Beyblades and Blood: The Attack of Shadow Vale

by IloveDranzer

Its been 10 years since the World Championships and the BEGA threat. Tyson, Max, Ray, Kai, Kenny, Hilary and Daichi are older with a new set of challenges in life. They are thrust back together as a new enemy threatens the safety of the World, bitbeasts and the old Bladebreakers/G-Revolution. Highly descriptive. Contains friendship, injury, violence, threat, angst and beyblading.

44. Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Day 14 of the Granger dojo lockdown.

3 days have passed since Darcel of the Shadow Vale clan infiltrated and assaulted the Granger dojo. Emotions within it were still reeling with uncertainty for their future, and intense anxiety for what would happen next. Any slim sense of peace the residents previously enjoyed was expunged by the sudden interior invasion of black suited Hiwatari security guards. However much Tyson and the others disliked their protectors increased presence, the mass of guards were essential for them to feel any semblance of safe. Tyson's home now looked and felt more like a high security prison yard than the beautiful and homely Japanese dojo and garden it had been for generations. The wild flowers the elder Granger had lovingly planted in low beds last spring were trampled to nothing but broken stems and crushed flower heads by Kai's employed sentry. Kevlar clad men and women with weapons holstered at their hips were visible wherever the residents looked. At night, flashlights used to scour the garden for any intruders seeking to enter under the cover of dark, made Tyson's property look as if it were hosting a silent rave as torches lit the sky like strobe-lighting. And all night, the dojo inhabitants were disturbed on schedule by heavy-footed goons relentlessly patrolling up and down the wooden veranda in shifts, and too, conversations through earpieces whenever the guards saw anything so much as a leaf twitch in the bushes. During the day, the newly drafted protectors were just as interfering as they safeguarded the beybladers whilst they trained. Some of Tyson's guests didn't mind their new audience whilst they beybladed under the roasting summer Sun...but most hated the extra pressure and broiled with frustration when they made mistakes knowing there were eyes watching, and sniggering at their failures behind their backs. In a matter of short days, the bladers despised the new watchful eyes constantly upon them. Paranoia was slowly driving the residents mad and restless. As a result, concentration during training markedly slipped, and fatigue from lack of sleep was rife. Short tempers were at an all time high and sour bickering was relentless. Boredom too spread through the ranks like a disease. When they weren't beyblading or eating or arguing...they longed for the outside world and everything they missed in it. Like inmates kept in a cell for too long, in a space too small...the dojo became a slowly building pressure cooker with no outlet for release...and sooner or later it was going to explode.

The new slice to Hilary's neck was healing fast, but mentally she would need far longer to recover. The gash's plaster was off for the first time so that air could get to it and finish thickening the scab. She could barely look herself in the mirror at the wound Darcel so cruelly inflicted, nor at the corner of Tyson's yard where she was pinned at knife point in the dark under the maple tree. She was so close to being dragged into the abandoned sewer pipes and to wherever and whatever Shadow Vale sinisterly planned to do with her, and she knew how lucky she was to still be standing and safe. The following morning to the attack Grandpa Granger discovered the dagger used to threaten her life, he handed it to the Saint Shields for safe keeping and to keep out of her sight. The lovable yet sometimes embarrassing Grandfather blamed himself for not helping her sooner and as the master of the home and a renowned martial arts expert, he was ashamed and furious with himself that something so vile happened on his property. She was nothing but thankful he showed up when he did, haphazard with his insanely large flashlight in hand. He likely saved her life and the following morning after the attack they shared a gushy hug and spilt tears of joy she was alive and relatively unharmed.

Harmony was a rare and beautiful thing now; the Granger Dojo was plagued with high tension and gritty friction from the lack of peace, rest, decent sleep and personal space. That morning alone, several arguments broke out and many residents were feeling at their wits end with the intense and claustrophobic living arrangements.

---

*BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG*Tyson aggressively knocked with a balled fist at the door of the main bathroom of his house. He'd not long woken up and his bladder was screaming for its first pee of the day. Wearing his pyjamas with a beyblade motif on the shirt he jogged on the spot then crossed his legs cupping his genitals, then jogged on the spot again as he cursed loud. "Come on! Come on! Come on!" *BANG BANG BANG*

*Whoosh* The toilet flushed inside and the sounds of taps running. Seconds later the sliding door finally opened and a giant pale skinned, heavily muscled, bald, Hiwatari Enterprises security guard with a thick brown beard on his cheeks and chin emerged sheepishly with today's newspaper rolled in his hand.

"I'm sorry Mr Granger. Just needed my Morning Glory Son. You know how it is. Haha." He jovially claimed with an American accent without any remorse or shame for keeping his client waiting. Tyson turned green and struggled to hold his puke as he clamped his hand over his mouth with the aroma of the gent's bowels wafting from the open door. But the Beychamp was busting so bad for a pee, he ran into the cloud of smell, slammed the door shut behind him, hastily pulled his pants down and finally relieved himself with a hybrid of pleasure and grimace decorating his plush face. This bathroom was not his first attempt...Granger junior had tried the small toilet room in the hallway and the one in the dojo by the laundry room and they too were occupied at the time by people unknown. Queues for his home's facilities were frequent with the many bodies needing them...both guards and his beyblading guests alike.

---

Emily finished peeling her night clothes from her body and placed them folded onto a wooden bathroom stool. She turned the taps then pleasurably gasped as tepid water rained from the shower head and trickled down her naked taught body to the drain at her feet. Only...the water was not draining away. She tutted as she lightly swished her foot around in the growing puddle before bending to investigate why the water wasn't flowing away down the pipes. She knew already what it was...this was not the first time this had happened living communally with a particular White Tiger blader. She crouched and with her short fingernails plucked at hair trapped in between the small holes and grills of the drain cover. She tugged and exhumed into the air a meter long plug of thick black hair. It swung wet and stinky in her fingertips. She whined bitterly for the White Tiger to hear as he ate his breakfast with others in the kitchen just down the hall. "RAY! GODDDAMITT! YOUVE BLOCKED THE SHOWER DRAIN AGAIN!"

In truth, the hair plug was a mix of long, short and medium lengths of black, pink, ginger, blue, brown, grey, silver and red. Ray's was always the biggest culprit of blockages due to the length and thickness of his strands. His raven hair was notorious for causing obstructions in the pipes of showers and bathtubs and caused domestic contention even as far back when he was touring as a teen Bladebreaker. The free-living Chinese blader was used to bathing in rivers and waterfalls back home in rural China and so was simply absent minded to the care of drainpipes when it came to his hair. Nothing major on the surface of it but add in a threat like Shadow Vale hunting them, intense cabin fever and not enough space for any peace and quiet... and Ray's hair blocking the shower drain was a terrible annoyance to all and an easy spark for petty arguments.

---

"Ahhhh now for my favourite. A nice tall glass of milk to get me started for the day." Chirped Mariah, as she cheerily pulled open the twin doors to Tyson's American fridge freezer. She licked her lips with anticipation for her favourite beverage as she peered at the spot where her glass milk bottle always resided. There was a food thief in the house and she and choice others had taken to labelling everything that was theirs. Her milk bottle sported a sticky label with her name written on it in big red lettering. "MARIAH'S DO NOT TOUCH!" But...the resident sleuth had ignored her warning and what was once half a bottle, a mere mouthful lingered at the bottom of the glass container. The pinkette's eyes contracted tight like a jaguar's with rage. She was instantly furious as she rabidly plucked the bottle from the inner shelf with claw-like hands, and analysed how little of the white liquid was left for her with snarling lips contorting her pretty round face. She slammed the doors of the freezer shut so harshly that all contents inside rattled and fell over on their shelves. Furious she stomped like an angry elephant towards the veranda leading to the dojo with evidence of the crime in hand.

Meanwhile, the other residents were getting quietly dressed, pulling up socks, folding futons away and prepping their beyblades for another day's training...when the female White Tiger with a rage to rival the Goddess of War entered the dojo and bellowed at them like a venom tongued queen. "Someone has drunk my milk again! Come on! Own up to it you thief! WHO'S. STOLEN. MY. MILK?!"

