Okay." I said as we walked through the city until we reached a hotel. We walked inside and found our rooms.
"I think I need a rest from all this heat." I said, "I've never been in this warm of weather."
"Then we'll be setting up dinner," Oliver said, " the rest of the teams will join us."
I set my bag down and took out Orelin as the all the others but Enrique left.
I lied on a nearby bed. Enrique sat next to me.
"Thinking?" He asked.
"I overhead the Demolition Boys saying that they're going to steal a team's Bitbeasts tonight." I said, "I just don't know who."
"We could report them to the BBA." Enrique said.
"It won't do any good." I said.
"Why not?" He asked.
"If they drop out, who would replace them?" I said, "It's not like they can just re-do the whole tournament."
"So what are we going to do?" He asked.
"I say we just keep a good watch over all the teams." I said, "even if they're Bitbeasts are stolen, there's nothing the BBA can do about it."
"When did they say it'll be?" He asked.
"Tonight." I said, "no doubt it'll be an ambush, so the team won't know who attacked them."
Enrique listened on.
"It'll be one of the teams who have already lost one match." I said.
"We'll just have to do all we can," He said, "but if a team turns up without Bitbeasts tomorrow, we can't do a thing about it."
"I guess you're right." I said, "if it was a lower team that dropped out, that'd keep us in another round."
"I guess." He said.
"And if we tell the BBA," I said, "there's no way they can help Tala. Boris will ask for proof, and there will be none."
"Right." He said.
"And if they do find proof," I said, "Boris will simply state that it's the beauty of Beyblading and that they were only taking something they could control and the other team couldn't, and the BBA would agree with them; Mr. Dickinson would have no say in it at all."
"Yeah." He said, "but how are we going to keep and eye on all the teams?"
"All the teams are coming to dinner tonight." I said, "and most are staying the night. We'll just have to make sure none of them leave."
"I wouldn't worry," He said, "you know, you carry way too much weight of other people. You're acting like the team they're going to ambush has never even seen a Beyblade before. They can defend themselves."
"Did you not see what Motoki did to Michael?" I said.
"They probably wouldn't use their Bitbeasts." He said.
"Motoki can blend into shadows and destroy a blade before the Blader knows what hit them." I said, "that's why they would rather do it at night."
"Oh." He said.
"It's almost eight now." I said, "We should wait about an hour before assuming anything."
"I'm sure everyone will be here." Enrique said.
"I just hope that nothing happens to the teams." I said, "they still have a chance in the Championship."
"Yeah," Enrique said, "I'm still sure they can take good care of them--"
"Dinner's ready!" We heard Oliver say as he knocked on the door.
"Got it!" I said as I put Orelin in my pocket, opened the door, and we walked out into the main room of the Hotel. A large table was set up and the food set on top of it made me forget everything I had thought about before. I saw enough seats for every team and probably enough food for twice the number of teams.
'Everyone's here' I thought to myself, 'nothing's going to happen.'
I saw a lot of people had already taken their seats and had started to eat. I sat down with the rest of my team and I saw Robert stand up.
"I would like to make a toast," He said, holding up his glass, "To all the teams; may good luck and victory be with you tomorrow."
Everyone clapped as he sat down and we all began to eat.
I had eaten almost half of my meal when Enrique pointed something out to me.
"That's a nice bracelet." He said, pointing to the blue bracelet Max had given me, "Where'd you get it?"
"Oh I got it from---" I said, looking around to show Enrique that Max had given it to me, but he was nowhere in sight. I jumped up from my seat and shouted, "Where's Max?"
"Oh," Tyson said with a full mouth, "He said he was going to walk around town with his mom and the rest of the All-Stars."
"What?" I said, "but that means, oh no!"
I slammed my hands on the tabletop.
"Where'd they say they were going?" I asked Tyson.
"The center square, why?" He said.
I jumped up form the table and ran out the door of the hotel. I ran down a nearby street and into an alley that led me to the square. I stepped into the square and sand was aroused beneath my feet.
It was death quiet, too quiet.
No one was on the streets—no one. But it seemed like someone was here. I could hear Max screaming at the loss of his Draciel pounding in my brain. I started to run down a random alleyway.
