-1Team Darkness
Chapter 2
Leaving

"Wait, what makes you think this Team Steel would come after us?" Max asked confused as he dropped down to the floor from where he was standing. "We've done nothing to them; we don't even know who they are!"

Ray frowned in worry as he sat down next to the boy and pulled him into his arms, whispering softly into his ears. "Hey, Max, it's ok! You're going to be fine, trust me. I'll protect you. Although," he added, looking up to Tyson, "it would help if you told us what we had to be protected from."

Tyson frowned. "I told you, Team Steel!" he said in exasperation. Next to him, the boy named Kouichi grabbed his hand and glanced at him with an odd look in his almost cold red eyes. Tyson nodded in response, gripping Kouichi's hand tightly, as if afraid for his life.

"The School of Unique Arts, or SUA, is a training ground that teaches various talents, such as music, art, and fighting. There are hundreds of SUA buildings across the globe, and in each one there are about five teams. The teams compete against other teams in the different talents that the school offers for various prizes, which are determined when the challenge is given. Which is always, because the school rarely arranges the competitions, the team decides who to challenge when themselves," Tyson began to explain. "Team Steel is the best team of SUA: China, and are known to be heartless bastards that use excess force to win competitions. You need to be protected because harming those close to the opposing team members is a commonly-used tactic by them."

"Exactly, so you're going to have to come with us to the SUA so we can protect you," said a small boy from Tyson's team, brushing a strand of his odd black, crimson, and yellow hair out of his lavender eyes. "It won't be long; the competition is next weekend, so you'll only be gone for two weeks top."

Daichi jumped up from his seat in anger. "But what about training? The World Championships are coming up soon, we have to practice! You know that, Tyson!" the short boy began to pace across the living room in frustration, muttering to himself.

"Daichi! Stop!" Kai ordered his teammate, knowing that the boy would have to calm down in order to accomplish anything. He then turned to Tyson. "However, Daichi is right, Tyson, we must continue training if we want to win the Championships this year.

Tyson rolled his eyes as he and Kouichi sat down on a black futon. "I know that, Kai, don't worry about it, the SUA has an entire floor dedicated to Beyblade training. It's one of the talent trainings offered."

Kai tilted his head in thought, and the living room became eerily silent as everyone held their breath, awaiting the team leader's decision. "Very well. If Tyson believes we're in danger, then we go."

"But, Kai-"

"No. We're going, and that's final," Kai said, cutting Daichi off. "We can continue training there. Now, everyone start packing. Tyson, when are we leaving?"

"As soon as you're ready," Kouichi answered.

Kai frowned. "I do believe I asked Tyson, not you."

Kouichi shrugged. "I knew the answer, he didn't. If you remember correctly, he didn't know we were coming."

"Guys, stop arguing. Kouichi, guys, I'll be back. Like the others, I, too, must pack. As Kouichi just pointed out, this is as sudden for me as it is for you." Tyson released Kouichi's hand and stood up from the futon, heading upstairs to his room. The Bladebreakers followed Tyson's lead as they headed to their makeshift room in the dojo where they stored their belongings.

"Kouichi, where are we headed next?" the tri-color haired boy from before asked as they waited to leave.

Kouichi smiled. "To get your friends."

"Oh, lovely," the boy frowned as he leaned back in his seat.

That's really going to go over well! Especially considering a few of them are barely my friends! And I know they can protect themselves, but I should be able to convince them if I…

The boy's thoughts were broken by the sound of Tyson's quiet footsteps on the staircase. The dark-haired boy set down his bag at the base of the staircase, and, like his teammates, waited quietly for the Bladebreakers, who arrived a few minutes later.

"The car's outside," Kouichi broke the silence, and the group of teens headed outside, where they were met by a large black limousine.

Daichi's eyes widened in amazement. "Oh, wow!" he gasped.

"Daichi, it's no big deal," Ray laughed as the beybladers put their belongings in the trunk before climbing into the limo with Tyson and his mysterious teammates. Tyson, Kouichi, and Kai sat down in the seats placed horizontally near the driver, with the Bladebreakers on the vertical seats to the right with the SUA team on the vertical seats to the left.

"Tyson, does your team have a name, as well?" Ray asked a few minutes after the limo took of to the Unique Arts academy.

"Why do you ask?"

Ray shrugged his shoulders. "Curiosity. So, do you?"

"Yes, we do. We're known as Team Darkness," the tri-color haired boy answered Ray's question.

"Cool name!" Max complimented from his seat next to Ray.

"Thanks."

The limo fell silent, and Tyson pulled out a laptop from a compartment in the ceiling and opened his email inbox.

Ray and the others looked out the window as they watched the scenery flash by the windows.

"You did tell your grandpa we were leaving, right?" Kai asked fifteen minutes later as they began to leave city limits.

Tyson rolled his eyes, not looking away from his electric blue laptop. "Duh."

"Takao, I'm bored!" a girl with long blonde hair pulled back by a headband complained. "Sing for us!"

Daichi snorted. "Yeah, sure, Tyson sing," he mumbled sarcastically.

"Hey, don't insult something unless you've heard it!" the girl lectured.

"Raia, it's ok," Tyson soothed. "What do you want me to sing?"