Author's note: To My wonderful reviewers!
grand amiral chelli: I'm sorry about Max. I like him too cause well...he is the nicest cute blond kid in the world but someone has to loose. I'm really sorry! And by the way, if the good guy punches the lights out of the bad guy, it'll just be too easy. Besides, the good guys also have to set a good example to the little kids out there.
Roni: I agree that Max nearly always looses Draciel. Like in season one and two...Oh well...If you want to know how Kai and Tala knows each other as kids, you'll just have to keep reading. It'll be in one of the future chappies. Just keep reading.
Hikari: Your welcome. Sorry for the late update but I've been busy being dragged about to various places (in short holidaying) Merry Kai-mas and a Grumpy New Year to you too! LOL!
RayeBBG: I feel your pain too. Don't worry. Kai and Jade'll avenge him in good time.
Puppalupp2008: Finally the finals has started. Here's the next match! Read on!
Emi-Chan and her 3 Spirits: Thank you for your forgiveness and your review. I'm glad you're happy. )
Last of all, Happy Belated Christmas and a Happy New Year to Everyone!!!!! Now on with the story!
Chapter 30
"No way!"
Jade rolled her eyes upwards when the argument between Ray and Tyson fired up again. She sipped her tea as the bickering flew through and forth between the two blader sitting at each end of the table in the dining room. It took all of her will-power not to slam her cup on the table and yell at them. Kenny had already done that five minutes ago.
"Forget it, Tyson. Tomorrow's match is mine." Ray said, defending himself.
"What and do you actually think I'm gonna let you get hurt and wind up in the hospital again?" Tyson shot back.
"Better me than you." Ray said.
"I can't let you do this, Ray." Tyson said. "Come on, man. Let me battle Bryan tomorrow."
"I faced and beat Bryan before-."
"With the expanse of your life!"
"And I know I can do it again." Ray went on as if Dragoon's master didn't say a word.
"And you could probably get killed this time!" Tyson protested. "Bryan knows all your moves. I can't-."
"Will you two just get a room?" Jade finally said annoyed. "Some of us are trying to have a nice cup of tea here."
"I second that." Kai muttered.
"Kai." Tyson turned to appeal to their captain. "Tell Ray he's crazy to face Bryan again. Tell him it's a suicide mission."
"It's his choice." Kai shrugged casually.
Tyson glared at him. "Some help you are."
"Kai's right, Tyson." Max said reasonably. "If Ray wants to battle Bryan, it's his choice."
Tyson groaned, propping his head in his hands. "I don't believe this... the whole world is against me."
Hopefully with the argument settled for real, Ray turned to Kenny. "How's Driger?"
"He's in good shape but in order to beat Bryan, I've upped your defense." Kenny said as he returned the blade to its owner.
"Which means I should concentrate more on my defense than my attacks." Ray said slowly, looking at his modified blade.
"But how can you beat Bryan without risking your Driger?" Tyson asked trying to find any way to discourage his friend from battling the same person who almost killed him three years ago. "And without landing yourself in the hospital again?"
Jade listened to their exchange of conversation and frowned thoughtfully. Kai noticed the serious look on her face.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Nothing. I was just thinking. Kenny, do you have a video if Ray's battle against Bryan from three years ago?"
Kenny opened his laptop and set to work. "Well, Dizzi?"
"Hold on. It has to be here somewhere..." Dizzi mumbled distractedly. "Under tons of unclean up files. Ah, here it is."
Kenny slidded the laptop over to Jade to let her see the replay of the battle. Everyone else leaned in, trying to see what she's seeing. She studied it for a moment, her eyes intense with concentration.
"So did you find anything? Tell me. I'm dying to know." Dizzi asked.
Jade didn't say anything. She pressed the replay button and watched the match once more.
"Hey, Jade. What is it?" Tyson bugged. "Come on. Tell us..."
She ignored him. Instead she stood up and looked at Ray. "Come with me." she said.
Puzzled, the Chinese blader got up as well and followed Jade into the training room, leaving the others in confusion. Tyson and Kenny started to follow but the door to the training room was closed and locked.
"Jade!" Tyson wailed.
"She must have found something that will benefit Ray in tomorrow's match." Max stated.
"I want to know what it is." Tyson said.
"Give it a break, Tyson." Kai said, sipping his tea.
Max shrugged good-naturally. "Looks like we'll have just to wait until tomorrow to find out, I guess."
"It's the second day of the Beyblade World Championships and the crowd is really hyped about it!" A.J announced.
"Tell me about it, A.J. They aren't the only ones. After Max's lost yesterday to Ian of the Demolition Boys, Bladebreakers hope to get back in the game and regain their title as world champs!" Brad said. "Can they do it?"
"Welcome, folks!" Jazzman's voice boomed across the crowded stadium where everyone had gathered. "Today we have Ray versus Bryan!"
