Author's note: Good day, mates! What's up? YEAH! 200 REVIEWS! I'm SO HAPPY! Thanks you guys who took the trouble to review! OKay...I have no idea where that came from...must be one of my wacky moments. Never mind. Let's move on to responses then the story.
White Witch: You're absolutely right! Tala is holding back! Just read on to see what happens when he unleashes his full power!
FenixPhoenix: Sadly, no. The series do not explain in detail Kai's and Tala's past together in detail. So it's up to me to do so!
Mystic Black Phoenix: Bad boys are more appealing! Why do you think so many ppl prefer Kai and Tala over Tyson even though he's the 'star' of the show?
Dark Angel: Yup, Lake Baikal. I kinda figured it meant something to Kai plus it puts Tala in his element.
faith: I just thought a tie would show how evenly matched Kai and Tala are. And I wonder myself, why the heck is Kai so smiley? Oh, wait! I made him smiley!
Dark Pheonix Angel Nami-: Those two are so adorable when they are little...sigh...
grand admiral chelli: Glad to know someone else shares my pain and frusration.
Hikari: oh, you poor thing...I hope you're better now. Getting sick during vacations really sucks.
Shitza: So do I! I love mysterious guys especially Kai!
And special thanks to: blue angel, krage, Beyblade-gal, MyOwnWoRLD,kidishcaresh and people who read but don't review.
Chapter 37
Mind focused on one thing, Kai watched his blade mirror Tala's blade movements from across the frozen lake. Everything he had learnt from the abbey crossed his mind but nothing could help him think of a way to reach out to his friend.
I have to make Tala realize I'm still his friend...
"Kai!"
Tala's sudden call jolted him from his thoughts and he looked up.
"You fought well. Better than I have expected." Tala said with as much coldness as he could muster. He sincerely hoped that Kai would just give up and step down. For his sake and Tala's team. But a part of him wanted the bluenette to continue in hopes he would defeat him and stop Boris once and for all.
Kai didn't say anything. He just stared at him as if he were studying him, seeking out the boy who was once his friend and the closest thing he had to a brother.
"But it has to end here." Tala said. I hope you understand…I'm doing this for my team as well…
"No." Kai said suddenly. His crimson eyes that once often lilted with curiosity when they were children were now dark with determination. "I refuse to back down until you tell me what is going on."
Tala stared at him, caught between pride and dismay. He should have known Kai wouldn't give up so easily. He hasn't changed much… "There's nothing to tell, Hiwatari." he said emotionlessly. "Now back down!"
"Is there?" the phoenix retorted. "If you think I'm going to let you win that easily, then I was wrong to think you as my friend."
Tala scoffed. "You live in the past, Kai. We're no longer friends."
"Really?" Kai replied. "Is that what you really think? Or is this Boris talking through you?" Something that resembles fear flickered in Tala's blue eyes and Kai knew he had hit a spot. His eyes slided to the Biovolt director momentarily, wondering what mind-trick has Boris played on Tala. Kai's fiery gaze turned back to his opponent and friend.
Tala wanted to tell him. There was nothing more he wanted to do than to just tell the bluenette who was once the only person in the world he called friend, that if he didn't win this match, others will pay the consequences. That he didn't have a choice as captain of the Demolition Boys. It didn't matter to Boris that Ian and Spencer had won their matches and obtain two of the Bitbeasts that was in Tala's power now. Or that Bryan had given his all against Ray. Or that Alexis almost died thanks to Boris's greed. Both sides have suffered so much already…
Isn't it enough? When will this ever end?
"Tala, listen to me." Kai insisted. "It doesn't have to be like this."
"No, it doesn't." Tala agreed quietly. "But it is and there's nothing you can do to change that. Wolborg!"
His blade moved into the offense without warning, abandoning the safety of the sides and streaked across the frozen lake. Dranzer followed, meeting Wolborg head-on in the center of the lake.
"And they are taking the action to the center!" Jazzman announced.
"Dranzer!" Kai shouted.
At her master's call, Dranzer emerged from her Bit in a flash of red. Long graceful feathers showered the stadium in a light fall in the phoenix's wake. Dranzer threw back her head, proud and magnificent as she spreaded her wings.
