Okay, this is the final chapter! And it's a long one again - sorry!
Disclaimer: Do not own Beyblade, Beyblade V-force or Beyblade G-Revolution. There's a little bit of lime in this chapter.
Adrian launched Driger. The grey beyblade raced around the dish, far faster than the bulkier grey blade that was circling in the opposite direction.
"Come on, Tala!" he cried. "Let's see how you handle me!" Tala's eyes narrowed.
"Bit cocky, aren't you?" he said with a smirk. Adrian's lips curved in a malignant smile.
"Try me." he whispered.
"I intend to." Wolborg headed straight for Driger. Adrian sighed in disapproval as Driger dodged the attack with ease.
"Tut, tut, Tala. Below your usual standard, I believe. What's the matter? Bryan hasn't stood you up again, has he?" He smirked. Tala stared flatly at him, betraying no hint of emotion.
The boy had taken to his new identity like a duck to water, Tala mused. He had become quite the leader, hard, relentless, sarcastic, a perfectionist if ever he'd seen one. His beyblading skills were unbelievable, and he worked the rest of them non-stop to try and get them to their highest standard.
"You know who you remind me of, Tala? Kai." Adrian gave a mirthless laugh. "I'll soon teach him who's the best of us." He flicked his hair over his shoulder. A few strands had come loose from the binding and were waving attractively around his face. His amber eyes glittered with exhilaration. "So then, Tala, are you going to fight me, or am I going to have to finish this here and now?"
"You can try." Tala snarled. Wolborg exploded from the beyblade, growling and snarling ferociously. Adrian gave a bored sigh as Driger moved out of the way of numerous vicious attacks.
"I can indeed. Shall I?" Without waiting for a reply, he returned his full attention to Driger, who began to glow. "I can defeat you without even summoning my bit-beast." The sleek grey blade zigzagged at lightning speed across the dish, building up speed and power.
Tala stumbled backwards as Driger slammed into Wolborg. The impact was incredible. It felt as though a tank had hit him, and he hadn't even received anything close to the full force of the hit. He scowled at Adrian's satisfied look as Wolborg hit the wall seven metres behind him.
When all this is over, kid, he thought, his face twisting, when you're sitting in a loony bin, gibbering because you can't remember who you are, that's when I'll come for you. You'll pay for usurping my position as team captain and turning the others against me, you arrogant, conceited little git…
Adrian turned away from the dish, stretching out a hand for his beyblade. When it didn't come, he turned round, eyes blazing, and gave Driger the full force of his displeasure. Eventually, almost reluctantly, the beyblade soared into his hand. He nodded to Jasmine, who gave him an almost predatory look. They kissed passionately, hands finding their way under clothing to turn the heat up even more. Panting, Adrian pinned her to the wall, kissing her fiercely. Eagerly, he tore at her flimsy blouse. Next went her bra.
"Oy, you two! I'm feeling decidedly nauseous over here! Get a fucking room!" Tala yelled, his face contorted with disgust.
"Go find a room of your own!" Adrian retorted, his eyes glazed with lust. "I'm sure Bryan's feeling neglected!" Tala snarled with rage.
"I'm sure animal sounds turn you on, Tala, but kindly don't extend that courtesy to the rest of us." Jasmine said coolly, pulling Adrian into an almost violent kiss.
"We've got the Championships in two days flat and you two are making out in the middle of training!"
"We're not making out, you moron. We're just having a bit of fun, isn't that right?" Jasmine nodded breathlessly, tugging at Adrian's T-shirt. "Anyway, considering who's the weak link in the team at the moment, I suggest you shut your fat gob!"
"Oh, and who's going to make me?"
"I am!"
"Wow, I'm shitting myself!"
"Oh, so that's what the smell is!" With a victorious smirk, Adrian walked abruptly out of the room, clutching Driger tightly.
Outside, he slumped against the wall, rubbing his temples as he struggled to quell the sudden headache. The argument had triggered an annoying stream of fuzzy, half-formed pictures and memories flooding through his head, not to mention this throbbing headache. Shaking his head decidedly, he dismissed it. Now wasn't the time for weakness. He had a bare day and a half left to prepare. Jasmine was ready, but then, her winning attack didn't require much practice. Tala was good, yes, but if he carried on being such a prick, he might bring Bryan in instead, just to show him who was boss. Oh yes, that would be hilarious…substitute him for his own boyfriend…he might do that, just to see his reaction. His mind occupied with thoughts of the upcoming battle, he walked swiftly own the corridor. Mysteriously, his headache had disappeared as quickly as it had come.
