Author's note: I'm feeling really bad for not updating for so long. What, with all the college work and stuff...sigh... Anyway here are my responses to my WONDERFUL reviewers followed by the next chappie!
Toboe-Angel: Here's the next chappie for you! Hope you like it!Enjoy!
Dark Angel: Thank you for your compliment. I try to make Jade as human as possible or it wouldn't be nice if she was too perfect. I'm glad you like her though. Thanks again!
SapphireSword: You're not so bad at getting into your character's thoughts either. It's important to let the reader know what the character is thinking or there won't be any feeling in the story, right? And as for Tyson, don't worry. I'm know just the person to give him a good kick in the ass. His grandfather.Anyway, wow, five chappies before Tala comes in? Okay, I think I can wait that long...I hope...Hope you'll enjoy this chappie!
Escflowne: Hey, new reviewer! Thanks for taking time to come across this story. Btw you wouldn't happen to be a fan of Escaflowne, would you? cause second after Beyblade, Escaflowne is my next favourite anime.
Emi-Chan and her 3 spirits: Thank you. Hope you'll like this chappie!
faith:The part between Jade and Kai's my favourite in that chappie. But it's kinda hard to write Kai's part of the scene. I don't want him to do something that isn't in his character. And I'm glad to hear you almost feel Jade's pain cause that's was what I was hoping to achieve. Typical Tyson to drown his sorrows in food.
Hikari: Okay...wow...did I really make that big an impression on you with the previous chapter? I'm glad you like it and hope you'll like the next one as well.
Beyblade-gal: Good point. Here's the next chappie as a present to say sorry for the long wait!
Shitza: I've read your story but havent found time to review it yet. Sorry! I think it's great and i would definitely contienue reading it! Keep up the good work!
ANGEL-OF-DEATH6: Lol! Are you really never going to look at her the same way again? lol. Anyway,here's my update as you requested.
Chapter 33
"Good day, ladies and gentlemen of all ages!" Brad announced to the world the next day. "I'm Brad Best and here with me is my partner, A.J Topper."
"It's the fourth match of the World Championships finals. I'll say this will be one heck of a match. The Demolition Boys have taken the lead once again, placing the Bladebreakers in a dangerous situation. One loss and the Demolition Boys takes the Championship." A.J jumped in. "And today we have Jade of the Bladebreakers battling Alexis, the newest member of the Demolition Boys."
"The pressure is really on Jade. If she looses the best out of three matches today, her team is out the door." Brad said. "Can she pull through?"
"We'll just have to wait and see." A.J said.
In the waiting room, Jade waited anxiously for the match to start. She was leaning against a row of lockers, staring at her blade.
We can do this, Draizer...we have to...I'm not about to loose you...
"So, Jade." Tyson said. "You ready?"
She looked up at him and nodded. "More than ever."
He offered her his hand and she took it and shook it firmly. Kai came up to her side. She met his gaze, watching his dark crimson eyes.
Finally all he said was. "Be careful. Be alert and always on your guard."
She managed a small smile for his sake, took his hand and squeezed it fondly. "I'll." she promised.
"Aw..." Dizzi pretended to sob. "Ain't that sweet?"
Kenny didn't hear her. He was grumbling under his breath, clearly under a lot of pressure. The door to the room flew open and Max flew in, beaming happily.
"Guess what, guys! I have a surprise for you!"
"You found a way to beat Alexis's Beyblade?" Kenny asked hopefully.
Max laughed. "No. Check it out. Look whose here to see us!"
Two figures came in after him, one limping and leaning on the other for support.
"Hey, guys." Ray said with a grin.
"Ray, Mariah." Tyson exclaimed. "What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I came to see the match." Ray said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Mariah rolled her eyes. "He practically insisted on coming. The doctors said I have to follow him to make sure he doesn't hurt himself or do anything that might aggravate his injuries. So here I'm. So who's battling today?"
"Jade is." Max piped in.
Ray looked at his teammate and smiled when he noticed how protectively close the usually stoic captain was standing to her. "Driger and I wish you good luck."
"The rest of the White Tigers do too." Mariah added in. "Good luck."
