Chapter 12: Preparations.
A/N: Hey everyone, I hope y'all are doing good with health and life! :D
Since I'm guessing that many of you haven't understood what the pattern of battle/tournament was, I will sum up once again. Please try to understand.
There are new bladers who want to participate in the tournament. They probably are just friends, singles, doubles or any ones, but are interested in participating and battling in the stadium. There is no requirement of necessarily having a team and being registered already or being the regional players of any city/town/country. It's like- you are interested, just come and register your name. Done. Those are the newbies.
As the tournament starts, there is an entire one month, where there will be battles of newbies. It will be just between them- Just random and impulsive. NO world class bladers, regional teams, professional bladers are involved at this time. During this 1 month's period, there is selection of few best bladers among them. However it's not a revealed to them that they are chosen.
Then the actual tournament starts in the next month. No newbies here. We have the world class bladers and our prominent teams (of previous seasons, years), regional teams and the official teams participating now. There will a pattern, much like a chart prepared already, which will be send officially to them. Like, Team A VS team B, then the winning team will be battling against team C… and so on. So we have our G rev, PPB All Starz and other various other teams... Finally, at the end of this month, we get one winning team. This entire month is termed as Phase 1. The winning team at the end is called as "Winning team of Phase 1." (also called as WTP-1) The other teams which had participated obviously lose. I hope it's clear till now.
Then we have the next Phase- Phase 2. Let's assume that the winning team of Phase 1 (WTP 1) has four members- A, B, C and D. I already told that there were a few bladers that were selected from newbies. There is one battle (consisting of 3 rounds)that the WTP-1 has to fight in Phase 2. And that battle is against those newbies. So, you might be thinking, this should be easier. But it's not. Look, in Phase 2… there are three rounds. And in each round, one blader from the WTP 1 (either A, B, C or D) will be battling against two bladers from newbies. It's like one against two bladers. The same thing is for the next two rounds. One blader from the 'Winning team of Phase 1' will be versus two bladers of newbies.
The thing here, in Phase 2 is: Those newbie bladers which are chosen aren't told that they are chosen until the last moment. And there is a sequence that is decided by the hosting committee already that which two bladers (from newbies) will be battling in round 1, round 2 and round 3. There is a sequence of bladers in each round appearing and it will not be changed. This information is under no circumstance revealed to newbies. However all the participants (newbies) have to be ready to be called anytime during Phase 2's rounds.
However, there is one more thing. Like I said, there are two bladers from newbies VS a blader WTP 1 appearing in each round. And I also said it's in a decided and fixed sequence that which two bladers are appearing in which round. Half of this information is revealed to WTP 1. That is, the WTP 1 is told about one blader who will be appearing in each round. WTP will be revealed about the sequence of bladers appearing, but not all the six members names are revealed, it's just the three names of members appearing sequentially that are told to them. I hope this critical part which sounded confusing is clear now?
So… basically, WTP 1 gets an opportunity to decide among themselves that who among them will be battling, who will be battling in which round. It will be on the basis on the names that are revealed to them. Because you see, the newbies had the first month to battle and their battles were seen by everyone, which means WTP 1 gets an idea and guessing of their type of blading, strategies, techniques, and thus the suited blader from WTP 1 to be selected that fits in each round. This decision (sequencing) is confined to WTP 1. No interference from outside.
There is a requirement of winning at least 2 rounds out of 3 in Phase 2, to be eligible to enter Phase 3.
The one who battles in round 3 of Phase 2 from the WTP 1 becomes the Pro-Champ.
Obviously, the blader of round 3 from WTP 1 needs to win the round 3. Then only, he becomes the Pro-Champion.
Once the Phase 2 is cleared, the Pro Champ enters the Phase 3.
In Phase 3, there is just a single battle. The Pro Champ will be battling against that person who was his/her tag team partner in Season 3. For example, if Max becomes the Pro-champ, he will battle against Rick. If it's Tyson who becomes pro-Champ, he will be battling against Daichi in Phase 3. Just ONE battle, one winner. The winner will be the Champion of the year. If it's Rick who wins one battle against Max, in Phase 3, he will be the world champion.
It's actually like this.
The other things that I was saying was that… there can be problems within the WTP 1 regarding sequencing their members in Phase 2 for the three rounds because obviously, everyone in the WTP 1 would desire to be suited for round 3 to become the Pro-Champ and go into Phase 3 to try to claim the title.
One more scenario is there. In case if the WTP 1 loses Phase 2 ( if they are unable to win two rounds out of 3), they re-enter Phase 1. That is, a random team will be allotted to battle the former WTP 1 and in case that random team wins, they enter Phase 2. Or else if the former WTP 1 wins, they again enter the Phase 2. Let's just not make this more complicated. It's just a scenario which could be there.
