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Fall in the Fires, Rise from the Ashes.
Chapter 13: The Task of Leadership.
There was a knock on the door. Ray stood from the couch and stretched. The friends were watching a movie on TV. As the Chinese boy opened the door, he was given a tap on the shoulder from the visitor.
"Ray, my boy...how's it going?!" A chubby man entered the place.
"Hey Mr. D." Ray greeted back, "Come in."
"Sure."
Ray called the others, telling them about the visitor who was immediately taken aback by a chorus of "Hi/hello/hey there/yo Mr.D/Dickenson!"
The older man chuckled and returned the greetings before sitting on a nearby sofa comfortably. Looking at the familiar group of boys he had grown fond of, he finally acknowledged a new presence. A presence which triggered something in his memory...like a lost shadow.
"And who would you be, young man?" He asked in his usual polite way.
Kai glared at the older person. Why should he reveal his name to this stranger?!
"It's okay Kai. This is Mr. Dickenson." Max told Kai.
"Yeah, he's the one who made us a team. We're all quite fond of him. He introduced us to out beyblades." Ray explained with his toothy smile.
Kai didn't release the tension which was building up in his shoulders.
Mr. Dickenson smiled brightly at Kai, "You show potential of beyblading skills...urrr..."
"Kai." Kenny offered.
"Yeah...Kai." Mr. D rubbed his forehead, "But how did you boys got together?"
"We found him...in the woods. There were people chasing him and he was...well...injured." Ray summarized the whole story, "So Tyson and I brought him here. We thought it's best not to involve hospitals because that might become a police case."
"Ah, I see. You did the right thing. So Kai...how are you feeling now?" Mr. Dickenson turned towards the Russian teen.
Kai shrugged before heading outside but was stopped by the old man's voice, "You...are Kai Hiwatari?!"
Kai turned around slowly, crimson eyes locked with the other's small ones as he nodded hesitantly.
"Kai Hiwatari...as of Voltaire Hiwatari's grandson?"
Kai nodded again.
Mr Dickenson got up and approached the boy. He slowly touched his shoulder before embracing him. Kai was taken aback. No one aside from his...brothers hugged him.
"Oh..." Mr. Dickenson stepped back as Kai winced at the pressure on his wounds. "Sorry, slipped off my mind!"
"Never mind." Kai finally spoke up.
"Uh...Mr D...you know Kai?" Ray asked.
"Yes...but we haven't met face to face till now." Mr Dickenson laughed lightly, "Voltaire and I were mates. But then, we took separate paths and lost contact after sometime. He was more interested in his business. And I was given the BBA chairmanship so we separated our ways. However, he did tell me he had been blessed with a grandson named Kai Alexander Hiwatari in our last meeting."
Kai blinked. He had never heard this side of the story. He had always seen his grandfather as a cold, heartless and selfish person who held the greed of world domination.
"Wow! That's some...news." Tyson expressed his surprise.
"Yes...yes it is Tyson. I actually recognized Kai by his eyes." Mr Dickenson smiled warmly at the dual haired teen, "I had seen you in a picture, Kai."
Kai stared on, not knowing what to say. A few moments of silence passed.
Mr Dickenson tried to cut the awkwardness, "So...Kai, what happened?"
Like hell, he'll tell...Kai averted his gaze.
"He doesn't talk much. He hasn't told any of us either." Ray whispered.
"Oh, I see." The old man cleared his throat, "Kai...I assume Voltaire would've told you about beyblading...since he was quite a lot in it."
Kai tensed at the name but then nodded.
"Hm...do you have a beyblade?"
A nod again.
"Wonderful! Can I...see your skills?" Mr Dickenson came to the point, "In fact, why don't you all come outside, boys?"
"Great idea Mr D!" Max cheered.
"Oh yeah! Let's go." Tyson jumped off the couch.
The see-offed Kenny who had to go home soon and went outside.
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Even reluctant, Kai still displayed his impressive beyblading skills, despite his wounds. He was well aware of neko jin's worried glances, Max and Tyson's surprise and Mr. Dickenson's mumbling of 'excellent...would fit...remarkable...perfect..."
After the session, the old man cleared his throat and looked at the boys, "Now boys, I'm going to announce something."
"What is it Mr. D?" Max asked.
"I've given it enough thought and observed you all." Mr. Dickenson started.
"And..." Tyson pressed.
"And I believe I've found a captain for you."
"ALRIGHT! OH YEAH! I KNEW I WAS THE ONLY ONE FIT FOR THIS JOB! THANKS MR.D! YOU'RE THE BEST! I KNEW I WAS GONNA BECOME THE LEADER...YOU JUST WOULDN'T LISTEN! OH YEAH!" Tyson cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
Max smiled.
Ray stared at Tyson, "Um...Tyson, the announcement hasn't finished yet."