"Wolborg!" Tala called out in suit. "Set up defense maneuvers!"
As Wolborg emerged from its Bit, a shield of ice surrounded it. Ice and fire collided. Vapor rose, clouding everybody's vision from the on-going battle between the wolf and phoenix. Their masters cried out to their Bitbeasts. A great rush of wind suddenly sliced through the white mist, throwing it apart like curtains to enable everyone to see Dranzer and Wolborg locked in battle. The great phoenix beat her wings at Wolborg, squawking as her talons racked the predator's flesh. Wolborg snarled and snapped its powerful jaws at Dranzer. Its teeth barely missed the tail feathers of the fire bird as Dranzer took flight again, circling it from above.
Jade watched the whole battle with a frown on her face. Her instincts were tingling and she was sure if she had spider sense, it would be screaming Defcon-1 at her. Something's wrong here. It wasn't just the level of his Bitbeast's power. She knew Wolborg was without question powerful but now…, it seemed almost savage. No, it was something else as well. The look of torment on Tala as he watched the battle with pained blue eyes.
It's like he wants no part of this at all…, she thought. Is that it, Tala…? This isn't your choice, is it?
When Tala finally called out Dragoon and Draciel into the fold, her body stiffened. Tala, why are you doing this?
"Dragoon!" Tyson was on his feet, calling out to his Bitbeast and the person who now wielded it. "Tala, don't!"
Tala could hear all the cries and shouts around him, some urging him to stop, others rooting him to end the match. They twirled in his head, pounding into his mind like a jackhammer. Before him, the three Sacred Spirits awaited his order, the final command that could end this match. Yet he hesitated.
Why?
He knew what laid at stake here, his life, lives of his teammates...so why couldn't he do it?
His turquoise eyes opened to stare at his opponent and he saw standing in Kai's place, a ghost of the younger Kai, a shadow of the past. Wide innocent red eyes gazed back at him, filled with pled.
Kai...
"Tala..." a dangerous voice hissed through his earpiece. "I need not remind you what truly lies at stake here for you, boy if you fail this time."
"Yes, sir." a sigh of defeat and he knew he had sold his soul to the Devil. In this case, Boris. His attention turned back to the battle, back to the bluenette and his phoenix.
Kai...I hope you may find a place in your heart to forgive me...
"FINISH IT! BLIZZALOG ATTACK!"
Fur bristling on its ends, sharpened with the cold frost of ice, Wolborg bounded forward with the two captured Bitbeast at its heel, roaring and snarling. It lunged, let loose a hell storm of ice stones on both blader and Bitbeast. Kai's body tensed and he attempted to shield himself from the powerful attack.
"Kai!" he heard Jade calling his name as the icy rain descended on him. He felt the shivering cold and the great rush of wind as the attack collided. The air pressure cut into his skin, leaving red welts and into his clothes. His scarf billowed behind him like a tattered banner. Then to his surprise, he heard a scream of pain. One that he recognized.
Dropping his crossed arms from his face, Kai looked on in horror. "Dranzer!"
The phoenix had taken the full impact of the attack, protecting him with her body as the icicles slammed into them. Her great wings stretched out to their fullest span to prevent even the smallest particle of ice from hurting her master.
"Dranzer, no!" Kai shouted.
"Whoa! Dranzer has been hit hard!" A.J observed with a wince to his voice. "That has got to hurt!"
"But the real question is can she hang on until the end?" Brad rounded up.
Jade already knew the answer to that. Seeing the ruthless way Tala had given the order, the way Dranzer had taken the attack to save Kai and knowing there was more to come, she knew. Yet she couldn't but hope.
"How is it, Chief?" she asked the brown-haired boy hunching over his laptop.
Kenny looked pale. "It doesn't look good. Dranzer's hurt real bad. I'm not even sure if she can hang on for long."
Or survive this battle for that matter, she added silently. If Kai looses her, he doesn't stand a chance in the next round.
She swore under her breath when she saw how weak the phoenix was becoming under the ruthless attacks. Max looked at her with a curious frown. "What did you say?"
"What?"
"You were talking in Russian." he informed her. "I've heard enough Russian swear words from Kai to recognize Russian when I hear it."
