Chapter II
Dark Nebula Again…
Never in her two lives had she expected Doji to turn into a digital hologram for the sake of revenge. It was just insane—save for the fact that she herself somehow reincarnated with her past memories intact—but it wasn't like she had a choice in that matter.
Just after arriving back from the qualifying tournament, Michaela was greeted by the sight of a very intimidating digital version of Doji declaring superiority over the WBBA during Japan's qualifying tournaments on the news.
Despite the sheer absurdity, she was absolutely amused. Doji was insane but in a good way.
"Is this guy for real?" Liliane asked, staring at the screen with a baffled expression.
"I think it's just a prank," Aiden said.
Elliot threw his head back and laughed. "Oh man. I don't know what the hell is going on but it's seriously funny! A man supposedly dead has resurrected as a computer and is going to take over the beyblade world! Now that's what I consider shit going down!" He continued to laugh his heart out while his friends stared at him like he had lost his mind.
With Elliot laughing like that, Michaela couldn't help but laugh along with him, not caring that her teammates were probably questioning their sanity.
She fell off the couch and rolled on the floor as a result of her uncontrollable laughter. Tears spilt from her eyes and she wiped them off with the back of her hand.
Her father came into the living room after hearing the ruckus made by her and Elliot. He thought that she had tripped and hurt herself and rushed towards her. "Are you okay?! Did you hit your head? Do you need medical attention?"
Michaela couldn't reply and continued giggling like she was intoxicated. She tackled him into a tight hug and didn't let go until her squeaky giggles died down.
"...Were you four telling really funny jokes?"
Liliane coughed. "Yes. Michaela and Elliot found it hilarious and she ended up falling off the couch. I'm sure she's alright."
Her father seated Michaela back on the couch. "Alright. Just call me if you need assistance."
After he left, Liliane turned to face Michaela with a glare of extreme intensity. "What was that for? I don't know what was so funny about the news that you had to make such a huge commotion and bother Mr Konzern!"
Michaela rolled her eyes in plain sight of her angry teammate. "You're just a pain in the ass."
"How dare you curse at me!"
Aiden shot up from his seat and placed both hands on her shoulders. "Calm down. I thought you didn't want to cause a commotion."
It was a fact that Liliane was annoying, uptight and couldn't handle jokes. Michaela groaned internally at the thought of dealing with her nonsense for the entirety of the World Championships. She turned to face the television where numerous reporters, journalists and random passers-by gave their two cents about DNA taking over the beyblade world and her mood improved instantaneously.
The whole situation was proving to be very fun, but after a week it was reported that Doji and the DNA had been defeated by Ginga and a group of young bladers. Suddenly, him converting into a digital hologram and puppeteering the DNA behind the scenes to dominate beyblade didn't matter anymore.
He was nothing but a disgrace.
…
"Michaela, whether you win or lose, just remember that it doesn't matter as long as you tried your best…"
The girl was trying her best to put a smile on her face and nod and say "yes father". Of course, she wouldn't be like him and break down after a loss. It was not like she was expecting to win the World Championships anyway. Japan was home to some of the strongest legendary bladers such as Gingka, and the country has continuously proven to be the best in beyblade. A part of her was expecting Japan to win the competition yet again.
As long as she didn't lose at the first or second match she'd be fine.
During the trip to their first match in South Korea, Michaela spent her time on the flight reading medical books, more specifically on neurology. It made sense since she was a neurologist in the past, and she aimed to create her own company after university and pick up where Hades Inc. left off.
When it was revealed that the Garcias used the remnants of her company to build their own, she was undoubtedly furious. She was glad to know that the DNA was reduced to rubble which made the Gracias retreat to square one again. Serves them right for messing with her.
"Michaela? Aren't you tired?" Aiden entered her cabin carrying two glasses of water and placed one at the coffee table stacked with medical books.
She closed her book and took a sip of water. "No, I'm fine. Just need to catch up on my studies."
"But we're landing in six hours. You should get some shut eye before we proceed with training."
