A/N: I'm backkkk! Wow, this is the longest update ever! I'm really sorry! Anyway here are the responses to my wonderful reviewers then we move on to the story!

Hikari: Don't worry. Dranzer's still alive. She just used up 99 percent of her powers to help Kai.

FenixPhoenix: I'm not really sure if Dranzer is a she but normally a phoenix oftens represents a motherly figure so I'm assuming Dranzer's a she. Oh, and in my story, Kai's outfit is from season 1 while the others are from Season 3. Tyson looked so much better in Season 3...

White Witch: Actually the drugs used on Alexis is supposed to enable Rashka to possess her easier. Tala's drug is only to enchance his performance and stamina in battle.

Moi: Lol. Your reviews are short but funny. Just read on to see if he uses Black Dranzer. I don't understand why the makers of Beyblade didn't bring back Black Dranzer in season 3 so I though i'll just do it myself.

And thanks to: MyOwnWorld, faith, Mystic Black Phoenix, grand admiral chelli, Beyblade-gal, Dark Angel, Shitza, Essylanna, -Dark Pheonix Angel Nami-, xoOBlackDragonOox, krage, brat-always-day-and-night, SapphireSword and ShadeSpirit


Chapter 38

Dranzer…

His eyes gazing sadly at the blade in his hand, Kai sighed softly under his breath. Dranzer had given her all in the second battle for his sake and he doubt even a mystical phoenix could replenish her powers in such a short time.

Her Bit feels so empty…

"What are you going to do now, Kai?"

He looked up as Max's concern voice ajar him from his troubled thoughts.

Max's baby blue eyes shone his worry. "You don't have Dranzer anymore." he said as lightly as he could in a disturbed tone. "I mean…you don't stand a chance out there without your Bitbeast, Kai. Without Dranzer, Tala will pretty much pummel you to the ground. What are you going to do now?"

"Max has a point, Kai." Kenny agreed. "Perhaps against Tala's Bitbeast alone, you might stand a chance."

The same way Jade stood a chance against Alexis?

Kenny continued, shaking his head as he spoke in a disheartened voice. All the while he was staring at his laptop, going through the earlier two matches. "But against three Bitbeast, you don't have a chance against Tala."

Tyson groaned, slamming his hands on the table where Kenny sat at. He glared at the brunette over the screen of the laptop. "So what? You saying we should forfeit the third match like you suggested yesterday during Jade's match?"

Kenny gulped uncomfortably. "I didn't-!"

"Well, she didn't back down and she still managed to pull through!" Tyson said with fierce determination. "I say Kai still has a chance!"

"But Jade went up against one Bitbeast!" Kenny defended. "Not three!"

"Come on, guys." Max waved his hands, trying to keep the peace between the two. "Calm down, guys. Arguing isn't gonna help."

"You tell them, Maxie!" Dizzi said with approval in her voice.

Grumbling under his breath, Tyson turned back to the bluenette who has been silent all this while. You know, for a guy who is about to get trashed badly in battle, Kai's awfully calm. "Max's right. So what are you gonna do? You better have an idea going on in that head of yours. Not that you don't have Dranzer…"

Kai tilted his head, looking at him but not really seeing him. He did have an idea. A risky idea but an idea nonetheless. One the others would never agree to. And he wasn't going to waste his energy persuading them. He was on his own in this. Unless…

"You must have some idea." Tyson was saying. "I don't know! Plan A was a dead-end. So what about Plan B?"

"The only problem is Plan B requires a Bitbeast." Kenny stated. "And so does Plan, C, D, E, F-!"

"Okay. Okay." Tyson defended off Kenny's verbal attack. "I get your point. So we'll just come up with a plan that doesn't require a Bitbeast."

Max rolled his eyes, throwing his hands up and sighed in defeat. Obviously these two was determined to keep at it and to stop them was a waste of time and energy. "Ugh, if only Jade was here. Where did that girl run off to anyway?"

As if summoned, the door opened and Jade walked in, looking down at the white tiled floor. When Kai looked at her, he noticed the troubled look on her face. She looked at him. They spoke at the same time.

"We need to talk."

Tyson glanced at them, whipping his head between the two as their eyes locked. "Okay, that was creepy. What's up with you two? And Jade, where have you been?" he demanded, glaring at her.