"Déjà vu, Brad." A.J exclaimed. "These two have a long-going score to settle."
"No lost love here." Brad agreed.
Bryan smirked as he and Ray stepped up to the dish. "Well, well, Ray. How nice to see you again."
"Yeah." Ray said with equal sarcasm. "The feeling is mutual."
"And the Beystadium for today!" Jazzman hollered.
The Beystadium emerged and the sound of water could be heard. The crowd gasped in awe at the dish. The bottom of the dish was filled to the rim with water and a grand pirate ship floated in the center. White sails dapped every mast of the ship. The main deck of the ship was wide.
"Fighters, ready!" Jazzman yelled.
"Of course, I must warn you, Ray when this is over...There'll be nothing left of you and your blade." Bryan added.
"That's what you said the last time we bladed." Ray retorted.
Bryan smirked but said no more as Jazzman started the countdown for them to launch their blades.
"3, 2, 1! Let it rip!"
With a yell, the bladers launched their blades into the ship. Both blades landed on the deck with dead accuracy and moved into attack.
"I forgot to mention, Ray." Bryan said. "This battle will not be like last time."
Ray tensed. "I don't see how. Driger, attack!"
The speed of his blade increased as it rushed at Bryan's Falborg. Falborg dodged and circled Driger quickly before slamming into it. Driger fought back, forcing the other blade to the edge of the ship.
"End this now, Driger!" Ray shouted. "Tiger Claw!"
With one might push, Driger shoved Falborg through the edge, breaking wood as it did and into the lapping water. A splash occurred. Silent followed as everybody waited for Bryan to make a comeback.
Jade's eyes darkened as she stared at Bryan's face. He didn't seem the least bit worried at all. His method seemed somewhat familiar. Something's wrong...
A long minute passed and nothing happened.
"The winner for round one is Ray!" Jazzman announced once given permission from the judges.
"Looks like Bryan decided to roll over." Brad commented surprised.
Ray frowned as he retrieved his blade and turned back to his team.
"That was awesome, Ray!" Tyson said. "It was like taking candy from a baby."
"That's just it." Ray said. "It was too easy. Especially for Bryan. He's up to something."
Max glanced at Kai. "What do you think?"
But Kai only shook his head. "I've never seen Bryan blade like this before. His style is usually to take his opponents out fast and painful."
Ray winced, remembering. "Yeah."
"I have." Jade said quietly. They looked at her, surprised to hear this. She shifted uncomfortably at the sudden attention. "Back at the abbey, Boris used to pit me against Bryan to see how far my skills had improved." she recalled her memories in the abbey, seeing her younger self face a younger but just as heartless Bryan. "It's all a game to him. All I can say is be careful, Ray because the worst is yet to come. It's an old strategy of Bryan's to draw out his opponent's confidence, luring them into thinking they have a chance then destroy it."
Ray nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Jade."
"We're all the way behind you, Ray." Max said as Driger's master headed out.
Jade watched, praying silently for Ray's sake and the rest of the team's. She had revealed a part of the torture she had endured under Boris's order and judging by their faces earlier, they were shocked except Kai. His face was hard to read, his eyes haunted. She knew he blamed himself for what had happened to her although she couldn't understand why. They barely knew each other then and even if they did, they would have been rivals.
Except there was one moment...
His crimson gaze watched her as if he was recalling the scars marks on her when he attended to her when she was hurt. She could feel his pain and guilt through his eyes and she knew she couldn't let him go on blaming himself for something that wasn't his fault.
"Kai." she looked at him, her eyes pleading as if she knew the direction his thoughts were headed to.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked quietly.
She knew for a fact that under his calm unreadable expression, Kai was clouded by guilt of not doing anything to prevent her pain. "What could you have done? Kai, what happened to me wasn't your fault."
"I could have at least told you to get out."
She shook his head. "It wouldn't have made a difference. Boris would have just ordered me captured and punished and you would have suffered too. So just forget about. You can't go on beating yourself for something that happened so long ago."
"Wanna bet?"
"Kai, please." she said. "Forget about it. I have. What Bryan did to me was nothing." it was partly true. Bryan's method of blading wasn't the worst she had been forced to endure but it wasn't exactly the nicest either. She could still remember every stinging pain, how intense it had been... That was before I discovered his weakness...I ended up so badly hurt, Boris had to put off my training for a week. "Just leave it, Kai." she said. "Besides Ray needs our support."
Kai silently nodded but she knew somehow that this argument wasn't over.
The crowd roared in anticipation when the Beyblades were launched into the stadium. Ray tuned out the noises and tried to focus. He couldn't wait to wipe that smirk off of Bryan's face but yet he felt a twinge of fear ran through him. He knew how ruthless Bryan could. But what if it could be worst?