"Thank you." Jade said. In her hand, she clutched Draizer, drawing on the strength and courage it gave her. Everyone is depending on us now, Draizer...
She looked at it as it glowed faintly. Then with a determined expression, she looked up at her team, at her friends. They looked at her expectedly.
"Let's go." she said moving ahead.
As a team, they left the room.
"Whoa! Welcome back, Beyblade fans!" DJ Jazzman hollered, leaning forward from his stand. "Are you ready!"
The crowd roared in response, rooting for the match to begin.
"Today, we have Jade from the reigning champion team, the Bladebreakers!" Jazzman waved his hand to one end of the arena at the Bladebreakers's bench. Jade stepped forward, acknowledging the introduction. Her fans cheered and applauded for her, expecting the best from her today.
"She sure has a lot of fans." Brad commented.
"She isn't the only one." A.J corrected. "The Demolition Boys's Alexis is just as popular. She's new in the game but don't look down on her. She must pack some real power to get this far."
"And from the Demolition Boy, Alexis!" Jazzman yelled.
Alexis stepped forward, receiving just as much support from her fans as Jade had. Not that both girls cared. Ironically, Alexis wore white, the opposite of what Jade wore. Both girl met gaze, staring at each other.
"There's no lost love between this two." Jazzman observed. "Are we ready to go!"
The audience roared again in approval.
"Bladers please approach the stand as we reveal today's battle dish!" Jazzman said.
As the two bladers came up to the dish, the Beystadium emerged, rising high above the fighters. It towered over them, made out of many levels of flat surface.
"Check this out!" A.J exclaimed. "That is one tall Beystadium!"
"It's the level stadium! It consists of five levels, each five meters higher than the other." Brad explained.
"You know what they say, Brad. The higher you are, the harder you fall." A.J pointed out.
A grin curved Alexis's lips, revealing slightly her fangs. Jade was taken back to see the sharp pointy teeth. What have they done to you?
"Jade, stay on ground level." Kenny called from the bench. "That way you have a better chance of staying in the game!"
She frowned, taking that into consideration and realized it wasn't going to work. It would be impossible to knock her opponent's blade from the dish. She glanced up, studying the structure of the stadium.
"Beybladers, ready!" Jazzman yelled as he prepared to do the countdown. "And 3, 2, 1! Let it rip!"
"Simultaneously, Jade and Alexis launched their blades into the leveled dish. Alexis's Rashka lunged at Draizer, slamming into it head-on.
"Rashka!" she shouted.
Jade couldn't believe Alexis was calling out her Bitbeast so soon. The creature that haunted her dreams emerged from its black blade, hissing menacingly. Its evil seemed to sweep across the arena, licking out at Jade as she stepped back. Then instead, it went for the blue blade beneath it.
"Draizer!" Jade shouted.
Her blade managed to dodge the first wave that lunged at it but the second attack caught up with it, surrounding it. Jade called out to her Beyblade to break free and it reached fast, twisting free before the dark form could trap it in its hold. It went up, landing on the first level of the stadium.
"Jade, don't! You'll loose ground!" Kenny shouted.
Jade heed his warning no attention. Her focus was completely narrowed on the match.
"Perfect." Alexis smiled. "Rashka, after her!"
The black blade went after its prey, attacking it viciously. That exact same moment, Jade felt pain seizing through her. She bit down the cry of pain that wanted to spill from her lungs. Her breaths came out in pants instead as she wondered what happened in confusion.
What the hell?
"So how does it feel, Jade?" Alexis sneered.
Jade glared at her. "What did you do?"
"It's one of Rashka's abilities to allow its opponent to feel the pain of their blade. It, of course, depends on the connection between you and your Beyblade. Considering the connection you have with your precious Draizer, you'll soon be feeling a lot of pain." Alexis said with a cruel smile. "In Beyblading, you're fighting with your blade. Isn't that what you once taught me?"
Jade gritted her teeth, recalling now it was she who taught the other girl the basic of blading. "But you'll feel the pain of your blade too."
Alexis shook her head, laughing mockingly. "No. That's where you're wrong, Jade. I don't fight with Rashka. It fights for me."
It's the blade, its Bit power, Jade realized. It has corrupted her, controlling her.