She shook her head, indicating it wasn't important right now. Dammit, was she so stress out until she was reverting back to her mother language without her realizing? She of all people knew how dangerous lack of control could be. Her gaze fixed on the match once more, pleading silently.
Come on, Kai...Just hang on...
'...Just hang on...'
The voice echoed through his tired mind, forcing him to focus on the battle unfolding in front of him now. Dranzer held her position between him and the attacks, refusing to back down despite his silent pleads.
Dranzer, please..., he thought. Don't...I order you to stop...
I'm sorry. That's the one order... I cannot obey..., her voice whispered to his mind. It sounded faint, faraway. For your sake, master...Lend me your strength...your will...
He understood then. She was sacrificing herself for him so that he may live in their victory. So that he could still find a way to save his friend. He didn't wish her to but meeting Dranzer's fiery eyes so very similar to his, he knew there was no way he could change her mind. Her mind was made up and she had chosen his own well-being over hers once again. The least he could do was to give her what she needed.
"Dranzer!" Kai cried out hoarsely. "Flame Saber!"
Summoning the remains of her power, Dranzer fought back now. Flames engulfed her as she forced herself forward, breaking through the rain of hailstones. Feathers blazing, she became a red streak as her mighty wings took her towards the core of the storm. With a proud battle cry, Dranzer unleashed her special attack. She rocketed through the storm, breaking apart the raging winds and water and Bitbeasts collided. The impact of the collusion created a cloud of mist and vapor. It rushed forth, filling the whole stadium and blinding both spectators and bladers. Kai threw up his arm to shield his face from the cutting cold. Tala did the same and they both waited for the mist to settle.
Eventually it did.
There were jagged cracks on the surface of the broken lake. Why they have yet to break into pieces was beyond anyone's understanding. That wasn't important at the moment. Everyone's attention was on the center where the last of the mist was clearing. A Beyblade was still spinning. Just barely however. While nearby a second blade was rested on its side.
"I don't believe it." Jazzman exclaimed as he waved away the disappearing smoke, peering through. "AND THE WINNER'S KAI! THE BLADEBREAKERS TAKE THE SECOND ROUND!"
Kai held up his hand, summoning back his blade while he watched Tala retrieve his blade with an emotionless expression. His mind was very tired and so was his body. And judging by Tala's face, he was too.
"Tala, it doesn't have to be like this." he repeated softly.
The Demolition Boy's captain looked at him and Kai caught a glimpse of the regret in his blue eyes. Tala's voice was so quiet Kai almost didn't catch his words. "No. It doesn't. But I don't have a choice."
With that, Tala turned and tugged slowly back to his team, well aware of the punishment he shall receive for his lost. Kai stared after him, his mind puzzling over what Tala had said.
'…I don't have a choice…' What does that mean? What are you hiding from me, Tala, he wondered. His eyes dropped back to the Beyblade in his hand and felt a pang of sadness. Dranzer's blade was a mess, almost the same way Jade's Draizer was after her match with Alexis. Dranzer's form stared back up at him from her Bit but it didn't feel the same. He couldn't seem to sense her mentally, couldn't feel her comforting warm presence.
Dranzer…
"YOU DID IT!"
"YOU'RE THE MAN!"
Kai found himself ambushed by Max and Tyson from behind. They threw their weight on him, nearly staggering him.
"You were so awesome out there, Kai!" Max said happily.
"Thanks to you, we're now in the lead!" Tyson added in.
Wincing slightly from the cuts and bruises he had sustained in the match, Kai easily shrugged them off and glanced at them, his expression serious and not as joyful as they had expected. "It's not over yet."
"Yeah, but at least we still have a chance." Tyson said happily.
I hate to break it to you but something tells me that wasn't Tala's personal best, Kai wanted to retort but he remained silent. He glanced back at the now empty benches on the other end and at the dark hallways, wondering what kind of punishment Boris was inflicting upon Tala and the rest of the Demolition Boys now. He hid a shudder with a casual roll of his shoulders, working out the kinks when he came to a realization just as the others did. It was Max who voiced their thoughts.
"Hey, have anybody seen Jade?"
