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 5: Match One
It was finally time. Every team had trained their hardest to have a chance to become World Champions. Arriving at the stadium in a helicopter was D.J Jazzman, the announcer of the tournament.
"Welcome all beyblading fans. A year has passed since Tyson became a third time World Champion. It's now time to find out if anyone can end his reign." and people cheered from below.
In a locker room, the Bladebreakers were preparing for the match-ups of round 1.
"This is exciting. I can't wait to get into that stadium." said Tyson.
"Tyson, don't forget there is competition and I refuse to lose because you screw up your matches." said Kai from the bench.
"Yes, boss." Tyson replied sarcastically.
In one of the other locker rooms, the Blitzkrieg Bladers were preparing more seriously.
"Marina, don't forget to be focused." reminded Spencer.
"I'm nothing but focused." said Marina throwing her blade into the air and catching it.
In the main arena, a spotlight surrounded Jazzman as he began to announce the opening of the tournament.
"It's time to announce which teams have qualified for the World Championship, starting with the Bladebreakers!"
A platform raised as another spotlight lit up the team.
"And their tag team is World Champion Tyson with the team captain Kai!"
Tyson waved to the crowd as Kai stood there with his arms crossed.
"Our next team to make the cut is the White Tigers and their tag team Lee and Mariah!"
Another platform rose with a spotlight, both Lee and Mariah smiled in the Bladebreakers' direction as Gary and Kevin stood behind them.
"Next, the All-Starz with their tag team Michael and Rick!"
Max looked over at Rick, surprised to hear his name. Rick smiled in his direction and Max smiled back.
"Next, the Free Battalion with the always reliable tag team Miguel and Matilda!"
Miguel and Matilda were both smiling at finally being back at the World Championships.
"F Dynasty, the perfect tag team pair, the brother and sister, Raul and Julia!"
The two of them waved to the crowd.
"Last, but not least. Give a big welcome to the Blitzkrieg Bladers and their tag team, Tala and Marina."
All the other teams looked over, especially the ones who hadn't heard of Marina before. As the platform rose, it was revealed that, for reasons unknown at the moment, Marina was wearing a long black coat with a hood.
"That's strange." muttered Tyson.
"Well, now that all the teams have been introduced, or re-introduced, the tournament match-ups are as follows: White Tigers against All-Starz, F Dynasty against Free Battalion then the semi-finals will begin with the Bladebreakers against the winner of match one then the Blitzkrieg Bladers against the winner of match two, and last, the finals will be determined by whoever wins the semi-finals!" explained Jazzman and the crowd cheered in excitement.
"The White Tigers and All-Starz. That will be a close match, especially if Lee goes against Michael." said Kenny.
The teams returned to the locker rooms and in fifteen minutes, the first match would start.
"Mariah, do you want to take the first match?" asked Lee.
"Okay, I won't let you down."
"Whether you win or not, you can't let us down." said Kevin showing support to his team-mate.
When the match was about to start, the other teams took places in the stands to watch the match.
"Okay, here we go. Match one of the Championships, White Tigers and All-Starz. Blading first for the White Tigers is Mariah!" said Jazzman and the crowd cheered as Mariah approached the dish.
"Mariah's beyblade totally gives off a look of power and attack. That goes double for her bit beast, Galux, who can cut through nearly anything. That gives her opponent less places to hide." said AJ.
"That's right, AJ, but she better have sharpened those claws because her opponent, Rick shows a lot of defence as well as attack with that Drop Rock attack." said Brad wisely.
"For the All-Starz, Rick!" said Jazzman and Rick approached the dish.
"Rick could be the strongest of the All-Starz, but no one really knows. He shows more skill with each match. I can't wait." said AJ excitedly.
"Now we know about our bladers' skills, let's unveil today's beydish." and Jazzman smiled as the covering over the dish pulled back to reveal a strange dish where parts of the floor were separated from the rest and going up and down.
"This dish looks so difficult; I wouldn't want to launch my blade in it. I can say one thing though, it will need concentration at the highest extremes." said AJ.
"This dish could be more to Mariah's advantage, but as we all know: nothing is as unpredictable as a beybattle." said Brad.
"And so, 3…2…1…let it rip!" said Jazzman and both players released their blades.
"We used to work together quite well in all those training matches, shame it's now every blader for himself." said Rick as he made his blade time exactly when to cross over the moving parts of the floor.
"Yeah, but even then, I told you that you can't trust anyone." said Mariah and she made her blade collide with his.
In the stands, Kenny was trying to compare the bladers' skills.
"In strength, Rick towers over Mariah, but in this dish, she has the advantage of keeping in control."
"I love even matches. They are so interesting." said Tyson.
"Rick relies too much on attacking and Mariah relies on speed. Neither of them use more than one quality at a time." said Kai, slightly confusing Tyson.
Rick's blade mistimed landing on the raised part of the floor and his blade flipped backwards, just staying in.
"Now, Galux, while he's off guard. Cat Scratch Attack."
Galux pounced at Rick's blade, claws drawn.
"Rock Bison, Drop Rock." and Rick's blade was surrounded by rock as Galux's claws helplessly scratched against it.
"No, you survived a direct attack from Galux's claws." said Mariah, panicking.
Now that Rick had overcome her attack, she was off guard and he knocked her out the dish.
"The match is over, Rick takes the first round for the All-Starz!" said Jazzman.
Mariah collected her blade and Rick walked over to her.
"Nice try, Cat Girl." and they both laughed.
When they returned to their teams, it was time for the second round: Captain vs. Captain, Lee vs. Michael.
"Good luck, Lee." said Mariah.
"Come on, Michael. Win this." shouted Eddy.
Both players approached the dish. Who was going to win? Lee or Michael? White Tigers or All-Starz?