Tala couldn't help but smirk how worked up the brattish woman was getting over her missing drink. Having spent time as a starving orphan on the streets of Russia picking morsels out of bins with Bryan to survive...he was somewhat unsympathetic to her cause. He smarted and locked eyes with her. "No use crying over spilt milk. We'll go to the store and buy more. There's no need to throw a tantrum over it."

The red haired Blitzkrieg Boy may have not been the thief but he'd just put himself square in the firing line with his smarmy comment. Mariah went feral and launched herself into his space as he continued to tiredly folded his night clothes away into his military style duffel bag. He hadn't slept well in the stifling warmth of the night despite the fans blowing over him on full power, and a guard woke him up around 2am talking into a mouthpiece about something seemingly unimportant.

Mariah screamed close to his pale Caucasian face with the almost empty bottle still clutched in her hand like a club. She had no damming evidence Tala was guilty of the theft but she needed someone to collar for it and rant. "IT WAS YOU WASNT IT?! LOOK HOW MUCH MILK I HAVE LEFT! This is all I have until we get another delivery!"

The Wolborg blader packed the rest of his garments rougher into his bag with the grumps. He stared back with intense ice blue eyes to warn her out of his space. "Get over it! There are bigger things to worry about right now! Don't be such a baby! Oh and NO. I DIDNT steal your milk!"

Tala was of course right. There were bigger things to worry about...like how they were going to get their freedom and lives back. How they were going to rescue Dranzer. How they were going to survive the next day, let alone weeks without killing each other in their heightened state of stress, exhausting heat and close confinement. Nobody owed up to the crime of stolen milk and Mariah would spend the rest of her day growling over it.

---

"Oh maaannn where is it?! Guys?! My ripcord! Has anyone seen it?" Grouched Max as he madly tossed up his futon and bed sheets in a hunt for his missing item. His hands frantically clawed through messy piles of his clothes and flipped his turtle backpack upside down for the contents to spill out over the floor. Having had no luck finding what he'd lost he marched to the laundry room to toss and turn objects out of the way there too, before making the journey to the kitchen in the house to do the same like a wild hurricane in human form. The frazzled blonde then stormed back into the dojo, sweaty and flustered before his day had even started and cried aloud with pure frustration. "HAS ANYONE MOVED MY RIPCORD?! I CANT FIND IT! GRRRRRRR."

Tyson, Ray, Daichi and the Russian pair were the only ones left in the dojo at the time and were too busy prepping for the day to pay him mind. Max was notorious for losing things and of late this was a daily occurrence, and they were bored of pandering to everything he couldn't find himself. They simply had their own shit to deal with.

"GRRRRR GUYS! FOR THE LAST TIME! HAVE. YOU. SEEN. MY RIPCORD?!" Max bellowed like a child demanding all attention and stamped his naked foot hard on the wooden floor. His temper was the shortest they'd ever known him these past few days which was very out of character for the lovable happy-go-lucky surfer boy.

Tyson had had enough of hearing it. He stropped to his feet, abandoning cleaning Dragoon without saying a word nor making eye-contact with anyone. He strode with stomping steps over to the coffee table where he pulled a beyblading magazine from a space to reveal below it...Max's bright purple ripcord.

Tyson announced in a bossy tone like he had better things to do. "THERE MAX. There's your ripcord. Maybe you should remember where you put things before bothering me next time." His attitude was remarkably out of character too; usually Tyson would do anything to be helpful to his friends no matter how big or small.

The Draciel blader snatched his ripcord from the wooden table and delivered an ill-tempered reply before storming off to the opposite side of the dojo. "Geee! Thanks Tyson. That wasn't so hard was it?!"

Tempers as of late were evidently short and the team grated on each other like cheese on sandpaper; no matter how close they were in the past.

---

Kai's tummy grumbled, nudging the frail-bodied phoenix guardian to come to the conclusion eating was in his best interests. Victor his heroic pooch was due his first meal of the day too. The mad hour of the gang's usual breakfast session in the kitchen had passed and the others were getting dressed and ready back at the dojo. The kitchen would now be empty and Kai hoped to seize the opportunity for a rare quiet morning meal just him and his dog. With Victor joyfully trotting at the side of his owner's right leg, the tall ailed man entered the kitchen to discover he wasn't going to have his breakfast in solitude this morning.

Tyson had snuck back into the kitchen for a quick and cheeky snack before kicking off the day's training. He leant against one of the back cupboards, chewing on a peanut bar whilst peacefully gazing out of the window. Dually, the super host wanted to steal a few minutes of quiet in his own home, harboured away from his cranky friends he bickered incessantly with as of late. The blunette instantly took notice to his friend and the pooch's arrival and despite wanting some alone time, he welcomed them both with a warm heart and smile. The man, who still nagged his Grandpa daily for his own dog, bent his knees and cried with excitement and open spread arms.

"Heyyyyy Victorrrrrrrrr!" The pooch who loved a fuss rushed to the bluenettes embrace and was rewarded with vigorously messed hair on his head, and Tyson a wet chin from happy licks in return.

The cheerful host then straightened to deliver the bleak kitchen inventory. His orbs rolled as he struggled to remember everything. "Hey Kai! And Goooood Morning to you too Victor! What are you two hoping for? Because we're out of milk, out of orange juice, forget bacon and eggs, out of bread, out of porridge, out of all cereal apart from sugar puffs and we're out of tinned fish. Buuuuttttt...we've got microwavable rice, crackers, 2 bananas and a sorry looking apple. That's it until the food delivery comes later today. Hehehehe."

Kai hung his head; his stance was with one hand on his wound and the other on his hip. He sighed briefly before raising his skull and gazing softly into the bluenettes brown eyes. He was not amused by the lack of planning on someone's part. "Is that it? Seriously that's all we have? Who was in charge of ordering supplies?"

The young CEO asked a perfectly innocent question, spoken politely and without accusation, but...his inquest was taken the completely the wrong way. Tyson immediately assumed Kai was blaming him for the lack of food and unjustly flipped. He forgot himself as he lunged towards his old adversary to belt his complaint. He'd suffered a frustrating morning with the security guard hogging and stinking out his bathroom, disturbed sleep the nights prior, guilt over what happened to Hilary, bickering with the guys over who will eat what slim pickings at breakfast, his petty squabble with Max about his ripcord, and now this... His eyes were burning and his gestures were wild and uncalled for. "What do you think this place is Kai? An all you can eat free buffet courteously of Granger hotels?! Feel free to order the food yourself anytime you like! And you can pay for it too with all your piles of money! You could even get your flashy sports cars to deliver it super quick too!"

The maimed blader was taken aback by how outwardly angry the ultra-social bluenette behaved and even more so that he stepped into his space...this was not something Kai usually allowed. The pair used to argue, bicker and pick on each other from time to time when travelling as the Bladebreakers, V-Force and G-Revolution but this darker version of Tyson Granger was on a whole other level. The branches of his psyche were cracking under the weight of living under constant fear, isolation and deep hatred for the Shadow Vale bladers. Living like this was beginning to take a terrible toll on the World Class beyblader, and Kai's dear old friend.

The Dranzer blader didn't edge back away an inch and his posture lofted rigid. Instead he slowly crossed his arms and gave Tyson a moment to think about what he was doing. His low level scowl and intense amethyst eyes bore into his friend's for his miss-step. He avoided saying anything retaliatory; the bluenette was already in an edgy state and did not need poking further. "Tyson, you need to calm down. I only asked who was in charge of ordering the food. I didn't point the finger at you."

Tyson's lips were already flapping without thinking. In his heightened state of bitterness he saw fit to gripe about one of the things vexing him so bad, something he felt the Hiwatari was in part to blame for. "Whatever you say Kai. Oh and while I've got you! Your security! Wanna tell em to stop using my bathrooms when I wanna go? And stop them trampling my Grandpa's garden? And to, ya know, walk and talk quietly while we're trying to fricken sleep! I'm sick of them watching us train and...be there all the fuckin' time! They were real comical at first but now they make me feel so boxed in. I just can't breathe Kai! We have no space!"

