A/N: Here's the next one guys. Hope you like it. Please R&R. :)
Disclaimer: Do not own BB. Do own Villikosto
Max was tweaking his beyblade when his mother walked into the room. He looked up and smiled at her, wondering why she was there when it was her time to be taking care of business.
"Hey, mom." He greeted cheerfully. "What's up?"
"We've got a meeting, Maxie." She informed him.
"A meeting?" Max replied in confusion, placing his blade down to give his mother a questioning look. "When?"
"Now." Judy replied bluntly, turning then and walking away. She paused to look over her shoulder when she reached the doorway. "Come on, Max. We don't want to keep them waiting."
Max blinked at her for a moment, then shook his head and grabbed his blade before bounding after his mother.
"What's the meeting about?" Max asked his mother as they walked down the long halls of the All Stars training facility. "And who's it with?"
"The meeting is with a newly formed team -- or rather, one who just recently surfaced, and they want to talk about a tournament."
Max's blonde brows furrowed in confusion.
"Really? When?"
Judy sighed lightly.
"I'm afraid I don't know much more then you do, Maxie. We'll just have to wait and see when we get there."
Max looked forward as they walked, deciding to do as his mother said and wait.
When the two blonde's finally reached the meeting room, Judy walked ahead of her son and pushed open the door. Max followed his mother inside and smiled at his teammates who were already there. When he sat down between his mother and Emily and looked up however, he was a little surprised to see the girl sitting across from him.
She was wearing a white boybeater, black capris, and purple and black flats. Over top she wore a purple half-jacket with 3/4 sleeves, and purple fingerless gloves completed her outfit. Her firey copper curls fell to her shoulders, pinned back at the sides, and her impossibly emerald green eyes seemed to be able to see through your very soul.
Her name was Keisha, he remembered, and she was sitting to the left of her Captain and to the right of two other girls he assumed were her other teammates. At the head of the table on the other side was a serious looking young man with piercing sky-blue eyes and chin-length, straight violet locks. Max guessed that this was probably the girls' coach or manager.
Keisha smiled at Max and gave him a small wave when he looked back at her. He smiled back and returned the wave cheerfully before looking up at Mr. Dickenson, whom he hadn't noticed at first, and listened intently as the man spoke.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, I suppose we can get started."
The short man looked down the table at everyone and smiled from his spot at the head of it.
"I supposed the first thing we should do is introduce ourselves! On my right here are the All Stars. Please introduce yourselves."
"Hello, I'm Judy Tate." Judy said professionally, giving the people across her a small smile.
Max gave them all a cheery wave and bright smile.
"Hey, I'm Max!"
Emily pushed her glasses up her nose and blinked at the other team.
"I'm Emily."
Michael blew a bubble with his gum, chewed a few times and finally answered.
"Michael."
Rick's eyes were closed and his arms were across his chest, not seeming the least bit interested in what was currently going on.
"Name's Rick." He said with disinterest.
"I'm Eddy." The tall, dark blader answered finally.
Mr. Dickenson smiled at them all, then looked over to the new arrivals.
"Alright, how about you?"
The young man at the head of the table lifted his chin, looking down his nose slightly as he scanned the faces of the All Stars.
"My name is Breal Nakamura." He said tonelessly. "I am coach and manager of Villikosto."
The All Stars all blinked at Breal, a little stunned by his cool and toneless voice; even Rick's eyes were open and starring at him with dislike.
Next in line was Demetra and the atmosphere around her was no warmer then that of their coach's.
"Demetra." She said tonelessly as well. "Captain of Villikosto."
The attention was turned to Keisha and the tension in the room seemed to ease considerably as she grinned wide and waved at the other team cheerfully.
"I'm Keisha!" She said cheerfully. "Nice to meet you!"
Max couldn't help but smile at her. He could tell already that she was the most spirited and happy-go-lucky of Villikosto and he was drawn to her like a moth to flame.
