Disclaimer. Ah, the only stable thing in my life that never changes. Hooray for the things I'll never own!

Notes: First of all, I had an entirely anti-me moment, saying that Hong Kong was in Japan. Sorry about that. Anywho, I'm trying to make my chapters longer, my friend Stephy(Ileftmybraininmylocker) has these uber long chapters, and i'm hoping to be able to do something that is at least ten pages long from here on in... Hope you like!

By Their Saving Grace

Chapter Three: Make You Hate Me

Distant Storm

x x x

Tokyo, Japan: 5:36 PM

Kai could not believe what the chairman was telling him. Two days ago, he had had a discussion with Tala, about the hiring of Boris Balkov. And then, when he asked the chairman afterwards, he said that the Russian was telling the truth. Now though, this was the kicker.

"So, you see, Boris is going to be arriving here in two days, on Friday, to help out the trainees here in Tokyo."

Tyson's fists were tightly clenched. "What?" Ray and Max seemed just as pissed off as the other two, while Daichi was just a little messed up, not entirely aware of how bad the situation was. Mina, on the otherhand had her beyblade in her hands, gripping it tightly.

"I don't think you should send him here," The younger Hiwitari stated firmly. "I don't think any of us likes him," she pressed.

"I don't think that's your decision to make," Kai said. "If Dickenson says he's coming, then that is final."

"Whoa, wait a second," Tyson said, turning to look at his snowy haired captain, who although he wasn't thrilled, he just dealt with it.

"I have my reasons Tyson. At least now we can keep an eye on him," The Chairman stated. Kai grunted and turned away from the others, about to walk out again.

Mina threw a fist down on the man's desk, catching everyone's attention. "If you send him here, the Russian Maffia, or whatever will show up. Do you want that?"

"Honestly, then we'll be able to keep tabs on them too," Ray stated, realization dawning upon him. "That might be a good idea, Mr. D."

"That's why I brought him here. There are plenty of good beybladers here in town, and besides," He rubbed his chin in thought, "You guys should be able to take down any of them."

"Yeah!" Tyson affirmed. "We'll take out the bad guys!"

Hiro rolled his eyes. That was his little brother, always rushing head on into things. Mina still looked enraged. "Kai, I can't believe you're actually going to let him do this. If I was you-"

"You aren't me, Mina. You might be my sister, but Dickenson has always looked out for my best interests, so you have to trust me enough to know that if I say that he's trustworthy, than anyone who works for him must be the same. Believe me, I'm not too thrilled about this either."

"Just so you know," The younger girl stated, pushing past the others and in front of Kai, who was in the doorway, "Tala isn't the leader of 'The Russian Maffia.'"

"Then there's nothing to worry about. Who could be worse than Tala leading a group of people like that?" Max asked. Kai shrugged, agreeing with the blonde.

Mina stormed quietly from the room, taking off down the stairs, as opposed to the elevators. "Now this does become an inside job. The second he's all set up, he's going down." She dialed her cell phone and waited for it to ring. "I'm sure some information for Angel will make her thrilled." The viciousness in her voice made it barely recognizable.

x x x

Moscow, Russia: 3:45 PM

"We have a problem," Tala said, standing at the top of the second story of the room, which was like a balcony overlooking the main area of the building. The door behind him was Angel's office, which she was currently in, having just dealt with a 'situation.'

"Like what?" Spencer asked, from below. He and the other Demolition Boys stood waiting impatiently for the news.

"Balkov is going to the Japanese B.B.A. headquarters. And guess who else is there?"

"You mean the Bladebreakers let him come?"

"What the hell is wrong with them?"

"Come on!"

The room erupted in a loud fit of complaints about the Bladebreakers being backstabbers and betraying beyblading all together. Eventually, Angel exited her office, clad in what one would describe a training outfit, which was highly unusual for her. A black sports bra on top and a pair of loose red pants, with her hair pulled up into a messy ponytail. Had she not had three lines going down her perfectly toned torso, she would've looked much like a break-dancer, not a beyblader.