Kai replied in a soft but raised tone. "What do you want me to do Tyson? Send them all away? Because they are the only effective line of defence we have between us and Shadow Vale. The Saint Shields haven't proven much of a deterrent, so like it or not we need them until we are able to defend ourselves and that might take a while. For now you just need to learn to live with them. Trust me when I say; I don't like it any more than you do."

The bluenette bubbled red with frustration, steam blew from his nose and raised his fists in the air as he struggled not to implode. He struck the fleshy part of his fist to the kitchen side with pure frustration then continued his emotional rant. *BANG* "GGGRRRRRRRRRRRR I'm done with it all! I'm tired of being told to wait and to put up with this and that. I'm sick to death of my own house not feeling like my home anymore...it feels like a prison now Kai. I'm sick of missing out on the movies, we're missing the Summer festivals too, I haven't been to the mall or the beach in forever! We're missing out on LIFE. And I'm so done with it Kai! I'm DONE! I WANT SHADOW VALE TO GO AWAY AND EVERYTHING TO GO BACK TO NORMAL!"

Before Kai could say anything in reply... *BANG* Tyson slammed his fist on the wooden door frame as he stormed out of the kitchen and down the hallway to stomp out his rage somewhere or on someone else. It felt sooooo good for the blunette to rant some things off his chest but Kai was the last person the he wanted to burden...he knew the Dranzer blader had enough of his own boulders to carry. And so, he left Kai alone in the kitchen in order for them both to simmer down and hopefully reconcile later.

Kai sighed deeply with equal frustration. He too struggled with the constant confinement and unrelenting threat of evil bitbeasts and dagger mad maniacs just outside the wall's safe parameter. He too hated being kept inside, unable to take long walks in the countryside or along the beach with Victor at his heels. He despised not being active or doing any form of exercise. He ached to get out there and rescue Dranzer every day but lacked the physical ability as well as the weapons to do the job. He was trapped not just in the dojo behind scores of bodyguards for his own safety...but his own body too, taking its arduous time to heal.

Victor licked Kai's naked toes to get his attention and then when Kai gave it to him, the two cuddled on the tile floor in a tender and private hug between a boy and his dog. Kai needed it, as he too was having a difficult morning. He dreaded what was to come that very afternoon...a plan that no doubt his friends were going to throw a fit over and one they would find out about soon enough.

---

Emily and Mariah, for the most part we're good companions and held each other with mutual respect both as elite female beybladers in the male dominated sport of beyblading, and as friends. Both had been sideliners to the horrors inflicted by Shadow Vale and were valued supporting pillars of the household. Mariah was always at Ray's side whereas Emily guarded Max's loyally in part due to the fact they work together back in America, their history as Allstarz team mates, and her very close bond with his Mum, Judy. The two femme fatale beybladers usually cohabitated happily despite their matching outspoken, feisty and sometimes outwardly rude attitudes. Today however, they were squabbling like pre-schoolers...over a hair brush.

Emily whined as she closed in nearer to the pinkette working on Galux cross-legged in the middle of the dojo floor. "What have I told you Mariah! If you're going to use my brush then. Put. It. Back!"

The neko-jin woman wasn't so geared for a fight; she'd already spent half her morning screaming at Tala for assumedly stealing her milk and had blown out of steam...for now. She twisted Galux's attack ring to lock it back to its base after finishing cleaning and oiling. She turned back with sass nonchalantly. "I have no idea what you're talking about Emily. I haven't moved your hair brush. I have my own anyway. And why are you blaming me? Half the guys here have hair long enough to need a brush, so why don't you ask them?"

The snappy tech-head American barked back with even more peeve in her blood. "I'm asking YOU Mariah. You have used my hair brush before and I know because I found a pink hair lodged in the spokes just yesterday! YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE HERE WITH PINK HAIR!"

Mariah quipped as she began walking towards the door to head outside. "Oh get over it Emily. I don't know where you're stupid brush is?! Go bother someone else or look for yourself."

A thin finger poked at the small of Emily's back causing her to spin nimbly on her toes like the tennis star she used to be. Not knowing who was behind her and with frustration and vexation in her lungs she belted. "YES! And I don't suppose YOU know..."

Wounded Hilary stood looked very contrite and in her palm lay Emily's green hairbrush with black spokes. She murmured soft spoken with doe brown eyes. "I'm sorry Emily. I borrowed your hairbrush because I couldn't find mine. The house is such a mess these days. You've used mine before so I thought you wouldn't mind."

Emily's dark blue eyes couldn't help but roll over Hilary neck wound and immediately lowered her aggression with pity. "It's okay Hil. Thankyou for giving it back to me." She aimed the last of her words at the smarmy pinkette watching the hairbrush exchange from the doorway.

Mariah, in all her maturity poked out her tongue at the ginger American's back and pranced off down the veranda after the boys.

---

2 hours later...

It was now late morning and all residents were scattered over the yard busy doing something productive albeit slimy skinned, frazzled in the warmth and humidity, bellies rumbling from the slim pickings of breakfast, and laden with fatigue from lack of a decent nights rest. Even the Blitzkrieg Boys too were training in the stuffiness of the summer's day because they felt they had to, not because they were enjoying the practise. Ever since Hilary's attack, all beybladers aggressively kicked their training up a notch...that's not so say results were any better. Draciel finally had his upgrade and Max needed time to master it, Dragoon was almost complete and Strata Dragoon just needed assembling as soon as the parts arrive.

Out of no where...

*CRACK* Grandpa Granger forcefully cracked a yellow kendo stick to the stone tile path. He was clearly berated and royally cheesed off. Minutes prior he'd attempted to find his Zen in a private drill session on his own in a quiet corner of his busy garden...but miserably failed to achieve it. A session, he hoped would bring him some inner spiritual peace and a touch of normality, but with Kai's heavy-footed security patrolling nearby, his focus and chi was repeatedly interrupted with each footstep and calls over the radio. He stormed past the training beybladers and made sure all knew his grievance. Just like his grandson earlier, the hip old man needed to vent his bottled feelings too. Granger Senior side-eyed yet another smashed ceramic plant pot with the flower and soil spilled on the gravel path nearby. He yelled aloud so all bodies could hear, especially Kai's security goons. He'd totally flipped in typical Grandpa Granger fashion. "AHHHHH THIS IS MA 9THPLANT! I DONT KNOW WHO IT WAS BUT YA'LL BETTER START WATCHIN MA POOR PLANTSIES OR THE NEXT CRACK'LL BE OVER SOMEONE'S NOGGIN!" *CRACK* *CRACK* *CRACK*

Nearby, Tyson and the gang were trying to train sweaty and short fused in the heat of the day. They too were crabby and sudden and snappy crack of the noisy kendo stick knocked them all off balance as they prepared a launch of beyblades to dance between lines of tin cans. The sudden jolting of hands around rip-cords and launchers sent the spinning weapons to dangerously shoot off into various directions. Wolborg ended up in a tree, Dragoon took a dip and sunk to the bottom of the koi pond, Draciel hit and cracked a surviving plant pot in half, Galux smashed into the stone wall leaving a beyblade shaped impression and the others simply dropped to the dust like rocks. The bladers were far from impressed as they too had much to grumble about.

With damp soaking through the armpits of his t-shirt, Tyson grouched, hot and perspiring under the burning daylight. "I HEAR YA GRANDPA! It weren't me that cracked your flower pot! SO STOP BELCHIN! WERE TRYING TO TRAIN HERE! AND NOW LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO?! DRAGOON'S GUNNA BE ALL WET NOW."

