Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade in any way. The only characters I own are my OCs. Anything else is coincidental.
Note: This story is another prequel, more of a spin-off and it details the past of my bad OC Pyro. This chapter has violent content, so you have been warned. Please no flames or hate comments.
Chapter 6: Friendships Don't Last Forever
Another year passed and the young boy was now 5 years old. He was adjusted to his life on the street properly now. This morning, however, was different, when he woke up dead-early and waited for Nicolai to awaken.
"What can keep him asleep so long?" the kid asked himself as he sat with his arms crossed.
Nicolai soon woke up with a yawn and rubbed his eyes, then saw his little friend sitting there and blinked in surprise.
"What are you doing just sitting there?" he asked as he sat up and put his hair back in its scruffy ponytail.
"Waiting for you. You always said I shouldn't go out on my own as I haven't got the skills to defend myself." said the kid with a little frown.
Nicolai sighed as he finished getting ready then said "Okay, well, let's get going then. We'll get us some breakfast then head to one of the parks if you like."
The boy nodded and then Nicolai stood up and they left their hideout to a place they could get some good eating.
The boys got their breakfast and entered a nearby park and sat on a bench to eat it. The younger boy ate slower than he used to, and Nicolai decided to pick up on it.
"You are not quite the dangerous eater you used to be, ex-carnivore." he said with a chuckle.
The boy finished his food and frowned slightly. Nicolai's chuckle stopped and he apologised. He finished his food while thinking to himself how much his friend had changed. He had become more serious and couldn't seem to take a joke. He was more independent though still acted like a true friend more often than not. Also, on the occasion he took a proper look at the boy's eyes, the less innocence could be seen in them the more time went by.
"Nicolai? Nicolai!" said the boy trying to get his friend's attention.
"Huh? What, Kid?" Nicolai asked as he got brought out of his thoughts.
"You're starting to freak me out, Pal. You keep zoning out on me." said the kid. "You feeling all right?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm all right. I'll be right back, Squirt. Could you dispose of these?" asked Nicolai and he gave some rubbish to the younger boy then set off to find some private place for a moment.
The kid shrugged then headed over to a nearby bin. He threw the rubbish away and turned back to the bench.
Over by one of the park's entrances came in five boys, all about 7 or 8 years old. The youngest and shortest member was flicking a lighter. No, the group didn't smoke, but they saw some fun in burning things.
"This place is so boring, Dude. Why did you bring us here?" he moaned as he pocketed the lighter in boredom.
"Silence, you little wimp. There is more to fun than beating on little cry babies." the tallest boy said. He was clearly the leader.
The younger boy was about to retort when the 3rd tallest boy said "Hey, wait just a moment, who recognises that little chump?"
The group all looked over then and upon seeing the small, dual red/black haired boy, they smiled evilly.
"Well, well, it's the weakling we beat up 2 years ago. He's still alive." said the 2nd tallest boy.
"Hn, not for long. Let's go say 'hi'." said the leader and he set off with the others following.
"Nicolai's been gone a while. I mean, there are..." started the kid to himself as he waited for his friend.
"Hey, Wuss. Remember us?" said the shortest boy, who had short blue hair and violet eyes.
The kid looked up at the voice and gasped in fright. It was the same 5 boys who had beaten him on his first day in the streets. They just looked slightly taller and more frightening.
"Aw, look, he's scared." taunted the 3rd tallest boy, who had brown hair with two green streaks and bluey-grey eyes.
The leader, who had spiky brown hair with white streaks at the fringe, blazing red eyes and a scar across his face, turned to the boy next to him and said "First move's all yours."
The boy, who was the 2nd tallest and had yellow hair with one black streak and pink eyes, smiled and nodded, then headed towards the young boy and pushed him roughly backwards so he fell on his backside.
"Oh, what a wimp. You'd think 2 years out here would have toughened him up. Oh well." said the 4th tallest boy with a smirk. He had red hair with golden-brown highlights and orange eyes.
"Say, Kid, are you going to sit there staring or actually make this interesting for us?" asked the leader as he went closer to the kid.
The young boy got to his feet and said "You didn't break me last time, you won't break me this time."
The four other boys, behind their leader, muttered "Ooh, Junior's trying to be tough."
"Hn, we shall see, Punk." said the leader and grabbed the boy by his top and lifted him up. "You got lucky last time and luck won't strike you a second time." he said and pulled his fist back to punch when...
"Set him down, tough guy." said a voice.
The 5 gang members turned to see Nicolai having returned. The leader closed his eyes and chuckled then said "Hello, Nicolai. Don't tell me you are this kid's bodyguard."
"You could be one of us, Nico." said the boy with brown hair and green streaks.
Nicolai frowned and said "Pick on someone your own size. I'm ready."
The boy mouthed for Nicolai not to get involved, but the leader said "Really? Well, I'm game." then he threw the child to the floor at the sidelines.
"Just you and me, Pal." said Nicolai as he readied a fighting position.
"Sure." said the leader. His red eyes showed fire and he smirked. His gang stayed back, as did the young boy, to watch this.
Nicolai decided to start and he threw the first punch, but his scarred opponent caught his fist and sent his own punch into Nicolai's stomach. Nicolai groaned and was then sent to the ground. He rolled aside quickly as he saw his opponent's foot coming down, then got to his feet and kicked his opponent, who growled as the blow caught him in the side.
"Be careful, Nicolai." muttered the kid, scared as he watched.
"Finish him, Boss. He's mash compared to yourself." shouted the youngest gang member with blue hair.
The leader charged in and grabbed Nicolai's arms in his hands so they were deadlocked, but Nicolai raised his leg, kneeing his opponent. He backed off, then shouted in anger as he charged in again. There was a flash of silver followed by a dreadful, piercing scream. The leader backed off, panting and everyone saw the result: in the leader's hand was a knife and the blade was dripping blood.
"Boss..." muttered the yellow haired teen with the black streak.
Opposite the leader stood Nicolai, blood spurting from his side from where the knife had made its mark. His eyes were starting to blur over and he fell to his knees, with one hand trying to hold himself up and the other over his wound.
"Boss, what should we do?" asked the boy with blue hair nervously.
"Run, let's get out of here." the leader answered shakily, but determined, and the gang all took off, fast as they could.
The young dual haired kid came over to his friend's side, looking scared and tears starting to flow.
"Nicolai..." he said quietly and shakily.
Nicolai raised his head slightly, but coughed and lost strength to hold himself up so fell flat, but turned his head to face his little friend. "You all right...Kid?" he asked, barely above a whisper.
"Yeah...I'm fine. You will be too. You have to make it, Nicolai. I need you." the boy answered tearfully.
"No, Squirt...I won't. You've done well...and made me proud. Remember what you've learnt...and stay alive out here. Good luck, Kiddo..." Nicolai said between breaths then his eyes closed as he took one last breath...and died.
The young boy screamed in sadness and grief. "Nicolai! Noooooooo!" he shouted.
His tears fell strong and he cried over his friend's body. The best and only friend he had was gone. He was alone again...
