The King of Blades

Chapter 3


It was Monday now, back to school and it came all too quickly for Vic. While sitting in class he still couldn't get the weekend's events out of his mind. So many things had happened, so quickly and he actually wondered if some of it was all a bit too hasty: the decision to form a team, recruiting two people he had never met didn't seem likely, neither did seeing Daniel beaten like he was. Speaking of Daniel, Vic turned to his left to see Daniel at his desk by the window staring outside. He seemed more detached than ever now, like he was constantly pondering. Vic wondered what was going through his mind. He knew Daniel was not really so much quiet as he was discrete, yes that would be the best word. He spoke so only who he was speaking to heard him and he was not totally unapproachable, he even spoke to Vic occasionally. Despite the way friendliness seemed strained between them, they were far from being enemies. He knew despite what people may think he only dyed his hair black because he thought it looked better that way against his real brown hair and it did. Victor shuddered. Why do I know so much about him and why am I worrying what he's thinking, one would almost assume we were friends. He shut off his thoughts, he was just going to wait for the bell to signify the end of school.

It came an eternity later, the siren at Saint Johns signifying school was over. It was an all boys school as could be seen by all the boys milling around in their uniforms which consisted of black shoes, charcoal grey pants, white shirts and a grey tie with thin green stripes for juniors with seniors wearing a full green tie. Drigo and Vic dragged their feet out of class and left the school. A couple of blocks down the street Drigo spoke

"Man, Daniel's really been out of it since Saturday hasn't he?"

"I guess so, though it's not totally incomprehensible why. Being beaten publically is rough enough on it's own but having your blade trashed as well is something humiliating on another level." Vic responded "I hear that." Drigo nodded. "So what's happening now Cap'n?"

"Well first you're going to stop calling me that and second you're going to go up ahead and meet with Inga and Shaun at our get together spot."

"And you?"

"There's some stuff I need to sort out." Vic seemed evasive and Drigo saw through it with a smile.

"As in browsing at a certain parts shop, except it's not blade spares you'll be looking at?" he cooed while trying to keep a straight face.

Victor shot him a glare. "Okay easy Romeo, just don't take forever okay." At that Drigo abruptly sprinted off before Vic gave him a five fingers of justice back-hand. Tch, that punk, I'll knock him out later.

He turned and walked past three blocks to a hobby shop labelled 'Dynamicz'. He entered and immediately walked over to a section with different weight disks but the real object of his attention was standing behind the counter. She was just shorter than Inga and slender, she had only a very slight tan but dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. So cute. Victor thought. She was his age, about fifteen, so very slender and subtle in body, but he thought she was just plain pretty. He had never really had a conversation with her except for greetings when he came to buy stuff or a smile when he was caught looking. He came often while trying not to make it obvious, but he knew in his head he was borderline stalking.

I've got to speak to her sometime, I can't keep giving a dumb smile and walking away but what do I say? How do I begin?

It was then that he realized she was looking at him looking at her. Oh crap.

"Uhm, can I help you with something?" she asked.

Think quick Vic or you'll never be able to set foot in here again. "Uh well...ah yes, I was just debating with myself whether or not to ask if you made or could order custom parts."

"Parts for?"

"Huh? Oh beyblades." he laughed sheepishly. Keep up dumbass. He rebuked himself.

"Oh yes we definitely do, was there something specific you needed?"

"No no I just wanted to know so maybe later..." he trailed off not finding the words but he was saved when she spoke.

"Okay no problem, are you an avid beyblade fanatic?"

"Well let's just say I enjoy it a lot."

"Me too."

"You do? I mean you also beyblade?" he fumbled, quite surprised at that fact. He knew he shouldn't have been shocked though. More girls liked beyblades now thanks to strong female pioneers in the sport like Mariah of the 'White tigers'. And need he even remind himself how Inga had levelled him in terms of both skill and power.

"Is that so hard to believe?" She asked with a challenging grin.

"Sorry no, ha ha not really, I'm just surprised. In all the time I've seen you, you haven't looked like you were interested."

"All the time you've seen me?" she was confused.

Oh crap you've exposed yourself stalker. "Ergh, I mean here in the shop...when we've spoken you've never really.....oh sorry for being rude, I'm Victor but just call me Vic." he said stretching out his hand over the counter. She took it with a grin.

"Michelle, nice to meet you." there was a pause then they both burst out laughing

"Quite the punctual introduction." he giggled "It's only a few months, perhaps a year, overdue."