"I'll you one more chance, Jade. Denounce the Bladebreakers and return to Biovolt. Or face the wrath of Rashka." Alexis said pointing her launcher at her.
To emphasize her point, her blade struck Draizer. Jade nearly cried out but somehow she withstood the pain and retorted in a strong voice.
"I'll sooner die than join Biovolt."
Then you're a fool." Alexis spatted. "Rashka!"
A shierk erupted from the dark form pursuing the blue blade. Before the eyes of a shock audience and a speechless Jazzman, it started to take form. Its paws flexed, razor sharp claws flashing. A long black tail swished behind it as it stretched its back. Ears twitching, it turned its demonic red eyes on its prey and let out a snarl that shook the whole stadium.
"What-what is that?" Max gasped out.
"It's a panther." Tyson said in awe.
"Correction." Dizzi piped in, her own voice unable to contain her own awe and fear. "It's a jaguar and a mean one at that. Jade better be very careful!"
"Rashka, Darkness Swipe!" Alexis commanded.
With a yowl, the animal lunged forward at the blade, claws flashing. At the last moment, Draizer dodged and attempted to go around it. To Jade's shock, Rashka cut her off, ripping into the attack ring of her blade with animal ferocity. She couldn't keep back her cried of pain this time as the assault continued.
"The only way you stand a chance against the power of Rashka is to give Draizer to me." Alexis said, watching with a smug look.
"Not a chance!" Jade stubbornly snapped. She ignored the terrible pain shooting through her aching body with every blow her blade took. I'll not loose Draizer!
Anger flashing in her eyes, Alexis shouted. "So be it! Rashka!"
With amazing blinding speed that startled everyone, Rashka bounded upwards and descended on Draizer like a dark shadow of death. The tip of its spin base landed hard on the edge of the other blade's attack ring with enough force to send it flying from the dish.
It was that very moment Jade felt as though she was released by unknown force. She went down one knee, breathing hard as she tried to regain her strength. Draizer landed next to her.
"No..." she whispered in disbelief. Her hand reached out with effort and grasped the blade.
"Jade!" behind her, she could hear her teammates as they ran up to her calling out her name. But all just seem so meaningless.
"Winner...Alexis!" Jazzman was saying though the stun atmosphere that came over the crowd watching Alexis's cruel method of blading remained.
Alexis called back her blade. The demonic Bitbeast had returned to its Bit and it flew into her open palm as she turned and walked off the platform. The moment her back was turned on her opponent, her self-confident smile vanished. Boris came forward, obviously pleased with her performance.
"Nicely done." he said.
"It wasn't enough."
Her words caught the director off-guard for a moment. "What do you mean, Alexis?"
Alexis glared at him as if she could take out her anger on him. "She wasn't fighting back. Why doesn't she defend herself like you told me she would?"
Boris chuckled at his student's worry. "She's just playing with you, trying to bait you into making a mistake."
Alexis listened and nodded. Yes, it was probably some trick Jade thought up to make her let her guard down. It wasn't Jade's style to run away. Alexis had seen her blade. Even as a kid, Jade was always the aggressive one. It was unlike of her to let her opponent attack without fighting back. Yes...it has to be a trick...One I won't fall for.
Stunned, Jade picked up her blade and painfully got to her feet. She felt Tyson and Max reaching to help her up but she brushed away their hands.
"Jade? Are you alright?" Max asked in concern.
"What happened?" Tyson asked.
Jade could only shake her head as she pushed past them, her bangs hiding the pain and despair in her eyes. Kai stared after her as she disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.
"What happened there, Dizzi?" Kenny asked his laptop.
"You're not going to believe this." Dizzi said. "But it seems that Alexis wasn't just attacking the Beyblade. She was attacking the blader as well."
"You mean like what Bryan did to Ray?" Tyson asked angrily.
"Something like that..." Dizzi sighed. "It's complicated. The Bitbeast in Alexis's blade is going after the connection between Jade and her Draizer. Whatever pain her blade feels, Jade'll feel it too."
"But..." Kenny frowned thoughtfully. "Why doesn't she fight back then?"
"Kenny has a point here." Max agreed. "Why doesn't Jade call out her Bitbeast as well?"
