Chapter 1: Welcome to England

As Kai Hiwatari stepped onto solid ground, he wanted nothing more than to walk right back onto the plane and head back to Japan. The flight had been long, excruciatingly so. The physical time hadn't bothered him, after all he did spend a fair proportion of his time thinking to himself. No, What bothered Kai was the little itch that refuses to leave you alone, the headache that never shuts up. More commonly know as…

'Tyson Granger!' Mr Dickinson's voice echoed over the cement floor.

Kai looked up to see Tyson and Max run to meet him. Kenny was walking, clutching Dizzi under his arm tightly. Ray began to wander over too, but not before turning and gesturing for Kai to follow. Despite his overwhelming urge to go home, he did so.

'Ah, Kai, My boy. Glad you decided to join us once again.' He paused, waiting for Kai to respond. When he didn't, He continued, 'Um…Yes, Well. Shall we be off then? We have much to do.'

The boys followed Mr Dickinson into the airport, through several long corridors to a large grey room filled with sofas. A television stood in one corner, and though it was muted, Kai could see the news was on. Something about a runaway girl. There was a picture of her. She had shoulder length black hair, and piercing green eyes. So familiar…

'You boys will be staying in a hotel nearby, all expenses paid, of course. The Association takes care of that. Now, the tournament…'

'Yeah! That's what we're here for!' Tyson interrupted.

Max cheered, and Mr Dickinson, who was getting used to Tyson's excitable behaviour, paused to let them calm down.

'I apologize for my friends, sir,' Kenny added, barely whispering.

'It is quite alright, my dear boy. Now, as I was saying. The tournament has a new twist you have not come up against yet. At least not since we first formed your team back in Japan.'

'Oh, we can take anything you throw at us, Mr D!'

'Don't be so overconfident, Tyson,' Ray added.

'Well, I am sure it will suit some of you better …' Dickinson continued, glancing at Kai, who was paying very little attention, 'You will not be entering as a team. This particular tournament requires participants to contend as individuals.'

The room fell to silence. Mr Dickinson looked from face to face. Ray looked amused, while Max looked excited. Kenny began to type something into Dizzy, and Tyson stood with his mouth gaping. Kai, however, had not looked away from the TV. Tyson seemed to notice this.

'Hey, Kai! Did you not hear him! Individually, that means…'

Kai interrupted him, a rare grin across his face.

'It means, I'm going to win.'