"Better late than never." she told him chuckling.

Most definitely, at least the ice has been broken, I'm no Casanova but this isn't going badly at all. He decided to keep going.

"So you said you like beyblading. What got you into it?" Maybe she would join us, that would be so cool.

"My brother, he's really into it. His team is entering that N.A.B sponsored tournament for new bladers soon and he asked me to join so I did. It's cool to be part of the new generation of bladers."

Ouch there goes that ship. "Really, I'm also in a team that's going to enter. That's if we even get to complete our roster in time though, we're still short one member."

"You're entering too? Cool, let's both do our best. What's your teams name?"

"Well we haven't really got a name yet, like I said we still need a fifth member for the full registering quota." Was it a good idea to let her know, I was trying to impress her but what if I do badly, I wouldn't be able to look at her. "While we're on that subject what's the name of your team? Maybe I could come and root for you if you'd like?" He thought he was making good headway now. I would go to every one of your matches if it meant seeing more of you.

"I'd really like that, we're called..."

"Victor." she stopped at the interruption. It was Daniel at the door, he looked from one of them to the other before speaking.

"Oh, I'm really sorry did I interrupt something?"

You absolutely freaking did!!! "Uhm no, hey Michelle I'll be off now, I'll see you around sometime?"

"Sure, and call me Mich, Vic."

He was abashed but he had to leave. He didn't want Daniel of all people being audience to his pathetic attempts at wooing. They both left the shop.

"Are you really sure I didn't interrupt?" Daniel said in a seemingly mocking manner.

"That's none of your damn business, and not a word to anyone." Vic growled.

"Do I look like Ryan Seacrest on E entertainment?" Daniel retorted.

"Whatever. So what do you want from me?" Vic asked. Daniel appeared to struggle with himself before speaking.

"I wanna know if there's still that spot on your team."

"You changed your mind?" Vic asked incredulously. "Why?"

"That's none of your business now. But let's just say that this weekend was an eye opener."

"You can say that again Danny boy." Vic chimed which got him a toxic glare from Daniel.

They reached the area in the park which they had now made their unofficial meeting spot to find Drigo, Inga and Craig already waiting.

"Hey there captain Vic." Craig chirped "I was wonderi..." He trailed off at the sight of Daniel behind him. Even Drigo nad Inga looked concerned. Only Victor didn't seem worried. "Hmm."

"What?" Daniel quietly shot at everyone. "Don't look at me funny, I'm not a grudge-monger though I do always repay my debts, but that will be another time, I put priorities first. More importantly now, I'm your newest team member. No hugs or high fives please and don't concern yourselves with the details." Drigo, Inga and most of all Craig, all appeared relieved. It seemed Daniel wasn't above a bit of dry humour at least so he just may be tolerable after all.

Drigo whispered to Victor "How?"

"He came to me surprisingly. Doesn't matter though, what matters now is that registration for the tournament is now possible since we have the required roster. Alright everyone, our new order of business as a team is to become official so we need to register, but for that we'll require a team name, that's our first duty. any ideas?"

They then sat down to discuss names for the team before heading off to the registration office. They were stumped when it came to finding a meaningful name that would effectively describe them as a team. Most of them had only met recently and they had only trained together for a limited time due to that.

Victor decided to go first "How bout 'Blade Kings'?" there was silence followed by

"Are you stupid?!" "You want us to make enemies with every single team there.?!"

"Considering the name of the World Championship tournament, that's an audacious statement dumbass?!" "If we lose we'll be the laughing stocks that overrated ourselves!"

He curled up in the foetal position. It was just a suggestion guys relax.

They continued their debates over names while Victor took a short walk away from them. His mind wasn't even on the task at hand but rather on Michelle. He felt it was such a shame that she already had a team. I wish she could be here with us. He looked up at a billboard with Tyson Granger on it. Can we really fill the shoes of the previous generation? He remembered Michelle saying they were the next generation and a bulb lit in his head.

"I've got it, ha ha I've got it!" He ran back to his team.

Saturday morning at the registration office:

"Okay members all uploaded into database." said the clerk registering them. "so that would be:

Victor Olatunji (Captain)

Daniel Stone

Inga Aylward

Rodrigo Da Silva and

Craig Hamilton."

"All correct?" he asked for the last time

"Yes Sir." said Victor

"Now your team name please."

"Next-Gen Rippers." Victor stated. "World, here we come."


Well now their registered for the tournament as a full team. Let the games begin.

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