Another installment of The Last Strike!
Thanks for the reviews!
silverstaar18: The plot is the biggest challenge for any writer, especially the ones who choose the genre of mystery. I'm glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for the review!
shanaya: Thanks a lot for the review! Don't worry, the confusion isn't going to last long. I hope you find this chap interesting as well. ;)
Hillary kept knocking at the door #3025, until she heard Max opening it.
"What is it?" Max asked, running his fingers through his ruffled hair. #3025 was two bedroom suite comfortable enough for the boys. Kenny who had dozed off in the living room of the suite in a rather awkward manner mumbled, "Who is it Max? Can't we even get some decent sleep?" Kenny was sprawled on the ground one leg on the table and his head falling off the couch he was leaning against. His laptop and other bey blade gear were scattered on the table and all around him on the ground.
Max turned around annoyed, "You might get some decent sleep if you actually get your ass back into the bedroom. And do it before you sprain your neck!" He was irritated by the fact that he had to come and get the door all the way from the bedroom, while Kenny managed to sleep undisturbed in that very uncomfortable posture, right in the living room. He didn't bother to wake Tyson up because it would be plain stupid of him even to think about it. He'd rather answer the door, return to his cozy bed and get back to sleep faster than the time he'd ever take to wake Tyson up. Why all the unnecessary pain?
Kenny finally opened his eyes and rubbed them, "Hillary…?" He tried to get up and in the process, "Argh..! I think I sprained my neck…"
"Told ya…" Max said, "Did you happen to see Rei and Kai?" he asked Hillary.
"They aren't here either?" Hillary asked wide eyed.
"What do you mean?" Max asked.
"Akira… She isn't in the room either," Hillary said, "I got up for some water and she wasn't there. I checked the lobby too. I didn't find anybody there. Although, I thought I heard voices from somewhere in the lobby."
"Voices? Where?" Max asked narrowing his eyes.
"Look I'm not kidding. I did hear them, but I'm not sure from where. So I came up to ask you guys if you've…"
"I get it. Did you bother calling Akira on her phone?"
"Do I look stupid Max?" Hillary said placing her hands on her hips, "Of course I did! The operator said she could not be reached at the moment!"
"Fine, I'll try to call Kai or…" Max was about to step back into the room, when Hillary exclaimed, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you and you were with… Kai?"
Max quickly popped his head out of the room and Hillary narrowed her eyes at the two bladers standing in front of her.
"What's going on?" she asked, followed by Max's, "Wow, that was fast."
"What? I was training," Kai lied. "So was I," Akira took his cue.
"At this hour? Together?" Hillary didn't let go.
"No," Kai said before Akira could answer, "What are you up to?"
"Nothing, I was looking for Akira. I was kinda worried when I couldn't reach her on her phone and…" Hillary was interrupted.
"Why were you worried so much? I'm not a kid… right?" Akira asked, a little displeased with the fact that she might have found herself a potential babysitter for the rest of the Championship. But, she considered the other option too, thanks to Isabel. She might have found herself a good friend!
"I know you're not a kid, but you're…" Hillary put a sudden halt to her sentence. She preferred to keep it incomplete for that might do some serious damage.
Akira sighed, "Delusional?"
"No! Not at all!" Hillary cried out, "I wasn't gonna say that!"
"So I guess you were just looking out for me?" Akira asked shrugging her shoulders.
"Yes. I was," Hillary nodded. "Thanks," Akira said and smiled at Hillary and Hillary returned it. Rei unaware of the present commotion outside his room, walked right into the mess.
"Where have you been?" Max targeted Rei.
"I was with Mariah. Do you mind?" he asked and then turned towards Kai and Akira, "What are you guys doing here? Is something the matter?"
"Oh nothing," Kai decided to play along, "Just having a nice mid night chat."
"It is actually way past mid night," Kenny pointed out, massaging his sprained neck, "Why don't we all get some sleep huh?"
"Well said Chief," Hillary said and beckoned Akira, "Let's go."
"Garland and his team aren't here?" Hillary asked, upon checking out the final list of competitors for that year's championships.
"Yes, I managed to get in touch with Garland about this. He said that the team had to split because of personal reasons," Kenny said, checking the team's bey blades one final time.