I really hope it's clear now. And yeah, I guess you do understand that the newbies have no chance in claiming titles. They are simple 'used' in Phase 2. However they will be gaining recognition next year when they will be selected and teamed up officially and recognized.
Let me know if there are any more doubts or confusion. Best of luck with reading ahead! Thanks so much to Linvn for the review!
Chapter starts:
Hilary missed the old times of few weeks back when they would have been care freely roaming in corridors during breaks, chatting and leaning against the walls and chuckling over the silly things. Hilary strangely wished if those times would come back at least for some time now.
She had fine time with Ryan during lunch. She'd finish her lunch quicker just to have time to have walks with him round the large round corridors. He'd never hurry up. She just wished if Ryan could finish his lunch quickly as well and he often did. Margot and Delia would join them sometimes or at other times, they left them alone to share their times. Ryan liked walks and he liked walking by the balcony of the corridor. Hilary would give him that side of the walk.
They would talk about random stuff starting from any topic and silence would rarely occupy, even if it did, it was comfortable. Hilary usually talked about how she didn't get proper sleep the last night, how Margot and Delia put large amount of work on her and Ryan would just give a laughing smile to her; she would feel like it was still okay.
Ryan would talk about general things like studies, labs, subjects, sometimes Professors, and rarely talked about his personal life. He would often end their conversation with this talk:
"Hilary…" he would ask softly,
"Hmm?" She would mumble,
"Still hate coffees in morning?" he asked,
"Yeah," she would say.
"Hilary…"
"Hmm…"
"Coke or Pepsi?"
"Coke,"
"Hilary…"
"Hmm…" she loved hearing him call her name,
"Are summers better than winter?"
"Yeah," she nodded, looking briefly at him,
"Hilary…"
"Hm…"
"Is The fault in our Stars still your favorite?"
"Yeah," Hilary nodded,
"Hilary… can we demarcate bonding and relationship…"
"No…"
And till this precise moment, they would have completed their rounds and reached their next lab timely and would be wearing their Lab Aprons for getting ready for the next period.
…
"Why is it that is it called the anatomical snuff box?" Delia asked as she put down her book for a second, her hands relaxing from keeping the book right in front of her eyes for so long,
"A hollow seen on the radial aspect ,the thumb side, of the dorsum of the wrist when the thumb is extended fully. The reason that it is called the anatomical snuffbox is that snuff -powdered tobacco, could be put there and then inhaled." Hilary explained in one go quite like she has just read it.
Delia blinked a couple of times as she couldn't register the info in one go.
Hilary smiled as she said it clearly.
"Did you just read that somewhere?" Margot raised an eyebrow.
"Not really; why?" Hilary asked with innocent expression.
"It's just like you've recited it," Delia said with incredulous grin.
"Shut the shit," Hilary protested, "I've read it long back,"
"Uh, mind re-explaining?" Margot sighed,
"Fine," Hilary rolled her eyes.
The girls started listening as she explained quite slowly with physical motions of her hand for them to understand better,
"Alright, I got it," Delia smiled.
"Good," Hilary nodded, "There is just tomorrow; I'm curious of what kind of papers this time will be made..." Margot sighed.
"We'll see," Delia nodded unsurely,
"After exams, we will have holiday, definitely," Delia mumbled to herself,
"Stop talking, you're disturbing,"
"Ooi, "
"Yeah yeah, lots of holidays with regret if you don't do well in them,"
"I'll do fine in exams,"
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The swaying breeze gently swept away the autumn leaves that had smothered the dojo. The blunette sighed as he kept the broom in one corner looking at the plain grey sky with faded blue shade. He liked this weather. It depicted many emotions. This Tournament was going to be tough, he could feel that happening. The Phase 2 was a real bitch.
He was tired. The feeling had become so regular. He knows that his life has been becoming pessimistic. Everything seemed so bad and torturous and unfair. Everyone had been silently rude to him. He wondered what would have happened if Kai and Ray were his real brothers. They would have perhaps kicked him out of his own house or would have turned his life into living nightmare.
A few hours back, he had an urgent assignment to be completed which he missed out. He needed to go at Jack's place after afternoon and needed his bike. The fuel had been finished when he started and he had no money currently to get fuel in it. The Petrol-pump itself was a kilometer away from his house. There was one thing. He needed Kai's car.
He quickly darted in home where Kai was drinking some home-made strawberry milk,
"Kai!" he panted,
Kai ignored him and smoothly and unhurriedly finished his milk first. Tyson was panting a little.
