Chapter Five

Six weeks ago…

Four men found themselves wandering down an ornate corridor lit only be the occasional flame torch on the wall. The flames cast shadows of the pillars that lined the corridor and as the amber sparks flickered so did the shadows. A cold wind howled through the passageway whipping at the feet of the men. None of them responded to it; they were too desensitised to be affected by a minor chill at their ankles. Besides, they were too busy thinking about why they had been called to such an unusual building on the edge of a thick forest. The best description of the property they had come up with was a temple with four large pillars on the outside decorated elaborately with characters and creatures from Japanese mythology. The main door had been slightly ajar; no one met them so they let themselves in, following the only pathway through the building. The four men said nothing as they continued to walk; they were all strangers and had only met in the shadow of the building. They hadn't even exchanged names.

Eventually the corridor came to an abrupt stop at a pair of grand doors decorated with gold carvings of Japanese creatures and words. The tallest of the four men stopped at them, ran his hand across the carvings for a brief moment before pushing open the door. It moved with a heavy screech along the floor but only enough to let the four men squeeze inside. The room on the other side was equally as atmospheric.

The far corners of the room were all cloaked in darkness as the fire that burned in the centre of the room failed to reach there. The embers from the fire, however, did travel a fair distance, spitting onto the floor all around the room and blackening the tiles. The large logs of wood in the middle crackled as the flames consumed them. Four pillars held up the ornate ceiling. The room was empty aside from these, the fire, the four men and one individual on the other side of the fire who was but a shadow. The four men decided they had to approach him and as they did, walking a curved path around the fire and enjoying its heat, it turned to reveal a surprisingly young face. One of the men stepped forward, annoyed at the sight of someone so young.

'You called us here,' he said in a deep, booming voice that seemed to echo off the walls. 'But you can't be older than sixteen. Why have you got us to come all the way out here?'

'Hmm…' the figure said to himself, his voice masked by the hooded shawl he was wearing and the crackling of the fire. 'Angry and fiery. The fire 'blade I think.'

'What?' the man said, unable to really pick out what the figure had been mumbling. He was about to step nearer to him when the figure spoke up.

'Hello gentleman,' he said, his voice confirming his youth. 'I'm glad you've come.'

There were murmurs between the men. The 'fiery' man had stepped back into the huddle.

'I suppose you're all wondering why you've been summoned here, and by someone so young.'

There was a chorus of nods as the shadows from the fire darted across the men's faces.

'Well the truth is,' the figure said, walking away from the fire with his arms crossed behind his back, never turning his back towards the men, 'I need you. You have been called by me to fulfil an ancient tradition.'

'What tradition?' said the only man to have spoken so far. The figure that had called them all to the mysterious room raised his finger to prompt quiet.

'All shall become clear. The tradition of the 'Mystical Warriors'. For centuries four individuals in each generation have been chosen to possess four mystical Beyblades known as the 'Opal Beyblades'. Each one houses magical powers that even to this day no one is sure of. In fact, very few people know of their existence.

'The last four to hold the 'blades were incompetent. One by one they let the powers of the 'blade get to them. Through greed and through stupidity each one was killed or beaten and lost possession of the 'blades. You don't know how hard it has been for me to get them back.'

The figure gave a sinister cackle as if he knew more about the rescuing of the 'blades than he was letting on. He continued.

'And now I have them back it's time to give them out to four more individuals who will be able to complete what no other 'blade bearers' have managed.'

The next words rolled off his tongue with satisfaction.

'World domination.'

The four men just stood there transfixed. Whether it was the atmosphere of the room, the unusual behaviour of the man stood in front of them or the words he was saying, they did not know. All they knew was that this plan appealed to them. Ever since each of them had independently received a piece of parchment calling them to this distant location, all had been wondering the purpose. They had been incredibly suspicious, of course, but equally curious as to their calling. Now they know and they liked it.

The hooded figure took from one of the deep pockets in his cowl four objects and held them out in his hand. They reflected the light from the fire back at each and everyone in the room. It was difficult, nay impossible, for the four men to withhold a sigh of admiration and awe from fleeing from their mouths.

