I am working to get this entire series out before the end of the month. I've got another 11 chapters to go, so hopefully it won't be too difficult.
Enjoy!
~Silverleone
Leone made a dust cloud as cover. Tsubasa and I had to sneak away before we got mobbed.
"So what was the deal with you trying to bring down the building on our heads?" I groaned.
"Sorry. Leone really got into that fight." I held up said Bey, which gleamed in excitement. "I kind of lost control there."
"I'll say. I haven't heard you talk like that."
"It's gotten better. But that's why I wasn't willing to battle that one kid until you were there. You at least have the strength to stop me."
"I still feel like there's a huge gap between us."
"Yeah, well, I can't help that." We smirked at each other. I hear someone running up behind us and turned. I sighed when I saw Gias running up.
"James! James, that was amazing!" I held up a hand.
"We'll talk about it once we're out of public eye." I said, looking back towards the building. One or two people were looking around for us, but we stepped around a corner before they could spot us.
"Oh. Okay." He looked at Tsubasa. "Were you a member of Gan Gan Galaxy during the World Tournament?"
"That's right, my name is Tsubasa." They shook hands.
"So, you two are like, really good friends then huh?"
"Oh yeah. Of course, I disappeared a while ago, so we have some catching up to do," I said. Tsubasa held up a finger.
"I completely forgot! Masemune is in America as well. He's been training with Toby and Zeo as Team Dungeon. Apparently he ran around the whole country looking for you at all of the big tournaments."
"I saw him in a few when I first got here. I would have gone to visit, but I needed to keep my location unknown. And you know how big his mouth can be at some points." Tsubasa nodded, thinking back to a few choice moments.
"I understand that. Toby and Zeo would have probably kept it a secret, but Masemune would be the last person I'd talk to if I wanted to stay hidden." I nodded, and noticed Gias looking at us thoughtfully.
"What's up Gias?"
"Oh, uh, just thinking..." I smirked and threw my arm over his shoulder.
"Relax. Just because I know a couple of strong Bladers doesn't mean I've suddenly changed. I'm still the same guy you've known for the past few months." Gias smiled, but I could see it was a front.
"Yeah, you're right. But that's not what I was thinking about. How did you get your Beys to do that stuff?" My hand fell back to my side.
"What stuff?" We just had a normal battle. Sure, it was a bigger one than most, but I didn't see anything unusual.
"You know. When those creatures showed up? Were those special effects or something?"
"Creatures...? Gias...have you never seen a Bey Spirit before?"
"Noooo? Is that what those were?" Tsubasa and I looked at each other then back at Gias.
"Not even your own?" My brow furrowed and I tilted my head. He shook his head. Tsubasa asked the next question.
"What Bey do you have?"
"Oh, um...It's this one." He held out a Bey for him to see. A Grand Fireblaze. The Energy Ring was a deep blue with gold accents. "I'm not too strong, even after training in my dad's gym." I smirked.
"We can help with both of those issues."
««{{¤}}»»
"James, Tsubasa, wait up." I turned and watched Gias climbing over a fallen tree. We had hiked far into the mountains that surrounded the city. We had been going for a few hours before Gias called out to us. "Guys, I need a break..."
"That's fine. Here, there's a clearing over here." We walked over and Gias collapsed against a tree, trying to catch his breath.
"So, how is this, going to help me?"
"You and your Bey must be strong together, simply working on your Bey alone won't help you. It's a team effort."
"Okay...And why aren't you two tired?" Tsubasa spoke up, looking to the sky.
"Nature relaxes me. It feels good to walk through the forest. Especially when I have Eagle." I looked up when I heard a screech. I saw a bald eagle flutter down and land on Tsubasa's out stretched arm. It flapped its wings a couple of times before settling.
"Eagle!" It looked over at me before jumping off of Tsubasa's arm. It pumped its wings to circle around me a few times. I held out my arm and it landed on it. It rubbed its head against mine, chirping. I giggled at the feathers rubbing against my face. "I missed you too Eagle. Sorry I was gone for so long." It chirped again and flapped its wings, gliding back over to Tsubasa, landing on his shoulder. Gias stood up and walked closer.
"You have a real pet eagle?! That's so cool!" Tsubasa smiled as he ran his hand across Eagle's feathers.
"Eagle is more of a really good friend than a pet. It is still wild."
"That's even cooler. Um, may I?" He held a hand out.