"I-I need your car…" he said in sigh, "I've an urgent assignment. I've to go to my friend's-"
"I can't lend you," Kai said sharply,
Tyson slightly gasped, blinking a couple of times to know the reason. He didn't blurted out, 'why' but waited for his captain to explain,
"Use your own bike," Kai said coldly,
"I would have used it. But I haven't used it for a while and its fuel is drained off. I've no money right now. It's urgent," Tyson implored,
"What should I do if you don't have money? You should have saved it if you get urgent tasks like this," Kai said uncaringly with a shrug,
"I will r-return you. Can you lend me some money if that's okay?" Tyson asked, feeling extremely broken at Kai's harsh words. He didn't want to ask his help but there seemed no choice,
Grandpa has just slept and he can't disturb him for taking money and he has no idea where it's kept.
"Tyson, stop begging. You'd seriously take up some work rather than standing here," Kai spat coolly and left the hall.
Tyson didn't get any money. Kai was having enough money at that time. He noted how spiteful and uncaring he had become. Tyson went away and to wash out his stress, he began swaying the leaves which got carried away by the breezes.
He needed to complete that assignment. Kai's word stung real badly. Max already went out for practice and Daichi was with him. Ray was nowhere around. And he doubted if Ray would ever help him. He had been silent and kept him at arm's length.
Taking up some work…well that wasn't a bad idea. His routine wasn't the same and promising daily. Daily, he had to get up at four-thirty to give Gramps his medicines. The old man wasn't capable of getting up at an alarm. He'd probably get a heart attack at sudden ringing of an alarm. Besides, others would be stirred up in hall. So, Tyson solely took the responsibility of it. It wasn't a big task. But the problem lied in waking up, and kicking off his majesty sleep. He did, however. He tiptoed silently downstairs, his half eyes tried seeing through the sheets in which his friends were sleeping and he entered Ryu's room. Tearing the cover of the proper capsule and putting water in a glass, he gently and slowly woke Ryu so as not to scare him and asked him to take medicine. Ryu always thanked and blessed Tyson for doing this daily to him. He appreciated that Tyson- who would not have gotten up in morning after constant fights with Hilary for that, now is doing this for him. Tyson would smile, and would go back upstairs quietly and resume his sleeping. It would be quick sometimes, or sometimes not. Getting at seven was sometimes again challenging. He had to prepare his breakfast, go to practice, pack his bag and head to institute.
He made mental note that day to get some money from Ryu and keep it for emergency cases like this. Kai had really hurt him that day by not helping him and abusing him for being careless bitterly. Tyson went the next day without assignment with all tools and completed the assignment in class. Though he was on the verge of being given deduced score for late submission, which was barely counted in Part 3 Finals, he was scared. He requested the Coordinator to give him one more day and fortunately his request got accepted by borderline.
His practices were daily very grueling and he didn't get much time as he still spent much time in studying and minimized the time for blading though there was less than a week for September where there would be intensive training among all his teammates. He was in no mood of being pissed off and get insulted on those practice matches, especially by Kai.
Ray was another silent barbarous dealer. He had other silent modes of torturing Tyson that included taking Max for walk to institute before Tyson showed up- Tyson would walk to Institute alone at times. Ray wouldn't leave sufficient food for him in case he got late to lunch or dinner and purposely left the poor share for him. Tyson would acknowledge but wouldn't say anything. He would have fought and kicked Ray out of home if this happened five years back, the reason he was tolerating them was because he didn't want Ryu know that how torturous his friends are actually.
Ray occasionally backbites about him with Max which Tyson heard a few times accidentally. It included that he was way too arrogant and cold and didn't talk with them like friends. The reason Tyson kept himself a little reserved was they themselves! They had put him on the borderline and declined their friendship. He had to save it at least whatever he could and he has to ignore them so as not to trigger any fights or arguments. Max knew but he stayed silent.
Daichi was fine like he was, though the only problem he had with Tyson was that he want to beat him. Yet, both the guys slept on the same bed whenever Daichi stayed up. They fought for ice-creams, space on bed, food, Tyson's own clothes, and what not, Daichi always rekindled their friendship,
Tyson's sleep got curtailed drastically. He would sleep for few hours in afternoon after lunch or sometimes before lunch, of which Ray took advantage of; he would cook meals for Gramps separately. He occasionally had some work like to wash his and Gramp's clothes, clean his room, and press his clothes.
He studied and completed allotted assignments. That would go till past midnight and reached one at times. A sleep till seven would get a break at four-thirty. He would sleep at weekends and Beyblade training was reduced. He payed attention to his stats in last four days and spent a large portion of time in practicing.
The next month and so would be busy in Tournaments. He would miss his studies for a whole month of September. The starting of October were holidays for him, however. When he took opinion of Grace, she expressed that there was a week off because of some strike by Group and the rest of the month minus weekends would be dealing with a new chapter.
"Is it an easy one…I mean for me?" Tyson asked sheepishly,
"Not sure, Tyson," she shrugged,
"What do you think?"