"Would you all shut it?" She yelled, and a silence swept over the group. "We're going to have to train hard, because we're leaving tomorrow night. Balkov is expected in Japan in two days, and we're going to be waiting for him." Murmurs died down in the crowd. Angel had never trained any of them. So far, every opponent they fought was one they could handle.

"Do you think we can't take the Bladebreakers?" Bryan asked her, his temer beginning to shine through.

"You and Stroblitz lost to Ray and his Drigger. You are not one who should even be talking right now. I want you guys to practice up. I will be informing you tomorrow who is going with Tala and I."

"What about Mina?" A trainee asked.

"She's already with the Bladebreakers. Setting things up, and getting to know her brother." Angel walked down the stairs leading to the main floor. "Get into groups of ten." There were about fifty kids total here, and she nodded once they had been divided. "Bryan, Tala, Spencer, and Ian, I want you each to take a group and go to the back room and train them for some tough battles. "The rest of you are with me." She took the group of the highest talented beybladers and set them up around a large beydish.

"Battle Royal?" One of them asked.

"Yes Alexander," Angel said, taking a place at the edge of the dish as well. "Battle Royal. Three, two, one-"

"Let it rip!"

x x x

Friday, Tokyo, Japan: 7:58 PM

He took a long drag on his cigarette, until it was gone and he crushed the butt under his foot. Afterwards, he followed the older man into the building.

"When you get to the elevator, press E-2, and go down to the downstairs lobby. E-3 and E-4 are the training floors, and E-5 is a storage room, which is pretty much empty. Your office is on E-2."

"Great," The man said, cheerfully, which was usually out of his character. "I'll be set up in less than forty-eight hours."

"That's just what we like to hear," A voice said darkly from the far side of the ground floor lobby. "Exactly what we like to hear."

x x x

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan: 9:34 PM

"Are you sure you want this?"

"Very much so." Angel closed her eyes. "Thank you Riku, I appreciate the fact that you told me that he was ready. How many of them there are on our side?"

"With Mina, or without?"

"Whatever your preference," Tala said, stalking into the room. "Mine's a margarita."

"You're going to be addicted to those things."

"I'm thirsty."

"Hang on, Riku." She went to her refridgerator and pulled out a bottle, pouring it into a cup. "Here Tala."

"Thanks... HEY! This is only water."

"You said you were thirsty." Angel smirked at him a smile beginning to play at her lips. "I need you to be on your best behavior, and completely sober. I might need you to help me with Kai."

Tala stiffened. "He's going to have a panic attack when he sees you."

"I know. And I refuse to take it easy on him. I don't care what he is now. He let Balkov come. I won't let him forget what that man has done. To us all."

Angel closed her eyes and leaned back against the plush leather chair. Pressing her hand to her temples, she massaged them gently. Tala took a step closer to her. "Riku, how many are on our side?"

"Over there, we have about twenty-five on our side," He said in quiet Russian. "Out of two hundred resident beybladers, not including the world champions."

"Thank you," Tala said courteously. "You can go."

"Alright."

"Thank you," Angel commented gently. "I appreciate it."

Riku nodded, noting the semi-uncharacteristic behavior of the two teen leaders of the entire ordeal. He walked outside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Behind him, he heard another click-ish sound, most likely the lock.

Tala locked the door carefully, and stepped over to Angel. "You're a mess," he commented, blandly, but a slight quirk of emotion, concern perhaps, fluttered in his eyes. For someone trained to be heartless, he now allowed a bit more emotion to show through. Boris was going to pay. For driving them all apart.

For killing them all from the inside out.

"I know," Angel said, looking up at the Demolition Boy. "I can't help it."

"No," Tala whispered, pulling her up from the chair. "That's not just the reason. The initial one-" His lips came immaculately close to hers, her eyes focusing on him, surprisingly clear, while her breathing was ragged. He lifted his head up and pressed his lips to her forehead. "The intital reason still stands."

"What the hell happened to innocence?" She asked him, in more of a whimper than anything else.

"That's why we're here. To save them-" He motioned out the window at the children on the street, beyblading. "-From becoming what we have."

