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It would be a wonderful evening. The weather was warm, not too humid, and not too scorching. The sun's afterglow left a pinky-orange hue to linger in the sky while the trees danced to a light breeze. Such was the norm in Bakuten, Japan. It was a beautiful place to live when the weather was nice.
Tyson had just finished telling a joke, to which most of their group laughed. While it was typical to have large 'family' dinners at the Granger Dojo, somehow, Hilary Tatibana's home had become the new hangout. Both Tyson's grandfather and brother, his team mates, as well as his girl friend and some of her immediate family were gathered in Hilary's backyard for a large gathering. It would be the final night that Hilary's aunt and uncle would be in town for a few months, so the goodbye was to be heartfelt.
"Alright," Carolyn Tatibana said, motioning to Hilary and her cousin for help, "Dinner's ready."
AJ Carson, Carolyn's niece, nodded, removing her hand from her boyfriend's thigh. He gave her a surprised look, only to receive a playful one. She stood, walking away from him to join her cousin and aunt, leaving him to watch her from behind. That was a good view, he decided. She had attempted to speak in Japanese before, which went over in a less than serious way.
The dragon wielder jumped up in excitement, followed by his monkey-like sidekick. "Yeah! I finally get my bar-b-que," He proclaimed in joy.
From across the picnic bench, a pair of eyes rolled as a third person stood to help out. There was a snide laugh from beside Tyson, to which the eye-roller smirked at.
"Tyson," Hilary said, placing a plate of marinated chicken before both her aunt and uncle, "You could act just a tad more civilized."
Max Tate, one of the newly enlarged group of Americans laughed. "Yeah, man, you're almost as bad as Dai."
The monkey-looking kid looked at Max with a bit of anger. "Hey! You're worse than us when you've had sugar."
From beside Max, the ever-calm Ray Kon stole a glance at his captain, who was getting reprimanded by his girlfriend for picking at her plate. "Now, now, this is supposed to be a nice dinner. Don't ruin it."
All three of the boys beside the neko-jin sighed and bowed their heads. "Yes, Mother," they responded unanimously.
Ray beared a sharpened tooth. "Excuse me?"
Rose Carson smiled, a light laugh escaping her lips. "Kai's told me that you're the mother hen of the group," she said kindly, "And I'd have to say that you do a decent job of keeping them in line."
From behind Rose, laughter seemed to spread. "Come on, Ma, did you think that Kai would be doing that in public?" Her boyfriend gave her a glare that he obviously couldn't follow through on and sat down beside Matthew Carson, Hilary's uncle.
Tyson nodded. "Yeah, it's only those life-threatening situations that makes him all protective."
The group laughed, knowing it was true. However, Ray's head tilted toward the fence-like bushes throughout this round of laughter, one of many on that evening.
"Hey, guys, is there something in the bushes?"
Hilary shrugged. "Probably just a squirrel."
Ray shrugged in response to hers and paid no mind to it. His guard was up, however. Something gave him a dark aura. There was just something out of place on this night. Was it too good to be true?
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From across the table, Hilary eyed her cousin carefully. Hilary's boyfriend then nudged her, only to receive a glance, to which he followed to AJ.
Okay, his mind said, what is up with AJ? He gave her a once over. Everything appeared to be in order... Wait. Tyson looked over at Hilary, the question burning in his eyes obviously the correct one. Well, either way, it was kind of expected. Kai was definitely not meant for anyone else, judging by the way he unconditionally loved everything about her.
Apparently Matthew Carson had also noticed, giving her daughter's left hand a strange look before responding to something his wife said. The promise ring from Kai had suddenly migrated from left to right hands, and that was something that set up tons of little warning flags. He wouldn't... would he?
Either way, no one had time to ask, as a beyblade came flying from between the Rose and Matthew, only to destroy most of their lovely dinner.
That was one way to thoroughly piss off Tyson, as the champion had his beyblade out and launched before they stood up.
"Nobody messes with my dinner!"
"Chill it, T-Dawg," His grandfather warned. "You don't know what this cat can do."
Ray's fangs were beared as his eyes hardened. "Well I know that this cat isn't happy. Go Drigger!"
The two beyblades assaulted the initial one, causing it to break into pieces.
Kai, obviously enraged by the fact that the only two paternal figures near to him were nearly beheaded, stood up menacingly. "Whoever you are, come out now!"
Not a single person would deny that tone from Kai. Wordlessly, four figures seemed to materialize as they appeared through the bushes. "As you wish, Mr. Hiwatari."
The Russian's stature did not change, though he moved to the front of the group. His aura radiated of pure protectiveness, being in the presence of those he cared about. "What do you want?" He asked, sparing the small-talk.
A single one stepped forward. He was large and muscular, with dark cocoa colored skin and dark hair shaved close to his head. "Perhaps Mr. Hiwatari, you should step down. It is not you we wish to speak to."
"Get lost," Audrey growled from beside Kai. "No one wants you here so leave."
"Alright, that we will."