'Beautiful aren't they,' the figure said, the beauty of each of the 'Opal Beyblades' reflecting in their eyes. 'There's one for each of you.'

'Kano. God of the Waters. You shall have the 'Opal Beyblade' of water. With it you can wash away people's thoughts.'

Kano stepped forward and took the Beyblade with a shot of blue through it. As it came in contact with his hand a shock went through his body. He became one with his 'blade. He stepped back into the group. The figure continued.

'Mamoru - earth. You shall get the 'Opal Beyblade' of earth. With it you can rock the stadiums and win battles.'

Mamoru collected his Beyblade and felt the same surge of power through his nervous system.

'Akira – intelligent. You shall get the 'Opal Beyblade' of wind. Powerful enough to blow your opponents' Beyblades straight out of the stadium.

'With your powers you can go and win Beyblade battle after Beyblade battle, stealing all the best Beyblades on your way to taking over the world.'

The fire in the centre of the room reflected in the wide eyes of the figure in the middle who'd called the men there. A smile drifted across his face.

'And finally the fourth Beyblade. Use it well. Fire – with the power to send rays out to capture Beybladers in their own Beyblades thus utilising their powers to take over cities and countries. This needs to be used by someone with fire in their belly. This is the perfect blade for you…'

The final man – the first to talk – walked up to the figure and received his 'blade which also sent out power surging through his body.

'…Yukio…'

Seven weeks later…

"Let it rip!"

It was a cold and damp Wednesday afternoon and Tyson and Kai were once more locked in a Beyblade battle. Each was stood at the side of the stadium waving their fists about, shouting confident phrases at each other, each determined to beat the other and win the battle. Max, Ray and Kenny were stood a little away also cheering but unsure really who to support. Tyson and Kai weren't really bothered as they were too engrossed in the battle; sweat was pouring from both the Beybladers as they slugged it out, watching their Beyblades collide and spin and pummel the other.

'Give it up Kai. You know I'll win!' Tyson shouted, gloating. Kai just laughed, clenching his fists, his pupils following the fast movements of the Beyblades.

'In your dreams, Tyson. You've not won a battle in two weeks.'

Tyson clenched his teeth.

'I've been unlucky that's all. Now it's time for you to lose.'

Kai just laughed again as his Beyblade spun along the side of the stadium and down into the centre, colliding strongly with Tyson's and knocking it out of the stadium. It stopped spinning at Tyson's feet. Its owner looked up at Kai, his eyes narrowing and his brow furrowing. He grudgingly admitted defeat as Kai retrieved his own 'blade.

'Sorry Tyson but I outclassed you again!' Kai said joyfully as he walked over to the three onlookers. Tyson pocketed his Beyblade and shuffled over to them as well staying quiet for the next five minutes, his arms folded in front of him.

'Poor Tyson!' laughed Kai, straightening out his shirt. 'Thirteen matches now he's played over the last fortnight and not one he's won. Unlucky for some, eh Tyson? There's always next time. Next time when I win.'

Tyson didn't say a word. For the first time ever he had other things on his mind than a battle of egos with Kai. One look at Kenny and his laptop brought it all back to him. He could still feel Dizzi's kiss on his lips and the strange feeling that had spread through his body. Tyson imagined it to be the feeling of love but he had no experience of that so he didn't know. All he knew was the joy of winning and the heartbreak of losing at Beyblade. But still he could not forget Dizzi and her voice coming from the small laptop speakers as Kenny spoke to her only hammered in the loss he was feeling.