"Don't worry Max," I said to no one in particular, "We're friends, and I'll always protect you."
The alleyway made a tight turn. My foot made a sharp turn as I skidded down the alleyway.
I froze solid.
There was every one of the All-Stars, even Judie, lying on the ground, moonlight skipping off their still forms. I ran up to them and saw that each of their blades were next to them, all shattered to pieces. I saw Max leaned up against the wall.
I ran over to him. His clothes were torn and face bruised and a small stream of blood ran from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were lightly closed but his breathing was normal and he had just been ruffed up a little, but still enough to leave a scar and do some damage. I bent over and searched for his blade and couldn't find it.
"I left my blade at the Hotel." Max suddenly choked out, "I didn't have Draciel with me."
"Max!" I said, wiping the blood from his chin, "Did they take--"
"Everything, absolutely everything." Max said, "and everyone else is hurt worse than me."
"We need to get them some care, now." I said as I was looking the rest of them over, seeing that they had larger bruises, cuts, and even a few had broken bones, "they will all live, but they need care."
"Then let's get back to the hotel." Max said, trying to get up, but clutching his side and falling back to the ground.
"I'm not going to leave you Max." I said as I stooped down in front of him, "put your arms around my neck, if you can't walk, then I'll carry you."
I felt his arms come around my neck and grip together. I pulled him up and held his legs up with my arms. I started to race back to the Hotel with Max on my back.
"I should have been more careful." Max said, "now all the All-Stars and my mom are hurt and we can't do anything about it."
"Don't worry Max." I said, "They'll all be just fine."
"I sure hope so." I heard him whisper weakly as he went limp, passing out.
"Don't you worry Max," I said.
I ran into the Hotel door as everyone suddenly got up and started to tend to Max.
"Where are the others?" Enrique yelled to me.
"In an alleyway in the square." I said, "I need to go check on them, I didn't want to leave them at first, but Max needed help getting back here."
"Go ahead back." Oliver said on the phone with the Hospital, "the ambulance will need some direction."
I ran out into the street and back into the square. I waited by the alleyway, constantly checking the All-Stars' conditions until the ambulance came. I directed the medical staff to the All-Stars and helped them get all of them onto stretchers and into the ambulance.
"They're all going to be okay, right?" I asked.
"It seems that way." One of them said, "The worst that may happen is some broken bones and emotional scars."
"That's good." I said, even though it wasn't. I just wanted to assure myself that things would be okay, but didn't I say that at dinner? Now it seemed that things were just falling apart.
They rolled the stretchers into the ambulance. I suddenly felt Judie grab my hand as she was wheeled by.
"Where's Max?" She managed to say, "Is he okay?"
"He's just fine." I said, "I made sure of it."
"You're a very good friend to him Ayia," she said, "thank you for protecting my son."
"Sure thing Judie." I said as she was put into the ambulance. I watched it driving off into the night, its red and white lights beaming of the horrible memory of the damage Motoki had done.
I solemnly walked back to the hotel, almost drowning in guilt. How could I have been so stupid? I should have checked before dinner—I should---I should of---
Should of--
I should of--
But I didn't.
Now I was the only one to blame.
I walked back into the hotel and walked up to Enrique.
"Where's Max?" I asked.
"He's in your room." He said, "it's okay if he stays the night in there right?"
"Sure
thing." I said, "I was going to care for him anyway."
I
walked up the nearby steps and into my room.
I tiredly walked up to Max, who was lying on the bed next to mine. I sat on the side of the bed next to him.
"Is my mom okay?" he asked.
"She's just fine Max." I said.
"That's good." He said.
"You can stay in here with me tonight so I can keep an eye on you." I said.
"Okay." He said.
"You just rest now." I said, "You'll probably need some peroxide for your scars."
I walked into the bathroom and dug through the medicine cabinet mumbling as I dug for the peroxide. I found a bottle and some cotton swabs and walked back to where Max was.
"Okay Maxy." I said, "Show me where some scars are."
"But-" He started.
"It's not gonna hurt." I said, "it might sting just a little, okay?"
