Disclaimer: I don't own beyblade, all I own is my oc's and the plot line.
By Their Saving Grace
Chapter Eight: I Wouldn't Say I Told You So
x x x
His eyes opened. He gasped. In front of him stood flaming ruins of what he knew was the city. He ran full force toward the flaming buildings, dodging falling meteors of rubble. He could hear screams. They all sounded so damn familiar. It scared him beyond anything he had ever heard before. The temperature was searing, the smoke was choking him. His eyes watered, and he wasn't sure if it was also because of the smoke or if it was because he was crying. He figured, by this point, that it was both.
"HELP ME!" His eyes were directed to a building to his left, a huge complex that towered higher than anything he had ever seen up close. The sky was black, the sun and moon blotted out. "KAI, PLEASE!"
He looked in a window, seeing it shatter as the figure in it pounded upon it's weakened glass. He recognized the face, the desperate frustration and terror radiating through her features. His heart skipped a beat. "MINA!"
"KAI, HELP ME! I'M BURNING!"
"MINA! MIN-"
Like a thick blanket had been pulled off his head, he felt himself pulled back into reality. Although, Tyson's hands gripping and shaking his shoulders tightly helped a bit. "Dude, come on, snap out of it!"
"Huh? What?" He bolted upward like lightning, his eyes adjusting to the light. They were at Max's house, that is, his father's house. The American typically stayed with Tyson, as the rest of the team did.
Tyson's concerned chocolate eyes met his amethyst ones. "Dude, you kept yelling for Mina, we were getting worried."
Kai noted that none of his team mates, besides Tyson were in his room. His embarassment would've been a factor, but he was sure that in the past months he had done worse and was no longer effected by the fact that he was acting like a weakling.
"You okay?" Tyson asked him.
He shrugged. "No."
"Want to talk about it?"
"No."
"We have to do something. First you have the ordeal with Angel, who seems to be on the right side, and now you're yelling in your sleep for Mina."
"We have to find Tala," Kai said, brushing the icy sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.
Tyson nodded. They had been safe in Max's house for a week now, though it seemed that the world just a few miles away was in turmoil, like being in a war zone. Something had to be done.
"Hasn't anything been heard about their 'Russian Maffia' or whatever they're calling themselves?"
"No," Tyson said in response. "Not at all. Kenny's been doing searches, but we've got nothing since a bit over two weeks ago in London when they burned a complex to the ground. Police said the place was abandoned."
"Probably because it was." He thought for a second. "Get me my cell phone."
"Got it," Tyson said, running outside the bedroom for a minute and yelling the captian's command. Within a moment, the sleek black phone was being dialed.
Tyson walked out of the room, leaving the captain alone. He emerged a moment later. "Kenny, can you get my cell records?"
The Chief looked back at Kai, who had walked into the living room, shirtless. "Y-yeah, why?"
"I need to make a phone call."
The group exchanged curious glances. "What number do you need?"
"One I from an incoming phone call. The night Angel showed up."
"Dude, you don't have to get that-" Max began, but Kai interrupted.
He ran a hand through his hair. "We've got nothing else. Tala isn't answering, and we need something here. Somekind of allies would be helpful, in case you haven't realized that we're going to run out of food soon, and we can't hide forever."
Ray nodded. "Thanks man, I know it can't be easy agree to this."
"I asked to do this, I didn't say I agreed with it."
"I've got the number."
"Give it."
x x x
"You awake yet?"
She sighed, stiffling a laugh. "Did you not hear the shower turn on, great dense one?"
"You're in a good mood today. To what do we owe this great miracle?" She opened the door and smirked at him.
"I've got a good feeling about today. Just don't ruin it."
"Alright, I won't tell you what's going on in the streets." Tala sighed and waited for her to follow him to the main control room.
She scanned a few computer screens. "Anything more than what's typically happening?"
"The rates of looting and gang violence has gone up."
She rolled her eyes. "Of course it's going up Tala, he's got a ton of recruits, and every blade gang- speaking of which, did we find the leader of the Blade Sharks yet? Anyway, every blade gang is going to be out there fighting."
"Yes," Riku piped up, "we got a phone number."
"Location of the C-Squad?"
"Nothing."
"Mina?"
"Guessing she's with the bosses."
"Great. Just what I hate to hear." Angel pulled out her cell phone. "Give me the name and number of the leader of the Blade Sharks."
"Omaru, 656-2451-97853." Riku repeated it, but she was already waiting on the phone's ring.