She ignored the navy-haired boy and nodded to Kai's request. Kai unfolded his arms and headed to the door. Jade followed after him, closing the door behind them. Max, Kenny and Tyson were left staring after them as the door closed with a sounded click.

"Okay…" Dizzi said loudly. "What's up with that?"

"I honestly have no idea." Kenny shrugged.

"Neither do I." Tyson agreed.

How clueless can they get?, Max sighed as he shook his head at them. "You guys are hopeless."


"WELCOME BACK AS WE CARRY ON INTO THE THIRD AND HOPEFULLY FINAL MATCH OF TODAY'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS!" Jazzman announced with much enthusiasm.

"Let's recap, Brad." A.J said to keep the watching spectators all over the world updated on the events. "In the first battle, both boys battled an awesome battle that ended in a tie."

"Needless to say, it was Kai who took the second match by a breath-hair away from defeat." Brad joined in. "Can he keep up his team's winning streak or will the third round go to Tala's hands?"

"REINTRODUCING OUR TWO AWESOME FIGHTERS! TALA FROM THE DEMOLITION BOYS AND KAI FROM THE BLADEBREAKERS!" Jazzman's voice was over-powered by the deafening roar of the crowd.

The said teens strolled forward with the confidence and grace everyone in the audience admired. One can only imagine the pressure both bladers as captains faced in the third match. No doubt both boys were tired, mind and body. But the real question was who has the power to end it?

"Well, what do you think, Chief?" Max asked anxiously.

Kenny looked too mortified to reply. He was busy scanning whatever data Judy and Emily had gotten for them. The same way he had been since Kai and Jade left the room to talk alone.

"Don't worry. I'm sure Kai has some plan up his sleeve." Tyson said confidently.

Jazzman started the countdown. "READY! 3, 2, 1! LET IT RIP!"

Beyblades were launched with amazing strength as both captains yanked back their ripcoils. The roars and cheers of the crowd grew louder, drowning out the team's voices.

"GO, KAI!"

"SHOW HIM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!"

"KICK SOME ASS!"

Jade remained silent all the while, biting on her lower lip as her hand gripped the pendent Kai had given around her throat in a silent prayer. Only she at that moment knew what was going on in the bluenette's mind. Kai…I hope you know what you're doing…

The Beyblades met and crashed against each other with enough force to send sparks flying. Simultaneously, they leapt back and moved in again. Tala watched the blades attack each other, trying to figure out what was Kai's next move. But his mind refused to work on the present. He kept seeing the look of hurt on Jade's face as he left her standing alone in the waiting room. The pain in her lovely green eyes as they stared after him with pity and despair sliced into his soul, hurting more than anything Boris could have done to him. He remembered then the betrayed look no one else would have noticed in the eyes of the phoenix. But he did. While others saw nothing but a cold expressionless face, he saw the anguish in Kai's dark eyes when Dranzer had taken the hit for him.

His eyes narrowed when he noticed it was mostly his blade that did the attacking while Dranzer accepted the beatings steadily. This wasn't Kai's style at all. He of all people should know that. After all he did train with Kai practically all their childhood days.

"Go, Wolborg!"

"Get'im, Dranzer!"

The blade that was Dranzer slammed into seven-year old Tala's grey blade with one swift move and sent it flying into the snow at Tala's feet. Tala groaned as he bent and picked up his Beyblade.

"I lost. Again!"

His opponent retrieved his spinning blade from the dish and offered an encouraging smile at his friend. "You almost had me there, Tala. Don't worry. You'll get me next time."

"Next time." Tala repeated sounding uncertain. "You know how Boris is about 'next time'."

"Ha!" Kai smirked and did an imitation on the director. "'Failure is not an option. There is no next time in a real battle!'"

Tala laughed at the mocking imitation. "You better not let Boris catch you doing that."

"I'm not afraid of him." the bluenette snorted.

Tala started to say something when he heard something, making him pausing. He tilted his head, listening. It sounded like a Beyblade spinning. No. Make that two. "Do you hear that, Kai?"

The bluenette was already heading in direction of the abbey beyond the woods that was their secret training grounds since the day they found it while wandering around in there. Tala hurried after him, curiosity drawing him. The two young boys emerged at a hill overlooking the back courtyard of the abbey where they could see two bladers engaged in battle in an empty yard. It was near evening and by then most of the students had retired to rest and prepare for the next day to come. Two abbey guards were positioned by the sidelines to monitor the progress of both bladers standing over the Beystadium.