The sound of a chopper's blades beating the air became louder as a spotlight shone brightly upon the Tatibana's back yard. It became hard to see around them, since the pale light of the twilight was not meant for hawk-like vision.
"Don't you touch them! Leave them alone!"
The entire group turned away from the large man infront of them, only to see two slightly smaller men, each with an unconscious person - an adult - in their arms. Hilary came flailing at one of them, trying desperately, only to be thrown back.
"Stupid bitch," One of the guards said. "Don't you have some dolls to play with, girlie?" His taunts fell on deaf ears as a fourth man jumped upon a rope hanging from the chopper above.
The group migrated toward the chopper's rope, gathering around Hilary, who was supported by Tyson. The girl looked over at AJ with tears in her eyes. "They've got your parents," She said softly, her words nearly drown out by the chopper's consistant beating.
"No!" AJ jumped up into the air, landing on the rope. Instantly, however, she was thrown back down by one of the men. He happened to have her mother's limp body slung over his shoulder, and was climbing the rope, while kicking back, landing it right in her shoulder, near the location of her all too famous gun wound from the year previous.
Kai, amidst the chaos, waited for the last man to jump on the rope before secretly grabbing on himself. AJ glanced upward, doing a double-take as she saw his form moving up the ladder, toward the chopper. The get-away transporter seemed to collect altitude.
"I think he's gonna make it," Hiro said, shocked only slightly by the actions unfolding. Strange things happened to them. A lot. He was helping his brother attend to Hilary, who had a nice gash on her arm from being thrown into the ground.
The brother's words must have reached the largest man's ears, for he looked down and acted quickly. In one swift motion, he had reached out, grabbed the top of the rope and the bottom of the chopper and pulled himself into a sitting position, his feet sticking out into the night air. His second motion was worse: with one foot, he looped the rope ladder around it, so that the ladder spun dangerously as the chopper gained altitude. Kai grabbed onto the final rung as the chocolate-skinned man landed a lethal kick to the side of the captain's head, smirking sadistically as maroon colored liquid fell from the boy's scalp line.
"I'll kill you!" AJ screamed above all the noise, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I'll fucking kill you!"
The man's arms grasped Kai's shoulders, thus pulling him into the large chopper. At the last second, AJ caught a faint glimmer falling from the beastly contraption and rushed forward to catch it. She knew what it was without looking and took a look skyward. She noted a quick nod and a sweet - only for her - smile from her boyfriend, before his eyes closed and his body went noticibly limp.
The rope was immediately cut and the chopper took off, as if rockets had propelled it in its desired direction.
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"Somebody call the cops!"
A cringe was universal as the boys rushed around in circles, trying to figure out what to do. The broken dishes and delicious dinner had been forgotten in their haste, leaving the animals of the night to do as they pleased with the leftovers.
Carolyn Tatibana's hand was placed gently on her niece's shoulders. "Calm down. Tyson called the police."
"And?" Her tone was sour, trembling with both fear and rage. Someone would be paying dearly.
Tyson sighed, sitting down next to her. "AJ, the cops were being pricks. They said that no helicopters were in the sky tonight. They keep records. We'll have to try again tomorrow."
"That's not good enough!"
Hilary, who was laying upon her mother's navy plush couch, shifted positions. "H-hey, anybody call Dickenson?"
A number of heads whipped Hilary's direction, where as Tyson returned to his girlfriend's side. "No," The blunette answered. "I'll get on that-"
His grandfather stopped him from leaving Hilary. "It's been done, T-Dawg. I took care of it. Stanley's on his way."
AJ sat herself down at the kitchen table, head bowed, staring at the object in her hands. "This is all my fault!" Her fists slammed against the finished oak, resulting only in throbbing fists for the teen. Her tears now spilt, untamable by any force.
The weight of the crimes commited was only beginning to sink in. Kai was an obvious target. Yes, he was the one who happened to have certain connections and people wanting his life. That was expected. Yet...
Whoever wanted - well, whatever they wanted, wanted it from her, since they had taken the three most important beings in her life, save Viatsu.
Ray, having taken notice of the young woman's emotional status, took a seat beside her and said nothing, instead gazing at the item in her hands. "Guys!"
The pacing group assembled behind them in the doorway. "Yeah, what's going on Ray?" Max asked, as Kenny and Daichi nodded anxiously. Dizzi must have been working herself into a frenzy, since Kenny had yet to stop typing upon her keyboard.
"Were they after bit beasts?"
"That's possible," Kenny said, "But if so, why wouldn't they just attack us with beyblades?"
Their heads hung; yet another idea had been thrown out the window.
Audrey's head rose. "They were after me," She told them, her voice heated in anguish. "Why else would they take two people who couldn't even blade?"
"Kai's an obvious choice of a captive. He's far too valuable to us, not to mention he's the only one you all listen to unconditionally." Hiro's voice softened, trying desperately to calm the girl. "He's got Dranzer on him all the time. He'll be able to defend himself."
"I have Dranzer."
