Chapter 17: Round Four- USA
Taking a deep breath you opened your eyes and looked at your surroundings. You were sitting on the railing of the back deck. The backyard was peaceful in the early hour. A sparkling lake and a few haze covered mountains were in your view. It was a calming site, but there was a bitter chill in the air. It was only March and spring had not yet taken control of the weather. Yet you still where only where black baggy pants and a thin short-sleeved gray shirt. A sigh escaped your lips as you brought your legs up to your chest while resting your feet on the railing as well. Your mind had been on what you told Hiro all night. {Adam's going to kill me...} you thought as you slammed your forehead on your knee. {And I have a battle in three hours}. Again you slammed your forehead into your knee. {Then I have to see Hiro}. Slam. But something caught your attention before you could think of anything else to put you in an even worse mood. The sound of someone's foot steps were coming closer, making you stop your minor self inflicted pain.[I'm sorry Meg] stated Hiro as he stood next to you. For a minute you just continued to stare out at the lake. You just wanted to leave this alone! {Why does he have to keep bringing this up...?} you thought. [You have no reason to be sorry] you whispered in the end. [Do you think we should tell Tyson?] he asked after a short pause. You just watched Girly trout down to the water from her doggy door. How did you answer that question? {No, I don't want to tell him. I don't need to give him anymore of a reason to hate me. I didn't even want to tell you. I just needed to tell someone } you growled in your head completely pissed. After a while you found your voice. [Can it wait?] you whispered almost so low that Hiro didn't hear it. [I think waiting would be a good idea. But I also believe that he should know. He deserves to know] Hiro stated as he turned and leaned his back on the railing. You were both facing opposite direction now. Sadly you smirked at the scene in front of you. [Did it help you to know what truly happened?] you asked as you jumped off the railing. Hiro just stared at you as you whistled to call Girly. Then both of you entered the kitchen. {It didn't help my pain... It helped me understand yours...} Hiro thought sadly as you disappeared from the glass your walked over to the coffee pot in the corner. Girly followed right on your heels. [Where the heck is Meg? Has anyone seen Meg?] came Jess's franticly screaming voice from up the steps. You just shook your head as you sat on the counter, a cup of steaming coffee in your hand. {She over reacts} you thought as you took a sip. Then the noise of Jess pounding on the doors met your ears. You just rested your head on top cabinet behind you. Girly used a lower counter to jump up to where you were. She then rested her head on your leg. [I know... I woke you up early today] you told her as you scratched her head while taking another sip. Then a stampede of people came down the stairs. In the lead was Tyson and Daichi heading straight towards the table. After them everyone else slowly made their way down. Most of them still in a haze from being jolted from sleep. [What are you doing up?] asked Jess as she went over to the stove giving you a questioning look. [Everyone's up] you said just staring at the ceiling. [She probably just didn't want to hear your wake up] said Eric with a yawn. A chorus of muffled agreements went around the room. But Jess along with Adam, Devin, and Mike just stared at you. They knew that you were always one to sleep in. No matter what kind of wake up you were going to get. Knowing something was wrong they just kept stared at you. And you just stared back. You were in no mood to tell anyone anything. [So is everyone ready for the battles today!] shouted Mr. D as he suddenly ran through the door way. All he received was a grunt and a few mumbles. [Oh come on! It's already 9:15!] he shouted looking around at the bunch of lazy loafs. [Well you're rides are ready. And we don't want to keep them waiting. Now... MOVE IT!]. Again everyone just grumbled. [NOW!] the old fart shouted. This cause everyone to jump is surprise. And with that everyone slowly headed out of the kitchen and towards the drive way. [I expect you'll tell me later what was wrong] Adam said as you both walked into the garage. You just grunted as you grabbed your bright red metallic helmet which matched your bright red bike. Before Adam could say another thing to you, you took off down the highway leaving him in the dust.[And here is the home team LUNAR RAY!] shouted Brad Best signalling that your team should enter the arena. Slowly and quietly your team made it's way to the home team bench. Loud cheers erupted from the stands. Many of them had the United States flag shown for your honour. But the only thing on your mind, was Tyson. You still had no clue if you should tell him. [He is your brother. He really should know] Eclipse stated as his sprit stood in front of you. {Why? So he can be haunted like I am} you stated your voice hollow and your eyes dull. With and exaggerated sigh you leaned back on the wall your bench was near. Eclipse slowly faded from your sight. [Nervous?] asked Mike from next to you. A wide smirk was on his voice. [Far from it...] you answered back sounding board. [What's wrong?] he asked the smirk faltering. [Many things] you whispered just as Mr. D walked up to the stage. {Including my past, and wither or not I can fight without pain today} you thought as you side glanced Mike. From the look on Mike's face you could see that he wanted to ask you more. But Mr. D's droning voice stopping him. [Hello and welcome to the USA battles of the World Championships!] Mr. D cried into the microphone. A loud eruption of cheers exploded around the room. Many of the crowd started to chant [U. S. A., U. S. A.]