"Hello?" There was a pause. "This is Angel Asmerov... Yeah, Russian Maffia. Acually The Rising. Anyway, what say we meet up somewhere, and discuss a possible alliance?" There was a second pause. "Fine. Midnight. I'll bring some of my guys you bring some of yours. Just to make it interesting, we may have to test you." She sent a look toward Tala. "Yeah. Catch ya then." She flipped her phone shut. "Just so we're all totally clear, I hate that slang. Nobody use it. If you do, you answer to me."
Tala laughed. "Is that a threat?" He asked mellowly.
She came dangerously close to his face. "No, Tal-y. Not at all. That's a promise."
"She's scary when she's pissed off," A voice behind her called. She turned.
"Really?" The boys nodded, dumbstruck that they had been heard. "That's good, I'm getting the message across."
x x x
With a click of her tongue to the top of her mouth, she relaxed back into the chair. Days like these were far and few in between. She felt pretty good. As a matter of fact, she realized that she was a bit overdue for the pills, but it wouldn't be a big deal. She'd take them the next time she ate.
From her pocket, the sound of Evanescence's "Lithium" filled her office. She sighed. "Well, here's hoping that this is something good," she said heavily.
She picked up the phone, opening the sleek black contraption. "Yes?" She asked into it.
"... Angel?"
An undeniable smile spread its way across her face. "Hey," she said gently. "Feeling better?"
"Fine."
She rolled her eyes at his shortness. "Yeah, I bring out the best in everyone. Thanks for the reassurance."
"Don't think I really want to be doing this," He replied, angrily.
"Calm down, Kai," She said, growing a bit annoyed. "What's going on? You guys alright?"
"Since when are you concerned?"
"Since I'm sure that something is indeed wrong. Other than the fact that the city is falling to ruin and you're probably trapped in one of your little friend's houses, praying to God that we find you before they do."
She heard a sigh before he spoke again. "I- I mean we- can't stay here forever. Where are you guys? Boris is demolishing the city."
"Tsh, you don't think I know that? I'm currently in the middle of this hell. You want a rescue, you got to get your asses just a bit closer to the city. Then we'll come and get you. I've got a meeting at midnight. And since when the hell do you rely on others to do your work for you?"
She smirked as he stumbled through his answer. "Who the hell do you have a meeting with anyway?"
"A kid named Omashu. You might know him, he's the guy who took over for you with the-"
"The Bladesharks, right?"
"Yeah. See, I knew it wouldn't be that hard for you to talk to me. I promise, I won't bite." She laughed a little. "Seriously, I didn't mean to freak you out."
"When are you going to say it?"
"What?"
"I told you so."
"I wouldn't say that. I need your help. They got Mina two weeks ago. And I know that in order to get her back, I'm going to have to give up a hell of a lot or else give them a hell of a run for their money."
"They have Mina?!"
"Yeah." She sighed and the tiredness she had been trying to avoid edged its way back into her system. "I've been sick, our C-Squad disappeared the same day she did, and Enrique and Tala are getting on my nerves just a little."
"We need to meet up and figure something out."
"Really?" She asked, completely serious, but completely sarcastic. "I had no idea. The world is crumbling around us Kai, name the location."
"Can you get out to The Tate's Hobby Shop?"
"Da." She snorted as she heard a voice on the other line ask what 'da' meant. "Got a time for me?"
"Asap."
"Want or need anything?"
"No. We've got a stash of beyblade supplies, you're free to take whatever you'd like."
"I'll tell the gang it's Christmas. Thanks."
"Hn."
She sighed before continuing. "And thanks for calling, I know it isn't easy to do. On either count."
"Hn."
"You make it so comfortable for someone to talk to you, God. I'm trying to be friendly."
"Now you know how I feel."
"Yeah, yeah." She paused. "We'll be out there as soon as possible. Can't garauntee that the mother hen will let me go with them, so Tala might be the leader of the group. He's been too fucking gay lately."
"He's not."
"Gay? No. He just acts like he is when he tries to be my mom. I've lived without parents for a long time. So it's really no big deal, though he tries to act like a tough guy and my mom all at once."
"He's just worried, Squirt."
"I know, and that's what scares me. And thanks for calling me squirt. Tala stopped, and it's just a bit more reassuring when you're heading an operation that can easily cave in on you at any moment."
"Yeah."
"Anyway, we'll be around soon, kay? Keep an eye out."