Kai and Tala could make out one of their closest friend's tall study form and sleek blonde hair. Spencer's height towered over most of the students in abbey including the two watching secretly. It was no secret his huge frame packed a lot of power especially when it comes to launching a Beyblade.

His opponent however was a different story. Long dark hair tied in a ponytail; her eyes were narrowed in concentration as she watched her opponent's blade as though she was studying it. Her lips were set in a tight grim line to the point she was almost frowning. Tala's eyes widened as he recognized her.

"That girl…"he muttered. "Green Eyes."

Kai stared at her suspiciously yet when Tala glanced at him, he though he saw something that resembles familiarity and mild concern directed at the female battling Spencer. Later he would understand when Kai finally told him of his encounter with the girl in the darkened hallway after a strenuous session of training that had left him battered. Right now, like any young naïve child, Tala only grinned widely at his friend so much so Kai couldn't help but notice.

"What?"

"So what do you think of her?" Tala asked innocently.

Kai's crimson eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze back to the girl. He studied the swift movements of her blade and the sharp turns it executed to dodge Spencer's Seaborg. "Not bad." he said. "Though I don't understand what Boris and Voltaire sees in her. She's just like any other girl."

"Right." Tala sneered. "And tell me, Kai. How many other girls do you know? None. that's how many. I think you like her."

Kai glared at him and snapped. "I do not!"

"Do to!"

"Do not!"

"Do to!"

"This's ridiculous!" Kai declared turning his attention away from his bestfriend.

"Hah!" Tala crowed triumphantly. "You like her!"

"I just think she's good at blading for a girl." Kai said defensively.

As if to prove his point, the girl's cerulean blue blade flew into Spencer's blade and knocked it from the dish easily despite weight and size difference. Spencer's face was a face of shock and disbelief. And who wouldn't be? Spencer was one of the best in the abbey, personally trained by the director himself along with Kai, Tala, Bryan and Ian. To be beaten by a newcomer not to mention a girl was unheard of.

Tala gasped in shock. "Wow! She beat Spencer!"

Kai just shook his head. "Boris isn't going to be happy."

"No doubt about that." the red-haired boy agreed sympathetically feeling sorry for their blonde friend. "I didn't think she was this good. You were right, Kai."

"Yeah…"Kai casted one last glance at the scene below them as Spencer was led away by the guard to receive his punishment while the girl was allowed to move on to her next opponent. Then the bluenette turned and started down the slope that would lead them back to the building. Tala stayed where he was for a moment before he too turned and followed his friend.

"You haven't answered my question yet, Hiwatari."

"And what would that be?"

"Do you like her or not?"

"No!"

Tala blinked away the reverie and forced his mind to concentrate on the battle. Now was not the time to take a stroll down memory lane. It would only reopen old wounds and disrupt his focus to win this battle. Yet he couldn't stop the slight smile that lifted the side of his lip. He had almost forgotten how they were when they were kids.

So young…untainted…

Concentrate, Tala! Focus on the battle, he told himself harshly. His eyes followed the blue blade's feeble movements and turned to the owner. Kai's eyes were hidden by his long bangs, his face emotionless yet strangely withdrawal with defeat and suddenly a thought hit him. What if Kai doesn't want to win anymore? What if he was just waiting for him to end it, deliver the finishing blow?

Fine then! I'll gladly put an end to his misery, he snapped to himself, pushing away any feelings he had left. It was without doubt he was tired but the drugs Boris had given him had kept the adrenaline flowing through his veins, keeping his mind from feeling the pain. "WOLBORG! ICE AVALANCHE!"

With flash of grey light, Wolborg leapt from its Bit and brought upon the racing blade beneath it a rain of snow and ice. The cheer of the crowd increased if it was any possible as the white wave descended upon Dranzer and…Kai still wasn't doing anything.

"Come on, Kai!" Tyson hollered, fighting down the urge to panic when he noticed that his captain wasn't reacting as the attack closed in on him and his blade. "Snap out of it! You can't give up now! Not yet! KAI!"

"What is he doing?" Max wondered.

The avalanche was almost on him when without warning his head snapped up. His eyes were narrowed dangerously as he finally summoned his attack. An attack that shocked almost everyone. But not as much as the dark glow that began to emerge from the Bit.