"All right, Max, are you ready for your final test?" Kenny inquired with a grin. Max nodded, his face pale with nervous excitement. Tyson and Kai launched at the same time, and instantly sent their beyblades charging towards Draciel. The two blades hit Draciel at exactly the same time, creating a force of almost unimaginable power. "Defend, Max!" Kai yelled.
"Come on, Maxie!" Tyson yelled encouragement. Giving them both a tight nod, Max gritted his teeth and held steady. Sweat began to drip down his face, but still he held on. He could see Dragoon losing momentum slightly, although Dranzer was as strong as ever. Watching carefully, he judged his time.
"Draciel!" Flinging his arms out, he released all of his remaining energy in one strike. The two attackers were flung violently backwards. Dragoon wobbled for a minute, then stopped. Dranzer spun unsteadily, but gradually managed to regain its balance.
"Well done, Max!" Kenny cried ecstatically. "That was unbelievable!" Max gave him a tired grin.
"Tha-thanks." he panted. He recalled Draciel and wiped his forehead. "Sheesh, that takes it out of you."
"I'm not surprised." Kai said matter-of-factly. "You just successfully deflected two of the best beybladers in the world. If you're not counting those Biovolt scum, that is." He scowled at the thought. "Anyway, congratulations. Whoever faces you is going to have more than he bargained for!" Max flushed with pride.
"Thanks, Kai." he mumbled. Tyson marched over and flung an arm around Max's shoulders.
"Yeah, you go, bud!" he said proudly. "Kai, I'm facing you next, right?" Kai nodded. "Let's get going, then!" he exclaimed. "The biggie's tomorrow!" Max and Kenny winced.
"Do you have to remind me?" Max muttered.
"Yep!" Tyson said cheerfully.
"Great…"
"Hello and good afternoon, beyblade fans! This is Brad and A.J Topper, coming to you live from…from…A.J, have you been doing origami with our notes again?"
"Notes, what notes? I sure haven't seen any notes, heh, heh…seen a nice paper chicken, though…"
"Fantastic. Anyway, we are in the freezing city of Moscow in whichever stadium is hiding in the chicken, awaiting the arrival of the Demolition Boys! Huh? Y'what…oh, right. Yes, I see. Apparently, their name has been changed to Doppelganger, whatever that means…"
"It means "twin", Brad. Or "double".
"I knew that."
"Yeah, sure you did…" The crowd rustled with a few good-natured titters at the commentators' actions.
"Doppelganger?" Kenny murmured. "What a strange choice…"
"Anyway, we have just received word of some changes to team Doppelganger! The three bladers who will be competing today are - Tala," The crowed roared its approval. "Jasmine, and Adrian!" The cheers subsided into puzzled whispers.
"Who?" Tyson whispered, very loudly.
"Well, I don't know!" Kenny snapped. "Kai? Ideas?" Kai shook his head. He had a bad feeling about this.
"I don't know, but I as sure as hell don't like it." he murmured, almost to himself. "We'll be going in blind, with no clue to their strategies. We're going to have to be constantly aware." He gave Tyson a hard look. For once, the boy didn't shoot a sharp retort back, simply nodding and muttering;
"You betcha."
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and, of course, Tyson - "
"Oy! Watch it, you - " Everybody watched in amusement as Tyson was bodily gagged and sat on by Max and Kai.
" - here are team Doppelganger!" Three teenagers strode confidently out of the tunnel and along the red carpet that had been put there specially.
Suddenly, the cheers stopped, leaving an uneasy vacuum. Tala crossed his arms and shrugged, reaching the bench and sitting down on it. Jasmine remained, tugging on the arm of the boy that was causing the rapidly spreading wave of discontent. Without consciously thinking about it, the crowd swivelled to take in the Bladebreakers' reaction.
"Ray…" Tyson broke the thick silence, his voice hoarse with shock. "Oh my God…Ray, why?" He started to run forwards, only to dash straight into Kai's out-flung arm.