Jade heard voices coming from the end of the hallway where she knew was the Demolition Boy's waiting room. With stealth, she glanced around the corner. The voices were coming from the room where two men in black stood guarded to keep away any fans who somehow manages to slip past the security guards upfront.
Jackpot, she thought as she kept to the shadows.
"Your lost is intolerable. Once this is over, win or lose, you'll be severely punished." she could hear Boris snapped, the anger in his voice barely containable.
A dull voice, robbed of determination and its usual defiance replied in return. "Yes, sir."
That wasn't all Boris had to say. "And for the third match, I want you to demolish Kai. Give him no chance of fighting back. Destroy him, mind, body and soul."
Jade tensed but Tala's answer caught her by surprise.
"No. I...I can't"
"What was that?" Boris demanded.
She heard the sound of a body being slammed into the lockers that lined the wall in every waiting room and the familiar sound of flesh hitting flesh. In her mind, she knew Boris had Tala cornered against the lockers with one hand pinning him there. Her heart went out to the red-head boy who had been her first friend when she came to the abbey.
"You'll not disobey me." Boris hissed dangerously. "Or shall I remind you of what will happen if you do?"
"No, sir." Tala answered dutifully.
"Good. See that you remember that."
Moments later, she heard the door opened and she peered around the corner to see Boris coming out of the room with the rest of the team in tow. She resisted the urge to wipe the smug look off Boris's face and replace it with a bruised one. Boris nodded to the guards to follow him, leaving the room unguarded.
After she was sure Boris and his 'henchmen' were gone, Jade slipped into the room. Tala was sitting on the floor, his back against the lockers. His knees were curled to his chest and his head hung wearily. She caught a glint of tears forming under his closed eyelids.
"Tala." she said softly.
He glanced up and she could see the surprise in his clear blue eyes. As well as the pain, the guilt, the sorrow...
She had always been good at reading people's emotions thanks to the tones of practices she had trying to figure out Kai but Tala was practically an open book to her now. She has never seen him in this state before.
"Jade, what are you...?" he started to say as he rosed to his feet. "You shouldn't be here."
"Right. Tell that to someone who cares." she snorted. She didn't have to time to hear lectures about how she should be with her team and not here where she could get caught by Boris...blah blah blah... "Tala, tell me what the hell's going on. I know you don't want to work for Boris so why are you?"
"It's...complicated." he muttered.
"You can tell me." she insisted.
"No!" he moved aside, placing distance between them. "I can't. You don't understand what's at stake here. You don't know what he will do if I don't do as he says."
Her green eyes darkened. "Boris."
He nodded. "If I disobey him, others will pay the price. Others could die."
His words struck her as familiar. She recalled not long ago, someone else had a similar principal of life as he did now. Herself. Months ago, before she met the Bladebreakers, she herself had believed letting anyone close was impossible. She believed opening up to others was a dangerous thing for it could get them killed. But that changed.
A lot has changed.
"Others will die unless you do something about it. Break the hold he has over you. It's not too late." she pressed. Then softly she said. "We'll help you. I'll help you and I know Kai will too."
Tala gazed back at her and she knew he was remembering back to the day they had met in the cold abbey cell. She had been the new kid just punished for doing something she didn't know she wasn't suppose to do and he was the only one who had befriended her and took care of her while she was there. He had helped her then to cope with the nightmares of the abbey. Their roles were reversed now. Now she only hope she could do the same for him.
"Kai..." Tala said the name very softly. "You really love him, don't you?"
She was taken back by the sudden question. Were they that obvious? "Tala...please...let us help you."
"It won't change anything, Jade. You can't help me. No one can. I told you before. I don't have a choice." he said bluntly and headed to the door.
"Tala, please-" she begged, moving forward to intercept him.
The red-haired Russian stopped. "If you love him, then tell him. Tell him that this is the real one. I won't hold anything back. Tell him to be ready."
As she watched speechless, he left the room and the sound of the door closing behind him sounded like a ring of death.
Tala...
Author's note: I'm really running out of ideas for the next battle between Kai and Tala. So the next chappie might take some time to write out. Please be patient. Plus I have just recovered from a writer's block(really sux,man) on A Walk To Remember so hopefully, I should have it up by end of next week. Ciao.
