Author's note: It took quiet some time to put this chappie together but it's done nonetheless. Hope you enjoy it!

Special thanks:

faith: Well, Alexis is more like Rashka-possessed since Rashka is also a spirit. Anyway thank you.

baby angel: Don't cry. It'll all be better soon. Just read on to find out what I mean.

Hikari: You'll just have to read on to find out.

Blackraven-Ying: Cool! Which part of Thailand are you going to? I went to Phuket last year before the tsunami so it might be different now. Hope you enjoy yourself

SapphireSword: Don't worry. She'll pull though. Btw thanks for updating your story!

MyStIc BlAcK PhOeNix: I'm glad you love it even though it's sad. Thanks.

Beyblade-gal: Yup, loosing your bestfriend is tough. Loosing your Bitbeast is worst.

Nami Kahaku Kai's GF: Thank you. Glad you enjoy it.

FenixPhoenix: Thanks. I'm glad you approve of my characters.

MasterDevilBlade: Thank you so much. It took me quite some time to think of it. But I'm glad you like it. Thank you again.

Shitza: No worries here. Take your time. Thanks for reviewing.

Puppalupp2008: Updated. Keep on reading.


Chapter 34

The battle was won but why did it feel as though she lost the war? Even as the Bladebreakers came up to her, she couldn't feel or hear them. Everything just seem so...empty...

"Jade? Hey, Jade. Are you alright?" Tyson asked concerned. He half-expected her to snap in his face which was more preferable.

Instead all she did was turn silently without a word and walked away from them. None saw the tears that threatened to spill.

"Jade?" Max started to go after her.

Kai stopped him, holding out a hand to keep them from going after her. "Let her be." he said, staring after her. "She needs time alone."

"But, Kai." Tyson protested. "We can't just let her go."

"I don't know, guys." Kenny piped in nervously. "Now that Jade doesn't have Draizer...maybe..."

"Just spill it out, Chief." Tyson said.

"Out in the open?" Dizzi said sarcastically loud. "For the whole world to hear? Sure, Chief! Let's hear it!"

Max sighed. "I think Dizzi has a point."


"Impressive work, Alexis." Lord Voltaire said with a grin. "I must say I'm impressed by the outcome."

"Yes, my lord. We have now managed to obtain the third Bitbeast of the Bladebreakers. The battle should be simple from here." Boris assured his boss.

"Good." Voltaire gave the team standing obediently before him in the waiting room a appraising look. "Failure should be out of the question then."

"It's, sir." Alexis responded. "I'll make sure of that."

Tala flinched slightly to the cold tone in Alexis's voice. None noticed as Voltaire was leaving the room and Boris was walking him out. The door closed behind them, shutting out their low hush voices.

The red-head captain allowed his self to breath easier now. He glanced at Alexis as she sat down to inspect her blade. Alexis felt his gaze on her and glanced at him, meeting his blue eyes with her own.

"Got a problem?" she sneered.

"Alexis...this has to stop." Tala said quietly, his eyes narrowed at her. He was aware that Spencer, Bryan and Ian were watching them quietly, not daring to say anything.

"And who's gonna stop me? You, Tala?" she snorted, shaking her head. "I don't think so."

Clenching his fist, Tala gritted his teeth. "Alexis, you have to stop. You already got her Bitbeast. There's no point in torturing her."

Alexis tossed her blonde hair. "Why would you care?"

"Dammit, Alexis." he snarled. "Why are you doing this? Jade was your friend!"

Her eyes narrowed. "Was. The same way Kai was yours. But he abandoned you. The same way Jade abandoned me."

"They didn't abandon us." Tala said.

"Then we see it differently. Tell me" she said icily. "What's the Bladebreaker girl to you?"

"A friend." he said softly, remembering how he was the first to befriend the new girl in the abbey so many years ago. She was so different then, once an innocent girl now a beautiful teenager. Her emerald green eyes that lilted with gratitude and sisterly love for those around her. Eyes that filled with determination and stubbornness.