"Since you're having tournament the next month, I will send you the notes on phone or mail. You may glance them once vaguely and revise them in the starting of October. I've heard the Phase 2 will be sorted out by the end of September, almost. You will have Phase 3 for probably for two days," she shrugged,
"Yeah," Tyson quickly checked the schedule on his mail and nodded, "You're right."
"Hmm,"
"Thanks Grace!" he laughed,
"You're welcome, Tyson,"
"Uhm, shall I suggest you something?" she hesitated,
"I heard you were saying Jack that you've revised everything almost till now," she asked,
"Yep, almost. Only half of labor part is left." He said proudly
"Well, you can get the notes for that chapter now itself from our seniors. I know a few of them. You may check it before the Tournament begins for you..." Grace smiled.
"WHAT?" Tyson dead-panned, "Impossible! I'm no genius. That was possible for you,"
"Well," Grace half blushed and giggled lightly,
"I will be bringing your favorite pizzas for rest of the holidays immediately after Tournament ends up." he said,
"OH," she chuckled nervously,
"I mean if that's okay. Can you please help me?" he asked,
"Sure. But don't bring pizzas daily," she smiled,
"Okay, something else?"
"Tyson, you don't have to bring anything for me. I won't burden your pocket for giving you beneficial knowledge of studies." Grace smiled,
Tyson smiled genuinely, "Thanks, you're the best friend and helper!"
"Hey,"
"May god bless you?" Tyson smiled.
…
The starting half month of September was grueling with intensive training and practicing session which included battles, pushups, running, loosening of muscles, etc. It started from sharp three in afternoon till seven in evening. Tyson was lucky that his classes ended up at three. He arrived half an hour late daily at training session.
His skills and stats had improved and he was doing well.
He'd next week free due to strike and he payed full heed on training just before the tournament.
He'd lost quite battles against Kai during training but he settled the score near the end.
They would be facing Robot Genetics first, and Kenny announced that the later match would be with either White Tigers or Majestics. The Black Chasm wasn't participating this year, adding more to Kai's curiosity. He thought Rose would be eager to participate this year. The final battle of Phase 1 was dated on 26th September.
The team kept watching all the battles of the amateurs of this year and kept a keen eye on them.
They won against Robot Genetics easily in first two rounds itself- that was because of instant replay of last year tactics recorded. Max and Daichi defeated Zeo and Derek respectively.
Every amateur blader expected G Rev to qualify Phase 1.
"We are facing Majestics tomorrow," Kai reminded,
"I guess we better be careful,"
"I'll be battling against Robert in first round," Kai smirked,
"Are you sure he will coming first?" Max asked,
"Hn,"
"Ray will go in round two," Kenny declared. "Tyson, I've to upgrade your blade urgently. You won't be participating tomorrow,"
"Okay," Tyson agreed, for some reason, he didn't argue
"I'll hope you two beat up them in first two rounds, so we don't have to waste time. Besides I want Max and Daichi to get rest from previous match and get them some more training meanwhile, "Kenny ordered, looking at Ray and Kai who nodded, "We will defeat them." Ray answered.
"Yep,"
"I'll train with Max and Daichi then, I guess," Tyson announced.
"Your blade needs some serious tackling; you may not be able to train tomorrow. Re-watch the battles of amateurs, Tyson, and you'll memorize all if it!" Kenny said firmly,
"Will try," Tyson sighed.
The next day went fine and Tyson was free, eating lots of snacks and watching the battles. They had brought Ryu with them and he was with them in a separate room. Tyson spent the entire day beside Ryu, watching the battles on Kenny's spare laptop. Ryu was instructing Tyson about the important battles. Out of ninety amateurs, thirty were selected, who had to practice for appearing in Phase 2. Among those thirty, six will be facing the Winning team of Phase 1.
As per his strong predictions, the next day, Robert did come first for battling.
Kai smirks as he walks confidently to the bey-dish, this arousing valid curiosity among his team members.
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Ashlene lied quietly. Her mood dejected and down. Ellie is shouting around over some cartoon movie she is watching. Ashlene's mood is on the verge of becoming livid and her lips are twisting dangerously. She seriously needs new earphones right now and can't afford them. Her savings aren't sufficient to buy one. It's nothing like Julia wouldn't buy for her one. Ashlene just doesn't want to waste Julia's money on her irresistible wish.
Her face turns from being plain to angry and then murderous and no one notices it. She stomps her fist on bed, getting attention of her daughter. She gets up, wears her black jeans and dark grey top and combs her hair, her mood extremely angry and livid right now.
She strode out of her room with slow steps taking care she doesn't come in the notice of anyone. She glances at Julia who is eating some snacks and browsing her phone. Raul isn't there. Her eyes travel to the door way that opens and Raul enters.
He gives a smile to her and walks to his room with Julia passing a comment that he is way more than happy than he should have. Ashlene walks out.
"Where are you going, Ash?" Julia asks,
Ashlene doesn't and answer but mutters, "Some work,"