"Sure." Gias slowly walked over, but paused when Eagle looked right at him. "It's alright, Eagle is just watching you." I walked over and placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Eagle won't hurt you. Here." I grabbed his hand and pulled him over. I lifted his hand up to Eagle, who stared for a minute before pushing into it. I let go of his arm and stepped back. He stared in awe as the bird rubbed its head against his hand. He gently petted it and it let out a chittering call.
"This is something I will never forget." He said in awe. I smiled, remembering my first time meeting Eagle. It hadn't gone as well as this.
««{{Flashback}}»»
"Hey! Tsubasa!" A guy with very long gray hair stopped and turned around. Gingka and I ran up to him. "Tsubasa! There you are, we've been looking everywhere for you."
"Gingka? Who's this?" He turned to face me.
"This is James, I just wanted to introduce you to him." I reached forward to shake his hand.
"Nice to meet yo-!"
*Bird screech* I jerked my arm back when a brown and white blur shot in between us. I locked onto it with my gaze.
"Is that a bald eagle?!"
"Eagle! What's the matter with you?!" The guy yelled at it as it circled above us. He watched it for a second before looking at me again. "Sorry, Eagle is really protective of me. I'll hold off shaking your hand for now." I blinked a couple of times.
"Uh...fair enough..."
««{{Flashback}}»»
'Memories...' I shook myself out of my train of thought and looked at the others.
"Alright Gias, load up."
"Huh?"
"Launch your Bey."
"Oh. Okay." He got out his launcher and Bey.
"Stop."
"Huh?" I walked over and pushed down on his elbow. It barely moved.
"You're too tense. Loosen up, it'll give you a smoother launch."
"Alright. Wait. Are you training me?" I smirked.
"Thought you might have figured that out by now. Go ahead."
"Let It Rip!" His Bey landed on the grass and smoothly ran around. Tsubasa looked at it.
"Is that a Wide Defense Performance Tip?"
"It's actually an Eternal Wide Defense." I looked at it as it moved around calmly.
"I've never heard of it before you. Is it unique?"
"No, just really rare. One of the members of the American team in the World Tournament had it on his Bey."
"That's right. Jack, a member of team Star Breaker, had one for his Evil Befall. A real creep if you ask me," Tsubasa said. I shook my head.
"I'll ask later. Put this on Gias." I tossed a neckerchief at him.
"What's this for?"
"I'm going to test your bond with your Bey." He hesitated for a minute, but nodded, and tied it around his eyes.
"This better not be a joke."
"It's not. ...Tsubasa, you got the ice water?" Gias ripped it off his eyes in an instant and I laughed at the look on his face.
"What?!"
"I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Now put it back on. And no looking." I waited until he had it on, then walked over to stand near his Bey. It moved around my feet, recognizing me. "Okay Gias. Where is Fireblaze?"
"How am I supposed to know that?"
"Feel for it. Reach out for it and find where it is at." I watched as he tensed up, his hands clenching in fists as he tried to listen for it. It sat still, right in front of me. After a minute his hands dropped to his side.
"I can't do it." I walked over calmly.
"Gias?"
"...Yes?" *Whack* He stumbled forward a little when my hand met the back of his head. "Ow! What was that for?!"
"For setting yourself up for failure. You just put up a wall. A false limitation. Stop that." He gritted his teeth, then relaxed.
"Then how do I do this?"
"Feel for that burning passion when you get in a heated battle. That is your Blader's Spirit. Use that, reach out with it, and find a fire that matches. That is Fireblaze. Once you reach out, Fireblaze will do the rest." He nodded.
"I think I know what you mean...Let me try..." He was more relaxed this time, and I noticed him strain a little, but I felt his Spirit rise in strength, even if it was minimal.
'That's it...push it...' He perked up a little bit. And I looked over at Fireblaze, which was now sitting still, a small wave of heat coming from it. 'Good, Fireblaze has noticed.' We were all silent and still for a few minutes.
"J-James...is it supposed to be this tiring?" Gias had a bead of sweat running down his face.
"You're almost there. Just a little more." He gritted his teeth and pushed more, I felt his Spirit reach out to his Bey. Fireblaze reached out in return, a larger wave of heat coming from it. It washed over Gias and he gasped, his head turning towards it. The two were frozen for a while and Tsubasa spoke up.
"What's going on...?"
"They are bonding. Now we wait." I could almost see the energy meeting and growing.
