Saving the Phoenix Chapter 13

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, simple as that.

"Spoken"
'Thoughts'
Bit beast/master talking

Author's notes: I am terribly sorry for not updating sooner. I realise I've made you wait for ages, but really, school was killing me and it was a big surprise until the end if I could make the first year or not. I did! So now, the days I don't have to work, I'll try and write as much as I can, because the story is far from finished. I want to thank those of you beforehand for sticking with me! I also want to thank the incredible reviews left by you all, I really appreciate it.
Now let's continue, shan't we?

Not beta-ed

Chapter 13

After having spoken with Rei, Kai once again made his way to the library. He needed to find a flaw in the law which could solve their problem, but sixty books and throbbing headaches later, he still hadn't found anything at all. The prince sighed as he sat down behind a big mahogany desk with yet another five hundred pages book which needed to be read.

"Why can't I just find the answer on the easy way?" he mused to himself as he started flipping through the pages.

Meanwhile in Rei's bedroom.

Max was helping Rei braid his long raven hair when Tala knocked.
"Rei? Can I come in?" the red head asked.
"Sure." replied Rei, opening the door for Tala with his magic.
The Russian teen blinked. 'I really have got to get used to that.' he thought.
"Good morning." said Rei, smiling when he saw Tala's bewildered expression. "By now I thought you should be used to my magic." the neko-jin teased.
"Yeah, I guess." replied Tala, more talking to himself.
"What brings you here?" wondered Rei, handing Max one of his hair bands when he noticed the blond was finished braiding his hair.
"Well, there's someone waiting for you outside. I think it would be wise for you to follow me now, or Wolborg won't be able to keep herself in line."
Rei gave Tala a surprised look. "What's going on Tala?" the raven haired teen asked while he stood from his chair.
"Nothing serious." 'yet.' "There's just someone who wants to meet you, that's all." the red head said. He rather enjoyed it to tease Rei, as long as he didn't tease him too much that he would use his magic. "Are you going to follow or not?" Tala asked while he turned to make his way back.
"I'm coming." the Chinese teen said quickly. "You stay here Max. I want to know who this person is before I can let you come along."
Max nodded. "Sure."
"I'll be back soon." Rei promised and followed Tala.
'I wonder what's going on…' thought Max. He sat down on the bed and reached for the book laying under his pillow. 'Well, it's not like I have a choice anyway, I'll just have to wait then…'

Takao was bored. He was bored stiff. He knew he wasn't allowed to leave the room, unless Kai gave him permission. Trouble was, Kai had left before Takao had woken up, and now he couldn't even ask permission.

"This sucks." the blue haired teen complained as he let himself fall on the bed. There were enough books in the room for Takao to amuse himself, save for the fact that he never had liked reading. Being a prince too, he had read hundreds of books, one more boring than the other, and had caused Takao's dislike for books in general. Other than books there wasn't really anything in the room he could fill his time with, other than his sword, which he wasn't allowed to touch without permission. Which he couldn't get because he wasn't allowed to ask Kai because he couldn't leave the room

The bluenette finally decided to do some simple exercises, just to do something other than thinking of how the situation was starting to ruin his mood.

"Tala! Can't you just tell me what is going on instead of keeping me in the dark?" complained Rei as he followed the teen to the palace grounds on the south side.
"Just see for yourself. I don't want to spoil the surprise." answered Tala, somewhat teasing, somewhat serious.

'I truly hope Wolborg doesn't make a riot…'

"Ah, they're still here." Tala said when he spotted the spirits, all in one piece. He gave a sigh of relieve when he saw Wolborg patiently waiting for his return. He knew the wolf had a short temper, and he was quite proud of her. "Rei, meet Drigger. Drigger, meet Rei." Tala added while he petted Wolborg and hugged her softly. "I'm proud of you beauty, staying calm while I was gone." he whispered in her sensitive ears. Wolborg purred and playfully bit in Tala's hand. She appreciated the red-head praising him, but she didn't want to let the teen get away with the fact that he had put her in an highly agitating situation.
"Don't worry. Next time I'll let you after whoever steals my attention." teased Tala. "Now let's leave these two alone. I reckon they have a lot to talk about."