Daichi was feeling bored and devious and so cooked up a plan to brighten his day. He chortled to himself as he plotted for the old martial arts master to take on one of Kai's highly trained men for the fun of it. He pointed sharply with a long naughty finger at a completely oblivious and random security guard standing by the far wall on ceremony. "YEAH GRANDPA. You wanna aim your stick at that guard right there! I saw him trample ya roses this morning! HAHA! Teach him a lesson Grandpa!" "Heheheh now to kick back and enjoy the show. Hehehe"

The elder ignored Daichi's obvious cheeky taunt to storm with vigour and speed to this grandson's spot. His long grey moustache almost touched Tyson's as he leered in fast and close. His miffed grey eyes almost popped out of his skull. "You flappin gums off at me son?!"

Tyson begged with submissively gesturing hands as he stammered backwards. He knew better than to square off with his Grandfather when he was like this. "No Grandpa! I know you're pissed about your birds and plant pots all but don't take it out on us. You know our training is important and were struggling with everything too."

Grandpa needed to gas off further. "MAAAAAANN! MA BIRDS WON'T EVEN COME DOWN FOR GRUB. Too many peeps out here scaring off ma feathered amigos away. I put fresh seed out yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that and they've barely swallowed a dime. Ever since Kai's Super Troopers arrived ma birdies won't come close! I have no space to reach ma Zen and get ma drills in too! I can't have ma classes! Now ma garden's getting trashed! And so help anyone who touches ma Bonsai! I'm getting reallllll sick and tired of this flim-flam Tyson!"

The younger Granger grouched back. "I know Grandpa I know! But what can we do? Send them all away?! We can't let what they did to Hilary happen again. We need them. No matter how annoying they are! Shadow Vale are still out there. You know that."

The two warring Grangers stopped to glance over at Hilary sitting quietly, watching a white butterfly flutter past her, her legs dangled over the edge of the high wooden decking next to Kenny and Emily whilst they tapped away on their laptops and adjusted recording equipment. Hilary hadn't been the same since Darcel's attack and barely spoke as much as she used to. She was more withdrawn and carried a sorry look on her young face whenever nobody was looking. She needed time and a perhaps a counsellor to help her feel better...that or Darcel's head on a spike which Tyson would gladly deliver if given the chance and a murder charge pardon.

The team of bladers glanced her way just in time to watch a security guard almost trample on Kenny and Emily's laptops. Emily yelled in disgust as she and the Chief dragged their laptops out of the way like parents rescuing their babies out of the way of a speeding car. The fire breathed ginger spat with fury and shook her fist high. She also looked frazzled with faint dark circles under her eyes from the lack of decent sleep. "Watch were ya going you big rhino!" Do you know how much my laptop is worth! More than your wages buddy! I can tell ya that!"

Kenny cradled his laptop and dragged all the cables plugged into a simulation programme and power packs into the protection of his lap. "That's the 3rd time that's happened this morning!" The bushy haired brunette rose to his feet and shouted at the guard with a raised fist too...very unlike him. He was clearly pissed and lost his temper in the blazing heat and emotional pressure of the seemingly endless dojo lockdown. Strata Dragoon's upgrade was proving challenging due to the lack of proper rest and he was quick to take it out on anyone. "Hey ! Watch where you're going or I'll...I'll give you what for and I don't care how big you are!"

Tiger-eyed Ray interrupted all with a piercing question. He yelled his inquisition across the yard to the man with dual coloured grey hair heading to the gates. His tone was demanding and confused. "Urrrrrrr Kai?! Where do you think you're going?!"

Those seven words hurtled all attention sharply away from Hilary, Kenny and Emily and their endangered tech to the wealthy prison breaker shuffling as fast as he could for the dojo's main exit.

Kai was wearing trainers for the first time in a fortnight, add a black hoodie with the zip done up to his neck all the way and grey cargo pants. Victor had a blue lead clipped at a metal ring on his matching collar, he wagged his tail and looked up at his beloved owner with intrigue and excitement for what he hoped would be "walkies." Kai and his dog were B-lining straight for the exit with top Security personnel Mr Cooper, Ms Ghazi, and Mr Kovolenko at their sides in a protective triangle formation. The highly trained body guards walked only as fast as their injured employer could, his wound disliked the stretching and movement and it needed time to ease into a quicker pace. Victor was trained well not to pull and walked slowly and politely at the side of Kai's right leg. The dog lover and CEO stopped momentarily with closed eyes readying for the onslaught of questions and verbal battery he knew was coming and would never be able to evade. In a fit state he would have marched nimble footed to the gates or vaulted the wall to dash away before anyone knew he was gone.

Tyson, Ray, Mariah, Daichi and Max raced to crowd before him. The rest of the gang didn't take long to catch up and rallied close like sheep to a farmer. The Saint Shields caught sound of Ray's heightened words and coupled with the sight of Kai nearing the doors of freedom, they too saw fit to ask him what on earth he was planning. In seconds Kai Hiwatari was surrounded with no clear line of escape. He would have to fight his way through them and it would be up to his guards to do the punching... however, he opted to try words and reasoning first.

Tyson was forever quick to the mark and seemed a tad angry. His face and arm gestures displayed that of complete dismay. "KAI! What's going on?! Why are you all dressed up? You going somewhere?!"

Max exclaimed with an alarmed stance and bewildered eyes. "It certainly looks like he is Tyson. You're not seriously thinking of leaving are you Kai?! After what happened to Hilary the other night?! Are you crazy?"

Tala tutted before limply sticking up for his former team mate. "Give him a second to reply. Kai's not that stupid to leave the safety of this compound are you Kai? Tell them you haven't completely lost your mind."

The Saint Shields leader barked with crossed arms and smarmy eyes. "He has lost his mind if he thinks he's leaving here with our blessing. If you leave those gates Kai. We can't protect you. Our mission is to keep the remaining Sacred Spirits safe. If you're taken hostage...we won't be bargaining for your life where Dragoon, Draciel and Driger are concerned. You have to know that."

Kai afforded the quizzers a rapid sly glance each before delivering what he had to say. "With or without your permission I'm leaving. I'll be back before dinner."

Emily screeched with frustration. "You can't just say you're leaving and not give us an explanation as to where! Not when the rest of us have no choice but to stay cooped up in here!"

The Wolborg blader taunted with an unimpressed gaze. Jealousy filled his being. "Yeah. Spill Kai. Where are you going? You can't just up and leave while the rest of us are gasping for a day out. You think you're the only one bored here, think again."

Kai snapped back with an intense face. "Work. I'm going back to my office headquarters. I have a meeting in an hour. So if you're done. Move out of the way and let me pass."

Ray scoffed. "Work?! Really Kai! Work is that important to you at a time like this?! Dranzer should be your priority. Not your plush office job."

The White Tiger's comment riled the Ex Blitzkrieg Boy terribly affording him a sharp response. Kai's amethyst eyes were alight. "What do you know of the real world Ray? You live in your forests and mountains doing what you want, when you want. None of you have any understanding of corporate life. I don't have to answer to any of you. Yes Dranzer is gone and I'll never stop trying to find him but I need some time to do that and seeing as I have no beyblade, no Bitbeast and I can't even lift a barbell I'm going to do the only thing I can right now and that's ensure the future of my company. I have the best of my security staff at my disposal and a safe route to the office in an armoured vehicle. Nothing is going to happen to me. And as Ozuma likes to remind me...it's not like I have a Sacred Spirit any more for you to worry about. Now for the last time...MOVE."

Max gulped with the sudden emotional heaviness. He envisioned Kai becoming a hostage just as Hilary was 3 nights prior. He toiled over who of he, Ray or Tyson would trade their Bitbeasts to save him. "But Kai. How sure are you you're going to be safe? You say you'll come back...but what if you don't? What if Shadow Vale are just waiting for you to leave and ambush your car? What if they take out your tyres or take a shot at you as you enter your building? Have you thought of that Kai?"

Mr Cooper interjected before his shorter and younger employer could. His voice was mean and stoic. "If they come close we'll put a bullet in their heads. All security personnel are aware of Mr Hiwatari's arrival plans and we've stepped up security around the office building twenty fold. The President of the United States of America will be envious of Mr H's security detail today."