Next to Keisha was a pretty girl with aqua-marine eyes. She gave them all a gentle smile and small nod.
"My name's Victoria." She said kindly, then she turned serious. "But if you insist on giving me a nick, DO NOT call me Vicki! I swear, it will be the last thing you ever do!"
This got a few chuckles from the other team and even Rick smirked in amusement. The blonde-streaked brunette then gestured to the amethyst-eyed blader beside her.
"This is Kage." Victoria said with a smile.
Kage gave a small bow of the head, her eyes never lowering as she starred at the people across her.
When the All Stars exchanged questioning looks, Victoria smiled.
"She doesn't talk." She informed them.
They all blinked at the girl and Max gave her a small smile.
"It's nice to meet you Kage."
Kage's slim, black eyebrow raised into a high arch and her crossed arms unfolded to form a series of symbols before crossing them across her chest again.
Max blinked at her.
"Um... I'm sorry.." He replied awkwardly. "I... don't know what that means.."
"She said it's nice to meet you too." Victoria said a little awkwardly. "And also... that she doesn't need your pity."
The All Stars all shifted a little uncomfortably, feeling a little guilty because they'd all been thinking exactly that upon hearing that the girl was mute.
"So can you hear us or you just don't talk?" Rick asked bluntly.
Emily reached across Michael to punch him on the arm but the dark-skinned blader seemed to not even notice her hit.
"Rick!" The All Stars' lone girl scolded.
At the other end of the table, a cold voice spoke, once again thickening the atmosphere in the room.
"Yes, she can hear you." Demetra replied icily. "She's mute, not stupid. You'll all do well not to underestimate us. That would be a fatal mistake on your part."
Max swallowed as he blinked at the silver-eyed girl, unable to tear his gaze away from her. Along his side of the table, his team seemed to be just as unnerved by her cold tone and glare as he was.
Finally, after a long, uneasy silence, Mr. Dickinson cleared his throat and spoke again.
"Well now! Now that we're all introduced, let's get down to business shall we?"
Mr. Dickinson gestured to Breal and then looked over at the All Stars.
"Mr. Nakamura here has requested that the All Stars host a tournament here in America. This tournament will be a short one, one lasting only for the duration of December, over Christmas holidays. There will, of course, be a few days of school missed, but I'm sure it shouldn't be too hard to catch up? Will this be a problem for anyone?"
Of course, looking around at the All Stars, no one seemed to care about this so the chairman continued.
"Very well. This tournament won't be like the world series; this time the members of Villikosto have requested a specific group of teams be invited, the Elite, so to speak. Meaning, the competition won't be open to the public, other then to watch.
Also, I've made arrangements with the media and they're very excited about the whole thing should it go ahead. The tournament will take place in different states across America and will end, if all goes correctly, exactly on the twenty-fourth of December.
So, are there any objections to any of this?"
Mr. Dickinson looked round at all the bladers and no one said anything. He then focused his attention on the All Stars.
"You are all in agreement, then? You will host this tournament?"
"Of course." Judy answered, looking Breal confidently in the eyes. Breal returned her penetrating gaze without a blink.
Max knew that look. His mother already didn't like the young man; she likely thought he was arrogant and over-confident for daring to propose such a thing on her turf, and she was ready for a fight.
"Alright then!" Mr. Dickinson said happily as he clapped his hands together, totally oblivious to the electricity building between the two coaches. "That settles it then! The tournament will start on December the first! Until then, good luck to you all!"
Both teams stood up and Breal outstretched a hand to Judy, surprising the blonde slightly.
"Thank you." He said simply, an emotionless expression on his face.
Judy hesitated for a minute, then reached out and shook the hand outstretched to her with a firm grip.
"Don't mention it." She said briskly. "This should be interesting."
"I'm sure it will." Breal replied tonelessly.
The blonde woman turned to Demetra then and extended her hand to her.
"Good luck." She said, forcing a small smile.
