"That wasn't really a match," Rei said, stretching. I shrugged, too trapped in my world of attacks and counter-attacks to respond properly.
"Of course it was," Tyson said. "All matches are matches to me."
"Don't you feel bad about beating the kid like that?" Hilary asked. I came out of my trance a bit. Did I really beat him that badly? I tried to remember the moves I had used, but it was all a blur in my head. Flashes of light, sparks as attack rings collided, clangs of a battle taking place.
"It might have looked rough, but I think Sandy was holding back quite a bit on him," Rei said. Hilary agreed after a moment, both of their words saving me from answering.
I still wove my bey back and forth in front of me as I walked, not ready to stop 'blading yet. My energy drained away from me, though the sensation wasn't entirely unenjoyable. Suddenly something caught my eye.
A figure stood on the roof of a building, several stories above us. As I blinked, however, the figure vanished and left only shadows behind. The event quickly left my mind.
Within the next few weeks, the team's next match approached. All participating in the match worked hard, practicing their grip until blisters sprung up and battling in matches until their minds swam with fatigue.
"Sandy, move quicker on your turns. You're leaving yourself open to an attack," Hiro called over his shoulder. I forced myself to spin, leaving the ground in a quick pirouette. There was a twinge in my ankle as I hit the ground. I bit my lip and ignored it. There was no way I was losing my place in tomorrow's match.
"Hey, Maxie," a woman said. I looked away from my bey to see the All Star team join us. I immediately stopped 'blading and caught Nyclix in my hand. Max and Tyson, as well as Rei and Kenny, crowded into greet their old friends. I hung back and watched carefully, studying the opposing team. There was stiffness in the air that I couldn't place. For some reason, it made me nervous. I flexed my ankle quietly and cleaned my bey on my shirt.
"Mom!" Max said. "What are you doing here?"
"Just checking in," Mrs. Tate said with a smile. "Did you know there was another fire last night? We came to see if everything was all right here." My blood ran cold.
"Another fire?" Kenny asked. "Where at?" My heart thumped in my ears and scenes replayed in my head. I found myself paralyzed. The people around me felt distant as if I was watching a movie. Another fire.
I quietly left the Bladebreakers and All Stars talking, feeling slightly numb. I managed a nod to Kai, who missed nothing, and pushed through the crowds in the street. After taking several side streets, I finally found a few quiet, abandoned roads and released Nyclix. The buzzing of my beyblade's gears comforted me and a memory flashed into my mind.
"Not a bad bey," Lee admitted, turning it to see all the different angles of my beyblade. Chan took it, critically analyzing it for a second, before tossing it back to me. My hands fumbled to catch the small top.
"Not bad, but it will never make it in the tournament," Chan stated bluntly, pushing his glasses higher up on his sharp nose. I stared at him, mortified. A playful smile crossed Lee's face, as if he found something secretly amusing.
"I wouldn't say that, Chan," Lee said. Then his expression turned more serious, though a smile still played on his lips. "But she will need something else. Try this." Lee put a hand in his pocket and drew out something small. I held out my hands to receive it and looked in wonder at the plastic emblem resting on my palm. It was a small circle containing a picture of a fierce, proud mountain lion, or puma, as some would call it. As I stuttered out my thanks, Lee spoke again, his eyes glowing with an expression I couldn't name.
"We stumbled across this during a lightning storm. Her name is Nyclix. Somehow, I think she belongs to you."
"Sandy, wait up!" Max said. The blond-haired boy ran up to me. I didn't respond, but scuffed the ground with my foot, watching Nyclix swerve in response.
"What are you doing here?" I eventually asked. Max shook hair out of his eyes, which was messed up from running.
"My mom invited us to go with them to the tournament early," he said happily.
"Safety in numbers?" I muttered, still maneuvering my bey.
"What?" Max asked. Then his eyes widened and he suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Sorry, Sandy. I forgot what another fire would mean to you."
"That's okay," I said. "So when are we leaving?" Max smiled and gestured for me to follow him.
"Right away," he said.