Chapter 24: Betrayal, New Champion, Interview.

"So that is my story." Ashlene smiled lightly,

Fred looked at her slightly horrified, incredibly with agape eyes and mouth.

"What?"

"Nothing. I can't believe this much happened with you…" he sympathized

"Hmm, life has its own choices,"

"Ash, if you don't mind, can I tell you something?" Fred was unsure if he should tell,

"Yeah,"

"Look, don't get me wrong or get disinclined but I've something to say about this,"

"Say," Ashlene was slow but curious,

"You do regret that everything that used to be so good and bright in your life has faded in one night. Don't you?"

She nodded quickly, wanting to listen more,

"You two have been together for at least quite time that you guys might have made promises and confessed many times. You two must have thought to help out each other whenever it was your chance. Right?"

"Y-Yeah,"

"Ash…I mean; wouldn't have been much easier and simpler if you just have forgiven him?" Fred asked with a low, soft and nostalgic smile,

Forgiven? Forgiven? But how? Why…

"H-How can this betrayal be forgiven and what was there to forgive, I didn't get you-"she barreled her thoughts quickly, "THIS WAS A BETRAYAL, FRED!"

"You could have forgiven him what he did, Ash. You could have listened him why he did-"

"But he didn't accept he did that!" Ashlene protested,

"You never told him what he did," Fred paused,

"He knew it." Ashlene jabbed her voice,

"But still, you didn't mention it and then interrogated him. You didn't give any chance to allow him to explain. He probably really didn't have the idea of what you're aski-"

"Please! Seriously? That WAS understandable; there was no misunderstanding about what I was saying!" Ashlene twisted her lips in mock,

"Perhaps there was a misunderstanding, Ash. Perhaps it was." Fred sighed, "You could have totally accused him and I would have never said ANYTHING in his favor only if…only if you would have told him what he did and asked him about it. Only if he would have denied what you saw, only if he backed off from his self and revealed his façade, I would have cursed him right now."

Ashlene was quiet; she seemed to be in retrospection on the thoughts and the events.

"Look Ash, I don't even know him, but I would really want to help you as a friend and that's what. I'm helping you to clear this misunderstanding. You should talk to him, really."

"Never." She said in a low tone,

"Okay, okay." Fred seemed to be stunned and received a jolt, "It's your wish, Ash. You've all rights to do what YOU eventually feel alright."

Ashlene nodded and silently left.

"Goodby-"

She shut the door as she walked out.

…

What was that? What was he trying to say? HOW ON THE EARTH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING! Fred doesn't know anything. He simply is putting out stupid explanations. Forget him. It's just not right. What have I done to myself… Ever since we parted, I've isolated myself, have forgotten to laugh, have never attempted to make friends, have always been this solitary, has just accepted Raul and Julia as my family. I just have his daughter to remind me every day what he did to me. What I've become… What have I done to myself… I've did injustice with my own self. I'm very cruel. Only if he would have never done that, everything would have been okay, only if his feelings were loyal. He used me.

.

.

.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just need some rest I guess," Tyson sighed lowly as he adjusted his body comfortably on his bed.

"Yeah, you do," Kenny nodded, looking a little worried.

"You need some aspirins or something?" Max asked,

"Nope, I will be fine." Tyson gave a forced smile

They nodded and left his room gradually. His stomach ached and he was feeling cringed and quizzically nauseous.

He swallowed barely and turned his head to the other side to distract him from this sudden mild illness. He rubbed his palm on his tummy and closed his eyes. Again not liking the darkness, he opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling, ceasing his blinking momentarily. Lowering his gaze to the wall, he looked at his half peeping jacket in closet and his messy table. He slightly closed his eyes again and rubbed faster. He felt like his muscles were contracted and folded, preventing him from moving anyhow. His arms felt irritating from inside as if small electric shocks to tease him were playing inside. He vigorously shook them but no avail. He sank into his pillow and stopped breathing and closed his eyes tightly.

He felt like tired, really tired.

I'm tired. Just tired; because they're tired of seeing me and listening all my problems if I ever say so. So when they ask 'What's wrong?' I just say that I'm tired. Oh yeah, I mean physically, they'd not pester and better understand that. Here I lie, want my mind to stop thinking so much, remembering everything over and over again and becoming so absolutely numb to it. I don't want to think, I just want to sleep. I get up just to think when will I die again in night and escape all this expiation and thoughts. Just why… I'm not even sure what I'm drifting for? Is it my title? Dragoon? Gramps? I'm just moving, not wanting myself to be this way. Not wanting my inner soul to live anymore. I want an escape, a reason to just let go. The nostalgia hits so hard… All this pains and my narrow mind, can't take this anymore. I'm not that any strong. I'm a weak twig broken by the winds. I can't stand still.

He drifted into the slumber as these thoughts crossed his mind and his chest felt lighter.

.

.

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"Hilary, do you have something to say in this?" Mr. D asked quizzically,

She didn't answer, her eyes down casted.

"Hilary," Tyson whispered as he nudged her,

"Huh?"

"I asked if you have a say in this something."