Bryan's grin grew as he watched Driger circle his own blade and moved in for the kill. "Falborg!"
Without so much as a warning, his blade slammed into Driger from behind, nearly knocking it from the dish. Driger went air-bourned and Falborg followed, beating into it for all its worth.
Ray cried out in pain when he felt excruciating pain rip through his body. He went down on one knee, shielding himself with his arms crossed in front of him. The air around him beat into his exposed flesh, tearing cloth as well.
"Ray!" Tyson and the others leapt to their feet.
"Your friends are worried, Ray." Bryan sneered with a cruel intention.
Ray didn't miss the meaning beneath his words. Painfully he gritted his teeth and rasped out to his friends. "Stay back."
They stopped short of the platform where Ray stood. Ray prayed they would understand. What was to prevent Bryan from attacking them as well?
"Oh, Ray." Mariah squeezed her eyes shut briefly, wishing this was all just a nightmare. But itwasn't and Ray was getting killed out there.
"He's crazy." Kevin exclaimed.
She wasn't sure whether he meant Ray or Bryan. "This's so wrong. Ray could get killed this time!"
"If I know Ray, this was his choice. He wouldn't let anyone else in his team bare his burden." Lee said solemnly.
"But Ray beat Bryan before." Mariah said. "Why can't he-?"
"Because the last time Ray fought Bryan, he lost Driger." Lee cut in harshly. "He was lucky then to get Driger back but I don't think he's gonna risk loosing his Bitbeast now. Especially not to Biovolt."
Air swiped across the back of his knees, causing Ray to collapse on all fours, gasping in pain. The pain was reaching a level where he could no longer feel anything else other than it. He could feel his own blood staining his shirt mixed with his sweat. His head felt light. Black circles swirled at the edge of his vision and weakly he shook it off.
I have to concentrate! Focus!
In his mind, he could sense his Bitbeast itching to get out but he halted it. No. Not yet, Driger...not yet...
Breathing hard, he forced himself to his feet and glared at his opponent.
"What, you're still standing?" Bryan remarked scornfully.
"Yeah." Ray shot back. He turned his eyes to the match, following the movements of the blades. The bridge of the ship was caught in the attacks, leaving behind a wreak with barely enough room for the blades to move.
"I'm bored of this little game. I think I'll end it now." Bryan sneered. "Stroblitz attack!"
This is it!, Ray thought.
Falborg emerged and with a loud ear-piercing shriek, let loose swipes of air at the white blade.
"Driger!" Ray shouted.
His blade speeded forward with the amazing speed that was its specialty. It made lightning-fast zigzag moves, dodging Falborg's attack from side to side.
"What the-?" Bryan gasped with plain shock written all over his face.
"That's it, Driger!" the neko-jinn said with a wary grin. I'll be damn. Jade's plan worked.
Driger slammed into the other blade, throwing it off-balance. Falborg leapt back, creating distance to recover. The blade was wobbling, its spin going slower than it was before.
The expression on Bryan's face was priceless. It made Jade want to laugh but all she did was smiled. She knew she was taking a risky bet when she told Ray yesterday how he could beat Bryan.
"Bryan's attack needed time to pressurize the air in order to turn it into an attack." she had said after she had locked them in the training room. "The only problem is you can't tell where or when the attack will come."
"So what can I do?" he asked, his head tilted with intrigued curiosity and possibility. "How can I dodge the attack if I can't see where it's coming from?"
She had smiled a little. "Bryan's attack has a weakness. His attacks can only move in a straight line. If you can use your Driger's speed with the proper moves, you should be able to dodge his attacks."
Ray considered the idea. "But I can't keep dodging his attacks all the time."
"You don't. Wait for his finishing attack. That's when he'll use most of his power." she said.
And she had been right. Bryan was most vulnerable after his Stroblitz attack. She should have figured that from her past battles against him like she discovered his weakness. But was it worth it? Ray had suffered many injuries from Bryan by now. Does he still have enough strength to fight back?
"Now, Driger!" Ray shouted. He could feel his Bitbeast's anxiety to get into the fight and end this match once and for all. "Vulcan Claw attack!"
With a roar with vengeance for its master, Driger lunged at Falborg, striking from above the weakened blade. A blinding light filled the stadium. Ray had to shield his eyes, squinting through the light. Driger was forcing Falborg back into its Bit. Shearing its razor sharp claws, the white tiger torn through the blade and knocked it from the Beystadium.
The light cleared and Bryan could only stare in mute shock at his broken Beyblade at his feet.
Behind him, at the benches, Boris's lips curled into a frown of disapproval.
"That's it, folks!" Jazzman shouted, recovering from his own awe. "Ray has won two sessions, placing the Bladebreakers even with the Russian team!"
The crowd screamed and applauded for the intense match.
"That was awesome, Ray!" Max said as he and Tyson rushed out to greet him.