"The team fell apart? That's sad! Weren't they in the final last year?" Hillary said and looked impatiently at Kenny's obsession about the blades, "Kenny, I think you've checked them enough times. Now, cut it out!"
"One thing, they didn't 'fall apart' like you're saying. They have a life other than beyblading. Mystel said he was gonna travel, Crusher has his sister to take care of and don't ask me details about it and Ming-Ming, she's touring this year," Kenny told her what Garland had told him.
"That Ming-Ming is touring? I don't believe people even listen to her music," Hillary said and raised her hand as Kenny opened his mouth to defend the singer, "I know what you'll say Kenny. Why do I even bother?"
Hillary and Kenny were waiting in the lobby of the hotel with the rest of the team minus Tyson, who couldn't seem pry himself away from the breakfast table and Akira, who was still in her room.
"Come to think of it," Rei said, "We're missing really good bladers this time. Too bad."
"But, we've had a good addition of bladers too. Seiran for instance," Max said and sat down beside Kenny. The mention of Seiran's name perked up Rei's interest as the brief moment of encounter between them came back to him. "Kenny, why don't you show them what you showed me this morning?"
"Sure Max. They ought to know!" Kenny turned the laptop towards Rei and Kai who were now frowning at the stats they saw on the screen.
"He defeated Mariah to get into the team? That means Mariah is the fifth member?" Rei asked, unable to believe what he had just seen.
"Looks like a good one," Kai stated and that comment coming from Kai meant Seiran was indeed trouble.
"That means we have our work cut out for us. Whatever it might be Kenny, Daichi should've been here. I bet he's thinking the same, sitting back there in the village," Hillary sighed.
"Miss him so much?" Akira's voice startled Hillary. She didn't dare to turn around for she might have offended the newest member of the team, apparently Daichi's replacement.
"I can understand why, he has been with you guys for a long time, hasn't he?" Akira said waving Hillary's phone in front of her. The tiny smile on Akira's face came as a relief to her, "You left it in the room and Tyson's grandpa called. I hope you don't mind, I answered it."
"Not at all. What did he say?" Hillary asked as the others turned their attention towards Akira.
"A letter from Daichi arrived a little after we left for the airport yesterday. Daichi's Great Aunt is recovering fast and he does miss being here," Akira said.
"Didn't he say she was dying and that is the reason he had to go to the village?" Tyson asked, appearing out of nowhere.
"Tyson! That is so cruel of you! You know how important and dear she is to Daichi!" Hillary burst out at Tyson.
"Cut it out Hill, I didn't mean it that way! Even I'm glad she's fine!" Tyson then asked, his gaze directed at Kenny, "When does the event start?"
"Well, introduction of the teams and the exhibition matches would start at around eleven. The bus would be here any minute," Kenny then briefed them with the schedule for that day.
"Tala you've got to consider this again," The Bladebreakers heard a familiar voice nearby.
"Isn't that Julia?" Hillary said referring to a girl involved in a heated argument with a certain red head.
"Tala! What the fuck were you thinking when you registered the team as Blitzkrieg Boys, when there is a girl on the team? How could you forget that!?" Julia cried out in anger.
"Who said anything about forgetting?" Tala said, sounding as if he didn't care.
"Are you trying to piss me off? Then I must tell you it's working. Now, before I do any serious damage, go change the name!"
"It's not possible. We're already registered."
"Why you…" Julia was about to hurl her fist at him when Tala ducked.
"Oh my god," Hillary got up from her place, "We better stop her before it's too late."
"Yeah right," Tyson said sarcastically, "Tala!" Tyson yelled out Tala's name, "Looks like you're having one hell of a time."
"You stay out of this Granger!" Julia snapped at Tyson and Tyson's face paled a bit.
"Julia? How are you?" Hillary rushed towards Julia, jumping to his rescue.
Meanwhile, Rei greeted Tala. Tala nodded at Rei and his former teammate Kai.
"How am I? Elated!" Julia said and turned towards Tala, who was busy being introduced to Akira.
"This is Akira," Kenny said, "Our new member. And this is Tala," he told Akira.
"Akira, huh?" Tala turned towards Kenny, "Is she any good?"
Akira smirked and said, "Good enough to beat you."
Tala only smirked and Max announced the arrival of the bus. Bryan, Ian and Raul had joined them by now.