"Shut up and get back to the bench." Kai snarled.
"But-but, Kai, why…why Ray? I can't just - "
"I doubt that Adrian would appreciate your sentiments, Tyson." Kai was staring at the black-haired boy very closely. Reluctantly, eyes burning with a mixture of fury and pity, Tyson sat back down. Kenny was staring bug-eyed at Ray, taking panicked, rasping gasps for air.
"Inhaler's in your pocket, Chief." Tyson said automatically. Kenny fumbled for the inhaler, his face an unhealthy grey colour.
"I-I'm going first, right, Tyson?" Receiving a shaky affirmative, Max nodded twice, then ran his hands over his hair a few times. His face was beyond white, it was luminous, a kind of sickly yellowish-grey. "Who am I a-against?"
"Tala." Kai said curtly, without turning round.
"Right…right, okay. Dizzi, do we have anything on Tala?" Max asked, his tone suddenly businesslike. In a tone quite unlike her usual ironic voice, Dizzi told Max the few statistics that they had on the redhead.
Adrian looked over the opposing team. His lip curled in distaste as he saw the four boys whom he despised. Vaguely, he wondered why they all looked so shocked. Two of their glares in particular were transfixing him for some strange reason. Tyson's gaze was full of anger, mixed with a strange sadness and disbelief. Kai's was blank, but so intense that it made the hair stand up on his arms. He read Tyson's lips as the boy mouthed a single word.
"Ray…" He frowned. Why was he calling him Ray? He was Adrian, he knew that. Tyson must have been told who was going to be blading before the final, surely? A slow, dull thump began to pound in his head. Giving them a last, slightly puzzled look, he allowed Jasmine to pull him to the bench.
Tala smirked in triumph as he made a few last minute adjustments to his beyblade.
"This isn't going to be worth the effort." he said scornfully. "Spencer's given methe kid'sbit-beast, so I'll use that to play with him for a bit, what do you think?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, go ahead." Adrian muttered distractedly. His gaze suddenly flew to the stands. A row of four teenagers, three boys and one girl, were staring down at him, horrified. As he slowly looked them over, his headache intensified. With a slight gasp, he tore his gaze away and stared fixedly at the floor.
"Adrian?" Jasmine touched his arm gently. He shrugged it off. It suddenly took all his will to summon a smile for her.
"I'm fine, Jas. Just nerves, that's all." He looked up for a second. "Tala, you're up."
"Hm, so I am. Watch out, Max." Moving with an air of total confidence, Tala got up and walked towards the dish.
Max accepted Tyson's good-luck hug and stood up, his eyes fixed on Tala. Or, more specifically, on Wolborg, where he could see flashes of a familiar colour.
"Draciel…" he whispered. His hands stopped quivering and he walked out, his whole being focused on his stolen bit-beast.
"All right, the bladers are at the dish! And today, these two will be blading on the traditional dish, polished and varnished to make it easier to manoeuvre on. Bladers, are you ready?" Jazzman yelled. Tala and Max nodded. "On my mark! And three…two…one…"
"Let it rip!" The two beyblades landed. Draciel instantly sought the middle of the dish and spun there. Wolborg began to circle, then swung in for a quick attack. The strike bounced off the green beyblade with no noticeable effect. Tala's eyes widened. Max smiled thinly.
"Stronger than I look, am I, Tala?" he asked challengingly. Tala scowled and moved away, circling around again. Max stood still, with that thin, taunting smile on his face.
Seven minutes passed. Each time that Tala crashed into Draciel, he was sent flying backwards, his temper growing with every failed attempt. Finally, his temper got the better of him.
"You want to see your bit-beast again, Max?" he said nastily. "Well, say hello!" Draciel rose out of Wolborg, its eyes glazed and blank. Max gasped and took a step forwards. Seeing the momentary weakness, the grey beyblade struck. A long, thin cut appeared on Max's left arm. The boy looked briefly at it, then returned his gaze to his bit-beast, his eyes wide with dismay.
"D-Draciel…" he murmured.
"And that's not all!" Tala continued, his eyes glittering with rage. "Wolborg! Come and join the party!" The huge wolf sprang out of the beyblade and glared malignantly at Max. Jolted back into reality, Max hurriedly returned his attention to his beyblade. Anger began to boil inside him. "It's over, Max!" Tala gloated. "Go, Wolborg and Draciel!" The grey beyblade pelted towards the green blade, bit-beasts hungry for blood.