"FLAMING ARROW ATTACK!"

"Hey, guys?" Tyson sounded uncertain, perplexed compared to the hollering, noisy boy he was just moments ago as he stared at the glowing Bit in the center of the Beyblade, not noticing the dark determined look in Kai's haunted crimson eyes. No one did but Jade. And her own eyes were almost a mirror of emotions to his. "Is that…?" his voice faltered and he blinked again to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. "Is that Black Dranzer?"

"What!" Kenny squeaked suddenly. His head shot up to make sure Tyson wasn't playing one of his tricks on him again. It never occurred to him Tyson could never play a trick this serious and sore on any of them at anytime. "Black Dranzer?"

"You have got to be kidding me!" Max gasped, squinting his eyes to catch a glimpse of the dark glimmer that came from the Bit that now resided in Kai's Beyblade. "Kai wouldn't!"

"Oh, yes, he would." Dizzi said. "According to my readings, that's without question Black Dranzer."

"He can't seriously be thinking of using Black Dranzer!" Tyson yelled. "The last time he used that damn Bitbeast, he went all power crazy on us!"

"A wee bit too late to go down memory lane now is it?" Dizzi stated dryly.

"What can we do?" Kenny wailed. "What should we do?"

"Calm down, Chief." Max insisted although his eyes carried their own doubt. "I'm sure Kai knows what he's doing. I hope."

Kai's blade ignited into a blazing inferior of black flames, melting away the advancing attack of ice and snow. Too late to retreat or avoid the attack, Wolborg's attack was swept away, evaporating into nothing under the fiery dark flames sprouting from the blade. Kai's blade moved into offense, breaking through Wolborg's ice-hard defenses and slammed into it head-on. The grey blade was thrown back towards the edge.

Tala flinched, completely taken off-guard by the attack. Was Kai so desperate for victory until he would resort to using Black Dranzer?

Part of him rejoiced at the though his friend has not given up while the other, the darker part molded by Biovolt and enhanced with the drugs given to him flared with rage.

NO! I can't loose! The others are depending on me, his mind roared at him. "ATTACK, WOLBORG! VICTORY TORNADO!"

Wolborg recovered from the blow Black Dranzer had given it and swept through the stadium as a mighty tornado formed around it. Ice particles were caught in the attack, making it more than dangerous.

"GO, BLACK DRANZER!" Kai shouted.

The dark glow spilling from his blade erupted forth, taking form in the form of Dranzer's counterpart. The phoenix of darkness, of black flames. Black Dranzer.

Voltaire thought he would have a heart attack when he caught glimpse of the Bitbeast Biovolt had created for his grandson. All the while he had thought Kai had given it in to the BBA but apparently he was mistaken. The Bitbeast was right where it was suppose to belong. Only the owner was on the wrong side.

No matter. That will be taken care of, he thought.

Kai's eyes were shadowed with concentration as well as…something else. Something dark and sinister. His breaths were coming out in short ragged pants as he fought to sustain the raging Bitbeast that threatened to escape, to keep it from breaking free and overwhelming him with its dark presence. He knew it was a risk he had to take when he thought of it.

At least he wasn't alone in this…

Jade's grip on her blade tightened as she watched both Bitbeasts clash in mid-air. A deep frown of worry and concern curled her lips as she studied Black Dranzer. The magnetic pull of the dark phoenix was undeniable even to her.

It seems stronger…than before…Kai, I hope you know what you're doing…

She knew it was a very risky idea to go along with when he suggested it to her in that hallway away from prying ears and eyes but to her surprise and Kai's, she didn't object like she thought she would. Their conversation running through her mind, she wondered what insane part of her ever made her agree to this.

"I'm going to use Black Dranzer."

Kai told her very softly, very seriously. His eyes gazed at her face for any reaction. There was none. She had gone passed the point of fighting for what she thought was right in her eyes and belief. It hurts too much to think she has done all she can to help Tala only to fail. She, like him, was left with no other choice.

All she did was nod, the shadows of the dim hallway masking the exhaustion and sadness on her face from his sight as she looked down.

Kai seemed surprised at her approval but he didn't dwell on it even though he knew something was disturbing her. There was no time now. He paused before he continued. "And I'm gonna need your help."