. After waiting a few more minutes for them to calm down, Mr. D continued. [And today's battles will be fought in pairs. You may have a couple of minutes to decide your pairs and we pick what teams will be going up each other.] Mr. D finished. Slowly he walked off the stage and over to the other judges. [Meg and Adam?] Devin half stated half asked. [Fine with me] said Mike as he nodded his head. [I'm fine with it] said Adam. You just nodded your head. [Now we just have to see who we're up against...] said Devin as all of you turned your attention back to the judges.[First up is... Underground Bladers vs. Lunar Ray!] screamed DJ Jazzman as he waved the paper he had just received from Mr. D in the air. After a sigh, you and Adam slowly made your way to the stage. As you stood on the stage you could see that it was going to be Desirea and Electra that you were facing. {This should be interesting...} you thought thinking about Rika's difficult battle against Desirea. {She's going to be one we have to watch out for}. The tension in the air was high as everyone just waited for the battle to begin.[Three] called DJ Jazzman. All four of you had your launchers and blades in hand ready to go. [Two!] All of you snapped your blades securely on the launchers. [One!] The sounds of ripcords being shoved into place filled the room. [Let. It. RIP!]. Simultaneously the four blades went flying towards the blue beydish. The minute your blade hit the side of the dish it felt as if a small pressure was on your chest. A slight pain also came to your back. {Not again} you thought as your eyes watched Desirea's silver and purple blade along with Electra's red trimmed black blade. Adam's light blue blade was close to yours where Electra's and Desirea's were on the other side of the dish. Then in a flash both blades came flying towards your side of the dish. Desirea's Kayun hitting Eclipse and Electra's Arikva hitting Dawn. Quickly your blades straightened up and prepared for an attack. [Kayun!] Desirea stated as she called out her mighty Pegasus bit-beast. [Arikva!] Electra called her bit-beast. Your eyes stayed glued to her black blade as her beast emerged. Arikva was the only blade that you had no clue what he controlled. After the light cleared you could see a massive beast standing over the blade. He had the body of a lion with sharp claws on his feet. And at the end of his tail were two long spikes. But his neck was longer then it should be. The face kind of matched the lion body except for the long fang teeth that must have been around a foot long. Then he had mane going down his neck and wings attacked to his back. {So that's Arikva?} you thought staring at him. {I wonder what he can do...}
[Eclipse!] [Dawn!] you and Adam called at the same time. Loud cheers erupted from the crowd as the two beasts materialized. But you couldn't match their happiness. A shooting pain went rushing down your back and the pressure increased on the chest. Slightly you bent your knees and side glanced at Adam. His eyes were focused on the floor in a haze. His arms were straight now at his sides with his hands in fists. [Pain?] you asked lowly, your eyes focused on the battle. Kayun went in for an attack on Eclipse. Easily Eclipse dogged him, but now Kayun was in a straight path to hit Dawn. Dawn not seeing Kayun, but focusing on Arikva ran right into Kayun. Then Arikva rammed into Dawn as well. She was stuck in the middle between the two blades. Sparks few as the metal grinded together. Eclipse then sped towards the mix of blades to help Dawn out. But Adam's voice tore your eyes off the match. [How could you battle with this?] he asked, breath uneven. You just gave a sad smirk. [You get use to it] you answered looking back towards the match, but not seeing it. Adam just glared at the dish before straightening up. You both were going to fight through the pain. Turning your full attention back to the battle you caught Desirea and Electra both attacking. [Stormy Blitz!] Desirea called aiming the attack at Dawn. [Avalanche Shards!] Electra called directing the attack towards you. {Shit...} you thought thinking about how intense the pain got once you tried to attack. Arikva's large wings extended as he prepared for the attack. [Eclipse... Do what you need to.] you said lowly as you took a deep breath. Eclipse looked back at you for a split second before looking back to Arikva. A bright light surrounded Arikva's wings before sharp needles of ice were sent flying towards Eclipse. A pain filled roar filled the room as Eclipse stood still and took the attack. You looked down to the floor in shame. You should be able to defend him. He shouldn't be worrying about the pain your in. Maybe you should just forfeit the match. Just then Adam's voice brought your thoughts back to the battle. [Dawn!] he started to call out an attack, but stopped. He fell to his knees in pain. [Attacks make the pain worse] you said staring off into the back of the stands. {This is pointless... The pain is just too much...