Ever since they had embraced a week earlier, Tyson had struggled to think of anything but Dizzi, standing there in her human form with her hair fluttering slightly in the breeze and her lips smiling radiantly. Because they had only shared a short moment together, Dizzi had taken on more of a personality in Tyson's mind and he pictured what would happen if they could meet person-to-person again. This series of lovely thoughts was only punctured by the realisation that he probably would never have any close contact with her again. Tyson looked down at the floor as he stood there with his friends and briefly took the 'Opal Beyblade' from his pocket which he'd carried around with him ever since the events of two weeks earlier. Tyson studied the 'blade before pocketing it again; he realised that this was his key. With the 'blade he could free Dizzi and they could then be a proper couple. But his brain dismissed this thought as pure selfishness. He didn't know whether that was what Dizzi wanted; she always seemed happy and content enough in Kenny's laptop. Tyson didn't even have the chance to talk to her; she was always with Kenny. He sighed and returned his gaze to the friends around him, though the conversation was just like background noise and he couldn't pick up any words; it was just a general hubbub of noise. But that was soon to be broken.

Broken by the sound of footsteps approaching the group. Kai was the first to look round, then Max, then Ray and then finally Tyson. Just as he did, the figure was upon them, a man dressed in what seemed to be a blue Kimono. He had a thick moustache and bushy eyebrows. It was obvious to them – as experienced Beybladers – that he was holding a Beyblade in his fisted hand. Kai was the only one to speak.

'Can we help?'

'I'm looking for Tyson Granger. Do you know where I could find him?'

Max cast a shifty glance at Tyson but averted his gaze quickly back to the new arrival. It wasn't quick enough, however, to go unnoticed by the fifth man. Max attempted to cover his tracks.

'I can't say I've heard of him. Then again it is a big town – we get all sorts of people passing through.'

'I see,' the man said slowly, his eyes darting around before settling on Tyson. 'So if I was to ask you whether you're Tyson Granger, you'd say "no"?'

'Yes. Exactly,' Tyson replied.

'I see.'

The man exhaled and began to turn around as if to leave the group. But, when the group expected him to walk away, he turned around again and threw himself at Tyson grabbing him by the shirt and trying to choke him. Kai responded by getting the man in an arm lock but he couldn't quite pull him off Tyson as his strength was amazing. Tyson began choking as the main spoke.

'Listen here, boy. You are responsible for the death of one of the 'Mystical Warriors' and for that you'll pay.'

Tyson choked and attempted to explain the situation and how it was actually Dizzi but he swallowed his words. He did not want to get Dizzi into danger, and besides how could he explain the story to someone who was strangling him and taking away all his breath? Tyson was just confused as to how he found out about Yukio's death and how he'd come to associate Tyson with it. He glanced over to the rest of the group but they were trying to pull the man off. Only Kenny was not helping, tapping away instead at the laptop as if hoping to find an answer. But Tyson didn't need it; the man freed him from his grasp, letting Tyson fall to the ground with a thud. He rubbed his backside and slowly got up, dusting himself down. The man had pushed Kai, Max and Ray away and straightened his kimono after it had been pulled out of line by a struggling Kai. He still had anger imprinted on his face.

'I'm a fair man,' he said, though the group doubted this from his introductory reaction. 'Instead of a fight to the death I'm willing to settle this man-to-man. A Beyblade battle.'

Tyson was now stood up again though was still rubbing his neck as if hoping to erase the red marks.

'Sure'.

'Hear me out though, boy. The battle will be for your 'Opal Beyblade'.'

Tyson swallowed hard. His 'Opal Beyblade' was his only chance to be reunited with Dizzi. If he lost that – and the chances were high that he would after his recent form – he would never have the chance to get back with her. It was a difficult decision.

'What do I get in return?' Tyson asked as he tried to stall for time. The man laughed.

'Apart from your life? Then you'll get my Opal 'Blade.'

The man produced a Beyblade from his pocket. Tyson gasped in awe; it was just as beautiful as his own but instead of being tinted red had a shot of blue through it. Even Kai, Max, Ray and Kenny were in awe of it. Tyson thought. He did not want to accept the challenge.

'I don't want to challenge you.'

Tyson was shocked at himself. He'd never dismissed a challenge before no matter the odds. The man grew impatient.

'Either you accept my challenge or you die. Simple as that.'

Tyson swallowed hard once more. It seemed that he had no choice.

'OK,' he said with a sigh finally facing up to the truth. 'I accept.'

'Good!' the man said. 'Now prepare to lose.'

To be continued…