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 12: A Month Later…
It has been a month since Marina gave up her quest for revenge and let Kai win the tournament. Both bladers' injuries have healed and they are out of hospital.
In Japan, Tyson was as usual, sleeping in. The other Bladebreakers had just finished breakfast.
"What are you guys doing for the day?" asked Kenny after putting his cereal bowl in the sink.
"I'm going to join my dad today. He has got so carried away with his new idea. I told him to ask mum what she thinks, but you know my dad." said Max.
"I don't know yet. Kai, do you want a match?" asked Ray.
"Why not? I haven't done much since the tournament." said Kai smiling.
He and Ray stood up from the table and set off for a good training place.
"Should we try to wake Tyson?" asked Max to Kenny.
"Leave him alone for now. He's way too sleepy for us to even try…" started Kenny.
"Grandpa, what are you doing?" they heard Tyson shout from the other room.
"Well, I guess he wasn't too sleepy after all." laughed Max. Kenny laughed too.
Tyson came into the kitchen with a frown on his face.
"Come on, Tyson. It's your longest sleep-in for ages." reminded Kenny.
As Tyson walked over to the table, his grandpa walked in behind him.
"What happened?" asked Max.
"The homeboy got himself into a wacky hole." he said and Tyson frowned even deeper than before.
"A wacky hole? Do we want to know, Tyson?" asked Kenny.
Tyson turned around really slowly and the seat of his pants had a paintball mark. Kenny and Max burst out laughing.
"That's a new one, but it's very funny." said Max through his laughter.
"Well, it's not going to happen again." said Tyson with a hint of annoyance.
Over in the training room, Kai and Ray were well into a match.
"Go, Driger!" and Ray's blade spun round Kai's while it was travelling down the dish.
"We've been down this road, Ray. It didn't get you anywhere then and it won't now. Go, Blazing Gig Tempest!" and Kai's blade glowed as Dranzer's feathers struck like arrows all around and over Ray's blade.
"Well, you're still the Bladebreaker powerhouse." said Ray as his blade landed at his feet.
Kai smiled his usual smile and walked over to Ray.
"Power isn't everything, Ray. We've all learnt that lesson before."
He collected his blade and they walked out together back to Tyson's place.
Over in Russia, when night was starting, the Blitzkrieg Bladers were having more fun than they had ever had. With Marina around, Tala was happier than he had ever been and while he was happy, the rest found it easy to be happy as well, even serious Bryan.
"Come on, Ian." teased Marina. She was playing around with him and Spencer.
"Let's get her, Spencer." said Ian.
"You won't escape again." said Spencer.
They both ran towards her and she jumped back, making them hit heads.
"Ian!" shouted Spencer.
"Watch where you're going." said Ian rubbing his head.
Marina was smiling while Tala and Bryan just chuckled at their team-mate's fooling around.
"You two don't think ahead otherwise you'd catch me."
"A wise girl, huh? Spencer, let's try again." said Ian and he stood up.
She ran towards the tapestry on the wall and as she approached it, she flipped back over Spencer and Ian's heads and aimed her blade at the tie holding the tapestry up.
"Let it rip!" her blade cut the tie and the tapestry landed on Spencer and Ian, getting them all tangled up.
Bryan actually nearly collapsed laughing. Tala just smiled.
"Give it up, guys." said Marina.
"Okay, we'll try again in a couple of days when we think up new plans." said Ian.
"You guys are nearly more hilarious than that dopey Tyson." said Bryan who was still trying to stop laughing.
"Shut your trap!" said Ian even though he was half smiling.
"Well, I'm heading to bed. Need full strength with you guys." yawned Marina.
"See ya in a moment." said Tala.
She kissed him goodnight and Ian made a funny noise under a cough. After, Marina left the room.
"Did they notice?" asked Ian to himself as he looked at Tala, trying to find out what he was thinking, as if he wanted to know anyway.
Tala didn't say anything and a small sign of relief passed over Ian's face for a moment before he returned to his usual look.
"Well, we'll head off too, Tala." said Bryan and he left with Spencer.
Ian was about to follow when…
"Hold on, Ian." called Tala.
"Darn, busted." Ian said to himself as he turned in the doorway.
Tala walked over to him, looking very serious and Ian was on the verge of maybe closing his eyes.
"I'm disappointed in your faith of your team-mates." said Tala.
Ian just swallowed nervously.
"Maybe tomorrow, I'll help you out. Then maybe Marina won't beat you so easily in your little games." and Tala smiled.
Ian smiled and they both laughed. Ian had been so nervous, but it seemed okay.
"And don't think I didn't notice your little fake cough. You've known me long enough, but I don't care. I know you are just being your normal self."
Tala walked away to join Marina. Ian stood there for a while and went off to his room.
"I was so sure I was going to get a lecture or even a beating, but I guess Marina has changed Tala to a much better, nicer person. I hope it lasts. I don't want Tala getting hurt, especially after all we went through at Biovolt." said Ian to himself as he entered his room.
Tala entered his room and Marina was already asleep. He just smiled down at her as he got into the bed next to her.
"Sleep well, Marina." he said to himself and he not long after fell asleep himself.