She glanced up at him, puzzled by his request. "What can I do?"

"I…I need you to be my anchor." he said quietly. "In case anything happens…"

Her eyes widened, understanding what he meant. "Kai, are you sure about this? I don't know if I can-."

"I know you can. I have faith in you." he told her.

She told him grimly. "But, Kai…I just don't trust Black Dranzer."

"I know. Neither does the others. That's why I need your help." he said, his voice assuring her, telling her that he has confidence in her, that he believes in her…

She agreed, nodding solemnly. Yes, she'll do whatever it takes. Kai studied her for a moment, trying to figure out what has changed about her and found nothing. He had to say something.

"Jade…"

Her head came up then and her eyes were filled with unspeakable sadness. It was more than he has ever seen in her, clear as crystal glass and more than he could bare.

"Kai, you can't fight Tala like this." she blunted out. "This wasn't his choice."

He stared at her and said quietly. "I know. I figured out that much." his voice held regret. "That's why I have to do this."

Wolborg's pained roar sounded through the stadium with the similar cries of Dragoon and Draciel as echoes, breaking Jade from her thoughts. She turned her attention back to the match and gasped softly. Black Dranzer's attack has struck it mercilessly, ruthlessly. For some reason, its power has definitely grown stronger so much so defeating Tala wouldn't be much of a problem. But that wasn't what worries her.

Can Kai control it, she wondered.

Gathering its forces, the ice wolf threw another attack at the black phoenix once more. Almost as if it were laughing, Black Dranzer shook off the attack of ice splinters and rose high above the frozen lake. No one noticed the dark aura rising from its blader's body or the way he clenched his fists so tightly until they were almost white. His teeth hurt from pressing them together from the effort it took to attain the Bitbeast. A slight smile however found its way up his face, tilting his lip upwards but only slightly.

I underestimated its power and its determination to take over me…

His insides felt as though he was on fire. The dark flaming creature that was Black Dranzer filled every being of body, resisting him. Its flames burnt him from the inside. Sweat spill from his body with every pained breath he took. His vision flickered between red and black. Every inch of him was burning within the black consuming fire of Black Dranzer.

He was loosing!

When Kai lifted his eyes slightly, his eyes were dark red, no longer warm crimson. They were blood red and his pupils were as black as onyx, the color of death. "BLACK DRANZER! DESTROY HIM!" he ordered darkly.

With a gleeful high-pitch shriek, the phoenix attacked Wolborg, burning it with its mere touch. Its talons raked at its flesh, drawing blood. The wolf's howls were pain-sickening to hear.

"Kai!" her voice broke through the dark flames clouding his vision and the pain shooting through his body. "No! Don't!"

Jade…

Her voice was like a hand reaching out to him through the flames, untouched or harmed by the fires of the phoenix. It beckoned to him, promising him a safer place where nothing can hurt him. Desperately he grabbed the hand and clear blue light filled his vision, beating back the darkness. He heard a different snarl that sounded protective almost maternal towards him.

"Draizer…"

He could feel the wolf of blue fire filling him to his core, aiding him, helping him to restrain the corrupted phoenix. Heat engulfed his body, his soul. Not burning like Black Dranzer's flames had been but warm like a loving embrace of wings around him.

Dranzer…

The connection between both fire spirits was strong as he could feel the race of power surging through his body from Draizer to his weakened Bitbeast. Draizer was channeling its energy to Dranzer.

Fire to fire.

A grin broke across his features when a very familiar cry resonated through the air, demanding his attention. "Dranzer!"

Replenish in all her glory, Dranzer took form before their eyes, spreading her majestic wings. Her fiery red feathers were ruffled, prepared for battle. Her eyes shone with anticipation and motherly love as she gazed at her young master, awaiting his order. Beside the red phoenix was Draizer, growling impatiently at Tala's army of sacred sprits. Wolborg bristled at Draizer, baring its teeth. The hackles of the both wolves rosed dangerously.

Tala felt a smile tug up his lips as he took in the three Bitbeast facing his own arsenal. It was impressive, using Black Dranzer to buy time for Dranzer to recuperate and getting Jade's help in case anything happened. Kai covered all sides of the picture.

Not bad, Hiwatari. I can see why you were Boris's favorite, he mused. Thoughts of Boris made him focus once more on the battle yet he couldn't help but think how much he was actually going to enjoy this battle. "Wolborg, attack!"