Wolborg nodded, choosing not to speak to Tala. She really didn't like talking when the both of them could understand each other perfectly.

Max, totally obsessed with the book he was reading, never noticed the red see-through curtains moving, even though there was no wind. He never heard something move and climb on the bed, nor did he notice it crawl next to him. When he wanted to turn another page he suddenly saw something move in the corner of his eye.
He lay the book upside down and turned his attention to his right. His mouth dropped when he saw a cat sized turtle next to him on the bed, staring at him.
"…Hi…" the blond mumbled.
Good day Master Max. the turtle spoke.
"…Who are you?" questioned Max, sitting up straight, sitting in front of the animal in front of him. He gently picked it up with both his hands and held it in front of his face. Before it could answer Max said: "You have beautiful blue eyes. Do turtles even have blue eyes?"
The turtle giggled. I do. My name is Draciel. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Draciel said.
"..Are you like Dragoon?" asked Max.
Draciel nodded. I am, just like Dranzer and Wolborg.
"Cool!" replied the blond with a big smile on his face. He gently put Draciel back on the bed. "So I'm your human companion?" the teen asked, his blue eyes sparkling.
You could call it something like that yes. You're not surprised?
"Just a little. If the whole 'spirit' thing was new to me, I would've been. I'm just surprised that I have one too." the teen answered.

"Drigger?" asked Rei, sitting down cross-legged on the grass. "Your name sounds familiar." he added.
Could be. I've been visiting your dreams sometimes.
"…This is the first time in a while that I don't know how to reply." the raven haired teen admitted. "You're like Dranzer, aren't you? A guardian spirit?"
Drigger nodded, sitting down on his rear legs, his tail swishing slowly.
"Why haven't I seen you before?" wondered Rei, searching his memory if he'd ever seen the small tiger before. He couldn't think of any situation.
I haven't been in physical shape for a long time. The last time was when you weren't even a prince yet. I have been around though, and watched your every step.
"How come you're in physical shape now then?" asked the teen. "Has something happened? Dranzer told us she's been in the shape she is now for a very long time…"
I am not as strong as Dranzer is. Additionally, her bond with Kai is one of the forces that makes her able to stay in the shape she is right now. Answered Drigger. You shouldn't think too much, young Master Rei. There are other things to worry about.
"Other things?"
Danger. Evil. Something will happen soon, though I do not know what. I do know, however, that this will affect your and everyone else in the palace his or her life greatly. Some might even not survive.
"Not survive? Is it Boris the source of the danger?" asked Rei, his eyes darkening somewhat.
I don't know. I wish I did, for I would prevent it all before it could happen.

Takao, after having done every exercise he could think of, let himself fall on the bed, sighing, panting slightly. The bluenette closed his eyes. "Damn, I haven't stopped for even a minute yet and I'm already bored stiff." he complained to himself. He stretched himself like a lazy cat, feeling something under Kai's pillow.

"Huh? What's this?" Takao wondered, looking at the leather collar in his hands. "Why would Kai have it under his pillow?" he wondered. He observed the collar, finding nothing suspicious. "Perhaps it's something special to him… though I haven't seen it before." Takao mused. He sighed again. "I wish he was here, so I could ask, and ask for permission to leave this damn room!" he complained yet again.

Meanwhile, in the library…

Kai had just piled a couple of books and was about to head for his room when he heard a voice say '"Perhaps it's something special to him… though I haven't seen it before…I wish he was here, so I could ask, and ask for permission to leave this damn room!"'
The prince, having just taken the books in his arms, dropped them, startled. "Tyson?" he asked.