Demetra starred at Judy for a moment with an expressionless face before finally snorting humorlessly.
"Luck is for amateurs." She said bluntly. And with that she turned and left the meeting room without another word.
Judy clenched her outstretched hand in a tight fist and retracted it, bristling as she lifted her nose in the air and looked down it as she watched Demetra leave.
When the Captain was gone, Judy turned her attention to Breal. He merely starred at her for a moment, gave her team a once over and finally turned and left as well.
Max looked from the door to his mother and back again. He then turned his attention to the remainder of the opposing team. Kage starred at them for a minute but unlike her Captain and coach, she gave the All Stars a whisper of a smile and a slight nod of the head before turning and leaving. Victoria tilted her head to one side and gave the other team a charming smile.
"Well, see ya guys at the tournament!" She said cheerfully before turning to leave as well.
Keisha turned to watch the last of her teammates leave before turning back to the All Stars with a sheepish expression.
"I'm really sorry for my team." She said with an apologetic smile. "They really are awesome people, I swear... they're just... really into what we do."
"It's OK." Max said with a smile. "We understand."
Seeing as how no one else seemed inclined to reply, Keisha gave Max a wide smile and walked around the table to shake his hand. Afterwards she reached out her hand to Judy who returned the gesture after a slight hesitation and a small smile. Taking their coach's lead, the rest of the All stars shook the redhead's hand as well.
"I'm really looking forward to battling against you guys." Keisha said cheerfully. "And I want you to understand that there are no hard feelings or anything from my team towards you guys. Like I said; they're just really serious about what they do."
"Don't worry about it, Keisha." Max said with a grin.
The redhead grinned back and finally walked around the table again to leave, giving the All Stars one final wave before disappearing through the door.
When the door was closed behind her, Rick snorted indignantly.
"Don't worry about it." He said, mocking the blonde beside him. "Hn. Speak for yourself, Max! Who do they think they are?"
Max sighed.
"They're just trying to get recognition, Rick." He reasoned. "You heard Keisha. They're just trying to be professional. Don't judge them just after the first meeting."
"Max is right." Judy said, but there was a frown on her face as she starred at the door as if still starring at the members of Villikosto. "But still... you wanna watch out for them, team. They're gonna be trouble, I can see it coming."
"Well, I must be going." Mr Dickinson said, putting his hat on and giving the All Stars a smile. "I'm very much looking forward to this tournament. Best of luck to you all!"
With that said, the chairman turned and left.
"Hn." Rick said, his arms crossed with a straight face. "Well, I agree with their Captain on one level; luck is for amateurs! We'll beat those snotty Villikosto brats and teach 'em just what a mistake it is to challenge us on our own turf!"
There was a chorus of agreement at this from everyone but Max.
Max sighed again and crossed his arms, starring down at the meeting table with a frown. He knew that Villikosto were probably going to be a challenge, but he felt that immediately starting a blood feud was the wrong way to go about it. Hostility was not something that should be taken to the dish. They were better then that. Such recklessness, such petty and childish thoughts...
That was amateur.
Keisha looked up as a hand was placed on her arm before getting into the limo. She blinked at Demetra as her Captain gave her a serious stare.
"Something caught your interest, Keisha?" She asked tonelessly. Keisha raised an eyebrow at her.
"What?"
"That Tate kid." Demetra replied briskly. "You seem to have taken a liking to him."
Keisha grinned and gently slipped her arm from Demetra's grasp.
"Relax, Demi!" She replied with a laugh. "Lighten up will ya! So he's cute and I was polite to him. Big deal. He's just got this personality that... I duno, it's just contagious. Besides, I can't be a sourpuss like you, or a pillar of strength like Kage. Someone needs to lighten the tension around us, otherwise everyone who comes near us will smother!"
Demetra looked none to impressed with this answer and she starred at Keisha with a look that would have made the bravest of men quake in their boots.
