Chapter Three

One week later….

"Hey, Kenny! I haven't seen you at school lately. How've you been?" Tyson asked, giving Kenny a hearty slap on the back.

"Ow, Tyson! Didn't see you there," Kenny said, rubbing his shoulder. He had just been walking down the sidewalk, towards the school gates and didn't notice Tyson sneaking up on him. "I've been fine- I had to stay home 'cause I injured my right wrist. I couldn't write for the first few days, but now I'm back to my normal self."

"Man you are so lucky! I would give anything for a vacation right now," Tyson said wistfully. "I know school started less than a month ago, but it's so miserable. Especially with Hilary running things."

"Oh really? How are things exactly?" Kenny asked, unable to mask the curiosity in his voice. While he had been resting at home, Kenny had been worrying about Hilary and the damage she might've caused at school. He hoped that she hadn't gone overboard trying to exterminate beyblades from the school.

However, Tyson didn't need to answer Kenny's question at all. In fact, there were yellow flyers all over the school with black block letters printed on them. Kenny grabbed one that had fallen on the ground and read it.

New and Updated School Policies

All beyblades, launchers, and beyblade parts seen on campus will be seized and confiscated.

Beybattling is prohibited at all times.

All beyblading clubs must be disbanded.

All beyblade-related school events will be canceled.

Students will not wear face paint of any kind.

Failure to comply with the rules will result in serious punishment.

Kenny's mouth dropped open. "This….this is everything beyblade-related on campus!" Kenny stammered. "Hilary couldn't possibly enforce all these rules!"

"Yeah, that's what the rest of us thought…." Tyson said glumly. "I don't know how she got the school faculty to agree with her."

Suddenly, a voice over the clamor of students rang out. "Hey! Hey you!"

Kenny glanced at Tyson, who was looking just as confusedly back at him. Tala burst out of crowd of students. Kenny couldn't help but notice how odd it was that Tala was wearing the school's uniform- navy pants with a white button up shirt and red tie- instead of his usual casual outfit.

"Hey kid!" Tala said, marching up to Kenny. Kenny swallowed.

"What? Who me?" Kenny said shakily. He hadn't forgotten the beating Tala had given him a week ago.

"Yeah, you. Just what did you tell the school about what happened last week, punk?" Tala asked angrily, grabbing Kenny by the collar again.

"I d-didn't report anything to the school."

Tyson grabbed Tala's arm. "Hey! Let go of him!"

Tala let go of Kenny and wrenched his arm from Tyson's grip. He looked at Kenny loathingly, while Kenny glared right back at him.

"Because of you, I lost Wolborg and I'm going to have a hell of a time getting him back," Tala pointed angrily at Kenny.

"I think you're talking to the wrong person, Tala. I've been gone all week," Kenny said. "I couldn't possibly have done anything to upset you."

"Really? 'Cause your little brunette friend who likes to cause trouble all the time just suspended me for bullying and confiscated my beyblade."

Kenny looked perplexed. "Hilary?"

"The very one. You know, I don't care if I'm getting in trouble for picking on you, but taking away Wolborg? That's crossing the line. I don't know what you told the school-"

"I only told Hilary what happened. That's it. I haven't even told the principal," Kenny said defensively. Suddenly, a realization dawned on him. "Oh, man, I told Hilary She probably flipped over what I told her and went overboard on this whole issue! I'm sorry, Tala. I'll talk to Hilary."

"You better. If I don't get my beyblade back, someone's going to have to pay." Tala waved his fist. Kenny shrank back. He was glad that Tala was getting a suspension, but he did think that taking away his beyblade was a little much.

"I have to talk to Hilary," he said to himself.

Hilary was looking pleased with herself, sitting at the head of the student council table. Mariam shot Hilary a disgruntled look. The other members of the student council looked at each other apprehensively. The door slid open- it was Kenny, who looked concerned.

Hilary brightened. "Kenny! How are you feeling?"

"Good."

"Great! Oh, and I also settled the score with Tala. He won't bother you anymore, I promise."

Kenny folded his arms across his chest. "You know, he confronted me about you. You really shouldn't have confiscated his beyblade. Couldn't you have just suspended him and left it at that?"