With a howl, his wolf bounded forward with Dragoon and Draciel close at its heels. They lunged, jaws snapping and claws flashing.

"Spread out!" Kai ordered.

Dranzer dodged to her left, narrowly avoiding Dragoon's deadly jaws. She beat her wings at the dragon, clawing at it. Red slash marks were left on the beast's scales. Dragoon roared and moved again, throwing its whole body on the phoenix. Dranzer flew upwards to avoid the body-slam and instead reverse the order, slamming her own body against it. The impact sent Dragoon crashing into Draciel who had its jaws locked around Black Dranzer's throat. Dranzer's counterpart was trashing wildly, raking its talons at the turtle's hard shell. When Dragoon collided into Draciel, its grip loosened and Black Dranzer slipped free.

"THIS IS AMAZING!" A.J exclaimed excitedly. "I HAVE NEVER WITNESS THIS BEFORE! IT'S A THREE ON THREE BITBEAST FIGHT TO THE END!"

"NEVER IN MY YEARS WORKING IN THIS BUSINESS HAVE I EVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN!" Brad joined in.

While the two phoenixes worked on taking out the two captured Bitbeasts, everyone's eyes were on the two predator wolves circling each other in the center. They were both deadly beautiful to look at, prowling with predator grace and stealth. Wolborg leapt at Draizer, jaws snapping. Draizer dodged to the right and threw its body weigh onto the ice wolf, slamming into its right shoulder. Wolborg was thrown a few meters back, crashing into a few pine trees.

"Wolborg! Blizzalog!" Tala shouted.

Shaking off the impact, the wolf rose to its feet and summoning up the powers of the Bitbeasts it had taken, Wolborg became a whirlwind of ice, wind and water. Draizer pulled back in time, barely avoiding the ice sharpness that formed a raging hurricane of ice and snow around the other wolf. Raging waters and wind fused with the attack making it deadlier than before.

High up in the audience, watching the match intently, wishing he could somehow help, Ray felt an electrifying feeling run from his blade in his hand. Startled he glanced down at it. The Bit of the white tiger was glowing and he could feel Driger growling restlessly within its Bit.

"Driger?"

Kai stubbornly stood his ground against the roaring winds Wolborg had called upon him and his blade. His white scarf, tattered and torn in various places, flapped with the wind behind him fiercely. He thought of his friends, all his friends, of Tala, of the Demolition Boys, of his Bitbeast and her. She watched him with concern green eyes, emerald depths that were as beautiful as she was. She who would risk her own life for her friends and him. She whom he loved.

It's time to end this.

Crimson eyes shifted to the audience above, to the vulture-like expression of Voltaire Hiwatari. His own grandfather, his own flesh and blood who would so willingly use him as a weapon. Voltaire seemed startled by the fierce determination in the eyes of his grandson.

"It ends here, Voltaire!" he shouted, his voice rising over the howls of the storm. With that, he turned his attention back to his blue blade still withstanding the fury of Wolborg's attacks.

"Dranzer! Flame Saber!" he shouted, throwing forth an arm.

Dranzer moved forward, racing towards Tala's blade across the frozen lake. It dodged the pouring water, howling winds that threatened to blow it away and the ice that lashed into it mercilessly and leapt high into the air. It went up before gravity did its work and started to pull it back down. Flames rushed from the base of the blade, engulfing it like a fiery infernal. Blue and black fire surrounded it as well and the flaring flames, dancing red, blue and black grew brighter as the blade broke through the walls of the hurricane, its flames overwhelming it.

Both elements clashed, throwing up snow and smoke from the impact. The force shook the entire stadium. Both bladers had to shield themselves from the force as a thick mist threw everything into a haze. Silence filled the arena as they awaited the mist to clear.

Slowly, it apart like a thin pale veil.

The frozen lake had been broken from the impact; its surface now floated pieces of ice like a jigsaw puzzle on dark water. Upon one of the ice pieces, was a Beyblade still spinning steadily. Nearby rested on the bank of the lake was a grey blade.

"AND WE HAVE A WINNER!" Jazzman shouted. "THE MATCH IS FINALLY OVER! THE WINNER IS KAI! THAT MEANS THE BLADEBREAKERS ONCE AGAIN CLAIMS THE TITLE OF WORLD CHAMPION!"

