Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade in any way. The only character I own is Marina as she's my OC. Any other references I make are purely coincidental.
Chapter 2: Surviving Russia
Tyson and Kenny had noticed how quiet Kai had been. It seemed so unusual even though Kai was always quiet, to a degree. He spent all his time with Dranzer, training for an excuse to be alone.
"Does it feel strange? Kai being so quiet and secretive." asked Tyson as he prepared to once again line up the drinks cans to train again.
"It's different, that's for sure, but I think he would be better off if we don't mention anything." said Kenny who was working on his own beyblade, Hopper.
"With the tournament coming, do you think we should contact Ray and Max?"
"It is seven months away, so I don't see the need to rush, but it would be a good idea. We can adapt our team skills and learn each other's moves and attacks." answered Kenny.
In Russia, Marina's plane touched down in Sheremetyevo International Airport located north of Moscow. She stared around the airport and then looked out a window. She knew that in Russia was Siberia, self-described home-of-frozen-mountains.
"In that environment I could become the best beyblader ever. I will win the championship this year." she thought to herself.
She phoned someone who had arranged a helicopter for her. Someone who owed her a favour from long ago. It didn't seem to take long until she was dropped off in Siberia. She had chosen Lake Baikal as the landing spot. She could tell that some parts of the ice seemed more recent than others. The 'repairs' the ice had made since Kai battled his team-mates with Black Dranzer.
"Zeroth, it's nearly time." she said to her bit beast.
As she walked away, the helicopter took off, causing a high wind. As she approached the mountains and the small pathways between them, the winds started to blow fiercely. She pulled her jacket closer around her, which made her feel weak, instead of strong; because she knew Kai had endured the blizzards. It had been his determination to beat Tyson at the most recent World Tournament.
"I can do it. Go Zeroth!" and she released her beyblade into the snow.
Her beyblade started to spin in circles making the snow and ice rise up like some sort of 'Ice Tornado.'
"Zeroth, keep pushing." she urged her beyblade.
Back in Japan, Max and Ray had arrived. Tyson happily greeted them along with Kenny, but Kai was absent from his team's reunion.
"How are things at home, Ray? Going okay?" asked Tyson approaching his long haired friend.
"Pretty good. Lee still works himself too hard, but that can be sorted easily enough."
"Hey, Tyson. Take a look at this." said Max and he gave Tyson a green beyblade.
"Wait a sec. This somehow feels familiar." said Tyson weighing the blade in his hands.
"It's a new Draciel. This look better?" asked Max inserting his bit into the beyblade.
"Did your mum make this?" asked Kenny clearly awed by Draciel's improvements.
"Yeah, mum and Emily worked together on this one. More defence without losing speed or attack power." said Max proudly.
Ray just noticed that Kai wasn't around.
"Where's Kai? He knew we were coming, didn't he?"
"Yeah, but he's been acting extremely weird since that girl asked him about his past." said Tyson who was still admiring Max's new beyblade.
Deciding to change the subject, Ray said…
"If you think Draciel looks good, take a peek at this." and he threw his beyblade to Kenny who caught it.
"No way. Is this Driger? You have changed it so much." Kenny's excitement at new technology was soaring through the roof.
"Mariah helped me with this upgrade." said Ray indicating his attack ring.
"Wow, if you weren't a fair beyblader, I'd say this was dangerous, but it's based on Driger's abilities, is it not?" asked Kenny, the attack ring had sharp edges which were designed to almost mimic the cat-like abilities which the White Tiger bit beast had.
"Would that be legal in the tournament?" asked Tyson admiring it from behind Kenny.
"I checked with Mr. Dickinson, he said it's fine as long as I don't intend to destroy my opponent's blade." said Ray as he took the blade back.
"Later, we'll test them and you can see Dragoon's improvements." said Tyson excitedly.
"And Dranzer's." said a voice. They all turned and saw Kai leaning against the wall with his beyblade in his hand.
"Nice to see you again, Kai." said Max and he almost jumped in the air in excitement.
The Bladebreakers were back and ready to crash the competition.
In Russia, Marina was starting to shiver. She had lasted ages in the mountains and blizzards, but clearly she needed a break and wasn't going to do it.
"Zeroth, Lightning Flash." and her bit beast, the golden unicorn, released a bolt of golden lightning which split the mountain.
She had done well, but was exhausted. She collapsed in the snow and her eyes started to droop. She tried to keep them open, if she fell unconscious here, she could die. She tried to get to her feet and slipped, her beyblade rolling out of her hand into the snow. She heard footsteps and saw a glimpse of red hair before her eyes fell shut.