} you thought looking but seeing nothing. {All we can do is sit here and wait to be pushed out of the dish}. [We still need to try] Adam said as he slowly stood up breaking your thoughts. Turning to him you could see a smirk on his face. Smirking back at him you returned your thoughts to winning. [Eclipse! Dark Embers!] you called pointed towards Arikva. After a roar Eclipse opened his wings and shot his dark embers at Arikva. Your eyes blurred as the pain returned to your back. Presser worsened on your chest making it even harder to breathe. But you refused to fall. Looking over towards Adam you could see that he attacked as well. A pained expression crossed his face, but he too stayed on his feet. [There's only one way we can win] Adam said as he just continued to stare at the battle. [That would be...?] you asked looking at you brother. For a minute of two he was quite. Most likely thinking over the plan in his head. [We need to do one big attack] he said finally looking over towards you. You just stared back. {Can we do that attack in this shape?} you asked yourself but said nothing to your brother. [It's the last chance we've got...] he said back to looking at the battle again. The sound of clashing metal met your ears as you looked back to the battle. All of the blades where in the middle of the dish in a standstill. [I'm ready... It is all we have left] you said to Adam mentally readying yourself for the pain.[Final Judgment!] you and Adam scream at the same time through the immense pain. Eclipse and Dawn both raised their wings as a bright light surrounded them. You let out a cry as you felt your back rip open. Your vision blurred as you could feel your warm blood pour down from two freshly cut wounds on your back. Just then you heard Adam scream as well. Looking over you could see that his back was bleeding badly as well. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to do the attack. You were both to weak to pull it off. But something caught your eye as you looked at your brother. He had two white angel wings coming out of his back. Shaken you looked back. Your eyes went wide as you saw black bat wings coming from your back. {Guess that's why it hurt so much...} you thought looking back to the battle pushing the pain out of your mind. A blast of fire shot out of Eclipses mouth as lightning shot out of Dawns. Both attacks hit Kayun and Arikva perfectly. In a flash both of the blades went flying out of the dish. Harmlessly they clanked to a stop on the stage floor. [DESIREA AND ELECTRA OF THE UNDERGROUND BLADERS ARE OUT OF THE DISH! MEG AND ADAM OF LUNAR RAY ARE THE WINNERS!] screamed DJ Jazzman. You smirked and stood up straight ignoring the immense pain pulsing all over your body. But just as you were about to call Eclipse back to your hand another bright light surrounded you and Adam. Helplessly you fell to the floor as another wave of pain streamed through your body. This time it felt as if you were being ripped it two. The pain was so intense that you couldn't even scream. You mind just went blank. Tears started to run down your face as you pushed yourself to your knees. Blood from your black covered your hands and knees. Crimson was the only thing you could see. {What... What's wrong?} you gasped in your mind as you looked over to your brother. He was laying on the floor curled up in a ball. Slowly he rocked himself back and forth to rid his body of the pain. A pool of blood surrounded the floor around him as well. [Adam...] you whispered as you slowly and painfully started to crawl towards him. [SOMEONE CALL A DOCTOR!] DJ Jazzman screamed into the microphone. Screams echoed throughout the room and the sounds of people running towards you filled the room. But the only thing on your mind was getting to your brother. However before you even made it have way there another wave of intense pain flooded your system making you freeze. This time you screamed, echoed by Adam. Just then the bright light surrounding you two faded along with the fell to the floor in agony. Your body felt as if it had been in ten thousand different pieces then sown back together. Your muscles were all having different spasms before they finally relaxed as the last ounce of strength passed from your body. Breathing heavily you looked up. A shadow of a person was standing above you. But your eyes were too shaky to focus on anything. Slowly the shadow came nearer as they bent down and leaned over you. Finally your eyes stopped spinning and the details started to appear about the man standing over you. But you were shocked at who you were seeing. This must be a mistake. Right? You never thought that you would see this person in flesh and blood. But your eyes can't be lying. [Shakaku...?] you whispered. The guy smiled down at you. And that was the last thing you saw before the blackness consumed you.