"What? Kenny, Tala's a horrible person and I wasn't going to let him get away with beating you up. Not to mention he uses those stupid bey-thingies all the time to vandalize the school. It was only right that I punished him for it. Besides, Mr. Dickenson supports me. After I told him all about what the Blitzkrieg Boys did to you and what they've been getting away with, he finally let me implement a new no-beyblading policy."

Kenny was aghast. "A no-beyblading policy? Hilary, you do realize that we live in Bey City, don't you?"

Hilary shrugged. "So what? This is a school, not a beystadium. Students come here to learn, not to play with spinning tops."

"But-"

"Kenny, I know what I'm doing. Now, we should really get started with the meeting," Hilary said, straightening a stack of papers in front of her. Kenny glumly took his seat next to Mariam. "First up, we need to prepare a float for the annual city parade. Any ideas for the theme?" Her brown eyes flitted over to the other student council members. No one said anything.

"Hello? Guys? Any ideas? Mariah, didn't you say that the students already voted on a theme for this year's float? Did we tally the votes already?"

Mariah, the council secretary, looked reluctant. "Uh….yeah."

"Well?"

"Well….it's ah.….you know…." Mariah said evasively. "

Hilary vigorously shook her head. "No."

Mariam was fed up with Hilary and spoke up. "Are you seriously not going to pick the theme the school voted for just because it's another beyblading theme?"

"Well, we've already done it, it's lame, and it's not creative," Hilary said. "Besides, we're in the middle of eradicating beyblading here so it would be counterintuitive to have our float's theme be beyblading."

"The only thing that's counterintuitive is banning beyblade when over half of all the students here are beybladers!"

Hilary glared at Mariam. "Our school is more than some stupid idiotic sport. We are an academic institution, and it's high time we show that side of our school-"

"Oh, so little Miss Perfect thinks our school isn't good enough-"

"That's not what I said!"

"Then why are you trying to change everything about it!?"

"Because it can be better and we can improve it!"

"Oh yeah? Well guess what, I think you're making everything worse."

"I don't care what you think."

"You don't care what anyone here thinks," Mariam said sharply before getting up. "I'm leaving early today. I've got other things to take care of."

"Of course I care!" Hilary shouted after Mariam as she stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her. The brunette clenched her teeth.

"Ugh, can you believe her? She's always trying to make me look bad…."

She looked at the other student council members, who were dead silent, shifting nervously amongst themselves. No one spoke up.

Hilary faltered. No one was agreeing with her.

"Hey, you guys know that I try to take the time to listen to your ideas, right?"

More awkward silence.

"Like that one idea….that one time…" Hilary fumbled for words. Her mind drew a blank. So far she had been the one proposing all the ideas to the student council. She couldn't recall one moment where she had asked for their input.

"Do I really not listen to you guys?" Hilary asked hesitantly.

Kenny spoke up. "A little. It would just be nice if you asked our opinion every now and then."

Mariah chimed in. "Yeah, I agree with Kenny. But, Hil, the students really want this float to be beyblade themed. Couldn't you just let them have what they want? Mathilda has a really cool idea for the float and everyone loves it. I'm sure you would like it, too….I have the sketch of what it's supposed to look like….."

Hilary paused and thought for a moment.

"If the school really likes it, I guess it can't be much of a problem…."

Mariah looked excited. "So does this mean you'll do it?"

Hilary nodded. "I suppose."

"Yay!" Mariah looked pleased. Kenny looked happier as well. The rest of the student council murmured excitedly amongst themselves, but Hilary held up a hand to silence them.

"Hang on you guys. If we're going to do this float, we're going to have to really plan. Here's what I suggest…"

The next day, Hilary busily headed to her locker with Mathilda's blueprint in hand. Hilary had looked it over the other day and found that it was quite creative and detailed. Hilary hated to admit it, but she was impressed by Mathilda's artistic design and wanted to use it. However, there were two problems that worried Hilary. One was that the float would be more expensive, and might exceed the student council's budget. Secondly, there was only 2 ½ weeks left to make it before the parade.