"Because that's what Boris would want her to do." Tyson answered. "And Jade's smart enough not to fall that."
No..., Kai thought darkly. His eyes turned to the petite blonde girl on the other team. There's more to it than just that reason...
Jade leaned against a wall in the dark corridors of the stadium with a sigh. The pain was dull now, nothing compared to the pain of her aching soul.
How can I fight something like that?, she wandered.
The images of her battle played in her mind as she recalled the power of darkness Alexis's Bitbeast radiated. It was pure evil. It was like nothing she ever faced before.
Footsteps echoed through the hallway, reaching her keen ears. She looked up and her body, although tired and pained, tensed up when she saw who it was.
Kai was certain Jade had gone down the dark hallway before him. He kept his senses open though as an old habit of the abbey's. He stepped into another hallway and knew at once he was not alone.
"Kai."
He stopped, the deep voice sending shivers down his spine as he turned to face the speaker. "Grandfather." the word slipped from his mouth before he could stop it and he cursed under his breath for allowing himself to be caught off-guard.
"Hello, Kai." Voltaire said.
"What do you want?" the bluenette snapped.
"Dear boy, is that how you greet your grandfather, your only family?" the old man smirked.
"No thanks to you." Kai said. "What do you want? Came to gloat over your victory already?"
Voltaire inclined his head. "Partly. I just came to offer you a part of that victory."
Kai laughed bitterly. "You don't give up easily, do you?"
"A trait I believe we both share." Voltaire shrugged.
"Can't you get it thorough that thick skull of yours, 'grandfather'?" the teen sneered. "I'll never betray my friends for anything. Not even you."
"What about her then? Would you do anything for her, Kai?" an eyebrow was raise in the young teen's direction.
"What are you talking about?" Kai hissed.
"I can help her, Kai. Only I have the power to prevent her from going through the pain she'll suffer under Alexis's hand. All you need to do is just ask." Voltaire said smoothly.
Fists tightened by his sides. A muscle at Kai's jaw worked but he didn't say anything. There had to be a price.
Voltaire knew he was listening. "It's up to you, Kai. You only need to give yourself and Black Dranzer back to Biovolt and everything will be yours. Everything you ever wanted, power, fame, luxury...will be yours." a grin stretched across Voltaire's face when Kai remained silent.
"Boris."
Jade's voice held venom as she glared at the man who took away a part of her life. Biovolt's abbey director had a smug look on his face as he strolled up to her.
"A battle nicely fought out there." he said.
"Glad you enjoyed it." she said sarcastically.
"Oh, I did. But the outcome wasn't what I have expected. I know you, Jade. I know you have the potential and power to beat Alexis. Why hold back from what is truly yours?" Boris said slyly.
Her hands became fists but he could tell she was listening by the way her green eyes narrowed with curiosity.
"We both know it doesn't have to be you walking away a loser." he half-expected her temper to flare but instead she didn't say anything. He smiled inwardly. "We know Alexis's ability will never match up to yours, Jade. Even with Rashka, her potential is limited. But you..."
"What are you saying, Boris?" she snapped.
"Alexis can easily be replaced, Jade." the man said. "We need someone with authority, potential, power..." he gazed at her. "You."
Her voice filled with uncertainty and curiosity, she asked. "Are you sure?"
"Of course" he purred, reaching out to her like a father would to his child. "I have always dreamt it would be you, Kai and the rest of the Demolition Boys to usher in the new world created by Biovolt."
Jade watched his hand descend towards her and smirked, all uncertainty disappearing from her face and a mocking smile replaced it. "Good. Keep dreaming then." she said and without warning her hand lashed out, slapping the hand away.
She relished the pure shock that clouded Boris's face as he stared at her.
"Maybe you weren't paying attention to the message I've been sending you from the moment I left the abbey." she said tightly. Her eyes were dark with rage. "I'll never work for you or Biovolt."
Boris stepped back. It was clear his attempt to recruit his ex-student had failed. "You're strong-willed, Jade. I shall take pleasure in crushing your will with my bare hands. Mark my words. You'll return to Biovolt. You and Kai." angrily, he stalked away leaving her staring after him darkly.
"Wrong."