"Tala-" He looked down at her, catching the look in her ghostly eyes. She looked at him. "Hold me." He obliged, wrapping his arms around her, and allowing her to rest her head in the crook in his neck. He felt something cold against his skin, and realized that she was whimpering like a five year old.

He smiled at her. "You're such a kid at heart, you know that?" It was meant as a simple joke, and it was said with a warm tone, but deep down, he knew it was the truth. She had never gotten to live her childhood out, and now, it escaped in her rare moments of vulnerability.

"I am a monster."

"No. Don't you ever call yourself that." He lifted her head, a hand held under her chin. She bit her lip. "Angel."

"I know."

"Miss Asmerov," A voice called, knocking on the door to the locked room. Angel jumped away from Tala, wiping the few stray tears from her face. The Russian boy opened the door, unlocking it first.

Tala was handed a telephone. "Yes?" He asked, switching over to Japanese.

"We're ready to get started. He's good and set up."

Tala looked over to Angel. He could see the storm brewing in her eyes. Other than that, there was nothing left to prove she had just neared the stage of mental breakdown. She clenched both fists, pretty much sensing the nature of the call.

"Good. I'll have Angel-"

"Tonight. After midnight."

"Are you-"

"Positive." Her voice was steady. Tala hung up the phone a moment later.

"The Abbey has scarred us all. Kai Hiwitari doesn't even remember you."

"He will." The maliciously seductive smile placed on her lips seemed completely contradictory to what she had said moments before.

"You are a contradiction to yourself," He pointed out.

"I know." She ran a hand through her hair. "And I like it that way."

x x x

Monday, Tokyo, Japan: 1:23 AM

"Mmnn... Tyson, shut it!" Kai yelled, in a groggy stupor. Something was making a noise that disturbed his sleep. And he didn't like it.

Ray groaned and rolled over. He then sat up to look at his captain from across the room. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he was a bit alert. "That wasn't Tyson," Ray mumbled quietly.

Like lightning, the Russian was sitting upright, amethyst eyes wide and alert. Both he and the Chinese boy dressed quickly.

"Oh shit." Kai looked around, noting that everyone else was still asleep.

"Should we wake them?" Ray asked.

"Not until we figure out if we're just paranoid."

"Us? Paranoid?" Kai didn't find Ray's comment at all funny. Perhaps Kai had been trying to lighten the mood himself...

They slipped open the dojo door, Ray standing behind it, and Kai holding out Dranzer like a cop would a gun, at his defense.

"If I was planning on killing you, you'd be dead already."

Kai froze, immediately masking his emotions as a new light came over Tyson's backyard. Ray caught Kai's glance for a moment and knew exactly what had to be done.

"You've never been one to give a warning, Tala," Kai yelled. The sound that had woken him up must have been the boy landing on the roof, or something, Kai figured, not quite up to conjuring ideas at this hour. The light, he noted, shielding his eyes, came from a spotlight, and a low rumble supported his theory of a helicoptor's usage.

"Well, you're in for hell. I thought you should be given a chance to stand down. Either you and your team mates get rid of Balkov, or me and my friends," Tala put as much emphasis on this word as he dared, "will tear you to shreds right along with him. Kapeesh?"

"He's given us no reason to fault him. Dickenson trusts him-"

"Dickenson is a fool, if he trusts Balkov. As you and your team mates are."

"Do you think we're going to let you take us out without a fight?" Ray asked. His team mates had begun to race around the room, collecting their belongings and preparing for a fight. Daichi stuck a head out the door and shook a fist threateningly. Apparently Tala was in too good a mood, instead of getting annoyed, he laughed.

"Of course not," Tala said with a condescending smirk. "We wouldn't wish it any other way."

Tyson spit at the ground in disgust. "You like to destroy things, don't you? You put this little charade together, didn't you?" He wrung his hands in an attempt to postpone the eruption of his temper.

"No." Tala looked at Tyson, a serious, dead serious look plastered on his face. "I don't want to do this, Tyson. As your rival, and as what I thought you would consider a friend, no. I am doing this so people don't end up like him." Tala's arm was extended, along with his pointer finger, at Kai.

"What the hell do you mean?" Max ordered. "Kai is just fine."