"No…" she said slowly

"Well, its decided then. I hope you're okay with this, Kai? Ray?"

Kai shot piercing daggers with his eyes, "Hn,"

"So when are the offline matches held?" Ray asked,

"Next month, it's the ninth year and so it will be held for all teams with this reluctance in Zimbabwe,"

"Nice." Max smiled,

"Since it's an offline short battle, it will be a combined match. You all five lodge your blades at once and fight the other four until one remain," Mr. D gave them one serious final look before striding out,

"So we have just a month huh," Tyson smirked devilishly,

An unofficial match for all the prominent teams was held in Zimbabwe. As for blade-breakers, a five on five battle would decide the battler who will be battling in 3rd round of the final battle against the opponent of the so team there to fight for the title. Hilary left shortly after two days.

Hauling the thirty days quickly and coping up with his final exams which ended by the month, he had managed to keep himself stable and maintained his stats. The crummy situations during weekends around the tough schedule made him grouchy at times but he still was at his cool. Max aloof with his practice, his drift was commencing, Tyson vaguely but actively sensing it. Kai, as usual as himself, was busy with his own practices and completing for his back locks.

The time passed very quickly, just like how the leaves of the autumn were blowing out,

"Get your stuff ready, we are leaving,"

"I know Kenny, I'm trying to be quick," Tyson crouched to pick his towel, drying up his hair as they were damped after his shower. He quickly dumped his shirts and jackets with a towel and his other personal sparse possession.

"Done, Kenny!" he heaved a sigh and placed a relived hand on his chest,

They reached for Zimbabwe within few hours. The match started immediately, just the next morning,

"I hope you all are ready." Mr. D announced as he took his large seat,

They nodded.

"Three, two, one!"

Tyson stared at Ray as he glared at him before launching his blade. Max stared at the stadium itself already trying to comprehend the landing positions of the blades. Daichi was already stumbling into the dish in excitement.

"I'll lift you when you're feeling low, I'll hold you when the night gets cold, you'll never have to be alone, and that's all you need to know, no love lost, we've got you and I" She serenaded chirpily through the summer breezes, her pink cheeks fluffing briefly,

"Sweet, is that the new song?" Tyson asked with an excitatory heave,

"Yep sweetheart!" she laughed,

"Let's get sober tonight, what do ya say?" Tyson winked,

"As long as we're together," She snaked both her arms around him, nodding obediently in sarcasm,

Tyson didn't know what he did until his blade was kicked out of the dish with only two blades spinning.

Kai smirked as he was about to pull his final move and kick off Strata Dragoon. Daichi grinded his teeth as he quaked his body, summoning the vigor to fight.

"Daichi, do it," Tyson said tensed,

He nodded shakily. His eyes poked out of sockets and mouth agape when his blade was kicked out the dish.

"Well then, this means Kai will be playing the third round," Mr. D said a little stunned out and sweaty,

"Best of luck," Ray said impassively,

Kai gave a look to him and turned to Tyson. Tyson just blankly stared at him, quite unsure what he must say or do. He looked at Max for help but Max seemed same quizzical out. Tyson just walked out, seeming to be excused out of blatant coughing.

"I guess that clearly means I will be playing round 3," Kai asserted,

"Yeah, it apparently does," Max said shrugging,

Kai twitched his brows and Max ignored.

…

"Are you kidding? What the fuck were you doing during the match? You lost way too easily. So you're ready to lose your title this year this easy?" Max gnashed his teeth, his body convulsing in fury,

"I don't know Max. I really don't understand where and what was I even thinking at that time. Yeah, I accept that I wasn't there mentally. But there's no going back. I'm relinquishing my title. I'm conferring it!" Tyson said jadedly and wearily,

"S-Stop muttering trash!" Max yelled almost barreling, his eyes tightly closed and poked ahead still,

"Look Max, there is nothing that I can do. And you know what, if Kai wants to be the World Champion, let him be. Let's see how much changed he will be after that. I love my title, I know. Something which I've protected from eight years, but at this point where he'd successfully got the right after such a century to claim it, let's see if he's worth it." Tyson reasoned cheerfully with sarcasm,

Max just looked at him and blinked. He looked disappointed for Tyson and left wordlessly and pretending impervious,

Tyson sighed after he was out of sight.

The pattern was general for all the teams who had conflicts for playing in round three and it included a few other teams, mostly who were new- Grey Avengers, Upbeat Wheelers and Flash Fighters. There was just one team which was not listed in here and new- Red Scorchers

Max stomped in his mighty fury and reached dojo. Everyone were surprised seeing him this way.

"Are you okay, Max?" Ray asked first,

Max pretended not to discern his presence and walked away.

….

"What up Maxie?"

"Nothing. I'm a little worried about Tyson," Max sighed,

"Why, what's wrong with him?"