"What?" Voltaire was surprised when Kai spoke.
"All those things, I have no need for them. I have everything I need and you are not one of them." Kai said.
Voltaire's face reddened. "Kai!"
"You couldn't give me everything, grandfather." Kai said as if he hasn't spoken. "You couldn't give me love as a grandfather."
"But I did love you." Voltaire protested.
"You loved me for what I'm." Kai snapped. "To you, I was just your weapon, someone to carry out your dirty work. You used me!"
Voltaire couldn't believe his own blood dared deny him. "This isn't over, Kai. Your girlfriend will pay the price for your ignorance!"
Kai's eyes darkened, narrowing dangerously.
For a moment, Voltaire felt a fear so foreign run down his spine. It was almost as if Black Dranzer glared back at him through his grandson's crimson eyes. It scares and thrills him all the same.
"If you dare lay a hand on her, I'll make you regret the day you were born." the phoenix said with a soft voice filled with steel.
Shrugging off his fear, Voltaire chuckled shortly. "We shall see, Kai. We shall see." with a flap of his coat, the old man walked away.
Staring after the one person he unfortunately called kin, Kai forced back the anger and the sense of helplessness he felt. He had done what he knew Jade would want him to do. He only hoped his actions will not cause her more suffering than she already has.
Hearing footsteps, Kai turned and froze when he saw Boris walking down a hallway before him. Boris looked displeased and he wondered why. The answer came like a snap.
"Jade." he breathed and broke into a sprint, rounding the corner. He found her standing in the hallway, staring after the man as he disappeared at a corner.
She blinked in surprise when he shook her slightly. "Kai?"
"Are you alright?" the bluenette demanded, his eyes dark. His gaze ran over her, making sure she was alright. "Did he try anything on you?"
"I'm fine." she said, giving him a slight smile of assurance. A smile that did not assure her. Her body was trembling ever so slightly from anger.
Kai's eyes were gentle as he studied her. "Jade, be extra vigilant. Alexis isn't gonna go that easy on you in the next round. She'll do whatever it takes to win."
"I know." she muttered, walking back to the arena where her fate awaited her. I have to save her...and I think I know how...
"Ready!"
Jade held up her launcher, muscles tensing. Opposite her, Alexis did the same. A cruel smile curved her lips as she prepared to launch.
"3, 2, 1! Let it rip!" Jazzman bellowed.
Both girls released their blades. Both blue and black blades circled each other and the sound of clashing metal filled the air. The audience roared in anticipation, expecting a heated battle.
"I don't know what you're up to, Jade." Alexis shouted. "But it isn't gonna work on me!"
Pain coursed through Jade's body as Alexis's Bit started to glow. Somehow she managed to grit out. "I'm not trying anything on you, Alexis. I never wanted any of this to happen between us. Especially not to you."
"You think you know me so well." Alexis sneered. "But you don't!"
Rashka collided into Draizer. Jade cried out, stepping back in pain.
At the benches, Kai's body tensed, fighting the urge to go to her side. This wasn't his fight. It was hers.
"Rashka!" Alexis called.
In an aura of darkness and evilness, the demon Bitbeast emerged from its Bit and pursued the other blade, destroying the ground beneath it. Pieces of the stadium were broken by the sheer power of Rashka. It slammed into Draizer, knocking it onto the second level. It followed closely. Draizer moved into defense, refusing to attack.
"Attack me already!" Alexis screamed furiously.
Despite the pain she left, Jade smiled slightly. Good work, Draizer. Keep at it...
"Jade!" Alexis shouted. "Call out your Bitbeast and fight me properly!"
"No." Jade replied stubbornly. "I'm gonna do this the hard way if I have to. Alexis, this isn't you and you know it."
"You're wrong. This is the real me." the blonde girl snapped. Her icy blue eyes darkened with hints of red, similar to that of her Bitbeast.
"Really?" Jade bit off. "Looked in the mirror lately?"
"What are you talking about?" Alexis said restlessly. "I have waited too long for this match to happen and I'm going to defeat you."
"Alexis, I don't know what Biovolt did to you." Jade said softly. Remorse filled her eyes along with determination. "But I'm going to fix it. Without using my Bitbeast."