"Okay." He said as he sat up and lifted both torn sleeves and rolled up his ripped pant legs to reveal a large collection of deep scars and bruises I didn't see when I had looked him over in the dark alleyway before.
"Oh, Max." I said softly, "this is terrible. Okay now, hold still--"
I dipped a cotton swab into some peroxide and carefully put it to Max's scar.
"Ouch!" Max said.
"It's alright." I said, "just a few more scars, and you'll be fine."
I applied peroxide to the last few scars, then rolled down his sleeves and pant legs.
"Better?" I asked.
"Much!" He said. "Thanks a lot!"
"Sure." I said a little sadly.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Well," I said, "I had overheard that the All-Stars' Bitbeasts were going to be stolen."
"When?" He asked.
"Earlier today." I said, "I thought that I could keep an eye on everyone; because I didn't know which team it would be at first. But it kinda left my head at dinner and I assured myself that everyone was there, until I noticed you guys were gone, then came to help you as soon as I could."
"Well that's okay." Max said, "things could have been a lot worse."
"Worse--But how?" I asked, "Their Bit Beats are gone, they're all hurt, and there's nothing we could do about it."
"I know." Max said, "the BBA can't just re-do the tournament if they disqualified the Demolition Boys."
"So,"
I said, "you do know that they attacked you."
"Yeah."
He said, "I don't think any of the All-Stars know though. They
were attacked for their Bitbeasts and I happened to see Tala after he
had done it."
"After?" I asked, "Where were you?"
"We were all in the square, and we were looking at shops." Max said, "My mom said she knew a shortcut to a near-by restaurant and the All-Stars started to follow her down the alley. I told her I would catch up in a minute and kept looking at a few things. I suddenly heard them all screaming and ran off to find them. I found them all with broken blades and hurt. I looked on and saw Tala with a smile on his face. Then I got angry. Really, really angry, and did something totally stupid. I charged for Tala by myself, not knowing that Motoki was at his right hand. He called out Motoki, who was the one that really did some damage to me and flung me against that wall. I had never seen something so terrifying. He was so black, with piercing red eyes that seemed to look right into my heart and introduce me to what true fear really was."
"Motoki is absolute darkness, and I knew whoever was attacked by him wouldn't stand a chance," I said, "I just wish that I could have done something."
"Don't worry about it." Max said, "At least no one's extremely hurt."
"But they'll be out of the tournament," I said, "when they had as good a chance as anyone to win."
"I know," Max said, "Hey, do you have any idea what they're going to do with all those Bitbeasts?"
"No." I said, "But Kai had told me before that they were doing some kind of new project though."
"I wonder what it could be." Max said.
"I don't know," I said, "but, if they are able to obtain all of those Bitbeasts, the resulting power would be extremely catastrophic—to everyone."
"And that's not the way Blading should be." Max said, "It should be fair to anyone, and it should be a good sport where people can prove their skills."
"And now Boris has made it a game of cheating and stealing." I said, "and it's taken a toll on our friends and other teams who have just as much a right to play as we do."
"Yeah." Max said, "We'll just have to knock the Demolition Boys out of the tournament."
"But how?" Ayia said, "I mean----a reliable source told me I'm the only one who can beat Motoki because I know him better than anyone."
"How?" Max said.
"I was the only human that truly bonded with Motoki." I said.
"But I thought you said that it was impossible." Max said.
"I know—I did." I said, "but I think that's what's making me remember my past, and I need to get rid of it."
"Ayia," Max said, "we all make mistakes, and we can let them go, but we can't forget---it's not like it can just leave and not come back. Our memories make us who we are. Without them, we wouldn't be us."
"I guess you're right." I said, "but sometimes, I don't even feel like me."
"Your past only made you a better Blader and a tougher person." Max said.
"Thanks Max." I said, looking at a nearby clock, "You should get some rest."
"What about you?" He asked.
"Don't you worry about me." I said.
"Okay." He said as he lied on the bed.
I waited until Max was asleep and walked over to the window and parted the curtains, looking out into the cloudless starry night sky.
I needed to find out what the Demolition Boys were going to do with all those Bit Beats---for everyone's sake.
I opened the window and climbed out into the night.