"If you mean he doesn't remember anything about where he came from other than his sister, fine, then yes." Tala paused, catching Mina's glance from the back of the room. A dark smirk came over both their faces, though only Tala's complexion was being watched. "That man is partially responsible for erasing all of your memories. You say they aren't supressed anymore? BAH. That is a lie. You don't remember the hell that was the Abbey. No." Tala stroked his chin in thought. "If you did, you wouldn't be on this side."

Kai was surprised. No one knew how much he remembered, except himself. And while Tala's commentary was true, telling him things wouldn't make him automatically remember. "Unfortunately," Kai sneered impatiently, "You'd need a visual to do that."

"It can be arranged." Tala's arm extended upward, and a ladder was lowered down for him. "Anyway, are you going to do it, or are we?"

"You aren't going to do anything," Kai growled darkly. "And so help me, if you try-"

"Just watch me." Tala paused. "Beware of your allies," He sneered. He clutched the rope ladder and began to climb skyward. "They just might surprise you." Halfway up the ladder, he turned and looked down. "And by the way. You have an hour. If he isn't gone, then we'll make it that way."

x x x

"That went... rather well," Angel said with a smirk. "Rather well."

Tala leaned back as the chopper surged with more power than it had before, rising up into the air. "I'd have to agree."

"It's going to be a long night," Robert stated, from next to them. "I'm game."

"I thought you would be." Angel laughed, a sound that sounded so innocent, so pure, unlike the actions she was going to have to carry out. Inside her mind she reminded herself that her motives were pure.

"I can't believe you let them stay," Tala remarked, looking at the Western European.

"Robert and the Majestics support our cause. And besides, we aren't really the Russian Maffia anyway, when you think about it. We have some European teams as well."

"I know," Bryan responded hotly, for someone who was so cold. Tala nudged him.

"Save your attitude for people who aren't on our side. There's plenty of 'em."

Robert nodded from across from Tala, sitting next to Bryan, while the Russian captain was next to the leader of the operation, Angel. "We're outnumbered," She breathed in an airy tone. Suddenly, it seemed to solidify. "That'll be fun." She clenched her fists and drew out her beyblade.

"Looks like Angel isn't the only one who wants to play," Bryan said, with a smirk. Angel's hand tightened around her beyblade. It was black with three jagged lines running down it. The beast in the center was a raging creature, birdlike, much like a phoenix. It was entirely black, with a crown of red feathers on its head. All in all, it appeared pretty nasty, but anyone who had seen the creature knew it was merely protective on levels that were unparallel to others. It shared the piercing jade eyes of its mistress as well.

"Taiydra is at her witts end," Angel said softly. "I think we all are."

"I declare a vacation when this is over with," Tala said.

"If possible, perhaps. How'd Mina look?"

"Great." There was a renewed spark in the Russian's eyes.

"Good. Her antics tonight won't go unrewarded. None of yours will." She paused, her eyes focusing on something they couldn't see. "That's a promise."

x x x

Kai nearly grabbed his sister at the throat. "I want you to stay here," He said carefully. "I don't know what the hell they plan on doing-"

"I'm coming." She brushed past her brother easily, breaking free of his grasp. "I don't care what you say."

Tyson stood in the doorway, clicking his tongue against his teeth, and earning himself a glare from Kai, who was about ready to drill a hole in someone's head. Tala had been toying with him.

"Could you get lost?"

"I'm on your side, and Dickenson is about ready to bomb the place himself so one one else can." The navy haired intruder smiled at both of them. "You're both alike. Quiet, but stubborn to boot. Unlike me. I'm just loud."

"Thank you captain obvious," Mina asserted, brushing past Tyson as well. "I have a beyblade to go upgrade."

"We're leaving in twenty minutes," Tyson told the captain. "I thought you should know that."

Kai nodded, and Tyson turned his back to Kai, about to leave the room. "Wait."

Tyson looked surprised at first, but he blinked the emotion away, as well as his attitude. If Kai called him back, it was probably important.

"Look after Mina for me," Kai stated. "I'm going to find out who's in charge, once and for all."