But, Keisha was no man. And she was used to Demetra's icy, death glares.
With a laugh, the redhead gave her Captain a light shove.
"Seriously, Demi! Relax."
"So you're not distracted by his pretty blue eyes, or his stellar personality?"
Keisha's smile dropped from her face and her eyes took on a cold look.
"Of course not." She replied seriously. "You know I've never been distracted when it came down to my battling."
Demetra lifted her nose in the air and looked down it slightly at the shorter redhead.
"And what if you have to face him in the dish?" She challenged. Keisha mimicked her, lifting her nose in the air as well.
"So what?" She responded. "I said he was cute, I didn't say he was my Romeo. If I end up having to face him, then I'll tear him down, just like everyone else."
Demetra starred at Keisha for a few moments and the redhead matched her gaze without a blink. Finally Demetra lowered her head again and lifted a hand to her friend's shoulder.
"Good girl, Kei." She said simply. "I knew you wouldn't let me down."
Demetra stepped past Keisha and got into the limo.
Keisha looked up at the building before her with a straight face for a moment before finally turning without another thought and climbing into the car.
Keisha looked up as her Captain entered the room. She paused in her conversation with Victoria and all three girls, Kage included, remained silent to hear what Demetra had to say.
"The other teams have all confirmed that they'll be there. Every last one."
Victoria grinned and punched a hand in the air.
"Sweet!" She exclaimed in a very Keisha-like way. "I am so ready for this!"
Keisha grinned as well.
"Me too!" She seconded. "This is gonna be so much fun!"
Demetra ignored the girls' exclamations and turned to Kage, watching as the girl's hands moved before her.
"Breal is gone again." Demetra informed the purple-eyed blader with a straight face. "You know him. I don't know where he is but he'll be back to see us fight."
Keisha frowned slightly as she noted this response. Where as most people might have said; 'to see us play' or even 'to watch our battle', Demetra would say 'fight'. With a small sigh, the redhead turned back to her Captain as she spoke again.
"They're doing a small piece of the tournament on the local news now." The tall girl said, moving to pick up a remote control on a nearby stand. She flicked on the hotel room's TV and all four bladers watched carefully as the coverage of the tournament played out before them.
"In light of the new, up-coming tournament, we managed to get a hold of each of the teams competing and get a short word from their Captains. As far as we know, the teams invited were nothing but the best of the best. These teams include; G-Revolution, The White Tigers, The Blitzkrieg Boys, The Magestics, and of course, our very own All Stars!
Now, while the All Stars may be hosting this event, apparently, the tournament was the idea of a new team recently surfaced called Villikosto.
Here's some of the comments from our competitors;
'I never expected to be back in competition just yet, but I gotta say, I'm totally pumped!'
Well, obviously Tyson Granger is excited! I'm sure the same goes for the rest of his team. We also spoke to Ray Kon of the White Tiger team, and he had this to say;
'I don't know who this new team is, but I'm sure they'll be worthy opponents. We just want them to know that they'd better be ready for us!'"
Demetra snorted at this.
"Don't worry, we will be." She said a little bitterly. Her teammates merely smiled and turned back to the screen.
"Tala Ivanov of the Blitzkrieg boys had this to say;
'I don't know just who these Villikosto people think they are, but they've got another thing coming to them if they think they can beat the Blitzkrieg Boys.'"
Demetra growled at this and her fists clenched across her chest. Kage, who was standing beside her while the two younger bladers sat, reached over and placed a hand on her Captain's shoulder, her eyes not leaving the screen. Demetra relaxed slightly but there was still a scowl on her face.
"Next up, we spoke to the Magestics, who were a little surprised to receive an invite. Team Captain, Robert Jurgen, had this to say on the matter;
'Seeing as we didn't make the finals in the world championships last summer, we were admittedly a little surprised to receive an invite to this tournament. Nonetheless, we certainly accepted and look forward to showing everyone that The Majestics are stronger then ever.'