The young CEO was under pressure to get going and cocked his head back with confidence. Secretly he was dreading the traffic around Tokyo and the risk of making him late, which would certainly be an embarrassing start for the essential and important meeting with board members and array of high echelon managers. "See. I'll be fine. Now. I have to go. Don't make me ask again."

Tyson had an exciting light bulb moment but quivered his delivery. He teased his two index fingers together and puckered his lips; his eyes were big and pleading like a child. "If your journey to the office is safe...And your office building is safe with a tonne of security guys...And you're only going for the afternoon...why don't... we come with you?!"

Max, Mariah, Emily, Kenny, Hilary, Tala, Bryan, Daichi and Ray each passed an excited glance around their neat tight little crowd. Their bodies pipped and gasped with the idea of leaving the dojo they'd seen every inch of and been confined to for the last 14 days, the place that felt like a prison...to see and smell someplace else for a few hours was an enchanting and adrenaline tickling idea.

Ozuma's eyes widened as he flabbergasted a response. "Are you completely soft in the head today Tyson?! Leave the safety of the dojo? Go have a lie down and eat some ice-cream because you've clearly spent too much time in the sun! Your brain has clearly melted."

Josef scoffed at his team leader's side. "Soft...Tyson's brain is liquid if he thinks leaving our protection is a good idea."

Tala was quick to jab back at the Saint Shield with red and grey hair he severely disliked from the first moment he met him. "Safe...you wanna ask Hilary how safe we all are here...under your protection."

Dunga snorted as he lunged a fist towards the Wolborg bladers direction. "Fucking drop it Russian. You know what happened to Hilary wasn't our fault. You can't pin all that on us. We did our best and Kai's security bozos missed the damm manhole cover too remember!"

Daichi jumped in the air and clicked his heels like it was a done deal. "WAHOOOOOO ROAD TRIP!"

Mariah grasped her chin before becoming animated. "As much as I want to think that's a bad idea Tyson. I'm dying to see something other than your dojo. A break from beyblading for an air conditioned building sounds like a fairytale. And with Kai's security and bullet proof cars...where's the danger?"

Ray put a hand on each hip. His yellow eyes were bright with enthusiasm. "I don't know guys. Kai's security are obviously good at their jobs...a little too good as we've seen around the dojo. Maybe they can keep us safe. It's only for a few hours and I think it'll do us some good to have a break from the same four walls. I bet a change of scenery will do us the world of good. Driger will be safe with me and we'll all stick together right guys?"

Kenny added with excitement. "Right Ray. I've been itching to get out of here. We've been really fraying as a team these last few days. A little fresh air and something different might be just what we need to gel back together. If an afternoon is all were given then I'll take it! We've just got to be on our best behaviour guys. Kai's office isn't a playground. We can't just let loose you know. We'll still need to keep our wits about us. Safety first and all."

Emily grabbed and shook Tala's arm crazy like and cracked completely out of character. "Air conditioning Tala! Decent air conditioning! I don't suppose your office has coffee on tap Kai? I'm dying for a decent cup that's not instant."

Tala peeled his white skinned arm out of the kooky Americans' grasp. "You don't have to tell me twice. We've barely done any sightseeing since we landed in Japan. I'm happy to do it from an armoured truck...whatever, as long as it gets me out of here for a while."

Bryan smirked as he added. "Me too. Who'd ever thought we'd be so pumped to see a boring office building. I assume it's a high rise? I'll have to bring my camera."

Tyson begged on his hands and knees dramatically. "What dya say Kai? We're all screaming for a break! We've been at each other like dogs! Sorry Victor, not that it's a bad thing to be a dog. HAHA. We're going insane in here Kai and we all desperately need a change of scene. Just for a few hours like you said. I need to see somebody other than the people in this house and the delivery folks! We'll be good! I promise! WE NEEEEED THIS!"

Kai's left eye twitched and was silent with disbelief. He allowed them all to express their wishes before dashing them with his own. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes before delivering his say. "Absolutely no way. My office is not a theme park! It will be easier for my security team to take care of me and me alone. Stay here and practise beyblading with Dragoon. You clearly still need it. I'll be back before dinner. Now I won't ask you again. MOVE before I order Mr Cooper to put a bullet in your knee cap."

Hilary meandered through the crowd with two hands cupped together and approached close to the man with all the power. Her forlorn brown eyes locked with his fiery amethyst ones. The duo stared at each other for a long second. Kai blinked to avert his gaze to her neck wound and then blinked again to meet hers once more. The dainty brunette had something to ask and her voice was soft and buttery. "Pleaaaaase let us come with you Kai. We all really really need a change of scene. We've been fighting a lot and I think it will do us all the world of good to get out of here, just for a little while. It would do me the world of good the most." She found her spunk again as she turned her cupped hands into fists and her eyes lit up like stars. Her words sped up with passion. "I'll be sure to keep Tyson and the boys in check. And we'll do everything you say. I promise!"

Kai slowly blinked then rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. He reflected on Tyson's heartfelt livid kitchen rant that morning and felt how needy Hilary was for an escape from the flashbacks of her ordeal. The Chief executive turned around to face his head body guard, Mr Cooper. After a long breathy sigh he asked in a grouchy flat tone. "How many cars do we have ready to go?"

---

The cars Master Kai referred to were vehicular beasts called Hummers often used only by the military and those of VIP status. These mechanical titans were standard Hiwatari Enterprises vehicles and made up most of the company's utility fleet, save for a small number of limousines and executive cars for less conspicuous travel. The Hummer SUVs were painted silky jet black with black bullet proof privacy glass, giant black puncture resistant tyres and driven only by highly trained ex-military personnel schooled extensively in the art of evasive driving, close protection and hostage prevention. The black shiny SUVs travelled in a convoy of 4, each filled full with a selected group of excited beybladers and a body guard allocated to each passenger.

After 40 minutes of driving from the outskirts of Tokyo to the inner city, they'd arrived. Dense and expensive stark tyres rolled up to an allocated lay-by outside of the Hiwatari Enterprises main office building located in Ginza's financial district. All four cars resembling tanks broke their speed softly one after other in a line until they stopped completely. Drivers of the cars then opened doors for inhabitants to disembark. One by one, Tyson, Ray, Mariah, Kai, Daichi, Kenny, Hilary, Mariam, Dunga, Ozuma, Josef, Tala and lastly Bryan spilled onto the open street where passerby's, tourists and locals clutching shopping bags stopped to stare at the infamous beybladers; their first public appearance since that traumatic and fateful day at the beystadium that made headlines worldwide. It wasn't long before members of the public were pulling out their phones to take photos and long distance selfies of the multicultural beyblade celebrities. Tyson and Daichi saw their chances for golden minutes of fame and were quick to make the peace sign with two fingers and toothily grinning for the shots. Kai, Mariah, Tala, Bryan, Ray and Max too were snapped multiple times and soon the footage would be flooding social media and trending before the afternoon was out.

Although completely exposed in the open city street, Tyson and Co felt completely at ease with Kai's plentiful security staff encircling them close and watching for any threats like the Marvel Avengers. The Saint Shields presence too played their part as their fingers twitched at thighs ready to lock and launch their beyblades should anyone with silver hair, red eyes or a purple clothing become known anywhere in the vicinity.

The team relished the fresh city air which tasted so different to Tyson's suburban yard, the feeling of freedom no matter how fake the idea and excitement for anything other than what the dojo's four stone walls could provide. They all wanted to soak it in, the smell of being outside with the aroma of local eateries nearby, enjoy the light that reflected off the high rise buildings so different to the wooden-made Granger home. They wanted to stretch and frolic in all the space of the open paved pedestrian street around them. They marvelled at the vast metropolitan environment without walls like they were seeing a new city for the first time, grateful to be there.