*Tala's POV*
Quickly you ran towards Meg. Kai, Jason, Devin, and Mike closely following you. The strange sensation of fear raced through your veins. Why was it that this girl could do that to you so easily? As you continued to run, you just stared at the figure next to Meg. He had long black hair, almost to his chin, in the font that were gelled to points and in the back his hair was short. He was wearing black baggy pants with a studded belt and a plain black t-shirt. But what caught your attention the most as the black wings coming out of his back. {Who is that?} you asked yourself as you continued to run. He reminded you of someone. But who? Slowly the man leaned down and picked up Meg's limp body. Her blood quickly soaked into his shirt giving it a shimmer red look. [Who the hell are you!] you screamed as you finally made your way to the stage. The man stopped and just looked at you. His greenish gray eyes were sad as they stared at you. [Shakaku] he answered worry filling his voice. [What do you have to do with Meg?] growled Kai from next to you. Quickly you side glanced him but returned your attention right back to the man. There was more important things to worry about now. [I'm her bit-beast] the man answered as he turned and slowly started to walk off the stage. [WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HER!] Devin screamed as he ran after Shakaku not even fazed by his answer. Next to you, Kai was standing rigidly straight. His hand balled into a fist, he was ready to strike if needed. Shakaku stopped and turned his head back to answer Devin. But he's eyes stayed glued to the floor. [I need to get her to a hospital. I will explain when were get there. As well as Raikou] he answered then turned and walked to the door. Everyone had no choice, but to follow him.
You and all of the bladers were sitting in a private waiting room. Meg and Adam were in surgery to close up their wounds and contain the bleeding. The room was deathly quiet. Bryan was sitting next to you as Spencer stood next to you. Everyone was looking around the room staring at an object they found interesting to just take their mind off the situation. But you were staring at the girl sitting next to Shakaku. You had never seen her before either. She was the one standing over Adam after the bright light. No one, including you, knew who she might be. She was wearing a long white kimono. Her white hair was down to her ankles and was tied up into a high pony tail all except for her bangs. Her eyes were a light blue. [Is someone going to start explaining soon?] Chris asked as he took a deep breath. Everyone jumped slightly at the sudden sound. Shakaku and Raikou looked at him for a while before Shakaku finally started talking. [You're not going to believe us] Shakaku said looking Chris in the eye. [Try me] Chris answered staring back at him with determination. [I'm Meg's bit-beast Eclipse.] Shakaku stated with a sigh. Everyone just started at him wide eyed. From the looks you could tell that most of them weren't believing this story. But then again, you weren't exactly either. [And then why don't you have the same name as her bit-beast?] Kali asked folding her arms and glaring at him. Slowly Shakaku turned to look at her. [My wolf form is Eclipse. I am Shakaku] he answered patently. Again everyone just stared at him. {What did him mean by 'wolf form'?} you thought now farther confused. This time Raikou spoke to the group. [Every bit-beast has a human and beast form along with a demon form. Only advanced bladers can call upon their human form. In battle they are stranger and can use weapons as greater ways to attack. They can also think for themselves and act without being told to do so. The demon form is the most powerful, but is also the hardest to control. Most bladers will never use this form, or even the human form if the can not learn their true power.] she said. You just started at her. {Is that why Wolborg appears as a girl before my attack?} you thought. But no one else around the room seemed to be understanding the explanation. [That still doesn't explain why you're here.] Kai seethed looking ready to punch either one of them. Both of them looked down. Raikou looked up with a sad smile. You could tell this wasn't going to be a pleasant story to hear.