We also got a word in with our very own All Stars. Manager and Coach replies to our questions, along with her son, Max Tate. Here's what they had to say;
'This competition will certainly be a real treat for the beyblading community and we encourage everyone to come out and watch, as well as cheer for your favorite teams.'"
The camera moved over to Max and the blonde grinned wide at the camera.
"'Hey, and be sure to cheer for the other teams too! Even if they're not your favorite! Hope to see ya there!"
The blonde blew a kiss at the screen and the reporter reappeared.
"Finally, we talked with the coach and manager of Villikosto; who, sadly, had very little to say.
'I not only guarantee that this tournament will be one fans and bladers alike will never forget, but also that by the time it's over, there won't be a soul in existence who doesn't know and respect Villikosto.'
So there you have it fans! Your sneak peak at the mysterious team Villikosto!
Who are they? Why did they demand this tournament? Why not surface and show their stuff at the World Championships last summer instead of now? Are they actually any good; a group of prodigy beybladers that the BBA felt were too good to be in anything but their own tournament? Or just a joke, some amateur team thinking they're better then the elite teams?
No one knows the answers to any of these questions just yet, but one thing is for sure; fan or beyblader, you are certainly in for a real Christmas treat this year! This is Deborah Peterson saying-"
The TV flicked off and Demetra turned to her team and starred at them without really seeing.
"You have no idea, Deborah." She said seriously, an almost wild glint in her eyes. A moment later her eyes came back into focus and her chin lifted into the air slightly as she looked around at her team.
"We're going to do this." She said seriously. "And we're going to be the best. We'll push them all so hard over the edge, the proverbial cliff will feel like a physical object!"
There was a silence in the room as the other members of Villikosto starred at their captain, blinking. Finally, after a long silence, Keisha and Victoria burst into laughter.
"OMG!" Victoria, positively in kinks as she held her stomach through her laughter. "Melo-dramatic much, Demi?"
Keisha giggled too, not even bothering to try and stop as she laughed herself to tears.
"Demi.... you have GOT.... to... lighten up!" She managed through her laughter.
Even Kage was smirking in amusement.
Demetra, however, didn't crack a smile.
"Laugh all you want." She replied tonelessly, completely unfazed by her team's scorning. "But come tournament time, I'll be the one laughing when those so-called elite teams are grovelling at our feet."
Keisha and Victoria snorted with laughter at this and laughed harder.
"Oh, God!" Victoria gasped, still holding her aching stomach. Keisha massaged her aching cheeks.
"The day I see you laugh, I'm making a beeline for the first bomb shelter I see!"
Victoria fell off of the bed and began rolling around on the floor.
"Ah-ha ha ha! ARMAGEDDON!" She roared with laughter.
Demetra, not sparing her two teammates another thought or glance, turned away from the three and walked off, obviously quite used to their childish antics.
Kage once again smiled in amusement, shook her head slightly and walked away as well.
Victoria pulled herself up off the floor and wiped her eyes.
"Ahhh.." She sighed with a huge grin. "That was the most I've laughed in so long! Too funny."
Keisha merely grinned as the blonde-streaked brunette grabbed some clothes from her luggage.
"Anyway, I'm gonna go grab a shower. Later copper-top!"
Keisha gave her best friend a nod and reached up to massage her aching cheeks again as she turned to look out the window. From her spot on the sill, the redhead could see lush green grass and a beautiful sunset. Her heart ached as she thought of her beautiful Finland, no doubt covered in snow by now. As her eyes scanned the scene before her, they fell upon a park in the distance, the same park in which she'd met the son of the All Stars' coach.
Max.
The redhead's hands lowered and came to rest on her launcher and beyblade, which were safe in their pouches resting on her hips.
"I'm looking forward to being friends with you, Max." She thought as she starred at the park. "I feel a strong connection with you and I can tell we're going to be great friends.... but still... even with that pretty face and stellar attitude; I won't go easy on you."