"Alright," Tyson said, not bothering to argue. It was much too early in the morning, although Tyson had just downed three sandwiches and was pretty energized. Everyone else was chugging either coffee or energy drinks. He thought, for a change, about what he was about to say. "Kai, is Tala right? Do you not remember everything?"

Kai sighed and leaned against the wall, and for a moment Tyson could have sworn that he looked like a normal teenager. Then he regained his composure and spoke. "I don't know everything. I know what I need to know. About my sister, Tala, the Demolition Boys. Everything I think I'd want to remember. Other than that, no."

Tyson nodded. "Do you think he's serious?" There was a pause in which Kai looked at the champion with a question on his features. "About the visual?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll find out."

Tyson grabbed him by the wrist before he could leave the room. "Promise me that if you get yourself into trouble you won't go down alone. At least let us know."

"I'll be fine, Tyson."

"I don't care. What I said about the darkness-"

"The darkness is within me, Tyson, I know. I won't let it swallow me." He flashed a rare smile his friend's way, and then proceeded to leave the room, replacing his smile with a determined smirk.

Hilary entered the room to hear Tyson's next statement.

"I'm not sure you'll be able to make that choice."

x x x

B.B.A. Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan: 2:14 AM

There was a group of about three hundred beybladers present. Mr. Dickenson was no longer playing around; he had called in every beyblader within a fifty mile radius to show up. Most were dressed in their battle attire, ready for a good fight, though Dickenson had no idea what to expect. So, doing the only thing he knew how, the chairman turned to someone who did know what was going on. And this man was the one who the group wanted anyway.

"This Russian Maffia," Boris said, with great distain, "Is a collaboration of people who dislike me. Those of you who have been with me since I began working with the B.B.A. in Moscow know that I am not bent into my old ways anymore. They still do not see it, and destroy everything in their path, believing that it will get me to back down."

'Boo'ing rang out through the large room, as beybladers' grips tightened on their crafts.

"I know I have made my share of mistakes, but Stanley Dickenson has seen past that, and I know you all do as well. I am her for you, to help you learn how to beyblade. To show you the true challenges that await anyone who takes a launcher into their hands. Beyblade wars are wars that I never wish to see fought again. I have made enough of them happen-" He closed his eyes, "- to last me an eternity of lifetimes."

Mina stood toward the back, as per her brother's request. Her eyes narrowed on Balkov, and he hadn't noticed her. He probably didn't even know she was alive. She snapped her fingers and smirked. Too bad. He'd just about piss his pants when she was through reintroducing herself.

A boy from behind her whispered something to his friend. They were both a year older than Mina.

"I'm just about ready, Ruri, are you?"

"Let's beat his ass into the ground." There was a pause. "I wonder if Angel is going to come for us tonight..."

"She will," Mina whispered curtly. They both looked at her, and blinked. "Angel is about ready to beat the shit out of him herself. However," Mina twisted a strand of hair between her fingers, "She probably needs to take care of my brother first. He has no idea."

The two boys looked at her, immediately recognizing her and nodding, smirks on their faces. When she looked forward again, she saw her brother standing there, with his team mates, at Balkov's side. She grimaced and gave Kai an 'are you sure about this?' look. He nodded fiercely, determination sparking at the corner of his eyes, and a smile of evil that made her cringe.

"Is he serious about standing on Balkov's side?" The one called Ruri asked. Mina nodded.

"I'm pissed about that too. But Angel will straighten this out. He just needs a wake up call."

x x x

I am soooooooooooo sorry about the long wait for the update, for anyone who was reading this. I just finished summer school, and hopefully i passed that exam so i won't have to take it again. I'm had to take a global exam and i didn't even learn half the material yet. i hope i did okay, but whatever.

There's your update, I hope you like it, and next chapter will be very vicious. i was hoping on making it this one, but next one will be worse. Much worse... Mwahahahahaha! Coughs... anyway, um, the title Make You Hate Me was supposed to be about Angel and Kai, but it turned out to be a bit more Tala and Kai. So, yeah. GO FOR THE PURPLE BUTTON ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE! DOOOOOO IT!

Please Review!

Distant Storm x3