Yay another chapter from my sis! I apologize profusely that I didn't update this before. My sister actually finished this chapter and sent it to me a while ago but I failed to post it... Sorry!
"Wait, really?" I exclaimed, leaping out of my seat. An unreasonable amount of excitement tinged my voice. I blushed as the Bladebreakers and several people sitting nearby glanced up in alarm. I forced myself to sit down and tried not to let my disappointment show as I added, "You were just joking, weren't you?" Mr. D smiled, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"I'm completely serious. By your enthusiasm, I guess you're willing to 'blade in the match?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. I nodded, a competitive smile sliding across my face.
"Who am I facing?" I asked, jumping to my feet.
"I thought it would be fitting to start the finals with our own world champion," said Mr. D. "Tyson, are you up for the challenge?" Tyson's eyes went wide and he shot out of his chair with a huge grin on his face.
"I'm always up for a challenge," he exclaimed loudly. "When is it? I'm ready!"
"We'll be starting in a few minutes," Mr. D said. "You two had better get down there." Both of us scrambled across the bleachers and down the stairs, trying not to knock too many people over. I pulled Nyclix out of the small compartment attached to my belt and smiled. It had been a while since I was looking forward to something. It wasn't until I got to the stadium floor that I started to get nervous.
My stomach clenched as I realized there were far too many people in the audience. Sweat began to bead on my brow and I tried to take deep breaths. I watched enviously as Tyson seemed completely unaffected by the large crowd. The dark-haired boy strutted across the floor, seemingly oblivious to the loud talking and cheering around him.
"Are you nervous, Tyson?" I asked finally. Tyson turned from tucking a stray strand of hair into his ponytail and shifting his backwards baseball cap to look at me in surprise.
"Not really," he said. "Why?"
"No reason. Just a lot of people are here," I murmured, cringing. Tyson watched me for a moment and seemed to connect something in his mind.
"So?" He said, shrugging. "It doesn't matter about them. This is just a match for fun." Tyson grinned playfully, but a fervent intensity gleamed in his eyes. "Not that I'm planning on taking it easy on you, Sandy."
"I hope not," I shot back, my nervousness staring to fade. We hopped up the stairs to the arena and got in position. I knelt down and did my best to insert Nyclix into my launcher.
"Is something wrong with your arm?" Tyson asked, sounding a bit concerned. He watched as I tried, with varying degrees of success, to complete the task only using my left hand. I refused to meet his eyes.
"Remember when I said I burned my arm in the fire?" I replied, ruefully. "The doctor told me not to use it until it completely healed. I wished it had been my other arm, though. Or that I was left-handed."
"Are you going to be able to 'blade like that?" Tyson asked. I nodded and gave him a quick smile.
"I've been practicing." The DJ moved so he was standing equal distance between Tyson and me. He raised an arm above his head to get everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the opening match to the finals. On my left, we have Sandy Hayes, former member of the recently deceased Daredevil team. We offer our condolences to her and all those grieving this loss." I lowered my gaze and focused instead on the plastic, blue arena. DJ continued, "On a brighter note, we have Tyson Granger, fighting to hold onto his title as the two-time World Champion!" There was a surge of cheering and Tyson held his fist high in the air.
"This will be a classic two-out-of-three match. If the 'bladers are ready, three, two, one…!" DJ called.
"Let it rip!" Tyson and I yelled simultaneously. I threw my arm out in a launch, mentally crossing my fingers that I wouldn't fail it. A small hint of relief filled me as Nyclix wobbled, but stabilized shortly afterwards. A fierce smile slid across my face as I became completely focused on the match.
Tyson's Dragoon sped out like a white bullet and I curved my 'blade to avoid it. I knew well that Tyson's bey would have infinitely more attack power, so a direct collision would be the end of me. There were, however, a few things I could do.
As Tyson's beyblade whooshed past, I swung my foot like a scythe imitating the pattern I needed Nyclix to make. CHINK! Dragoon faltered slightly as Nyclix sliced in a half-moon design for an unexpected strike from behind. Tyson seemed stunned, but recovered quickly.
"Come on, Dragoon!" He shouted. "You can do it!" His beyblade seemed invigorated by Tyson's words and picked up even greater speed. I jumped back to avoid his attacks which were becoming fiercer by the second.
Overwhelmed, I stole a glance up at Tyson and was hit with shock as I saw his face. I had known he was the World Champion, but now I knew why. The boy's face was a mask of concentration and there was no hint of the light-hearted person I had talked to earlier. Tyson had completely transformed. I was jerked back to the match by a loud SMACK.
Dragoon had caught up to my beyblade and was pressing in with brutal strikes. Nyclix started to waver. I panicked and tried in vain to pull my bey out of range, but one last hit sent Nyclix hurdling past my shoulder.
"And the first round goes to Tyson!" DJ exclaimed. Tyson grinned happily and rubbed a finger under his nose looking pleased with himself. Both of us reclaimed our beyblades and prepared for the second round. I hardened my face in determination. When we were both in starting positions, DJ called, "Three, two, one…!"
"Let it rip!" I shot out my arm, but quickly froze in alarm as the bey spun once and flopped over. Tyson's beyblade flashed around the arena in aimless circles. DJ scratched his head and glanced at me.
"Does that mean Tyson wins the second round?" He asked. Tyson wiped away his shocked expression and shook his head firmly.
"No way!" Tyson said. "That was just a practice launch. Come on, Sandy!" He gave me a smile and stuck out his hand in a thumb's up. My face was already bright red and I fumbled a bit trying to put Nyclix back into the launcher. The DJ did another count down.
"LET IT RIP!" We shouted. I did my best to focus and relax. I swung out my arm from my hip again and exhaled softly as my beyblade stayed steady this time. I waited in anticipation as Tyson once again charged forward with an attack.