"No!" A gasp ran throughout the stadium as the green beyblade held its ground. The bit-beasts roared in frustration. "I'm…not…giving up…that…easily…Tala!" Max shouted. His face was ashen and cuts were appearing all over his body, yet he refused to give in. He fell to his knees, shaking like a leaf as Tala increased the power of his attack. "I'm not…giving…up! Attack!" Energy flowed into the green beyblade and it began to push Wolborg back. Tala's eyes gleamed.
"Sorry, Max, but you just can't do it!" he yelled. "Draciel, Attack! Wolborg, Icicle Claw!" In an incredible power surge, both bit-beasts charged forwards. The green beyblade was knocked out of the dish, to land in a smoking heap at Max's feet.
Max swayed, his eyes fluttering closed. He hit the floor painfully, banging his head hard. Suddenly, people were all around him.
"Max! Max, are you all right? Speak to me, buddy!" Wearily, he cracked open one eye.
"Sorry guys…I…failed…" he murmured faintly. Tyson hugged him tightly.
"You didn't, Maxie, you did really well!" Max groaned slightly as he felt somebody slip his arm around their shoulders and gently lift him up.
"Come on, Max." Kai said quietly in his ear. "Let's go and get you sorted out." Max wriggled weakly in Kai's grip.
"M-my beyblade…" he mumbled. He felt the familiar contours of it being pressed into his hand.
"Here you are, Max." Tyson said. "Kai, I'll take him. You're fighting now."
Kai nodded and let Tyson take the semi-conscious Max. Fingering Dranzer idly, he looked at the opposing bench to try and see who he was going to be against. The girl, Jasmine, stood up and gave him a long, appraising stare as she toyed with her orange beyblade. Kai's blood boiled at her insolence. He would show her what true power was. He stepped up to the dish at the same time as her and fitted Dranzer to the launcher.
"Now, ladies and gentleman, we shall reveal the brand new dish, designed especially for this match!" The floor in front of him drew back to reveal a sheet of ice, with few breaks in the smooth sheen. "This is the Ice Rink dish! With only a few patches of rough ground with which to gain a grip and dangerously thin sections scattered everywhere, this really is a dish for the experts!"
"What d you think, Brad?"
"Well, AJ, both of these competitors grew up in Russia and are used to treacherous conditions, but this is something else! It's going to take nerves of steel and some intense concentration to avoid a humiliating splash into the icy depths!"
"You said it, Brad! Now then, let's get this party started!"
"You heard them! On my mark! In three…two…one…let it rip!" Both blades flew into the dish and landed on the rough patches, gathering their courage for an advance onto the ice. Jasmine was the first to make her move. Green eyes narrowed, she moved slowly out onto the slippery surface. Kai watched impassively, waiting for his moment. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tyson come back and hurry to his seat.
"Go, Rekkyt!" Jasmine cried. A magnificent Sphinx rose out of her beyblade and roared a challenge.
"Nice bit-beast." Kai said coolly. "But can it handle the ice?"
"Oh, I think so." Jasmine replied steadily. "Can you?"
"I grew up on the ice." Dranzer moved away from the safety zone.
"Look at the concentration on these blader's faces!"
"I don't blame them, though. One slip and - whoops! Down they go!" Kai growled in annoyance at the off-putting commentators. It was true, manoeuvring on the ice required an almost unsustainable level of concentration, and their frivolous comments were not helping in the slightest. Jasmine also seemed distracted. Seizing the advantage, Dranzer skidded across the ice and slammed into Rekkyt. Jasmine's pretty face contorted in a scowl of rage.
"I deserve better, Kai!" she shouted. "Where's your all-mighty phoenix?"
"Patience, Jasmine, patience." Kai replied calmly. "Don't hurry a master." He smirked slightly as Dranzer easily dodged an unsteady attack.
"Get that over-fed turkey out here and fight me like a true beyblader, you self-centred, conceited bastard!" Kai smiled thinly.