Immediately, the audience erupted into a roar and applause for such a spectacular performance. Sure the match between Tyson and Tala four years ago was impressive but not nearly as remarkable and amazing as this match. Never have they seen such an outstanding match between two captains.

"Kai has won overall the fifth and final match of the World Championships Finals! This could only mean the Bladebreakers will be taking back the title of World Champions fourth time in a row!" Brad announced from his commentator room.

A.J couldn't seem to stop shouting. "INCREDIBLE! BOTH TEAMS HAVE BATTLED EXTREMELY WELL AND THEY DESERVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"

"OH, YES!" Tyson and Max ran forward to congratulate their captain.

"You did it, Kai! You actually did it!" Kenny was practically weeping happy tears much to Dizzi's dismay. She wailed and complained about him getting her circuits wet.

"Was there ever a doubt?" Tyson grinned. He placed an arm around Kai, not caring for once of the glare the tired bluenette shot him. Laughing outright, Max slapped Kai's shoulder lightly as Ray limped up to them with the help of his clutches and Mariah.

Kai looks so happy…, Tala thought as he retrieved his blade from the broken dish. He could sense his Bitbeast's guilt for letting him down but strangely he didn't feel disappointed or the least bit upset. He smiled softly at the Bit. "It's okay, Wolborg. It's over. We lost."

And in admitting that, his Bit glowed with a warmth that was rare but very much treasured by its master. Two streaks of light burst from the core, one blue, one green and returned to their rightful owners.

Tala never felt so at peace as he did that moment despite the punishment he knew he would receive for his lost.

"You fool!" Voltaire snarled angrily to no one in particular before he hurried out the exit. A cell phone flashed in his hand and he spoke to the person on the other end in a rush. "Make preparations." he ordered. "We'll leaving."

Jade couldn't help the smile that slided up her face when Max and Tyson's delighted cries rang out as their Bitbeasts returned to them, sinking back into their respective blades. She ignored the knowing look Ray sent her as she stepped up to Kai, smiling warmly.

"You did it." she said softly, placing her arms around him and hugged him gently, mindful of the injuries he had sustained in battle.

He held her close, breathing in her fresh scent and basking in the warmth she offered after withstanding the coldness of Tala's attacks. "I couldn't have done without you. Thank you."

As Jade stepped back a little from him, Ray came up to them and held a hand out to his team captain. "Nicely done, Kai. I knew you could do it." the neko-jinn said, beaming proudly.

"Thanks." Kai managed a wary smile as he accepted Ray's hand.

"Congratulations, Kai." Mariah said from Ray's side. "That match was…amazing."

"Well done, Kai." Mr. Dickenson said, clapping his hands as he came up to them. "A battle truly like no other."

Kai just nodded, his weariness catching up with him now that everything was over. Giving the teen a fatherly assuring smile, Mr. Dickenson turned to Jade. "And Jade, I could never been more proud of you. You have certainly come a long way."

She smiled slightly but her attention turned to when Tyson and the others leapt onto Kai, ambushing the taller boy in a group hug. They threw their arms around their captain, crushing him as the navy-haired balder declared with a laugh.

"GROUP HUG!"

Jade and Mr. Dickenson managed to escape the ambush and were watching with smiles on their faces, Jade especially. As she watched them, an officer approached Mr. Dickenson, requesting the BBA chairman aside. His face was set in a grim and serious expression.

"Sir, we have a problem." the man said quietly, not wanting the celebrating team to over-hear what he was about to say.

But Jade did. She turned her attention to the two adults even though her eyes were on her team. Her senses blocked out all sounds around them, focusing on the conversation behind her.

"What is it, officer?" Mr. Dickenson didn't sound happy.

"Voltaire escaped before we could corner him." the man said. "We're tracking him down even as we speak."

"That man must be caught no matter what." the chairman insisted.

""We're working on it." the officer assured him. "But sir, that's not our main problem."

"Then what is?" Mr. Dickenson exclaimed. "Dear me, haven't we had enough?"

The man's next words made Jade's blood run cold, her breathing suddenly quicken as there was a tight sensation within her chest as if the air was squeezed out of her with those mere words.

"Alexis's missing."


A/N: Cliffy! Just when you though it was over, something like this happens! Aren't I evil? R&R!