The stadium reverberated with the screams of the fans of Beyblading from all over the world, who made it to Hong Kong to not miss the inaugural ceremony of this year's Championship. No wonder they didn't want to miss it. The ceremony was unlike the previous ones, starting off with a laser show. The BBA was making it a very grand affair for this year marked the Silver Jubilee year of The Beyblade Battle Association.
The laser treat showcased how BBA had grown from the small Japan based association into what it was now! The crowd erupted into a huge round of applause when laser figures of the former Bladebreakers team including Daichi appeared, followed by all the beybladers who were involved in bringing down BEGA. No one could forget or deny, how many times Tyson and the rest of the team had saved the world from destruction, literally.
"Wow, you're some kind of heroes here, aren't you?" Akira nudged Tyson, who stood beside her overwhelmed by the huge applause they were receiving from the crowd. "You bet, we're!" Tyson said. "That wasn't easy, was it? Going against BEGA," Akira asked. "No, Kai almost lost Dranzer. But, it was all worth it! We did it to protect what we loved the most, the sport and spirit of beyblading!"
"Tyson," Akira said pulling Tyson closer to her, by his shirt sleeve, as the cheering by the crowd was deafening, "I'm really glad to be a part of this team!"
Tyson, who was mildly surprised by what Akira had just said, smiled at her in return. This exchange however didn't go unnoticed by two people, Kai and Hillary. Neither of them could hear what they were talking about, but they could certainly see them smiling at each other. Kai couldn't care less, while Hillary's heart sank. She balled her fists not in anger, but in dismay and helplessness.
"You seem to be a better mood today," Max intervened.
Akira looked at the blonde standing right next to her, a tiny smile on his lips. She shrugged and smiled back at him.
All the teams were asked to get onto their respective platforms. The laser show ended with a huge round of applause from the audience and DJ Jazzman introducing the teams. With two more teams to go for the introduction to end, the platform with The Blitzkrieg Boys and the F-Dynasty began to rise.
"The next team is deadly combination of the defending World Champions the Blitzkrieg Boys and the European sensation F-Dynasty!" Julia was quite relieved that the DJ hadn't called the entire team as Blitzkrieg Boys and has saved her from a possible humiliation. She was concerned about the introduction and now she decided not to care about the team's name as they were more important things to worry about. Julia and Raul waved at the crowd while the Russians stood there unaffected.
"Will Tala and his new team be able to defend the Title or will our next team win it all? They do have a reputation for it! Here they are, the Bladebreakers!"
No need for a mention of what happened next for Akira winced at the deafening screams and cheering of the beyblade fandom present in the stadium.
"You'll get used to it," Rei said to her and Akira nodded. All the excitement she had until then suddenly transformed into uneasiness.
Once the inaugural ceremony came to an end a small break was announced before the exhibition matches started.
"Be right back folks! After this break you'll be witnessing an action packed preview of what this Championship would be offering. Three exhibition matches, the first one being a two on two match between the Blitzkrieg Boys and the Bladebreakers. "Looks like the first match would be worth watching," Lee said appearing beside Rei.
"Oh yes it would be," Rei said, "That announcement was unexpected though."
"The BBA sure is doing crazy experiments this time," Kenny joined them, "They are going to announce the format of the match before hand, only about half an hour. We really have to be prepared for any format, which is quite the challenge."
"It is not that much of a problem. All we have to do is blade well and have some spontaneity. That would actually test the all-round ability of the player," Lee pointed out, "BBA wants to test that this time."
"You're absolutely right Lee," Emily said, "Oh hey Kenny!"
Kenny jumped out of her way, "Don't ever do that again! Sneaking in on people!" Not just Kenny, both Lee and Rei were taken aback when Emily suddenly barged in on them. They couldn't deny that Emily did change a little. Her orange hair was now shoulder length and her spectacles were now rectangular frame-less ones unlike those she always wore.
"Sorry," Emily flashed them a cheerful smile, "The bey dishes are more sophisticated this time. In fact, I've heard there are going to be unlike anything we've used until now."
"Really?" Kenny wondered, "I should get back to our locker room. We've got a match to prepare for."
"It's just an exhibition match Kenny!" Emily said, "Chill!"
"That doesn't mean we can take it easy. Umm… I actually have something else on my mind," Kenny said and left.