"I can't afford to fall behind my schedule. I need to use my time to the fullest."
Sighing, Aiden took the book from her hands, causing her to whine a little. "Yes, I know how much your education means to you, but we're participating in a beyblade competition, not a medicine competition." He scooped up all of her books and stuffed them into a drawer shelf, before dimming the overhead light and tucked her in a blanket. "It's bedtime now."
"I might be twelve years old but I'm a university student…"
"Hahaha, but even geniuses need sleep."
Aiden was right. She was feeling rather drowsy and needed some shut eye. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall asleep to the quiet hum of the plane's engines.
…
"And Team Gaius wins two matches in a row!"
The crowd stayed silent.
Michaela looked up from her book and eyed the South Korean team who were sprawled on the floor in defeat, along with their beys. The battle went on shorter than she expected, not that she was complaining. It proved that her teammates were strong and capable, besides this left her more time to train and study.
It was funny how the crowd were jeering at first when they made their entrance; it made their victory much more satisfying.
…
Unlike their parents, Elliot and Liliane were nothing alike. They had contrasting personalities, used different beys and rarely battled together since they always find a reason to argue and bicker. The name 'Twin Jewels' just didn't work for them. Michaela was thankful that the media hadn't come up with a corny nickname for them.
Right now, they were supposed to leave for Australia for their next match, but unfortunately, there was something wrong with the plane's engines and their flight was delayed.
In her and Liliane's shared hotel room, she was reading her books as usual.
"Do you ever stop reading those books?" Liliane asked.
"Is there anything wrong with reading?" Michaela snapped.
"Ah, I'm sorry if I came across as rude…"
Michaela let out a huff and continued reading.
"So… what are you reading about? Just curious."
"Neurology."
"Are you planning to become a neurologist?"
"No, I just like reading about it and take a university course in medicine for fun."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...You're acting strange today."
"How so?"
"You aren't annoying like usual."
"..."
"See what I mean? You don't retort back when I say something sassy, and you aren't demanding me to listen to your advice or whatever."
"Well, maybe it's because I'm trying to lessen the friction between us?" Liliane's voice was strained, almost as if she were forced to say those words.
"I do not mean any ill will. I was just wondering if the reason for your strange behaviour was because there was an underlying problem you might have."
Upon hearing her perfectly crafted lie, Liliane's facial features softened. "Oh no, it's alright."
Michaela closed her book and puts it aside. "I'm glad we can meet a mutual understanding. I would like it if we could start over again."
For the entirety of the trip to Australia, Liliane had been talking to her nonstop about her favourite boy bands and complaining about school. With a pained smile, Michaela nodded her head and pretended to be engaged. Once in a while she would comment about how good looking one of the band members were to give the illusion that she cared.
Now wasn't the time to be making enemies. At least not yet.
…
They had beaten the Australian team and the Arabic team with ease, and the best part of it all was that they won two matches in a row again, making their way as the A block champions. In the cabin of their private plane, her teammates were shaking and screaming in excitement like hyper kids in a playground. They were communicating with their families through a live web chat on a laptop, sharing compliments and jokes with each other. Many times Michaela had been invited to join in the conversation, but she insisted that she wanted to have a private conversation with her family.
After her teammates had their fill, she approached the laptop.
"Hey, Michaela! How's it going?" Nero asked in his childish voice.
"Everything is going well. How about you?"
"Fufufu~ don't need to be so formal. We're family after all!"
"I guess…"
"So I finally got a job, and I'm gonna get my paycheck after this week since it's almost the end of the month, haha! And I heard your team had continuously won two matches in a row! How do you guys do that?"
"It just goes to show how strong my teammates are, though I cannot say that we'll continue winning two in a row for the B block matches."
"That's true I guess."
"Besides, the Japanese team weren't in the A block, and I have heard how strong they are."
"Yeah! And I've heard that they have close relations with a couple of legendary bladers, so it's no wonder."
"This means that my team and I must work extremely hard."