"Now, now, there are children watching, Jasmine." he said softly, chiding her. His gaze flickered to Ray, or Adrian, who appeared to be in pain, rubbing at his head and grimacing. Suddenly, he swore loudly as Dranzer fell through a weak spot in the ice. "Dranzer!" The dark water began to glow as the phoenix responded to his command. Kai gasped as a scarlet wing broke the surface. He had joined to Dranzer instantly, and as a result, was being subjected to the sub-zero temperatures currently affecting the fiery phoenix. Struggling to stay in control, unable to shout a command though his chattering teeth, he watched as Dranzer slowly emerged from the water.
"Now, Rekkyt!" Jasmine shrieked, eyes blazing with exhilaration. "Skeletal Inferno!" The Sphinx's razor sharp teeth closed on Dranzer, and a strange orange glow began to pour into the struggling phoenix.
Kai screamed in agony and stumbled forwards, his breathing harsh and rasping. It felt as though molten lava was being poured into his body, burning and incinerating everything in its path. Perspiration dripped down his forehead, stinging his eyes,as he battled to stay upright.
"Kai!
"Stop the battle! This is inhuman!" He turned to face his desperately yelling team mates through a haze.
"I - don't - give - up!" he choked out, silencing them, gasping as another wave of pain flooded through him. It felt like he was on fire.
Jasmine grinned cruelly, enjoying Kai's torture. Unnoticed by anyone, Adrian gasped and stared in shock as he beheld her true nature.
"Rekkyt!" she called. "Flame Slash!" The Sphinx drew one paw back and dug its suddenly flaming claws into Dranzer's side.
Kai howled and fell to his knees, clutching at the gaping wound in his side. He felt three ribs break and instantly slowed down his rapid gasps for air. A punctured lung at this stage would be suicide. Literally. He knew that Jasmine would have no qualms about watching him die. With a shaking hand, he unwound the scarf from around his neck and stuffed it into the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood and give him a few more minutes to think of a way to win. Let's take stock. he thought dryly. I can barely breathe, there's a massive hole in my side, and I feel as though someone just replaced my blood with magma. Great. Hazily, he saw Jasmine grin in triumph and order Rekkyt to slash at him again. He ignored the increased pain as he suddenly saw the answer. The one and only way that he could win this was right in front of him. Every time that she attacked him, her defences dropped and she became careless. All he needed to do was pull himself together enough to mount a powerful counter-attack, and victory was assured. With an incredible effort, he pulled himself into a standing position. The world was dim and hazy, and tipping like a boat, but he could see just enough of it to…just enough to launch the…counter attack. Gathering all of his remaining strength, he raised a trembling hand until it was pointing directly at the two bit-beasts. At that exact second, Jasmine ordered Rekkyt to bite Dranzer's leg. There was a sickening cracking sound, and Kai's final command rent the air.
"Dranzer! Maximum Flame Sabre!" The dish disappeared in a blinding flash of light.
"Can you see anything, Brad?"
"Nope, but there'd better be medics on standby, 'cause Kai is gonna need 'em!"
"Do you think Jasmine's won?"
"I haven't got a clue. Wait, the light's fading!" Jasmine was red-faced and panting, her eye blazing with fury as she stared into the dish at something only she could see. A unanimous gasp sucked the oxygen out of the air as the watching crowd caught sight of Kai's crumpled, bloodied body. "Well, fans, it looks we have a winner - "
"Use…your…eyes, idiots!" Kai raised himself slowly up onto his elbows and pointed unsteadily. "I…don't…lose." His head dropped back to the floor as he passed out at last. Everyone craned their necks as the light and smoke faded completely away. Rekkyt was lying motionless on the ice, while Dranzer was still spinning, slowly and unsteadily, but still going. As they watched, the blue beyblade ground to a halt and toppled over to its side.
"What a shock! Ladies and gentlemen, the score is now tied at one apiece!" Medics ran into the stadium and bent over Kai's unconscious form, hurriedly loading the boy onto a stretcher. Tyson, Max and Kenny ran up to their leader, their faces white and tense. Kai's hand reached out and fastened feebly on Tyson's jacket.
"Tyson…" Crimson eyes fought to stay open.
"Yeah, Kai? What is it?"
"When you…fight…Ray…don't…don't…hold back on him. Don't...fight Ray…fight Adrian. G-good luck…" The feeble grip loosened and Kai's hand fell limply by his side.
