I leaped towards the gray boulder in front of me. Wind brushing my hair into golden strands, glinting in the sunlight. My beyblade skidded across a nearby rock, sending white sparks off to the side. Mid-leap I gave a quick spin, increasing the speed and power of my bey. I felt the rocky surface under my shoe, but received a surge of panic as it seemed to vanish from under me.
I gasped as I smacked into the rock, the air punched from my lungs, and a stab of pain went through my cheek as my face connected with stone.
Falcon's Peak was my team's best angle prediction training. It consisted of a high cliff with boulders shattered around the edges, most likely from past rock falls. It was hard to judge the angles and textures because of how many rocks there were. Even harder when people combined it with top-speed jumping and running maneuvers. It was also the most dangerous of our training locations.
I hit the ground at the bottom of the boulder and sat stunned for a few moments. Then a thought caused me to immediately regain my footing.
"Nyclix!" I exclaimed. I staggered to the top of the rock and glanced anxiously for my bey. A flash of metal gleamed for a brief second under my gaze and I rushed towards it. Carefully picking it up, I brushed the dirt off the green and gold colored beyblade. A small circle with a mountain lion marked my bit beast and a soft roar emanated from the 'blade.
"Sorry, 'Clix, I misjudged the angle on that last one. Let's try it again," I whispered. I checked my watch briefly and sighed, "Actually we might have to start heading back. It's getting a bit late." I started walking toward the trail leading down the mountain, but quickly stopped and groaned.
In my anger I hadn't told Mr. D that I would meet him back at his office, where I had been staying while the BBA tried to find me a team, so he would probably be waiting for me to return to the last place we'd spoken. Not that I would I be likely to get into his office without him being there anyway. This all meant…I had to face the Bladebreakers team again.
I knelt down and loaded Nyclix into my launcher with my left hand. Standing up, I slid the ripcord – which I had fastened to my hip – into my launcher and shot out my arm. Nyclix wavered at my unsteady launch, but slowly regained speed and became a streak of light at my feet. I unhappily marched down the mountain, guiding my bey in figure eights around my legs.
Walking became harder with every step I took towards the Bladebreakers', more accurately Tyson's grandfather's, house. As I grew close enough to see the entrance to the courtyard, it felt like I had weights anchoring my feet to the ground. I sighed as I saw Mr. D's car and confirmed that he had indeed waited for me.
I held out a hand and a few seconds later, Nyclix hit the soft leather of the glove with a quiet thunk. I faltered and almost dropped the bey, unused to catching with my left hand. As I drew nearer, I began to hear voices and instantly silenced my footsteps. I slunk quietly to the archway marking the courtyard entrance and waited.
Rei and Tyson were still practicing with Hilary and Kenny watching the match closely. Kai, Max, and Daichi had probably gone back inside. I suppressed a groan as I failed to catch sight of Mr. D. The sooner we left the better.
I surveyed their match part in resignation and part in interest. Rei's beyblade moved like the claws of a tiger, striking in and out of Tyson's defenses. Tyson's bey retaliated with powerful rushes of energy and determination. Both were equally matched, but were slowly losing their spin. Attacks and counterattacks flashed across the beyblade arena and I held my breath as Dragoon and Drigger flared into play. One last strike and both beyblades were knocked back to their owners.
Tyson wiped beads of sweat off his forehead, then paused and smiled.
"Hey, Sandy," he called. I jolted with the realization that he was talking to me. I shrunk back a few steps, but the other three Bladebreakers noticed me as well. The small group walked over to me, spoiling my plans to escape. Hilary's brown eyes widened as she studied my face.
"What did you do to your cheek?" She asked in concern. I touched my cheek quizzically, but quickly remembered my fall when I received pain. The wound throbbed dully and I shrugged.
"Tripped." Rei's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"You caused that by falling?" He asked doubtfully. His expression forced me to smile, but I immediately regretted it and winced.
"It helps if you're going really fast into a rock and slide down on your face," I said. Rei smiled and the rest of the Bladebreakers laughed. Kenny pushed his glasses farther up on his head.
"I guess you want to know where Mr. Dickenson is," he said. I nodded and looked in vain for Mr. D's distinctive white mustache and well-dressed appearance. Kenny gestured toward the door. "He's in the house talking with Coach Hiro. Come on."
The Bladebreakers walked into the house, me following carefully behind, trying to blend in with shadows.
A hardwood floor covered the first main room of the house – an empty space for sparring, hosting guests, and various meetings. A kitchen and dining area were off to the right and a staircase led to an upper floor. I stared at everything, slightly overwhelmed by trying to take it all in. A shock of blond hair and bright blue eyes brought me back to the present.
"Hey, Sandy. When did you get here?" Max asked cheerfully. I stepped back in surprise and he continued without waiting for a response. "We've been watching your tape. You're not bad for a new 'blader."
"Yeah, you're pretty good. But you'll never be as good as me," Daichi said, puffing out his chest and running a finger under his nose.
"You say that like it's a hard thing to do," Hilary said, looking smug. The two glared at each other.
"What?" I asked, frowning at Max's comment. My eyes found Mr. D and Hiro looking intently at a TV in the kitchen. I cocked my head curiously and slunk closer to them.
"This is the only video we have of her abilities," Mr. D said. "Sandy's team had some kind of agreement that they would only put their best beybladers forward in matches. Said it was dishonorable to do otherwise. As the newest addition to the group, Sandy was never given the opportunity to compete in anything but her qualifying matches. The ones she competed in before joining the Daredevils."
I watched the tape over their shoulders, though I had seen it many times before. I cringed as I recognized all the mistakes and flaws in my performance. The film was of my first qualifying rounds. I had just started beyblading a few months before and had decided to try my first tournament. I studied the film carefully, trying to see my performance from someone else's point of view. I eventually sighed and gave up.
"My captain, Lee, and Coach Beck said that my performance in the qualifiers was what prompted them to invite me on the team," I said solemnly. "I've watched this film more times than I can count and I still don't know what they saw in me."
Mr. D and Hiro jumped a little in surprise. Then Mr. D studied the film carefully as if searching for something. He nodded and smiled softly.
"They saw a young, enthusiastic 'blader who loved what she was doing. Someone with a few kinks to work out, but with the potential to do well," he said. I gave him a doubtful look, but didn't press the matter.
"Should we be going?" I asked. "There's nothing left to do here." I did my best to avoid looking at Hiro. I knew, in the back of my mind, that there was nothing to blame him for. The BBA was asking him to take a new 'blader unreasonably close to the finals. However, a part of me wished he had at least given me a chance.
"Just a moment, Sandy. Have you made a decision, Hiro?" Mr. D said. Hiro nodded seriously. "Good, then it's final." I narrowed my eyes, but before I could ask questions or ponder the exchange, Mr. D began walking to the door. I quickly forgot about it as I stepped out into the warm summer air, which had started to take on the chill of fall. The door slid shut behind us and we walked into the night.