"Alright."
"Bye."
"Hn."
A small wave of guilt washed over her as she hung up the phone. But within ten seconds, it rang again, and she flipped the small phone open with incredible ease. "Yes?" She asked, now a bit more professional.
"This is Dr. Shroffer, from-"
"I know where you're from, Doctor. What's the news?"
"You need to come in, now. We tested both, and they're both horribly malignant. You need another round of-"
She didn't want to hear that word, and she knew painfully well what it was. Her body trembled at the sound of it. "Not again."
"I'm sorry, it's the only way."
"Well, have you seen the news?"
"I garauntee you that our place is entirely safe. There is no war here, in Belgium."
"Great, but I'm in Japan, and there's a huge problem here. I'm not leaving until this problem is solved."
"You- you can't! My guess is that you've got six months."
"The last time they told me that, I continued what I was doing for two years afterwards. Granted, I was a wreck, but I don't think that another month or so will kill me."
"Do not underestimate-"
"I don't underestimate anything. I'm well aware that I am sick." Her voice turned brutal and ruthless. "But you don't understand how many lives depend on me. I'm leading the operation countering the Biovolt terror wave. There is no way I will leave them and say, oh, darn, I have to go get chemo. Uh, uh. These guys need me more than I need that."
"Are you taking the morphine we prescribed?"
"For the chance that it does kill me, I will not die a morphine addict."
"Those other prescriptions we gave you will not counter it forever, Miss Asmerov."
"And neither will chemo. But if it does just a little of what it's supposed to, I'll take it."
"You're being the fool, here, Angel," The doctor said sternly. "You prolonged it last time and look how bad it was."
"And last time, I had no choice. And some people think I'm being the hero. I didn't need you to tell me that it's back, and I don't need you to tell me how severe it is. Last time, I took no meds over those two years. I think two months, with meds, will be okay."
"You just said one month."
"I don't know how long it will take. As long as it has to, I guess. But there are more important things right now than my health."
"This isn't your health we're talking about anymore. This time, it will be more severe. Angel this could kill you!"
"A lot of things can kill, Doctor. I'm not concerned. When the time comes, I will be." She looked up at the clock. "But now, I have to go. I'm needed to go down to the eastern side of the city. When I get the time freed up, I'll call you for an appointment, okay? I promise."
"I just hope it's not too late."
"I have a motto, and I know it won't be. Bye."
She flipped the phone shut and threw it in her pocket. She had said before that no doctor had to tell her. She was well aware of what her diagnosis was. She just had to keep it a secret long enough to go get help when she wasn't fighting Biovolt, instead of when Tala would make her. She secretly prayed that it wouldn't be too late.
x x x
Tyson leaned back and looked out the window, whose curtains were parted just a bit. He sighed. "Kai, this is taking forever."
"They'll be here, so chill out," Max said, earning a nod from Ray. The white tiger was stretched across the couch, almost as if he was going to take a nap. Kai, however, was standing, leaning against the wall. Kenny typed furiously on the computer.
"Freaked out?" Tyson asked Kai. Kai shrugged. "I am," The champion admitted, sheepishly. "That Angel girl is intimidating."
"Yeah," Max submitted quietly. "Very intimidating."
"She was never like that before."
Ray nodded, adding his own two cents. "Time changes people."
"She never wanted to be the leader of anything. Never wanted to stand out at all," Kai added with a hint of tiredness in his voice.
"You guys had a hard life."
Kai shrugged. "Still, it's hard to believe she went from no one to someone with this much power. What would make that happen?" He wondered aloud.
"Perhaps the responsibility of thinking not for yourself, but for others." Angel strode confidently into the room, clad in mostly tight black leather. "With great power comes great responsibility, and I don't need Spiderman as an example. I am one."
x x x
author's notes: there's chapter eight, woo, not much plot development with Biovolt just yet, but that's okay, because I know where I'm going with this, and we're working our way up to the climax. However, the Angel plot is going along pretty well, if I haven't made it clear what is going on with her, I think I may need to just come out and have it be said... and that will happen in a few chapters, because we can't have drama without the coming out of the biggest secrets this story has... so stick with me, please!!! Please please please!
Oh, and by the way, I know that more than the five people on my alerts list read this, so if you would, please review. I'm going to say that I need three of them (count on your fingers and toes if necessary) before I update. Okay? Thanks!
It's my x-mas wish!!!!
Distant Storm, signing off!