Green Eyes...

Somewhat determined to prevent Jade from going through the pain Alexis was planning to inflict upon her, Tala's eyes darkened. "Lex, don't do it." he said quietly yet with firmness. "It's not you-."

She stood up suddenly. She was slightly shorter than the red-haired Russian but that didn't matter. Her eyes narrowed into slits, she glared at him. "What do you know about me? Tell me that, Tala."

Unease by the tension between his two teammates, Ian started to speak up. "Tala, maybe we should-."

His captain held up a hand to cut him off without taking his eyes off the girl's blue eyes. When he spoke, it was to her. "I know you weren't like this before Boris gave you that damn Bitbeast."

An evil smirk curled Alexis's upper lip. "Is that so?"

A dark glimmer in her hand drew Tala's attention away from her eyes and he looked down to see the Beyblade in her hand glowing. A shiver ran through him as he looked back at her again. A distinct warning in his head went off.

She spoke and her voice came out in a low hiss. "Some things were just mean to be, captain."

Alexis spun on her heel and stalked to the door. Hand on the knob, she paused and added softly, almost to herself but Tala heard her. Whether she meant the tournament or...something else, he had no idea and judging by her tone, he didn't want to know.

"It ends today."


"FORFEIT THE THIRD MATCH!" Tyson 'half'-shouted upon hearing Kenny's suggestion in their waiting room. "WHAT, ARE YOU CRAZY, CHIEF!"

"There's no point in continuing this match." Kenny protested as best as he could.

"WE'LL LOOSE THE ENTIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS!" Tyson shouted in disbelief.

Dizzi called out from her position on the table. "Tone down, will you? The whole stadium can hear you."

"Without Draizer, Jade doesn't stand a chance against that Bitbeast." the timid brown-haired boy said. "There's just no point in going on. "

"But Chief!"

"I hate to say this, Tyson." Max said. "But I think Kenny's right."

"What? I don't believe this! Maxie!" Tyson wailed.

Max shrugged as if it made his point. "Like Kenny said, without her Bitbeast, Jade doesn't stand a chance against Alexis. And something tells me Alexis isn't just out to get Jade's Bitbeast. She's out to get Jade too. We can't just let her go!"

"Jade won't give up like that." Tyson protested. He kept moving about in the room and finally stopped in the center. "I know she can beat that girl and her Bitbeast!"

Max sighed and glanced at their captain. "What do you think, Kai?"

Kai had listened to their debate fly through and for and now his gaze drifted over Tyson's shoulder. "I think you should ask her yourselves."

Tyson turned in confusion as all eyes went to the door. Jade stepped in, her eyes downcast. Her expression was closed off yet Kai was certain she had heard everything. Biting her lower lip, she looked up at them and they saw her eyes were hard.

"I'm staying."

"What!" Kenny gasped in shock.

"A-are you sure?" Max sputtered. "Alexis's going to cream you if you go out there!"

Tyson sounded just as surprise as them. "You are?"

She nodded wordlessly. Her stubborn-filled eyes met Kai's as if daring him to turn her down. He just stared at her, his face cool and unreadable.

Kenny found his voice. "You can't be serious! It'll be suicide! Alexis'll destroy you!"

She already has. "I have to. I don't have a choice." she said tiredly.

"But you do have a choice!" Kenny said quickly.

"Which has never been an option." she said. She shook her head. "I'm not going to throw in the towel."

"But without Draizer, you don't stand a chance!" Kenny said.

Her face was emotionless as she turned towards the door. "I know."

"Jade, forgetting something?" Kai's voice made her stop and glanced back. Her arm shot out to a side and caught whatever he threw at her. She opened her hand and stared at her Beyblade in it. The attack ring was a mess, cracked and chipped off badly. The metal ring was worn out and there were vicious slashes across the base. It was amazing how it was still in one piece. Even then, she seriously doubt it could survive the next battle.

But I have to try...