Back in the bedroom…

Takao shot up. "What?!" he reacted, staring at the collar in his hand. "What is going on?" he wondered. 'Did I hear Kai's voice just now?' he thought.
"Tyson." called Kai. "Tyson, are you wearing a leather collar?" the prince asked.
Takao blinked. "Are you really talking to me Kai, or am I losing my mind?" wondered the bluenette. "What's going on?" he added.
"The collar, it's magical. Are you wearing it?" repeated the prince, while he picked up his books again and was starting to make his way to his bedroom.
"No." answered Takao. "I'm just holding it…How can you hear me?"
"Like I said, it's magical. Though it's stronger than I initially thought it would be. Stay put, I'm coming."
"But…" started Takao, but suddenly there was a silence. 'He must have the ability to block it, or something like that…' the teen mused.

"Did you feel that?" asked Rei, interrupting Drigger, who was explaining what had happened when Kai was just a toddler.
Feel what, master Rei? asked the tiger.
"Magic…Someone in the castle is using magic…perhaps it's Kai…" the neko-jin thought.
I don't feel anything abnormal…Drigger said.
"I'm going to check it out. Are you coming along?" offered the black haired teen, standing up.
Of course. Consider me your shadow from now on, because I am not leaving you alone until the threat is gone. Drigger said, jumping on Rei's shoulder.
"I wonder though how I was able to feel someone else use magic though... It doesn't feel like a lot of magic was used…I've never felt anything this minor use of magic before, assuming it really is Kai who is using some magic…" Rei said, thinking out loud.
Perhaps it is because I am near you, young master Rei. I also carry magic.
"Are you stronger, now you're near me?" asked Rei, making his way to Kai's bedroom, assuming the dual coloured hair teen would be there.
I am. The same goes for Dranzer, Wolborg, Dragoon and another spirit. When we are near our human companions our power increases with the intensity of our band with our human companions.
"And visa versa?"
Drigger nodded. As long as I am near you, and our bond continues to grow, you will only get stronger over time.
"That's good to hear, 'cause my feeling tells me we'll need to use our powers soon." Rei said. Rei, concentrating on his conversation with Drigger, and not concentrating on where he was going, bumped into Kai just when he was about to enter the hallway that lead to the prince's bedroom.
The books were sprawled over the ground. Both Kai and Rei ducked to pick up the books, but both princes ended up hitting both their heads.
"Ouch!" complained Rei. "I'm sorry!" he immediately added when he saw Kai rubbing his forehead slightly.
Kai gave a soft grunt. "It's all right. I wasn't watching where I was going either." he said, reaching for his books once again. His hands froze though when he saw a cat sized tiger appearing from behind his brother.
"Rei…what's that?" asked Kai, instinctively pulling his hands back.
"Oh, that's Drigger. My spirit companion, as he calls it. He's like Dranzer." the Chinese teen answered. "Here, let me help you." he added picking up some of the books. He read the titles. 'Law and order, written by Vladimir Balkov', 'Corporal Punishements, author unknown', 'Russian warfare' and other not welcoming titles.
"Thanks." Kai said, still staring at Drigger. He felt something weird coming from the tiger, but at the same time he could feel a resemblance to Dranzer.
"What in the world do you need to know for you to read these horrible books?" wondered Rei while heading for Kai's bedroom.
"A way to get rid of you know who, on a legally right way." Kai explained briefly, opening the door with his elbow.
"Why would you need a book on corporal punishments then?" Rei asked, his curiosity kicking in again.
Kai sighed. "The less you know the better it is." answered Kai, placing the books he was holding on his desk, turning his attention to the bluenette sitting on the bed.

"Hi." said Takao nervously when he saw that Rei had accompanied Kai. Although he wasn't touching the collar anymore, it lay in front of him, he didn't feel quite comfortable with Rei present as well. He didn't know how powerful the neko-jin's magic was, but he didn't want to find out.

TBC

Author's note 2: A short chapter, I know, and it still doens't answer a lot of questions, raises some more, I reckon. I hope I'll be able to update before next monday, if not it will take at least another two weeks before the next chapter will be coming. I'll be on a two weeks holiday, and I'll probably won't be near a internet connection -- I do hope though, that in those two weeks, I'll have written a couple of chapters, but I can't promise anything. Thanks for sticking with me up until now!

I would appreciate a review, or two...or three...