[When Devin and Jess were captured last year on Meg's birthday, it was some they knew very well behind it.] Raikou started. Jess and Devin's eyes grew wide as they heard this. {They must not have realized the Meg and Adam knew them...} you thought looking at them. [This man's name was Diablo, but he was under the orders of someone else. Someone much more powerful. They have been trying to get Meg and Adam's bit-beast, us, for a long time. Meg and Adam have been hunted down for us for many years.] Shakaku stated looking down. You just stared at them dumbfounded. {That's why they took Devin and Jess? I always thought they wanted Meg and Adam to join a beyblade team...} you pondered. Jess and Devin looked as if a truck had just ran them over. But who could blame them? They were the bait. [When they were there. Diablo used a machine to combine Meg and Adam with their bit-beasts. But we were too strong. We could not be contained in their bodies, and instead materialized and a real wolf and dog.] Shakaku continued. [After Diablo was killed, we returned back to sprits and took our places in our bit-beast chips. But there is something wrong now. We must not have fully connected with our bit chips again. Ever since that day, a strong pull as been on us, pulling on us.] Raikou said. Their story was finished, but everyone just continued to stare at them. [You mean... you're bit-beasts?] Tyson asked just staring at them. [Yes. But it will be better explained by Meg and Adam when and if they want to tell you more.] Shakaku said. For a long time the room was thrown into silence. No one dared to say a word.[Meg and Adam are just fine] the doctor assured the room as he came in. He had a bright smile one his face and a clipboard in his hand. A mummer of relieved voices filled the room. You could feel the tension flow from you. [Mr. D has asked me when Adam and Meg may leave to go to Russia for the next leg of the championships. And just so you know and can get ready, you all are leaving tonight. Meg and Adam are still unconscious, and someone will have to carry them but they are able to leave as long as you keep a close eye on them.] the doctor said as he walked out of the room. Relief spread through your system hearing the news. Meg would be ok. And Adam was going to be fine as well. But you would be going to Russia. You may still live there, but that doesn't mean you have to like it. [I believe that Chris would be perfect to carry Adam. While I think Tala should carry Meg] Kali said looking around the room. Everyone just nodded in agreement as they got up. Slowly everyone started to head for the door. But something caught everyone's attention. [Who made you the boss? What if I want to carry Meg?] said Jason before anyone had left. Everyone halted and turned to look at Jason. [Jason shut it] Jess said as she rolled her eyes at her annoying brother. Everyone's eyes were gong back and forth from Jess to Jason and back again. [No, I want to know why the red head gets to hold Meg and I don't?] Jason continued now glaring at his sister. Jess said nothing, she just glared daggers at him. [Because. One, I'm Meg's cousin. Two, you're an asshole. And Three, I just plain don't like you.] Kali growled glaring at him. She then turned and started to walk away. But Jason was never one to give up that easily. [And you like Tala?] he asked mocking her in a way. Kali stopped dead in her tracks. Slowly she turned her head to look at him, fire in her eyes. [I prefer him over you.] she growled before turning back around and walking out the door. Everyone seemed frozen in place for a second. You just rolled your eyes and walked out the door following a long time you just stared at Meg's sleeping figure in your arms. You had been on the plane for almost two hours. Everyone else around you was fast asleep. Your right hand was slowly combing through Meg's hair as she slept peacefully. A light burse was started to form on her left cheek. Slowly you traced the out line of the burse with your thumb. [I will protect you... I promise this time...] you whispered to Meg. Slowly you leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. You never wanted to let her go.