Kenny peered at the blade in her hand and shook his head. "That isn't going to survive another match against Alexis. Maybe I can fix it up before the match starts."

"Will the participates please take your places as the match is about to start in five minutes?" Jazzman announced.

"Or not." Dizzi finished dryly for Kenny.

"We're doom!" Kenny wailed.

Jade sighed and left the room, clutching her blade tightly in her hand. The Bit felt empty, lifeless. Just like her soul. Behind her, she heard the door open and close.

"Are you sure about this?"

She nodded, turning around to face him. "Yes, I'm sure."

Kai gazed at her, wishing he could fight in her place, protect her. But he knew he can't. She wouldn't allow him because this was her fight and she wasn't going to let someone else suffer in her place. It's what made her special. Her heart, her bravery...all those that drew him to her in the first place.

She's stronger and braver than she gives herself credit for.

And she gives herself a fair deal of credit. He of all people should know that.

"Kai..." she hesitated and swallowed before she spoke her next words. "Kai, I want you to promise me...if I fall..."

His eyes pained as if he knew what was coming but didn't say anything.

She forced her words out in a soft voice, glancing aside "If I fall...promise me you'll save her."

"Jade..."

She looked back at him as his lips descended on hers, capturing them gently. As his arms wrapped her in his strong embrace, she sighed softly. They heard the door open but they ignored it and the shock stares they received from Kenny and Tyson. All that mattered to them was each other.

Kai broke the kiss, pulling away slightly from her. "I promise." he whispered.

She smiled tiredly, looking at him with gratitude and love. "Thank you."

As she and Kai turned and headed down the hallway that will lead her to her battle, she could hear Max laughing at Tyson and Kenny.

"How blur can you get!"


What surprised Alexis wasn't to see Jade standing at the other end of the stadium but to see the calm expression on her face. She had expected her opponent to be broken in by now after having lost her Bitbeast to her but looking into Jade's green eyes, she saw...nothing...in them.

"Aren't you a glutton for misery?" she sneered.

Jade looked at her but her face and her eyes never changed. The old saying 'eyes were windows to a person's soul' came to mind and Alexis saw Jade's soul was empty as her Bit was.

"Welcome back, Beyblading fans from all over the world as we move into the third round that will decide the fate of the Bladebreakers! Should Jade loose this round, the Demolition Boys take the championships." Jazzman said with enthusiasm. "And since our last two battles have completely destroyed the stadium, a standard stadium shall be used for this round. Fighters, take your positions!"

As the new stadium rosed, the girls clicked their blades into their launchers and held them out.

"Ready! 3, 2, 1! Let it...rip!" Jazzman yelled.

"Go, Rashka!" Alexis shouted, launching her blade into the dish.

Both blades landed in the dish and started to circle each other. They met, clashed and bounced back. Rashka kept at its attack, slowly forcing the other into defense.

"Jade!" Alexis snapped. "You don't stand a chance against me without your Bitbeast."

Her words hit home. Jade looked exhausted and in pain. She closed her eyes, panting softly.

Alexis allowed a smirk, knowing her opponent was finally broken. "That's everything, huh?" she said with mock concern. "No Bitbeast, no power. No hope. Take all that away and what's left?"

Following her assault, Alexis attacked, lunging. She had her prey boxed in, trapped.

Her blade moved in for the final blow.

Jade's eyes snapped open, now filled with fire and determination. "Me." she said.

To Alexis's surprise, Draizer fought back, throwing Rashka off and dangerously close to the edge of the dish. It was the blue blade now that was forcing the other into defense. Alexis couldn't believe it. Despite all she had lost, Jade was still determined to go on in battle?

"I don't need my Bitbeast to win, Alexis." Jade said.

Alexis's eyes widened. "What?"

"You may have taken Draizer away from me but I still have my friends." she said. I still have...Kai...

"Friends?" Alexis scoffed. "Friends? You can't trust them. In Beyblading, there's no room for friendship, only power. You of all people should know that."