"Guys? Have you seen Seiran anywhere?" Mariah seemed to be searching for the flaxen haired blader for quite some time.
"Oh… hey Emily!" Mariah greeted the tennis star with a smile. She then walked towards her boyfriend and hooked her arm into his, "Want to help me find him, Rei?"
Rei could read between the lines and with grin on his face, "Sure! See you guys later!"
Kenny spun around realizing that Rei wasn't following him, "Rei! We have a match, remember?"
Mariah answered Kenny's question instead of Rei, "Seriously Kenny? That is an exhibition match! Anyways, he'll be back in no time. Okay?"
"Mariah," Rei tried to calm her down, "There is no need for getting mad." He then looked apologetically at Kenny, "I'll be back Chief! You just go ahead!"
"I'm sorry Kenny! I didn't mean to..." Mariah apologized too, feeling stupid for loosing her cool.
"It's okay," Kenny shrugged and walked away.
Emily rolled her eyes at the couple, "I better get going too." Emily strode quickly towards Kenny and joined him, "You aren't that wise, are you? You almost got yourself killed back there."
Kenny gave her a dry smile, but didn't say a word in return. "Kenny…?" Emily said.
"Yes?" Kenny asked, while the hesitation in her voice didn't go unnoticed.
"I was wondering if…" Emily started fidgeting which was so not her. She looked at the nineteen year old computer geek standing in front of her almost three inches taller than her, which made her, for a moment, wonder if he was the same short boy she had met five years back. They had been in contact through mails all along and their friendship had grown ever since.
"Emily!" Mariam's voice snapped her out of her trance and she realized that she'd been staring at Kenny.
"You were saying something?" Kenny asked expectantly.
"Nothing," Emily shook her head, "Gotta go Kenny. See you later!"
Kenny cursed his uneventful life, again, before he headed to their locker room.
Locker Room, Bladebreakers.
"I know this is just an exhibition match, but we've gotta win this and show them who's the boss," Tyson said getting all excited.
"Max and Tyson, how about you guys take this match? I'm sure they'd be sending in Raul and Julia," Kenny said.
"That'd be good," Rei said stepping into the room.
Kenny acknowledged his presence by nodding at him and said, "We, then have a one on one sudden death match between The White Tigers and The Majestics, the last one is not announced yet."
The team exited the room as the announcement for the exhibition matches boomed through the speakers. The team walked ahead with Kai a little behind and Akira further away.
Something made Kai turn around; he saw Akira take a detour and walk away towards her left. Kai, making sure that no one saw him slip away, picked up pace and spotted Akira exiting the stadium through the back door.
I feel a dark and powerful presence here, Dranzer warned him, Be careful!
Kai frowned as he saw her walking absent minded towards the main road. He followed her carefully, staying close to her. She is being controlled, Dranzer said, That dark presence, it is emanating from her.
Are you sure? Kai asked.
Yes, Dranzer confirmed.
Kai was in a dilemma whether to stop her or to continue following her. He decided to push his luck and settled for the latter. They were about ten minutes away from the stadium, when Akira stepped into a secluded grave yard.
Kai swore as he saw Akira kneel down in front of a huge banyan tree. He hid behind a grave stone and contemplated his plan of action, only there was none. Akira clutched her hand in pain and a moan escaped her lips. That was when Kai ditched hiding and darted towards her. He spun her around and what he saw blew his mind off. Her lilac eyes were now jet black, lifeless.
He shook her by her shoulders and she gasped. In a split second, the eerie aura around her vanished and her eyes returned to normal. She pushed Kai away and tried to get up. Her knees buckled under her and she fell to the ground.
"Where… where…" she mumbled, "am I?"
"Are you alright?" Kai asked, genuinely worried.
When Akira didn't answer, he looked around to see if he could find anyone or anything suspicious.
It is gone, Dranzer told him.
Akira gasped and clutched her left hand again. Kai grabbed her hand, to feel the red liquid dripping from the cut across her palm. It was blood!
Kai gaped at the wound in horror and then at Akira, who was equally stunned.
"What happened Kai?" she pleaded, "Did I do something? Did I hurt you?"
As the panic in her voice began to rise, Kai helped her up, "Let's get out of here!"
I really hope the chapter was good enough!
Please leave your reviews! :)