"Oh, right!" Tyson grinned, "So, when are we going to announce it officially Mr. D? Let's celebrate now guys! I want to eat as much as I want to! After all, taking charge of leadership sure takes a lot out of a guy! I want to be fully prepared to began!"
"Oh my goodness...Tyson, give it a rest! You're not the one!" Mr. D spoke up in a hurry.
"Huh?!" Tyson paused in the middle of a creepy dance of joy with Max.
"You're not the captain, Tyson. You weren't the one I was going to name." Mr. D explained.
"Oh...then who? Ray?" Tyson's face fell as he guessed.
"No...Kai." Mr. D revealed calmly.
"Great...sounds awesome Mr. D...WHAT THE...WAIT A MINUTE!" Tyson raised his arms in the air, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"Oh boy..." Mr. D sighed.
"He said, Kai's our team captain, Tyson." Ray supplied.
"B-But...But why?! I mean...how?! Come on Mr. D...it's not fair!" Tyson whined, "We don't even know him properly and you made him our leader! Are you possessed or something?! What's gotten into you?!"
"I'm sure Kai is capable of handling all of you beyond our expectations, Tyson." Mr. Dickenson glanced at Kai who stood indifferently. However, a shadow of something had passed through his eyes, unbeknown to everyone else.
"But..."
"No buts Tyson. It's all settled now." Mr. D held up his hand, "I'll inform the BBA and we'll register you as a new team going with your previous name, the bladebreakers. As a team, I expect you all to give your very best and Kai..." the old man looked at the mentioned teen, "Can I have a word with you, young man?"
Leaving the newly formed team, Mr. Dickenson led Kai to a secluded area for a talk.
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"Are you comfortable with this decision?" Mr. Dickenson glanced at the boy expectantly.
Kai shrugged.
"Tell me, Kai...I really want to know. Please..."
"Why?" The quiet voice was barely audible.
"I want to make it clear Kai that I did not gave you this leadership because of your grandfather. I did it because I couldn't have asked for a better replacement. I've observed you Kai...and after studying everything, have made this decision. However, your agreement is dear to me too. If you cooperate, things can run smoothly. On the contrary, those boys wont be able to expose their talents and skills. They need guidance...and you're the only one I see suitable for the job." Mr. Dickenson stopped to take a breathe, "But I wont force you."
"I...don't know if I'm worth it." Kai muttered.
"You are worth far more than you think, my boy." Mr. Dickenson placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, "Don't worry about that. So, now that this is settled, anything you want to say?"
Kai shook his head.
"I see. So let's move on to this new road. As a leader, I expect you to give your very best. I'm giving you all rights and my personal permission to treat the team any way you want to." Mr. Dickenson's eyes twinkled, "Though I must warn you, Tyson can be quite annoying at times. Think you can manage?"
Kai let a small smile grace his lips, "Hopefully."
"Splendid! Now let's go back to your team." Mr. D stepped forward after patting the boy's shoulder and shaking hands with him.
The old man didn't hear the quiet murmur of "My team?" from behind as Kai was lost in thoughts.
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"This sucks!" Tyson sulked.
"Come on Ty! I'm sure it wont be that bad." Max tried to cheer up the navy haired teen.
"No...it would be worse Maxie! Can't you see...that...that guy...what do we know about him other than his name?!" Tyson fumed.
"Stop it Tyson. Mr. D decided on the basis of his own experiences as a chairman. I'm sure it's best for us." Ray looked at the two.
"The whole world is against me!" Tyson grumbled.
"Am I hearing an argument?!" Mr. Dickenson appeared from behind a tree.
"Uh...no sir." Ray smiled, "Tyson's just not coping!"
"Oh, I see." The old man chuckled, "Now boys, I'm sure you'll be very happy with my decision someday. Until then...behave! And Kai, take care of them lad! Don't let them break the team. And all of you...listen to your captain and be good! Now then, have fun!"
With good byes, the old man left.
"Okay...it's almost night now. What do we do?" Max asked.
"I'll make dinner and then...um..." Ray stopped to think.
"Bed...at nine thirty." Kai looked at the boys...well...more like glared.
"What?! But Kai..." Tyson closed his mouth after receiving a death glare, "Oh come on..." the teen groaned, "Apocalypse is approaching! I guarantee that!"
The boys went inside. And after Ray had cooked some pasta, they all ate in silence. Kai barely ate anything but kept his promise and made them all go to bed at exact nine thirty with an order, "Training...at six." This order was followed by protests but death glare silenced them all and they went to sleep. Two rooms...so as usual, Tyson and Max shared the room. Ray who before slept anywhere went to sleep in the other room and Kai brought his stuff there too when there was no other choice.
Lying down, the boy wondered over the events, thinking about future...trying not to think of his past...and quietly talking to Dranzer...the faithful phoenix.
TBC...
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