"I did." Jade said softly. "And only now I realize how wrong I was. Thing was, I used to think human exist to hurt each other. But it changed when I met them. And I found out there were other kinds of people. Alexis, not everybody wants to hurt you. There are those who genuinely want to help. But only if you let them."

"I don't need help from you. I got all the help I need here. In Rashka!" Alexis sneered. "I have power and as soon as I beat you, I can have anything I want."

"What do you want, Alexis?" Jade asked quietly. "What's it that you really want in your heart?"

"I...I..." her voice faltered. What did she want? She wasn't sure herself. "You won't understand. I don't expect you to understand because you never will!"

"How can I if you won't let me?" Jade demanded. She could sense the girl's Bitbeast's hold on her weakening.

"How could you? Alexis shot back. "You had everything before your mother died. You're skilled, talented, beautiful...while I...I had nothing to begin with. But that changed when Boris took me in. He gave me something."

Jade felt sick to her core. Was that how Boris persuaded her into joining Biovolt? With an empty promise? Pushing the though aside, she focused on Alexis.

"Everybody expects me to be like you." Alexis snapped. There were tears in her eyes now, glimmering under the bright stadium lights. "Because you're just so perfect."

"I don't."

"What?"

"I don't expect you to be like me or anybody else you don't want to be for that matter." Jade said gently. "I just want you...to be...you. To be Alexis."

Alexis's eyes were wide with confusion. All her life, people had expected her to be someone else, someone she's not. Then Jade had come into her life and opened her eyes to the world of Beyblading. She had admired Jade for her skill and many other things. Boris had said he could make her as powerful as Jade and even more. He could give her everything. Except...she didn't want everything...

At last the tears came and they flowed down her cheeks. As she cried softly, she felt a rush of spirit running through her and she knew she had returned to her normal human self. Gone were her fangs as well as the madden look in her eyes.

She was just...Alexis...

"No!" Boris gasped in utter shock. "How is this possible?"

So stun was he, the director missed the slight smile that curved the Demolition Boy's captain's lips.

"Do you want my help, Alexis?" Jade asked the blonde girl softly.

A tear spilled down Alexis's cheek as she whispered. "Yes."

She started to take a step towards the other girl when suddenly her whole world started to swirl in black and red. Her body fell forward as she went limp despite her efforts to stop what was coming. Her vision faded into darkness.

"Alexis!" Jade shouted. She started for the fallen girl and halted at her tracks as a dark aura took form before her, blocking her way. Glancing back at the dish, she saw that the black blade was glowing darkly.

Whatever Draizer had done to seal Rashka wasn't enough, she thought wildly.

"Human..." she heard something hissed. "Do you actually think you stand a chance against me...?"

Jade's head snapped to the black form before her, knowing instantly what it was. Rashka.

"Without your pitiful excuse of a Bitbeast, you're nothing." the demonic Bitbeast said, its glee clear in its low voice, sounding like a cancer patient with a savage throat. It stared down at her, growling loudly.

Jade met its red eyes dead on. The fear that has plagued her earlier now dissolved, replaced by something she was more familiar with. Anger. The rage she had felt towards the people who made the Bitbeast and for the Bitbeast its self for corrupting an innocent girl rushed in, filling the empty void within her.

Rashka let out a cat howl and baring its fangs and claws, it lunged at her. The crowd gasped aloud, unable to believe seeing a spirit attack a blader. Reacting purely on instinct, Jade leapt aside, rolling out for the way and came up fast in case the Bitbeast made another attempt. To her horror, it didn't turn back for her. Instead, it went for the rest of the Bladebreakers, going for her friends!

She shouted Kai's name.

He was already on his feet from the moment Rashka released Alexis, swiping out his launcher and blade at the advancing Bitbeast. He was the only one who could protect the others but even then, he wasn't sure if it was enough.

Jade called out to them again, loathing the sense of helplessness that overwhelmed her. It was the same helpless feeling she had experience upon watching her mother die before her, watching as her life left her slowly in flows of blood.