But the guy and girl bladers would not be allowed to soak up their new found space for long. The Saint Shield guardians and Hiwatari Enterprises sentry had a combined agenda and were eager to usher all of them along, and into the enclosed safety of the office building where more security awaited. Shadow Vale could be anywhere after all; there was always the chance no matter how slim that they were watching. The Kevlar protected men and women gently and professionally tapped shoulders and guided the freed inmates on day release to the glistening revolving front doors with haste, whilst the Saint Shields followed up the rear to harshly poke along any stragglers. The sooner all were inside the building's lobby, the better protected they'd be.

Tyson exclaimed as he got a whiff of a boutique pizzeria across the road. He stretched his arms out like an eagle and his chest inflated broad as his nose snorted in the scent. "Oh maaaann! It's good to be outside! I just wanna go shopping, or get a bite to eat down town. I'd kill for some street food! I've missed good food soooooo much!"

Ozuma shoved the bluenettes shoulder rudely propelling his body into the direction he wanted him to go. "Remember why we're here Tyson. And don't think for a minute this was a good idea. You're not as safe as you think you are. Now move already. The others are waiting for us in the lobby."

The Flash Leopard blader was right, he, Dunga, Tyson and Kai with Victor at the end of his leash were the only ones left exposed on the street, albeit with a team of security operatives guarding them in a circle. The others had already been herded like cattle to the reception area of the Hiwatari Enterprises building, and were being plied with crystal glasses of posh water cordials and expensive iced coffees by staff.

Dunga turned his gaze to Kai who was the slowest walking and bellowed in sarcasm. "You need me to carry you or somethin' Kai? My Grandma could walk faster than you and she's in her 80s!"

The beychamp turned too despite Ozuma's finger poking like a spear in his back to prod him along. "Say Kai. You okay bud?"

Kai didn't say a word in reply to either of the men as he gazed up at the high glowering emblem of his family's name affixed in large silver lettering on the side of the stunning and regal blue glass building. "Hiwatari Enterprises" The company founded by his great grandfather in the second world war selling airplane parts to the Imperial Japanese Army, contributing to the War effort and sealing government contracts in its infancy led to an unmatched boom in profit and growth its competitors could never match. The company grew as quick as its reputation within the aeronautical and engineering worldwide community to become a behemoth of a company grown further by his Grandfather, Voltaire to what it was today...his forefathers' tremendous legacy in his young hands. Kai took a sharp nervous breath then released it slowly, before placing a sure foot forward to join the nagging trio and the small team of guards encompassing him to follow. He felt a sense of unease he'd never felt before and dreaded what his colleagues would think of his skinny and pale appearance. His clothes would cover up most of his muscle loss but his face and complexion would not be able to hide the evident trauma he'd suffered and still battled with. Was he the same person he once was, the mighty and respect demanding CEO he was a little over a fortnight ago...Kai wasn't sure. His confidence had wasted away as much as his muscle tone and fat stores. Only time and the reaction of his peers would tell.

---

Tyson's eyes glittered. He'd never imagined how pretty, impressive and flashy a reception could look and it was all owned by his old friend and adversary. Jealousy tickled his pride but was short lived when a very good-looking petite Japanese girl with black hair tied up in a bun and glossy lips approached him with an offer of lemon and lime water with ice in a tall delicate glass. He guzzled it in three big gulps in front of her before softly belching, wiping his mouth with his arm and immediately asking for another. Daichi was unashamedly already on his 4th watery treat and Max had two in his hands. The Dragoon bladers and the rest of the gang meandered before the reception desk where security had dumped them to stand guard by the doors. The many operatives stood ready and waiting for the gang's return drive back to the dojo whenever their employer's business was done, each sighed a breath of relief to finally be out of the sun and would enjoy the grace and pleasure of air conditioning for however long their stay.

A small flock of young pretty looking women and a couple of well groomed guys were on hand to assist any of the gang who desired more beverages or guiding to the toilets. The staff were unsurprisingly abused by the likes of Daichi, Mariah, Dunga and Tyson, and even Max for more and more freebies in the form of luxury iced teas, iced coffees and snazzy fruity water. Their morning beyblade practise had worked up quite a thirst and the quality of drinks they were served were certainly high class; each glass was a refreshing experience and they enjoyed every sip and mouthful. Mariam and Josef couldn't help themselves either and after spending days of patrolling and keeping watch over the dojo under the blazing sun, they figured they could take the next hour or so to kick back a little. Even hard-faced workaholic Ozuma took a peach and orange cooler and even cracked a smile whilst drinking it. Tala and Emily were just as bad as they took at least two iced coffees each just because they could, and were apparently bonding as coffee connoisseurs as they sipped each one guessing the flavour and origin of the beans.

Once rehydrated the teams took the time to appreciate the grandiosity of Kai's building or at the very least the reception so far. The high-tech staff turnstiles, the utterly perfect lilac orchids sat behind the welcome desk workers, the chandelier ridiculously extravagant hanging from the high ceiling, the white marble floor, the stunning calibre of beauty amongst the staff and their professionalism was something they'd never experienced before. The luxury of everything from the water on offer, to the fountain pens used by the receptionists, the high-class decor, to the crystal cleanliness of the place was like being in a palace instead of an office block in the middle of Tokyo. From the second they walked through the doors, the company in its entirety demanded their utmost respect and so, the CEO all the same.

Kai and his dog had finally reached the revolving doors and took his first steps back onto the old turf he once ruled, and still hoped to rule should he regain his title of Chief Executive Officer back from the current interim CEO and friend, Mr Markus Gottlieb. The wounded beyblader may have doubted his significance in the place but his staff did not. Every one of his employees from the elderly female cleaner empting a bin by the door, to the services manager passing through to grab a late lunch, to every male and female receptionist, greeter, and security guard momentarily silenced and lowly bowed to him in the traditional Japanese sign of respect.

Tyson quipped after guzzling another blueberry iced tea with gold leaf floating in it. He was caught unawares and fret as if he'd missed something important. "Whaaaaa? What's going on? Who is everyone bowing to?"

Emily whispered in return after she swallowed another exotic mouthful of iced coffee. "Who do ya think Dummy? King Kai isn't it obvious. Aren't you going to bow too? You're Japanese aren't you? Show respect to your team mate Tyson." She poked for fun.

The Dragoon blader smarted with a drip of envy and a flat eyebrow. "Figures. Yep. Had to be him. And get out of here Emily. Like I'm going to bend for Kai. He should be bowing to me for putting up with him. Being friends with Kai can be challenging you know. Haha."

Kenny, Hilary, Ray, Mariah, Daichi, Tala, Bryan, Josef, Mariam, Ozuma, Dunga, Max, Daichi, Emily and Tyson in a crowd watched on in varieties of awe and envy. The level of power and respect he commanded just by appearing was something they'd never experienced or understood. Being famous beybladers with screaming adoring fans was one thing; to walk into a room and for all to go silent and bow with high regard was another thing entirely.

Max murmured with astonishment. "Wow look at all his staff! It's like he's literally King here. The only thing that's missing is the red carpet and white horses."

Ray's cynical side was clear. He was careful to keep his words quiet. "Yeah but for how long. Take their pay checks away and then see how they treat him. If you ask me, respect in these big companies is paid for, not earned."

Bryan smarmed. "And it could all be taken away in an instant. You watch. Kai might not be the King and commander here for as long as he'd like. You heard him the other day. He could lose all of this and chances are, he may already be half way out the door."

Dunga's jealousy was evident too. "Well if that happends he's gunna have to learn to make a living like normal folks. Welcome to Earth Kai! I bet he's never done a hard day's graft in his life. I'd love to see him stacking shelves or mowing people's lawns for a buck."

Hilary scolded loud, mainly to the apish Saint Shield but to everyone in part too. Her fists quivered at her side as she got worked up. "Will you quit it? I'll remind you the only reason we've got a break from the dojo is because Kai let us to come with him. We got here safely because of his flashy tank-car thingys. The refreshments in your hands...Kai paid for them. So belt up and have some faith in him like the friends you're supposed to be."

Tyson and Co did as Hilary demanded with a fleeting pang of guilt. Her words were harsh and true and some realised the green-eyed monster was getting the better of some of them. The team ceased any further back-biting to watch Kai stride closer with a sore expression, and Victor wagging his tail at his leg's side.