The pressure of building the float forced Hilary to kick into overdrive. It was hard enough being a straight-A student/high school president as it was. Now she had even more responsibilities on her plate.

A certain someone was leaning against Hilary's locker. Hilary frowned- it was Kai.

"Kai? What are you doing in front of my locker?" Hilary asked, annoyed.

The blue-haired Russian got off of her locker. "I need to talk to you."

"I don't really have the time, Kai," Hilary said impatiently, brushing past Kai to open her locker. "I'm kinda busy."

"It'll be quick."

"Fine. What is it?" Hilary asked, as she rummaged through her locker.

"Stop trying to ban beyblading," Kai said tersely. "What you're doing isn't fair to everyone here."

Hilary stopped what she was doing and turned to Kai. "No! Those blade-thingies cause nothing but trouble," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "They're noisy, irritating, and stupid. We'd all be better off without them."

Kai inwardly sighed. "You do realize that you're not going to get very far."

Hilary narrowed her eyes. "Is that a threat, Kai?"

Kai briefly paused. "Yes and no," he answered. His enigmatic answer annoyed Hilary.

"And what," she demanded, "Do you mean by that?"

Kai looked at Hilary as if wondering whether he cared enough to explain. Hilary glared at him. Kai gave in- Hilary was a difficult person to deal with if you pissed her off enough.

"The students will probably stop you before you ban beyblading completely," Kai explained. "But if not," -Kai's eyes coolly met Hilary's-," Then I'll have to stop you myself."

Hilary's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she was in disbelief. "Yeah right," she said. "Why would you even try to stop me? Since when did you care about what rules I set for the school? All you do is goof off with those stupid blade-things or worse, fool around with helpless girls," Hilary snapped. Kai sighed again.

"First of all, they're called beyblades- get it right. Second, those girls aren't helpless- they go after me. Thirdly, you're right, normally I don't give a damn for your stupid rules- don't look so offended Hilary you call beyblades stupid all the time- but I can't have you take away beyblades from my teammates," Kai explained, feeling a little winded after saying such a mouthful. He usually didn't talk this much. "But if you give Tala back his beyblade, then all this will be resolved."

"No way. Not gonna happen," Hilary snapped. "If Tala didn't want to get in trouble, he shouldn't have picked on Kenny." She flashed her eyes defiantly at Kai. There was no doubt in her mind that Kai probably had something to do with Kenny's injuries.

Kai frowned- he wasn't going to get anywhere with Hilary on words alone. His predicament was difficult- if his enemy had just been a guy, Kai would simply knock him out with no problem. But this time his enemy was a girl- a stubborn girl, Kai added- who was immune to his looks (Kai wasn't one to really admit he was attractive, but he couldn't deny the fact that over half the girls at Bey City High harbored some sort of crush on him). Negotiation would be difficult, probably even maddening.

"Just reconsider it," he said finally before walking away from the baffled brunette girl, who snorted as he left.

"Fat chance," Hilary muttered under her breath.

The next two weeks were a whirlwind of events. Doing everything last minute was definitely not Hilary's style and so the brunette had to learn to cope with all the rushed frenzy of getting everything done on time.

"Okay, Kenny, what have you got to show me," Hilary said as Kenny handed her a balance sheet.

"It seems like the student council funds will just about cover the cost of the float," Kenny said, pointing out the total balance at the bottom of the sheet. "But, it also means we'll be tight on money for the rest of the year."

Hilary sighed. "I guess that's something we'll have to deal with later. How's the float coming along?"

"Great- the volunteers are working really hard. I still can't believe that over half the students in Mr. Granger's class wanted to help out," Kenny said, looking pleased with the overwhelming amount of support the student council was now getting. "They're really pumped up about making the float. I just hope we'll be able to finish it in time."

"Oh, yeah that's right. I forgot that I told Mr. Granger about the parade," Hilary said, suddenly recalling the twenty-something year old's enthusiastic smile during their conversation. "He was really eager to help. I wish we had more teachers like him."

Kenny laughed. "I'm sure you do, Hilary."