Suddenly she was standing in front of her mother the day she had passed down the ancient Bit to her. Her mother's words rang clear in her ears.

"Jade...protect it and it'll protect you...my daughter."

Mother...

"I'll protect you..." a different voice whispered.

She blinked. "Draizer?"

"As well as your friends..."

Something in the dish pulled her eyes back to it and she saw Rashka's blade shaking violently. Despite the black light spilling from it, a faint blue glow shone in the center. A light in the midst of darkness. Without warning, the blue light burst from the Bit and streaked forward. It reached the Bladebreakers and created a shield between the teens and the dark Bitbeast. Rashka collided into the shield and recovering fast, leapt back. It snarled its rage at the creature that stood in its way.

Jade couldn't believe it.

Draizer...you came back...

The blue wolf snarled back at Rashka, bristling. It lowened its body, prepared to protect its master and her friends from the demonic creature. Its yellow eyes, narrowed dangerously, met its master's green eyes and she could feel their minds connect.

It said, I'll never leave you because you're a part of me as I am a part of you...as long as you believe in yourself and in me...

I believe in you, Draizer...I believe we can do this...

Draizer nodded slightly in her direction as she did too.

"Oh, yeah! The wolf is in the house!" A.J declared.

"The odds are pretty much evened out now!" Brad couldn't help but agree.

As if it realized that too, Rashka hissed at the wolf and leapt in Jade's general direction. Draizer snarled furiously and moved forward with incredible speed, swiftly cutting off the cat and knocking it back into the Beystadium. Shaking off the impact, Rashka glared at its opponent.

"Foolish creature." it hissed. "You can't defeat me."

Draizer snarled in return.

Draizer is capable of more, Ray's voice echoed in her mind like a voice from an afterlife. But it's up to you, its master to harness that power...

Her hand reached up and grasped the phoenix pendent around her throat. Her eyes closed, her breathing steady and quiet. It's up to me now...everything...everyone I care for...Kai...depends on me now...

Draizer... depends on me...

In her mind eye, she could see Rashka lunged at Draizer. Her wolf fought back, drawing power from her. Within her, a spark lilted, burning brightly in the darkness casted by the demonic cat Bitbeast. It flared, warming her to her core.

Draizer...

Unseen wind swept around her lightly, toying with her hair. Carried with the moving air, she felt both Bitbeast attacking each other with similar savageness. A howl ripped from the feline's throat followed by a pain-filled snarl she recognized.

Her eyes snapped open. "Draizer!"

Power flared between Bitbeast and human.

The crowd gasped in awe and shock at the unbelievably stunning scene played out before them. Rising to their feet, the Bladebreakers stared at their teammate in amazement.

"Jade..." words failed Tyson as his mouth worked silently.

Her hair had turned cerulean blue, cascading from her head gracefully. Her eyes when she opened them, had turned from forest green to mesmerizing yellow, sharing the same intense predator look as her Bitbeast. She was unearthly beautiful.

Somehow, someway, she and Draizer were one, connected by the power and bond between them. Together they were more powerful. When she spoke, her voice sounded like the chimes of winds, strong and breezy.

"Draizer!" she called out. "Let's end this!"

Her Bitbeast let out a howl that seemed to echo through the arena.

In response to the call of the wolf, Dranzer started to glow brightly in Kai's hand. Surprised, Kai looked down at it. "Dranzer?"

Without warning the phoenix Bitbeast burst forward from its Bit and flew towards the battle. Spreading its magnificent wings, Dranzer took its position beside Draizer. Then Kai understood.

Draizer had called.

Fire to fire.

And Dranzer had answered.

An unspoken command ran between blader and Bitbeasts. Moving without warning with natural coordination, both wolf and phoenix attacked the jaguar. Rashka roared and let loose dark power on the advancing Bitbeasts. Almost easily, Draizer and Dranzer dodged, leaping from side to side. A ball of dark energy caught Draizer in its chest, throwing it back slightly but Dranzer was there to cover it. The wolf recovered fast, shook off the impact and closed in once more on its enemy.

