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 14: What Now?
The following morning, Marina woke up to a blazing sunshine and blue sky outside. It was the perfect morning until she looked to her side.
"Tala? Where is he?" she thought in slight worry.
She got dressed and hurried out the room. Her rush had resulted in her being awake before her other team-mates.
"I can't let the others know yet. It wouldn't be the first time Tala has taken off, and I don't want to show how worried I am." she said to herself pacing.
"Are you all right, Marina?" asked Ian entering the room rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah sure. Just waiting for Tala to return."
"So, our captain has gone off again. It must be serious." said Bryan entering with Spencer. Spencer looking more tired than Bryan.
Marina stood by the window wondering if Tala was okay.
"Marina, please don't worry about him. He can look after himself." said Ian standing next to Marina at the window.
"Yeah, but I think I should go looking for him." she answered looking down at her small team-mate.
"Not smart." said Bryan walking over. "Let Tala handle his own problems, then he'll come back in his own time."
Marina nodded.
Over in Japan, just after noon, Tyson, who had just finished lunch, asked Kenny to check on Dragoon. Kenny did and ended up creating a whole new spin gear. Tyson loved it.
"I gotta test this out. How about it, Kai?"
"No thanks." answered Kai who was hanging around by the doorway, half in shadow.
"Fine. Max?" asked Tyson.
"Go on then, I can't turn down an offer to battle a new and improved Dragoon." said Max smiling as he joined Tyson at the beydish.
The new spin gear worked and Tyson's blade was faster and slightly lighter, so Kenny updated his data.
Back in Russia, it was by now late afternoon and Marina was really starting to worry.
"I can't hang around anymore. Where has he gone?" she said out loud suddenly.
"Will you be quiet and calm down? Tala will be fine." said Bryan, a little annoyed now.
Marina waited barely an hour until she made up her mind.
"I'm going to look for him. I have a feeling in the depths of my heart that he's gone to Japan and I want to find him."
"Young love." teased Ian.
"More than that, Ian, because while I'm connected to Tala, Zeroth can feel that Wolborg is far away. Zeroth hasn't got the same bond with me as other bit beasts and bladers, but he knows that Tala and Wolborg are not in Russia." she answered seriously.
"So, you're going to Japan?" asked Ian.
"Yes I am and you're coming with me."
Spencer agreed, but Bryan just stared at the ceiling. He didn't want to go to Japan. He thought there was no reason to worry. However, Marina was officially second in command and that made her temporary captain when Tala wasn't around.
"Spencer and I are behind you, Marina. Bryan will be." said Ian.
"Cool, we better get to the airport, sooner rather than later." said Marina taking charge.
She left with the others behind her and they got the first flight they could out of Sheremetyevo International Airport to Japan.
In Japan, Kai was thinking about his match with Marina. He didn't know why, but he was and it disturbed him even though Marina did the right thing in the end, thanks to Tala.
"Hey, Kai. Are you okay? You seem quieter than usual today." said Ray.
"Just thinking. It's nothing. I do get the feeling things won't remain peaceful for long." said Kai walking away.
In the plane, half way to Japan, Marina and her three remaining team-mates were sitting, each of them thinking about their captain who had gone missing.
"Tala, I love you and I hope you are okay. I don't want you hurt." Marina was thinking.
Sitting next to Marina was Bryan, though he was thinking something entirely different to her.
"Tala, I know you are okay and you better get yourself back here before your girlfriend drives me crazy. You are tough and we will sort you out for this mess."
Behind them were Spencer and Ian, both thinking similar things.
"I know Tala almost as well as Bryan does, but I can't help but believe that Marina may be right and that Tala needs our help." said Ian to himself.
"All I think, Tala, is that if you are not okay, then we'll help you out anyway we can." said Spencer.
In Japan, Kai was still thinking about that danger that could be coming, but it was annoying him that he couldn't think what it could be.
"If Tala is having problems, then what can we do about it? He's too independent and I can't help him out. He doesn't even trust me." he said a little frustrated.
The other Bladebreakers weren't suspecting a thing, except Ray since he knew that something was on Kai's mind, but he hadn't mentioned anything to the others.
Finally the plane touched down in Japan, it was getting darker now, but Marina was so worried about Tala.
"So, 'Captain', are we sticking in a hotel overnight or what?" asked Bryan a little sarcastically.
"Yeah, I guess. I don't like the idea of searching Japan during darker hours." answered Marina completely ignoring Bryan's sarcasm.
They found a hotel and Marina checked them in. Once settled with two different rooms: both the boys and Marina could agree sharing a room was not an option. The boys were discussing how they should try and find Tala.
"Spencer, where would you go first?" asked Ian.
"Alleyways. If I wanted to be alone with my thoughts, definitely an alley." answered Spencer almost immediately.
"I don't even know why we are bothering. Yes, Tala isn't usually off for so long by himself and yes, I am his friend, but I still think he's okay." said Bryan who was still a little annoyed.
"You're just getting uptight about a girl ordering you around and you can't do anything about it." said Ian, clearly trying to annoy his older team-mate.
Bryan ignored him and opened the window, which was enough to annoy Ian, even though it was nowhere near as cold as Russia.
The following morning, Marina and the team were ready to start their search.
"We are going to split up to find him. It will be quicker and easier. If someone feels something wrong about him…then don't try and handle it by yourselves, you're all weaker than he is and you know it."
Spencer and Ian both nodded.
"Bryan?"
"Whatever, but I still think he's going to be okay." said Bryan looking up. "Though, it is strange." he added.
Marina understood Bryan so they split up.
Eventually, Marina found a narrow alley which led into a wider alley. She couldn't believe it. Sitting on a box, not doing anything, was Tala.
"You've been gone two nights and a day, Tala. What's going on?" she asked.
Tala turned and Marina was shocked. The look in his eyes was different and he seemed to not be aware of her.
"Tala?" she asked nervously.
"It's me, Marina. You shouldn't have come." he answered.
They both stood there, about five feet apart, staring at each other. Marina was very unsure.