On his travels, Kai stopped to bow back to nobody; his extremely high status meant he didn't have to in the manner of Japanese society. Instead he gazed over his paid underlings and felt nothing. After all he'd been through recently and the dread for the meeting set to take place in less than 20 minutes, he could take no pleasure or pride in his employees' acts of esteem and worship. Finally he reached the group and before anyone could utter a funny or smart comment about the flamboyancy of it all, a young lady approached and stole the gang's attention with nothing but her presence and floral perfume. She was 30 something, Asian and elegantly tall. She wore black plimsolls, black knee length skirt and chiffon yellow shirt with a bow by her neck, holding an electronic tablet by her breast with one arm and in her free hand was a lanyard and clipped to it a silver access card. The first of her actions as she stopped close was a short and sweet bow of respect before chirping sweetly in the smoothest girly voice. "Good afternoon Sir. We're all so relieved to see you back." She took a short moment to absorb the sight of the man she came to know as her boss. He looked nothing like the strong picture of stamina she was used to and pushed aside her need to ask him how he was feeling. She knew he wouldn't appreciate it nor was it entirely professional, especially in the public space in the foyer and in front of all of his 'friends.' She continued. "I have your temporary access card here." She handed the man in the black hoodie the lanyard which he took into a loosely closed hand. "Gottlieb and the team are waiting for you on Level 25. We have allocated meeting room 2 to your...associates... and your meeting is in room 1 with Mr Gottlieb and the other members. Would you like me to bring you anything? Tea, coffee, water, juice? I can have it brought up to you."

Kai muttered darkly as his guts twisted. "No...thankyou." Before the raven haired beauty could offer him anything else, the greynette sharply marched as fast as his aching stab wound would allow him towards the elevator to the back and past a corner behind the reception area. Tyson and Co and the quad of Saint Shields needn't telling to follow. They'd all promised to be on their best behaviour and follow him close like sheep. This was Kai's kingdom and they were nothing more than guests privileged to be invited onto its grounds.

---

The large elevator lined with mirrors and fancy gold railing around the edge of the interior was cramped to say the least. With much pushing and shoving to rival trains at Japanese rush hour, all managed to squidge in with shoulders packed tight and warm sticky salty bodies packed close like sardines in a tin. Many toes were stepped on and elbows poked in sides inducing tuts and cries of "Ouch!" "You're on my foot!" and bickering over whatever tiny space they could for the short but airless and poky ride to sky-high Level 25. The stairs were an option but Kai knew he would never be able to climb them with any speed in his current state, and would not suffer the embarrassment of taking what would be a long, slow and painful process to climb them. The anxious ex-CEO grimaced with closed eyes as he protected his wound with one hand and struggled with the closeness of Ray's groin pressing against his butt cheeks behind him, making him feel uneasy as most heterosexual men would, and Dunga's bulky frame pressed strong at his right side. Someone trod on Poor Victor's tail causing him to emit a high pitched yelp but nobody could see or feel if it was them that hurt him to say sorry.

With a shrill*Ding* the lift had finally reached Level 25. The chrome doors slid open for all to spill out the floor like an over-packed and split shopping bag. Kai and Victor were closest to the doors and dashed out first for freedom but... were ensnared instantly by another experience just as claustrophobic. The rest of the old Bladebreakers and pals piled out of the vertically moving metal box and gasped for oxygen over-dramatically as if they'd no room to literally breathe the whole journey from ground level. Now their lungs could inflate properly and were no longer at risk of crushing each other to death, they soon regained composure in just enough time to catch the next spectacle of the weird corporate day unfolding before them.

Mr Gottlieb pounced with wide open arms covered in the most luxurious long sleeved white cotton shirt. His expensive Rolex dug into Kai's back as he hugged him tight. The Phoenix blader reacted with a rigid spine, with no joy in his soul, and no instinct to hug him back. Gottlieb knew Kai was not one for hugs but yet subjected him to this one regardless. The Germanic giant felt Kai struggle after putting up with it for a couple of seconds and promptly released him, only to grab the shoulder cloth of the younger man's hoodie in great white paws. He pulled Kai's frame backward to get a good look at him and rejoiced with emotion painting his well groomed moustached face. Markus Gottlieb at least was in a good mood. His light blue eyes rolled over Kai's skinny faced complexion and lied through his teeth about how well he seemed. In reality Kai's weight hasn't improved at all since he last saw him many days ago. "Oh Mr H. I can't tell you how happy I am to finally see you back! You're looking soooo much better now. I'm sure you'll be back bossing us around in no time."

"It's exciting to finally see you back Mr H. You're back where you belong Sir." Cried Megumi with friendly conviction in a voice as smooth as caramel. The Chief Financial Officer for Hiwatari Enterprises appeared sassily from behind the European hugger. She was the ebony haired bomb-shell that Tyson, Max, Daichi and Kenny could never forget and instantly locked eyes on for her beauty and rare natural sexiness. Ray too was careful to keep his tongue off the floor with Mariah's jealous eyes watching his every move. Wearing a tight red office dress and red lipstick she approached the young and elder male corporate heads, entirely ignoring the heart-shapes thumping from her employer's lustful friends orbs. Kai looked too peeved to withstand another uninvited embrace and so, respectfully kept her arms to herself. Instead she warmly smiled at him and seductively fluttered her eyelashes without even trying to be alluring. Her words were calm and exact. "I don't want you to worry about a thing. We have everything under control here and this meeting is nothing but a dull formality. The very fact you're here in person will be enough for board members to see you're still capable of running the company. We all want you back on board Sir and have supported your claim relentlessly. Haruka and Midora should be here any minute."

Kai glowered as he saw through her uncertainty. Megumi had an outstanding poker face but he could see straight through her. "Now you have me worried." He thought. His spider sense was tingling that something wasn't right. Whenever he was told not to worry about something, it usually implied there was in fact something to worry about.

"I'm here! Haruka's on her way too!" Cried Midora as he appeared from the stair case with an iced coffee in hand. He sported fuzzy dark green hair, dressed in scruffy ¾ length cargo pants, a pressed white shirt and stripy yellow and green tie. A My Hero Academia lanyard swung from his neck complete with his Level 5 access card clipped to it. He was clearly excited to see his boss and loosely coined friend. In a lot of ways, he was alike Tyson from a social standpoint in that he was quick to make friends with anyone and super chatty. He made for the trio of managers and the pooch sat at Kai's ankles. "It's good to finally see you at long last Sir. It's been over 2 whole weeks! Three nearly! You've never taken that long for a holiday in all the years we've worked together. I was beginning to forget what you look like! Hahaha." He nervously laughed at the end whilst scratching the back of his messy green mop with his free hand.

Kai finally turned to greet him after breaking from Gottlieb's examining hold. His eyes were cold and tired and begged for the day's events to be over.

Midora, unlike Gottlieb and Megumi hadn't seen his boss since the assault at the beystadium. He'd not seen Kai in the ICU fighting for his life, nor his pain in the hospital, or the emotional turmoil he'd dragged himself through, his battles with depression, grief for Dranzer and struggles with appetite and sleep.

Kai hid a gulp well and mustered up something managerial to say by a way of reconnecting with one of his closest team members. "Midora. I hope Gottlieb is keeping you busy and things are well in your department."

The Chief of Technology looked like he'd seen an apparition. Kai's form was a shadow of the healthy man he once was and his new frail image came as a bit of a shock. He appeared gaunt, white skinned, thin lipped and with dark circles around his eyes. His state was nothing like Midora remembered. Kai's body had changed so much in such a short space of time and the Tech head was not prepared. The greenette stammered as he took a moment to get the words together. Gottlieb and Megumi pulled stern faces behind Kai's back as if to prompt the Head of Tech to break out of his stare and reply quickly and do anything other than gawping.