"Gramps chill out. It's nothing serious; it's just-" Max stopped and heaved a tensioned sigh,

"C'mon, tell me," Gramps looked a little worried now though he was trying to be cheerful,

Max sat beside him and explained the entire story. Gramps looked into the space with pondering eyes, "It's alright. Let Kai play this time." Gramps smiled imperviously and calmly,

"You aren't worried or angry at Tyson?' Max asked with raised eyebrows,

Gramps laughed, "Absolutely not. It's all fair. Kai wins and so he gets."

Max nodded before he left. "Take care,"

…

There didn't seem any tension in the air. Max was the only one who was being aloof and a rift from his cheery persona was evident. Others didn't bother him either. They were busy in practices and the schedule was jarringly calm.

Tyson was at his peace.

He really didn't seem to be having any problem with Kai going for third round or that basically he is losing his title. He felt like he was set free; like he no longer was holding any burden. But then again, was carrying this craved title a burden actually? What would Amelia think seeing that Tyson has lost this year, after being an eight times champ in a row? Would she actually bother to think about him? What was she doing right now by the way?- Tyson thought but still he felt like his soul's burden had been curtailed to a greater degree.

…

Two weeks passed,

"The qualifiers are beginning next month, so yeah, we have a whole month to spare," Max said jovially throwing his fist in the air,

"Yeah, so its…" Kenny browsed his laptop, "Its starting from 25th of July and these rounds will continue till 6th August. The pros will enter the matches officially from 8th June,"

"7th must be Sunday then," Daichi hopped,

"Might be," Ray shrugged,

"These are the prominent teams." Kenny noted,

"We must watch their matches sometimes," Kai suggested,

"Uh hu," Kenny nodded negatively, "We don't have any records,"

Kai ignored and went for a nap.

"It's just the morning and its dead scorching,"

"Let's start the laps, huh guys?" Tyson wiped a hand on his forehead.

"Shall we take a break today? I mean, I have some project pending as well, I will complete it and from tomorrow we can start afresh," Ray asked,

Tyson nodded, "Your wish. I'll practice with Daichi till then," Tyson turned to head in other direction and automatically Daichi followed him. Ray twisted his lips in disinclination,

…..

"I had contacted Robert and others, just to ask them if they are joining this year-"Max asked,

"Why?" Kai asked hastily,

"No reason. Mom visited France last week and met Oliver at his restaurant and Robert was there too surprisingly and so I just-"

"Well, can we get started now?" Daichi asked hopefully,

"Yeah, as long as you don't hop on me," Tyson narrowed his eyes,

The training went smoothly till evening when they eventually were drained off, and were sweating profusely. Tyson has crashed against the turf and Max was panting and catching his breath. Ray took a break too and Kai quickly returned to dojo.

"Might be we should drop to some restaurant today." Tyson said in heavy breaths, "I already feel famished after hearing about Oliver's restaurant and the tedious day," Tyson sighed,

"I'm with you," Max joined,

"ME TOO!" Daichi added,

Kenny made an excuse that he have lot of work to upgrade their blades once more finally before they are ready for matches and thus went to dojo directly. The trio went to a nearby restaurant and treated themselves with pizzas and burgers.

"We should return now. It's already past nine and we need to get up early tomorrow or else Kai will make us do extra laps," Max warned them,

"Uhmn, oh I forgot to inform you guys," Tyson stood from his chair seeing afar, "I can't be with you tomorrow."

"Why?" Daichi looked up,

"I've an interview tomorrow." Tyson looked at them and blinked,

"Yeah, I remember your exams last week," Max remembered, "That's for Corporate Controller, huh?"

"Nope, I changed my mind. I scored finely so I'd applied for financial Analyst. I know it won't be so easy but I've already set a an interview for Corporate controller as well, so let's see where the luck will take me," Tyson laughed nervously,

"Best of luck dude," Max smiled and almost stood from his seat to hug him,

"Hey thanks buddy," Tyson smiled, his heart not able to believe that someone was happy at his achievement or hard-work,

"How much will you earn?" Tyson's smile stopped,

"Not sure, let's see," Tyson subtly dodged,

They went to home with talks all the way, "Sure, I will take care to give you time, Daichi. I won't forget you," Tyson said comically when Daichi constantly told him not to get entirely busy,

"Your choices are crummy sometimes, you will be kicked out," Daichi joked once,

"I can make the fine recommendations Daichi; I've taken more than the required time to study everything," Tyson sighed barely and rolled his eyes,

"You will do fine," Max cheered

Tyson slept a little late, around eleven and prepared for his interview and arranged for the morning, packing his documents and files and preparing for his breakfast and what he will be wearing and pressed his clothes. He was himself a little astonished how much responsible he'd become through the years.

He gave a nostalgic smile vaguely remembering his old care-free and sleeping-self. He nodded his head how impossible he was a few years backs.

Wonder how I became this guy. Damn, it's through these years I guess I have changed. Thanks to everyone. Heartily.

He sunk in his bed and closed his bed lamp and kept his phone on charging after keeping his alarm and remembered what he'd read last before falling asleep.

A/N: Thanks so much to the previous reviewers and to everyone who favorited and are following this story. I hope you like this chapter? What do you think… was Ashlene really betrayed? What might have happened, any thoughts or guesses?

Comments please!