The group's attention went to AJ's hands, where a bit chip resided. The phoenix was curled up in her typical stance, though the snowy white background was hot to the touch. "They'd probably take her anyways," Tyson said softly. The blunette wiped away the stray tears on her face gently, before hugging her tightly. "Leaving her with you was his best option."
"They should have taken me," She retorted painfully. "I don't even know what the hell they want from me!"
"No one ever does."
The reigning world champion stood as the BBA's CEO, Stanley Dickenson, stepped into the house. He was dressed in his usual green olive colored suit with his brown wooden cane in tow. She was immediately hugged for what seemed like hours by the man, before being led into her aunt's livingroom to discuss exactly what had occurred.
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All he was aware of was the throbbing. It began from his head and seemed to spread throughout his body. The pain was almost blinding, but it paled in comparassion to other treatments he had been through. At the moment, he knew that consciousness was the best thing for his well-being, but the depths of unconsciousness pulled at him with pleasure.
"Kai? Kai, honey?"
He blinked. As his eyes opened and stayed that way, he felt an immense wave of pain come over him. Almost immediately, he rolled over and vomitted, his body shaking uncontrollably.
"You must have had a concussion," Matthew said to him. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit."
Rose nodded, pulling out a hankerchief from her pocket. "Your head was bleeding something fierce when we first woke up." The woman stood, walking to the edge of her cell, whipping the white object across the hallway. It flew between the bars of Kai's own cell, and the boy picked it up, first whiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He then pressed the white cloth against the initial throbbing point. Dried blood was caked everywhere, from his head, down to his arm. That kick must have done a number, he decided.
"Where are we?" The youngest asked, looking around. There were only two cells in this corridor, both the Carsons sharing one, leaving him with the other, smaller one.
Matthew shrugged. "No idea. We were awakened by a suited man throwing us in this cell. Other than that, we have no idea what happened."
"Have they said anything to you?" Kai asked.
"Nope. We have no idea what they want."
"Aud," Kai said softly, his thoughts resting on that distressed and horrified look upon her face when she had seen them being taken. "No one has ever threatened adults," He explained. "If they're taking you, then they've got some kind of problem with Audrey, so they're trying to strip her of everything she cares about."
"Viatsu?" Rose questioned.
"They'd go after one of the four sacred bit beasts," Matthew decided, only to receive a nod from Kai. "Viatsu is powerful, but there's nothing overly special about her, aside from her power."
"Someone's been studying their bit beasts," Rose mentioned, with a smirk.
A dark voice echoed throughout their corridor. "Yes, pehaps you have studied, but what you know is not enough."
Kai clenched his beyblade tightly, even though his faithful companion, Dranzer, was not with him. He knew she would be an edge, but having her could possibly get one of the Carsons killed if he did not deal properly.
"And what is it that we should know?" Matthew demanded. "Where the hell are we?"
The voice continued, its echo subsiding as the one speaking came closer to them.
"It would have been nice, had we all known what I wanted in the first place, but perhaps not even Miss Carson is aware of what she is capable of."
"Couldn't you just go after the four sacred bit beasts?" Kai asked, annoyance apparent. "Haven't you noticed that's what everyone goes after?"
The owner of the voice came into view, being a tall, lean man with dark, almost black emerald hair, and beady black eyes. "It's a shame then, that you lacked to bring Dranzer. Of course, your launcher was nowhere to be seen either, so how will only a beyblade help you?"
"Leave him be," Rose said angrily. "What exactly is going on here? What do you need our daughter for?"
"While you know the one we wish to torment, perhaps it would be helpful if I explained something to you."
Silence reigned as a beckoning for the man to continue.
"If you think that what happened at the world championships was even the limit of Viatsu's power, you have another thing coming."
"There are more powerful bit-beasts," Kai retorted. "As powerful as Viastu and AJ are, they are not the best. What about Tyson?"
The man smirked. "Yes, Tyson is a wielder of extraordinary power. Everyone knows that. And while I would love to possess Dragoon, something about Viatsu calls to me. She is on the brink of another evolution, as I anticipated at the finals last year."
"What do you mean?"
"As a bit beast grows, Rose Carson," The woman shrunk back into her husband's protective arms, "It evolves. And your daughter's bit beast is on the final stages of its current evolution. The next stage can be anticipated to be different than any other level of bit beast. She may, as sad as it may be to mention it, even get destroyed by its power. That is why someone like me-"
"Viatsu would never hurt her," Kai growled.
The man walked to the edge of Kai's cell. "You're right, Viastu would never hurt her." He paused. "But with a little reasoning from me," The man walked back toward the direction in which he came, "She may wish to have Viatsu finish her off. Permanently."
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Notes: Well, that was interesting. Now you should definitely review, and I'll include some fun stuff for next chapter, involving some BBA issues, some teamwork and spirit-ness, and quite possibly... well, I can't tell you the entire plan, that would ruin everything. So review and I'll update asap!
Also, I wanted to tell you that i'm going away as of wednesday afternoon, and because I love you - yeah, YOU - even if you don't review, I'll put up the next chapter anyway. Although, I would appreciate a bit of encouragement.
Love ya's!
Distant Storm