"What!" Alexis gasped.
"What!" Kenny and Tyson said in stunned unison.
"She doesn't stand a chance if she doesn't call out Draizer." Max said anxiously.
Kai clenched his fists until they were white. Jade...I hope you know what you're doing...
High up in the audience, Mariah shook her head. "This is wrong. She's crazy! She could get killed!"
Next to her, Ray sighed. "She's doing this not only for herself but for Alexis as well."
"But why?" Mariah asked, pain-filled tears filling her eyes.
"Gee, Mariah. Didn't know you cared." Kevin said although his attention was on the match.
"Shut up, Kevin. This is serious." she snapped. She glanced at Ray pleadingly for an explanation.
"Jade has to prove to Alexis by not using her Bitbeast..." Ray said gently. "That power isn't everything."
"Draizer, move!" Jade ordered.
Her blade leapt onto the next level to avoid Rashka's vicious attacks but the black Beyblade kept at her tail. It attacked, nearly knocking Draizer from the platform but Draizer stood its ground and managed to break away.
The pain was growing more intense to Jade, tearing at her very being,
I can't give in...Draizer needs me...I must protect it...
She tried to concentrate, blocking out most of the pain mentally. All those years training under many different mentors came to use. Ordering Draizer, she led Rashka into a chase, going up higher and higher. She could hear Kenny protesting against her move but she ignored him, knowing she only had one chance now to defeat Rashka.
On the highest platform, Rashka had Draizer cornered.
"You're mine now!" Alexis declared.
Her blade lunged at the blue blade, intending to knock it off and out the dish. To her surprise, Draizer retaliated, fighting back.
"Draizer!" Jade shouted as her blade began to glow.
Powered by the spirit within it, Draizer pushed its opponent nearly off the edge. Rashka fought back, snarling and swiping its claws at the glowing blue blade. Draizer spun aside, dodging the claws and at the same moment knocked Rashka and itself off the platform.
"Draizer!" its owner cried out as the dark Bitbeast pressed its attacks even in mid-air as it fell. There was no way Draizer could survive a fall like that! I have to find a way to protect it...but how?
Protect it, Jade...and it will protect you...
She heard her mother's voice ringing in her ears and suddenly without warning, Draizer leapt from its Bit in a burst of light. Everyone gasped in awe for the creature seemed to be glowing with an aura of blue fire and purity.
"Draizer?" Jade stared at her Bitbeast in shock as she felt its mind brushed against hers. Draizer is risking itself...for me?
Although Alexis have been told many times to be prepared for Jade's Bitbeast, she realized now she'll never be ready until she has seen for herself the power of the wolf. And it was truly magnificent. For that moment as she stared at the creature, she was taken-off guard and that was all that was needed for Draizer to strike back.
In mid-air, Rashka was vulnerable as Draizer sprang at it. Fangs bared and lips pulled back in a snarl, the wolf threw its entire body weight on the demonic cat, forcing it back into its Bit. But the jaguar retaliated, struggling against Draizer.
In those moments, Jade felt a pain she never felt before. It wasn't the pain of the body. That she could take. This was much worst and painful. It was the pain of the soul. A part of her was being torn away and she was helpless to prevent it.
"No!" she shouted as she realized what was going to happen. "Draizer1"
Her Bitbeast snarled ferociously and finally pushed Rashka back into its Bit, it with the feline. The Bit lost its dark glow, trapping both spirits inside as the blade landed outside the stadium. Jade's blade landed barely within the mass destruction that was the dish and its spin was weak before it eventually stopped spinning.
"Alexis's blade has been knocked out!" Jazzman announced. "The winner for this round is Jade of the Bladebreakers!"
The excited crowd roared, cheering for such an outstanding match. But Jade couldn't hear any of it. She could only watch, stunned as Alexis picked up her blade and glanced at her. Strangely, there was a glint of disappointment in her blue eyes before she turned and walked away.
Jade just stared. At the expenses of winning a battle, she had lost the one thing that meant the world to her.
Draizer sacrificed itself for me...so I would win the battle...but...instead I lost it...I lost Draizer...
And to her this was a fate worst than death.
Author's note: Cliffhanger! Well? What do you think? RR!