"Aren't you scared?"
Of course. "Of course not."
"Uwah! You're really brave! By the way, big bro's gonna talk to you now. Big bro~" Nero left the vicinity of the laptop screen, and her father came into view.
"Hello, sweetheart."
Michaela tried her best not to cringe at the nickname.
"Hello, father."
"All I have to say is… well done. Your team went further than Excalibur did in the championships. I am very proud."
"Thank you."
"However, do not get complacent. The teams you will be facing are extremely strong, so you must be prepared for whatever challenges come your way."
"I understand."
"Remember that I'll still be proud of you even if you get second or third place…"
"Grandfather doesn't feel the same way."
He chuckled. "It shows that he has very high expectations of you, but as long as you don't give up or succumb to your enemies' taunting, you'll be fine."
"I hope so."
He flashed her a warm smile, in which she tried to reciprocate back. "Good luck."
"Thank you once again. I will try my best."
"Why are you always so formal?" Nero commented in the background.
…
When Europe's team went up against the Japanese team, Michaela knew that they were pretty much screwed from the very beginning.
Both their teams were tied with one win each, and one more for either of them would ensure their spot in the finals.
The team leader, Zero Kurogane was beaming brightly and trembling with excitement even though the battle hadn't started yet. Seeing his happy demeanour made her sick to the stomach.
"So you're Michaela Konzern, Julian Konzern's daughter?"
No. "...yes."
"I gotta say, you're team was awesome in winning two matches in a row in the A block! However, it looks like you're gonna lose here today!" Zero exclaimed with confidence as he attached his bey to his launcher.
"I do hope you keep up the reputation of Gingka's prized pupil."
The battle was tough, but of course, she ended up losing. What did she expect from the Gingka's Hagane's prized pupil and one of the young bladers that brought Doji and the DNA to its knees?
…
When Michaela returned home, she expected her family to greet her warmly and shower her with gifts and compliments as usual. However, she felt a heavy and tense atmosphere lingering in the air the moment she stepped foot in the mansion.
Nero was the first to greet her with a forced smile.
"Heya Michaela! Great job out there!"
"Thank you. Where is father?"
Nero let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his neck. It was obvious that he wasn't able to mask his emotions well. "He's in his room. I think he wants to talk to you in private."
When she was about to knock on his door, she heard the sound of a palm slamming against wood and frustrated yelling.
"You useless bum! What the hell have you been doing!?"
"How would I know this would happen?!"
"The fact is that the vixen dumped your ass like the pathetic man-child you are!"
"Stop rubbing it in my face, goddammit!"
"Why did I ever trust you to run the family business when you don't even know what she was doing behind your back?!"
Michaela rapped on the door with her knuckles. "May I come in?"
"..."
"...of course."
Her father and grandfather were facing away from each other, with eyes narrowed, teeth clenched and fists balled in anger.
"Is there anything wrong?"
At this, her grandfather flew into a rage again. "Your pathetic excuse of a father will tell you what's wrong!" He then turned to glare at her with the intensity of a thousand suns. "And you! Your battle between the Japanese team was utterly disappointing! You're just as pathetic as him!" With that he stormed out of the room, the tapping sounds of his cane fading into the background.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Michaela said softly, almost in a whisper.
Her father lets out a heavy sigh, before holding both of her small hands with his larger ones. "No, this is important. Just promise me that you'll remain strong…" He started shaking and choked sobs escaped his throat, though he tried his hardest not to cry.
A part of her felt sorry for her not-father. After all, she used to be a man in her past life, and she once had a fiancé that never appeared at the altar.
"I'm not your average twelve-year-old, and I overheard the argument earlier to know what happened. You really don't have to tell me if you don't want to…"
Immediately, she was pulled into a bone crushing hug and he allowed his tears to fall freely. She wrapped her short arms around his waist and listened to his heavy heaves against his chest.
They remained that way for a long time.
Just skimming through the World Championships because it isn't too important. Not the most exciting chapter, but character development is important.