'This is what it means to have a connection with your Bey. This is what it means to be a true Blader.' A spark ignited beneath Fireblaze. A flash of blue fire leapt upwards. It happened again a few seconds later, then again, and again. The pulses were getting faster and closer and I smirked.
'He's done it.' A massive tower of flames shot into the air, and I covered my face from the heat. 'Wow! That's hotter than Burn Fireblaze!' The flames shrunk but didn't disappear, forming an egg shaped cocoon with the Bey at the bottom. It was probably ten feet tall. I tapped Gias on the shoulder and he relaxed, his arms falling to his sides. His breathing was a little heavier than normal. He reached up and removed the blindfold. He looked at his hands for a moment turning to me, somehow completely missing the Bey Spirit.
"What, was that?"
"Well, only you felt it, so I should be asking you."
"I started feeling something after you said to focus on the passion to battle. I felt like I could control it, so I tried to make it bigger. That's when I noticed the other presence...James...Was that my Fireblaze?"
"I don't know, you tell me." I gestured to the Bey and Gias gasped.
"What is that?!"
"You have finally connected with it. Now, go and greet your Bey Spirit." I placed my hand on his back and gently pushed him forward. He hesitated, seeing the large flames. "Fireblaze will not hurt you. Go on." He slowly walked up to the flames, getting within 5 feet of it.
"How is he so close? Shouldn't he be burnt to a crisp?" Tsubasa asked quietly.
"If that wasn't his Bey, then yes. But Fireblaze recognizes him as its Blader. It won't hurt him, it will protect him." I saw Gias slowly reaching his hand out and I smiled. "This is how I had my first meeting with a Bey Spirit."
««{{Flashback}}»»
The Beyblade seemed to speed up, a small whip of wind spun around it.
*Bird screech*
"What th-!" The Beyblade burst out in flames and I let out a shout. The flames grew to about a foot high, and then sat there. I backed up as far as I could on the bed, trying to escape the flames. I took a second to look over the flames, wondering why a Beyblade would set itself on fire, when I soon realized the Beyblade wasn't on fire. In fact, it looked exactly the same as it had before. Then flames sprang outwards, seemingly unfolding. I stared in shock and awe as a bird fluttered its wings a bit before folding them in by its sides.
««{{Flashback}}»»
Gias hesitantly touched the flames and they spread out and up, two massive wings unfurling high into the sky. A loud screech sounded as the blue firebird threw its head back. Gias shouted and fell back in fear, scrambling to get away.
The Bey Spirit placed its feet on the ground and folded its wings, flapping them a little. Small embers floated around us. The giant bird looked at Gias, who threw his arms up, shouting in fear. I walked over to him and got on a knee, placing my hand on his back. I held up my other hand for him. He looked at me, his eyes lit with fear.
"Come on, it's alright," I said. He slowly took my hand, and I pulled him to his feet. I took a step closer to the Spirit, gently pulling him along. He could only stare as we got closer. Fireblaze leaned down, its head almost at our level, and let out a soft coo. I felt a strange calmness surround me. I noticed Gias relax a little as well.
I reached my hand up to the bird, who made eye contact with me. I returned the look with a smile. It gently touched its beak to my hand, closing its eyes and letting out another coo. My hand rested at my side and looked at Gias. He was staring, but it was with less fear and more awe.
I took his hand again and lifted it up, my mind going back to him meeting Eagle a few minutes ago. He pulled his arm back. I thought he would protest the whole situation, but his words surprised me.
"Let me do it." I stepped back without question. He looked up at the flaming bird, who was incredibly patient. "So, you're, Grand Fireblaze? ...My...Beyblade...?" The bird cooed again, closing its eyes in happiness. Gias slowly reached his hand up and the bird held still, allowing him time to overcome his fear. His hand hovered over the beak as he hesitated, but he took a breath and set his hand on it. The bird blinked gently, another coo calming him down even more. Gias stared at it for a while, his eyes glowing in wonder.
The light in his eyes died. He turned away, ducking his head. My brow furrowed when I saw his shoulders shaking.
"...Gias?" Before I could touch him, he fell to his knees, crying out and clutching his hands in front of his chest. I knelt down next to him, only to pull back in shock. He was crying. Streams of tears were running down his face.
"Gias what's wrong?!" I asked. The Bey Spirit cooed again and gently nudged him in the back with its beak. He flinched and before either of us could react, he was on his feet running. I heard a flash and the Bey Spirit dissipated, the actual Bey dashing after him. I took off running, Tsubasa right behind me.
