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 6: End of One, Begin Another

"With the White Tigers a game down, they have sent team captain Lee to the dish. Can he bring them a victory?" announced Jazzman.

"Lee is a strong and fast blader. With his bit beast, Galeon, he can 'electrify' the competition." joked Brad.

"Nice one, Brad, but it's not like we haven't heard it before." said AJ to his joking co-commentator.

"And his competitor, a blader with a fast ball launch, Michael!" and everyone cheered.

"Michael is a true American, good at sport, a little ego mixed up with his competitive attitude. His bit beast Trygle, an amazing eagle, may be too much for Lee today." said Brad while announcing Michael's stats.

"Totally, dude." said AJ, just trying to find something to say.

The bladers had reached the dish and the second round was ready to begin.

"3…2…1…let it rip!"

While Lee pulled the rip-cord of his beyblade launcher, Michael threw his baseball blade. Both blades landed perfectly in the dish and proceeded to time manoeuvring over the moving parts of floor.

"I don't know who has the advantage." said Kenny who was typing furiously.

"Why? Did you drop your glasses, Chief?" asked Tyson. "Lee overpowers Michael."

"Tyson, we all know strength doesn't win a match." said Kenny annoyed that Tyson wasn't thinking ahead.

"He's right, though. Lee does overpower Michael." said Kai. Kenny and Tyson just turned to look at him.

"But, Kai?"

"Kenny, I know strength won't win the match for Lee, but Michael's chances are still slim because Lee has speed as well."

Kenny was surprised and turned back to the match.

"Come on, Lee. You can do it." cheered Mariah from the bench.

Lee's blade sped up and circled Michael's while still managing to time the movements of the up-and-down floor parts.

"Trygle, Super Cannon Attack." said Michael and his blade powered up as the eagle rose out of it.

"Galeon, Spiral Lightning."

Lee's attack collided with Michael's and next thing Michael knew, his blade was out.

"Nice try, Michael." said Emily as he walked back towards them.

"Thanks, guys. Hey, Rick."

"Yeah, captain." said Rick almost smiling.

Michael was surprised, but overlooked it.

"Win for the All-Starz."

"I will do my best, guys. I never let my team down." and Rick walked over to the dish.

"It's now a draw, one for both teams. Deciding the tie-breaker are Lee and Rick." said Jazzman.

"I can do this. Lee hasn't had a chance to recover and Michael has worn him down a bit." said Rick to himself.

"Rick is more powerful than Michael. I better watch my step." said Lee to himself.

In the stands, Tala and Marina were watching the match with Bryan and Spencer sitting behind them.

"Lee's done for. It looks like the All-Starz will be the Bladebreakers' obstacle." said Spencer.

"I don't think so. Lee has beaten Rick before." said Tala.

Marina narrowed her eyes as she watched.

"I don't think Rick can beat him. I just have a feeling."

Tala looked at her and turned away immediately. He wasn't sure whether or not to listen to her.

"You know what these two can do so 3…2…1…let it rip!" announced Jazzman.

Both blades were released; the third and final round in this match has begun.

"I'm not drawing this out. Drop Rock!" and the Bison emerged as a rock shield surrounded the blade.

"Use your speed, Galeon." and Lee's blade continuously avoided Rick's blade.

"Stay still." said Rick annoyed.

He attempted to corner Lee, but Lee diverted so Rick ended up smashing a hole in the wall, but the blade was still spinning.

"That's it. Nice stunt. You may have weakened my defence, but don't think it's over." said Rick.

"Don't worry. I am never going to underestimate my opponent again." said Lee.

In the stands, Tyson couldn't believe Lee was holding in. He expected Rick to have won by now.

"Spiral Lightning."

"No, that's impossible. It's stronger." and Rick's blade went spinning out the dish next to his feet.

"No way." said Michael in surprise.

"I thought Lee would win." said Marina.

"Tell me: how did you know?" asked Tala.

"I just got a feeling, Tala. I can't explain it. It's never happened before." she said.

Rick walked over to the others.

"I'm sorry, guys. I can't believe we're out at the start."

"Hey, we both tried our hardest." said Michael and they shook hands.

As Lee walked over to his team-mates, Mariah ran over to him and hugged him.

"Well done, Lee. We are going to the semi-finals."

Lee put his arm around his little sister and simply smiled as he saw the Bladebreakers in the stands.

"And so, the All-Starz are out and the White Tigers move on to the next round. Next match, F Dynasty and the Free Battalion!" announced Jazzman.

F Dynasty and Free Battalion approached the arena.

"Excuse me, but we would like to propose a tag team match." said Miguel.

Everyone was shocked. Most people knew that Raul and Julia excelled at tag team, while for Miguel and Matilda, it was always blading solo.

"Why would Miguel take a suicide risk like that?" asked Tyson, clearly thinking that Miguel had bumped his head that morning.

"Well, if you want to. Do you accept, F Dynasty?" asked Jazzman.

"Why not? It'll be interesting." said Julia. She and Raul agreed.

"F Dynasty have agreed so this match will be a tag team format." announced Jazzman.

The four bladers approached the dish.

"Miguel and Matilda have never worked together in a tag team match like this before, so it raises questions as to why they wanted this format." said AJ while the bladers' stats were shown.

"I know what you mean, Topper. Raul and Julia excel at tag team. They are well known because of their tag teaming." said Brad.

With the four bladers positioned, the match began.

" 3…2…1…let it rip!" and all four released their blades.

"Remember our plan, Matilda." said Miguel as his blade went in front of hers.

"Of course, Miguel." and she held back to follow his lead.

"You know what they're doing, Raul. Prepare to split." said Julia.

"Right, sis."

As Miguel and Matilda approached Raul and Julia, they split off making Miguel and Matilda split into two one-on-one battles.

"Matilda, try to regroup. We can't win attacking head on." said Miguel.

"Pierce Hedgehog, retreat."

Matilda's blade backed away from Julia's while still in defence as Miguel backed away from Raul.

"Fire Needle." said Miguel and Matilda. Their attacks combined and targeted F Dynasty.

"Impressive." said Julia.

Raul got clipped and spun out the dish, but Julia saved him.

"We can do it, Raul. We are a true team."

"Of course." and Raul tried to single Matilda out.

"Poison Needle." and Matilda's attack hit Raul's blade.

Julia targeted Miguel.

"Toda la Fuerza."

"Fuerza Valiente."

Both attacks hit their mark hard, Miguel and Matilda lost.

"We knew you were good, but we never thought we'd lose so quickly." said Miguel.

"I am impressed though. I knew it would be better than our last match." said Raul to Matilda.

"I can't wait to get in that dish." said Tyson.

"You can take on Lee." said Kai.

"Okay. Sure you can handle Mariah?" asked Tyson.

"I'm certain."

"Well, F Dynasty will be the Blitzkrieg Bladers' opponents in the second round of the semi-finals." said Jazzman. "In the meantime, we have Bladebreakers and White Tigers."

In the locker room, the Blitzkrieg Bladers discussed the next few matches.

"We can beat F Dynasty easily, so it's either Bladebreakers or White Tigers in the finals." said Tala.

Marina left the room and slammed the door.

"What's her problem?" asked Bryan.

Outside, Marina walked down the corridor to the exit.

"I don't care about the White Tigers or F Dynasty; I don't even care if we break some rules. I just want you, Kai." she said to herself.