Beneath them, the blades were going full force on each other. Draizer's blade circled the black Beyblade, attacking like a wolf would to its prey. A swift vital strike and a leap back. Rashka was already weakening under the consistent attacks of Draizer.

Jade's yellow eyes flashed as she gave out the finishing order. "Draizer! Razor Flames!"

Draizer bared all fangs and talons. Fireballs surrounded it and as it leapt at the jaguar, it unleashed its deadliest attack. The razor-sharp fireballs rained down on Rashka forcing it down wit a yowl. Draizer followed the attack giving it no chance to recover and intending to finish it off once and for all. Both spirits disappeared behind a cloud of dust that rosed in Rashka's wake.

It was over.

The power flowed out Jade with the final attack, leaving her exhausted. She would have collapsed to her knees if Kai hadn't caught her as she fell. He came up behind her and grew her into his arms protectively. Dranzer lowened her head to greet her young master and returned to her Bit when he held out the blade to her. It acknowledged Kai's silent thanks for protecting Jade with a faint glow. His gaze took in Jade's appearance, making sure she was alright. Her long hair was dark raven once more. Gone was the predatory look, replaced by a soft peaceful one in her now-green eyes as she stared at the destroyed dish, waiting for the dust to clear.

Eventually the dust settled, revealing a blade still spinning strongly next to a broken one. Jazzman peered through the fading cloud of dust and with a big grin on his face, declared the winner.

"Rashka has stopped spinning! The Bladebreakers takes this round!"

"OH, YES!" the first person to break the silence in the arena was Tyson. "SHE DID IT!"

Kenny was practically sobbing in happy tears. "We're saved. We're still in the competition." he wept.

"Jade wins!" Brad was shouting high up in his commentator box. "Unbelievable! Impossible! This was truly one of the most extraordinary match ever witness!"

"And with Jade's impossible victory, the Bladebreakers are still in the Championships ready to fight for their title as World Champions!" A.J joined in.

"I knew all along she could do it!" Mariah said happily, giving Ray a bear hug. "She won!"

Ray grimaced in pain. "Um, Mariah?"

Blushing, Mariah stepped back. "Oh, sorry."

With Kai's help and a little effort, Jade slowly climbed to her feet, leaning on his strong frame for support. Mustering what energy she had left, she summoned back Draizer. Obediently, the blue blade returned into her hand.

Thank you...Draizer...

The ancient spirit glowed in response and settled quietly in its Bit. Warily, her body trembling from fatigue, she looked at Kai. "How did I do?"

A small smile touched his lips as relief clouded his eyes. "You did great." he said.

Her eyes were starting to drop close when she remembered. "Alexis!"

"Paramedics are taking care of her now." Mr. Dickenson said, coming up to them with a rather pleased and concern look. "She'll be fine. I promise you that. You did well, Jade."

"Thank you." she said managing a small smile.

Mr. Dickenson nodded. "You should get some rest. You deserve it."

Nodding, she closed her eyes and rested her head against Kai's strong chest and let him led her away from the battle field. Sensing the glare from across, she opened her eyes and stopped. Kai stopped with her, following her gaze across the wrecked stadium.

"Boris..." he muttered.

Instead of looking outraged like they expected him to be after losing one of his most powerful bladers and Bitbeast, the man looked...well...pleased. His face held an excited smirk of someone who just saw something impossible happen. It was a look that Kai didn't like. With a curt nod in their direction, Boris turned and led his team from the arena. Tala was the last to leave. Before he did, he glanced back and his eyes met crimson ones.

The red-head's eyes held brief pain and regret within them before he turned and left. Kai's heart ached for his friend. Somehow he knew Tala wasn't doing this by choice.

Tala...what hold does Boris have over you?

Tomorrow. It ends tomorrow.


Author's note: Ta-da! Voila! What do you think!