"Why did he run? What happened?"
"I don't know! Gias!" I saw the Bey up ahead waiting for us. Once it knew we saw it, it took off, not wanting to lose its Blader. I launched Leone quickly. "Leone, follow Fireblaze!" We kept running for a couple of minutes before I saw Leone sitting in the middle of the trail. I slowed to a walk, catching my Bey in my hand and thanking it before looked around.
Fireblaze was sitting on top of a fallen log to our left. I carefully walked over and leaned against the log. Gias had tucked himself in the cavity of a rock, curling himself into a shaking ball.
"...Oh, Gias..." I slowly slid over the log and set my feet down on the other side. I sat down, keeping my distance. I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message, handing it up to Tsubasa.
This might take a while. I'm not sure what happened back there.
He typed something and handed it back.
That's fine, I just hope he's okay...
I nodded as a 'me too' and put my phone back in my pocket, looking over Leone while I waited for Gias to calm down. My train of thought was solid and unmoving, something not very common for me.
'His eyes. He thought of something. Something painful. And Fireblaze brought that memory to the surface...Gias, what happened...?' I looked up when I heard Gias take a shuddering breath, and when I looked up, he had a far-away, haunted look on his face.
"...Are you okay...?" He stared at the ground for a minute before looking at me, his red eyes bloodshot from the tears. I felt my heart shatter, seeing my friend in that state.
"..."
"Please, I'm your friend. I only want to help." His gaze didn't change, but I could tell he was trying to find the words to say. I waited, doing my best to not push him. His eyes were still shining with tears.
"Fireblaze was my mom's." My world slowed to a stop. His mom had died of cancer not too long after the final battle with Nemesis had taken place. He hadn't really battled since, the memories were too painful. He had told me about a month ago. I thought that was the most emotional he could get. That was the only other time I had seen him even close to tears.
"What have I done?"
"James?" I looked over my shoulder to see Tsubasa looking completely out of the loop. I decided to forgo the self-beating and catch him up to speed.
««{{¤}}»»
"...And I, like an idiot, completely forgot and made him bond with Fireblaze." Tsubasa took a minute to let everything sink in. We were standing a small distance away from where Gias was hiding, just far enough that we could talk in low voices.
"I really don't think it's your fault James. He had to do it at some point." I sighed and rubbed my face.
"I know, but I forced him to try it when he obviously wasn't ready."
"James?" We looked over and saw Gias leaning against a tree. He was a wreck.
"Gias." I walked over, concern obvious on my face. "Are you okay?"
"I, I think so... I'm sorry for running off..." I shook my head.
"No, stop. I had forgotten how you got Fireblaze and I made you do that. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me." We gave each other the stare down, but Gias was too tired to keep it up, looking away. I looked down when I heard a Bey move, and saw Fireblaze move slowly in front of Gias. He stared at it blankly.
"I think Fireblaze feels the same way you do...I think it misses your mom as well..." I don't know what made me say it, it just came out. Gias looked at me in shock before looking at Fireblaze with thoughtfulness. The Bey sat there, not moving an inch.
"Fireblaze...you...do you miss my mom too...?" The Bey flashed and blue fire slowly poured from it, forming the cocoon again. This time it opened immediately.
Fireblaze bent down, cooing softly. I expected him to flinch or back away, instead he ran forward and wrapped his arms around the Bey Spirit's body, letting out a cry. The bird wrapped its wings around both of them, hiding Gias from view. I smiled painfully. Gias may be 23, but he was still someone's son. He still had parents he was attached to.
I folded my arms, glad he was accepting Fireblaze's comfort. I turned back to Tsubasa but stopped when I heard a soft song drifting from where they were, and realized Fireblaze was singing. I listened to the notes, closing my eyes. It was so pure and peaceful, the closest attempt to matching a mother's love. The whole forest seemed to go still, listening to the song.
Eventually it slowed to a stop, and the world seemed to stop with it. I didn't want to breathe, but my body forced me to. I looked at Tsubasa, who looked the way I felt. I walked over to the Bey Spirit and placed my hand on a wing. They slowly unfurled, revealing Gias still hugging the bird's body, burying his face in the feathers. I walked over, placing my hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and smiled. The pain was still there, but it was a lot less than before.
"My mom left Fireblaze for me...knowing she couldn't be here anymore." I smiled.
"Well, I think everything is going to be okay."