Mariah ran past them and threw her arms around Ray with happy tears shimmering in her eyes. "Oh, Ray! I'm so glad you're alright!"
"Mariah..." Ray smiled softly. His visions swam in circles and he could feel his control over his body slip into abyss.
"Ray? Ray!" Mariah called in alarm when Ray fell unconscious in her arms.
"Ray!" the Bladebreakers surrounded them as Mariah collapsed to her knees under Ray's weight. Jade knelt and checked his injuries.
"It's worst than I thought." she said, barely keeping a tone of worry from her voice. "We have to get him to the hospital or he'll bleed to death."
Max hurried off to call the paramedic. Kai carefully took one of Ray's arms over his shoulder, letting the Chinese blader lean against him while Tyson took the other and together they helped him off the arena. Mariah and Kenny followed in a short distance.
Jade held out her hand and Driger obediently flew into it. As she slipped it into her pouch, she glanced across. Boris has leading the team away with Tala and Alexis bringing up the rear. Tala paused and looked over his shoulder. Their eyes met and she caught a glimpse of deep regret within them as he looked at Ray.
"Tala..." she wished she could at least talk to him; find out why he was doing this. Somehow, she knew it wasn't by choice.
"Jade, you coming?" Tyson called. "Come on! We get to ride an ambulance to the hospital!"
"Tyson, is that all you can think of?" Mariah snapped and there was a sound that sounded like her hitting Tyson over the head.
Jade looked at Tala once more but the red-head captain had left. Then she too turned and hurried after her team.
The heart monitor beat at a steady pace, ensuring Mariah that Ray was alright. She sat at his bedside, staring at his pale sleeping face. She clung on to the thought he was out of danger of dying to comfort herself.
He's alive, she thought. And that's all that matters.
A glance at the table clock told her it was seven'o clock in the evening. She had been sitting here for four hours since they put him in that room after the doctors operated on him. Mariah had no idea how tense she was until the door opened and she jumped slightly.
Jade walked in and stopped when she saw Mariah sitting there. "Hey." she said softly. "How's he?"
"The doctors said he lost a lot of blood but he'll be fine." Mariah gestured at her arm where a band-aid was indicating she had donated blood in Ray's name.
"That's...good news." Jade muttered.
Silence fell between them. Both girls have never been the best of friends. For one thing, they didn't trust each other and the other, they didn't like each other. Mariah still didn't like her and Jade still didn't trust her. But Ray needed them. A few seconds passed without a word.
Then with a sigh, Jade went up to the bedside and pulled out Driger from her belt. She placed it in Ray's hand closing his fingers over it gently. Ray sighed in his sedated sleep, his face turning peaceful. Jade paused for a while, staring at the bandages that wrapped his arms and chest.
Memories aroused in her mind, memories of how she was the one in the bed under medical care. Ruefully, she shook her head and turned to leave.
"Jade...?"
She looked back at the pink-haired girl and saw tears in Mariah's eyes.
"Do you think...?" Mariah's voice broke, catching in her throat. "Do you think Biovolt would try anything here...to Ray...just to get Driger?"
Jade smiled softly at her concern and obvious affection for the Chinese boy. "No." she said. "They won't."
"How can you be so sure?" she asked.
"I grew up in the same Biovolt abbey as Kai. I know." Jade replied. "Besides even if they tried, I have a feeling they'll have a hell of a time trying with you here."
Mariah blushed. "Yeah...I guess."
"I better go." Jade said shrugging. "Tyson needs someone to give proper motivation to start training. After all his match is tomorrow."
"Who's he battling?"
"Spencer."
Mariah nodded. "Tell him I said good luck."
"Okay."
Jade left the room and found Kai waiting for her outside. His eyes opened when he heard her come out of the room.
"Let's go." she muttered. They started walking.
"How is he?" he asked.
"Ray'll be fine." she answered. "He...just lost a lot of blood."
"What about you?" he glanced at her. "Are you okay?"
She knew what he meant but pretended not to. "I'm fine. I'm not the one lying in that bed."
"Jade...you know what I mean."
She hesitated and slowly nodded. "I do know what you mean. What they did to me, they did to him... Seeing Ray like that... It hurts to see a friend go through the same pain you went through before."
"I know." he said.
"I'll be alright." she answered his question. She looked into his eyes and added hastily. "And I won't do anything stupid."
He didn't look satisfied. "Promise?"
"Promise." she confirmed. She glanced back at the door to Ray's ward. "You want to see him?"
"I'll. After the tournament." Kai said.
"Let's go. Tyson needs his dictator. Besides, hospitals always give me the creeps." she shivered slightly, remembering all her trips to the hospital during those long years living on the street alone. She had seen and learnt things she knew normal people never will. Most of those things landed her in the stitch-up room of the hospital while they landed up dead.
Things used to be so simple...