"Excuse us boys, he needs to get to hospital immediately." Pushed out of the way, the pitiful remainder of the Bladebreakers turned their attention to the dish.
"Tyson?" Kenny pushed Tyson forwards, trembling. "Tyson, it's you now." With a flinty look in his eyes, Tyson walked up to the dish, grasping Dragoon tightly in his hand.
"Come on then, scum." he spat, glaring down at Adrian. What's the matter? Nerves got the better of you? Not surprised, I always was better than you." A defiant light lit in Adrian's pain-glazed eyes and he moved to his position. "You wanna forfeit now? You couldn't beat a half-empty bowl of custard, the state you're in." Hatred twisted Adrian's handsome features.
"A bit of a headache won't stop me from beating you, Tyson." he snarled, a little colour coming back to his grey face.
"Try me, Adrian." Tyson's voice was trembling with anger. Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Oh, I will."
"On my mark! Three…two…one…"
"Let it rip!" Tyson yelled, launching Dragoon viciously. Adrian followed in deadly silence. The two blades hit the dish and began circling warily.
"The tiger's on the prowl, Tyson." Adrian whispered. Tyson gave him a rude gesture in response and sent Dragoon flying into Driger.
"This familiar, Ray?" he asked loudly. "That's your name, and don't you dare forget it! What is this? Some elaborate revenge plan to get back at me for calling you a - "
"Shut up!" Adrian hissed wildly. Driger careered into Dragoon with a crash.
"He's losing control." Kenny whispered, staring at Dizzi's data. "But… why?"
"The truth hurts, does it, Ray? Good! Do you even remember who you are anymore? You're Ray, not Adrian." Dragoon dodged Driger contemptuously. "These aren't your moves, Ray! I want a battle with Ray, not whatever alter-ego you want to cook up to get revenge!"
"Shut the hell up!" Adrian screamed, falling to his knees as a blinding pain lanced through his head. "Go, Driger! Destroy him!" Memories were flashing through his throbbing head, distracting him from the battle. Every strike, a throb, every throb, another memory.
"I'll do what I want, and the rest of you can just…go to hell!"
The sound of metal on metal.
"Fight me like a blader, Ray! Don't cower down! You're better than that!"
"Put your heel down first…"
Driger's roar of pain as Dragoon burst out of the beyblade and clawed at him.
"Just try it, you selfish jerk!" Adrian tried to stand and fell full length, sobbing as the pressure in his head intensified beyond bearing. It felt as though his head was about to burst.
"Ray, see sense!"
"What do you care?"
"You are an empty shell. You have no identity."
"Who are you?"
"Ray! I haven't been training this long to lose to my own team mate! Show me what you've got, Ray!"
"I said; who are you?"
"Who are you?"
"Ray!"
"Who are you?"
"Ray."
"Who do you think you are, Ray? You'll never beat me like this!"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Ray…" the boy murmured. A light flashed in his half-open eyes. "I am…Ray…and you're going down, Tyson!" He staggered upright. Through the pain in his head, he looked in satisfaction at Tyson's shocked expression. "DRIGER! ULTIMATE TIGER CLAW ATTACK!" Power blasted from the white tiger, who raised his head and roared in triumph and delight. The last thing that the boy saw before darkness overtook him was his beloved beyblade landing by his feet. He surrendered to painless oblivion with one, final thought.
I…am…Ray…
Face carefully blank, Tyson caught Dragoon as it soared back to him. He ran over to the crumpled form of his team mate and hugged him gently, pulling away to let the medics through.
"Glad you're back, Ray." he whispered, watching his team mate's serene face. A slow grin spread across his face and he turned to bask in the glory of becoming World Champion.
The boy stirred. His eyelids fluttered open. He seemed to be in a hospital. No, not again...
"Hello, young man. Can you tell me your name, please?" a friendly voice asked. The boy smiled slightly and spoke with utmost confidence.
"My name is Ray."
A few bad comments that I got before about this story was that they didn't like the fact that Tyson had won, and I made Ray seem like the bad guy. Well,I had to make Tyson win because I wasn't going to change the series that much, and if I have made Ray seem like the bad guy, it was by pure accident. please review, and tell me whether I should do a follow-up chapter.
Thank you so much for reading this! Bye for now!