Hilary frowned. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, everyone knows you've got a crush on Mr. Granger," Kenny said teasingly. His smirk faded when Hilary elbowed him in the ribs.

"Kenny, that is totally not true!" the brunette hissed. "Sure he's nice, but come on, he's way older than I am."

"Oh right, I forgot, you're actually into Kai now- ouch!" Hilary had elbowed him again, this time a little harder. The computer whiz put his hands up in mock surrender. "Ok, ok! I was just kidding Hilary!"

"Don't even joke about me and Kai!" Hilary said, flushing slightly. She tensed at the thought of the blue-haired Russian and their earlier conversation. She couldn't believe he had the nerve to threaten her. The brunette could only imagine the kinds of horrible things the leader of the Blade Sharks was capable of. "That guy is an insufferable jerk. He's nothing but trouble."

Kenny rubbed his sore sides. "Alright! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up," he said apologetically. "I guess humor isn't my thing."

Hilary sighed, feeling a little bad at snapping at Kenny. After all, he hadn't meant any harm in what he said.

"Don't worry about it. You're plenty funny, Kenny. But me and Kai won't happen in a billion years." She gave Kenny a small smile. "If I had to choose, I'd much rather pick Mr. Granger."

Kenny chuckled. "Not surprising. By the way, people have been saying you and Tyson-"

The brunette placed her hand over Kenny's mouth to silence him. Did people seriously have nothing else to talk about other than her and all the guys she wouldn't personally date? "Alright, that's enough of that. Let's get some work done."

The violet blue sky was streaked with the orange rays of the setting sun. Kai watched as the sun began its descent below the horizon with silent reverence. He was sitting on top of the rooftop of the school, reflecting upon his thoughts.

"Yo, Kai!"

Kai turned his head to see Tala in the entry way, walking towards him. Kai returned his gaze to the setting sun, which was starting to drift behind several industrial buildings.

Tala took a seat next to Kai. "Guess I'm not the only one who doesn't want to go home," Tala said, with a small chuckle. He followed Kai's gaze towards the sun. "So is this what you do when Voltaire gets on your nerves- watch a sunset? How poetic."

"The sun at bay with splendid thrusts still keeps the sullen fold; And momently at distance sets, as a cupola of gold," Kai quipped. Tala raised an eyebrow at Kai.

"What the hell was that, Hiwatari?"

"Victor Hugo- we covered it in class."

"No wonder I don't know it- I don't really pay attention in Mr. Granger's class."

"It's going to be on next week's test."

"Great," Tala groaned. He turned to Kai. "Hey Kai, any chance you want to help me study for it?"

"No," Kai responded flatly.

"What? Why not? You have the highest grade in English, after all. Even higher than our stuck-up class president," Tala said with some bitterness in his voice at the thought of Hilary. "Who thinks she can do anything she wants and that she's better than everyone else."

Kai knew Tala was still angry over losing Wolborg. "She'll return Wolborg eventually," Kai said. "Until then, you'll just have to use a temporary beyblade."

"Think I'll get it back before our match with the Justice 5? Because I swear if we lose to Brooklyn's team, that girl will pay."

Kai closed his eyes. He hadn't forgotten about Brooklyn's challenge to the Blitzkrieg Boys. It was the decisive battle that Kai had wanted all along- the battle that would prove whether he or Brooklyn was the strongest. It was an important battle to the Blitzkrieg Boys and in order for them to do well, Kai knew that Tala had to control his frustrations. He looked at Tala empathetically.

"You shouldn't be so angry with her. You should be focusing on how to win your match with Garland instead."

Tala growled. "How can I focus on winning without Wolborg?" The redhead clenched his jaw. Kai sighed- Tala was still very upset.

"I'll take care of getting Wolborg back," Kai said. "But until then, you need to focus on finding an alternative strategy. Understand?"

Tala was reluctant. Honestly, he doubted whether or not he could find a replacement for Wolborg. Yet he knew that he couldn't sit around sulking. "Fine," he spat.

"Good." Kai leaned back and returned to watching the sunset.

"Just one question- how are you planning to get my beyblade back from Hilary?" Tala asked.

"I'm working on it."