Haruka, a lady in her late 20's with short curly brown hair wearing thick rimmed glasses was the Head of Hiwatari Enterprises HR department and total social butterfly and book worm. She poked her head out from a close corridor nearby carrying a mug of coffee and rushed with so much glee to see her old boss she almost tripped. This woman would drink coffee no matter the weather and sported a Harry Potter lanyard clipped to her access card. Today she wore navy blue ¾ lengths, and a loose fitting and very causal red t-shirt and on her feet were yellow Crocs. Her arrival saved the awkward silence her partner, Midoria struggled to break with his stunned stupor. Haruka's tone was nasal and highly intelligent. "Ohhhhh Sir you're here! We're all so glad to finally see you back."

Kai's fatigued amethyst eyes blinked slowly then rolled to greet hers as she stopped close.

She too couldn't help but feel taken aback by Kai's condition. Kai was always a picture of health, a stunning specimen of a young man but this person before her was a far cry from how he used to look. She smiled and brushed aside the unfamiliarity of his appearance and pretended nothing had changed. To see Kai wearing anything other than a tailored suit was extraordinary too. She figured Kai knew he wasn't his old self physically and needn't anyone point that out. She just hoped the board members and other managers would be just as kind. "Are you ready for this Sir? This meeting is going to determine how long Gottlieb will keep position as CEO and ascertain when you'll be coming back full-time. The sooner you come back the better. We've all missed you and Megumi will tell you the stock prices have missed you just as much. No seriously the place has not been the same without ya. Hahhhahahaa." She ended her sentence with an uber awkward nasal laugh.

Tyson interrupted to say his piece no matter the backlash Kai would give him for it later. He broke away from the group of beybladers to join the corporate one with lanyards and access cards around every neck. "Kai isn't ready to come back full time yet. He's got to heal from his attack first. Give him a break will ya. He's not a machine."

Kai snapped back at him with distain etched in his pale features. He didn't need or like anyone sticking up for him, even if it is in his defence. "Enough Tyson. You know nothing of the business world."

Gottlieb peered at his outstandingly expensive gold Rolex watch and announced in a Germanic part English sounding accent. "Oh look at the time. We should get Mr Granger and his...friends settled into their room and we should start heading to ours. It's almost time and the sooner we get this over-with, the better."

Kai nodded in agreement as he too wanted the whole affair over and done with. He then locked a gaze with his ex-Blitzkrieg Boy team mate, Tala. His voice was soft yet demanding. "Can you take care of Victor for me?"

The ice prince who loved dogs was hardly going to say no. "Yeah. I'll take him for you Kai... and Good Luck."

Kai half-smirked back and Victors blue leash was handed from one blader to the other.

Before long, a receptionist had arrived to lead Tyson and the gang to Meeting Room 2, one of the largest rooms on Level 25. Ready and waiting for them was a wide flat screen TV which consumed almost an entire wall, plenty of comfortable chairs although the luxurious carpet was plush enough, and an expensive spread of sushi, fruit, cakes and hot bento boxes. Without decorum or manners the boys namely Tyson, Daichi, Max, Dunga, Josef, Bryan and even Mariah rushed to the opulent picnic and stuffed their faces silly whilst Emily and Kenny tried to figure out the TV. Hilary and Ozuma marvelled at the artwork on the walls whilst munching on honeydew watermelon fingers. Everyone else picked at the foray of food like normal people and casually enjoyed the high rise view from the window that made up the entirety of one wall. Bryan took some shots of the city landscape with his camera. Tala and Tyson took to playing with Victor to distract him from whining and pacing after his master's departure. A Hiwatari Enterprises Meeting Room 2 was hardly Disneyland but would surely be the most interesting and intriguing place they'd see all week. Tyson and Co were going to be far from bored or hungry...

...whilst a few corridors away...Kai would be fighting to reclaim presidency over his company and prove he still had what it takes to rule it.

---

Meeting Room 1 was not much different to all the other meeting rooms of the building, all were designed very similarly in that they were decorated with silken magnolia linear blinds; the luxurious carpet was cream and stripy and always smelled clean and floral with dry upholstery shampoo the scent of lilies. Canvas prints of samurai and geisha themed this room and one wall was entirely made of cobalt blue glass allowing an unobstructed view of the neighbouring buildings and street many stories below. The people at street level looked like ants from this height. In the middle of each meeting room dominated a dark mahogany wood table with power leads poking out from several points along the middle of its length for those needing to charge laptops or use other electronic devices during the meetings.

Present at the table sat familiar senior Hiwatari Enterprises managers, the acting CEO Mr Gottlieb at its head and board members who represented the financial interests of a portfolio of share holders. One seat sat empty at the tail of the table and all were waiting for the star of the meeting to arrive. Kai, was fashionably late as always. Certain members grew impatient with his tardiness, grinding their teeth and tutting under their breath; they chomped at the bit to say their worst and whatever it takes to over throw his power to take for themselves.

Henry Zhou, the 50 something, chunky bodied, Chinese business man and corporate manager wore an expensive satin black suit and red tie. He slammed his empty mug sharp to the table top. "Is he joining us at all today Gottlieb? Or has he bottled it and gone home already. If he's not fit to be this company's leader then we need to think about what's best for everyone and ascend someone that is."

Markus Gottlieb, the loyal friend, confidant and current acting CEO sat at the head of the table. His reply was elegantly sarcastic as he finished the last sip of his rich tasting coffee. "Oh he's here alright Zhou. He'll be here any minute and you can tell him how much you've missed him. Hmmm?" He peered down his nose at the China-man and smirked before a new arrival caught his attention. "Oh look and here he is. Welcome back Mr H." He said before swiftly pushing his chair, rose to his feet and began to clap his long pale hands in celebration. He then nodded to the young man for reassurance.

All others present around the table joined Gottlieb in delivering a short round of applause whilst their young ex-CEO stood idle and morose in the doorway. During the clapping he was gawped upon and Kai knew they would, he figured he'd let them have a good look and then move on. His ill complexion and evident weight-loss was not of great concern to them, his ability to return as a respectable, mentally capable and functional CEO was. They were assessing Kai on everything he said, did, and his attire was not inspiring them with confidence. He was immediately judged for turning up to an important business meeting wearing a hoodie, loose trousers and trainers...not Kai's best decision but he wanted spacious clothing to hide the extent of his frailty, and comfortable enough to move in without applying any pressure to his abdomen and torso. His slip on and off trainers were practical as he still couldn't bend all the way to tie shoelaces. Sadly, the majority of the corporate cronies around the giant desk didn't care about Kai's needs as a human being; despite his ordeal at the hands of the Shadow Vale maniac, Kai's comforts were null and void in the face of the company's image and its profits.

"Here Sir. Take a seat." Midoria pulled the seat out next to him so that Kai could take it without having to waste energy pulling it out himself, a kind and sweet gesture from a friend and colleague.

Kai didn't say a word to any soul as he darkly sleuthed into the room and took the chair at the far opposite side of the table to Gottlieb, the one next to his Head of Tech and to the other side of him sat another supporter in his corner...Megumi. He glanced at each familiar face with dark encircled eyes and hid gulps of anxiety. His lips were ruler straight and his gaze was gothic. He hated every second of this and wrung his hands tight together into a ball atop the desk surface. He fought not to dig his nails into his skin with the pure tedium of it all. Returning to the office this way and so soon was a forced action Kai didn't have the energy to deal with right now, and begrudged being pressured into it by some of the very people before him. Dranzer was out there in the cruel hands of the Shadow Vale clan and talking about share prices and office duties was not a priority in his heart.

Gottlieb kicked the meeting off by announcing with jovial conviction. "Thankyou all for coming today. This meeting is a formal reconvene with Kai Hiwatari, former CEO and Owner after his unfortunate incident which has left him unable to maintain his position at this time. He's here today to reassure his shareholders and senior management that he is still here in person and in spirit, and in due course will return to full time duties. When he does return, I will step down as Acting CEO and he will re-assume his role as the permanent CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises. Please, all take a seat.

The noise of bodies shuffling and taking back to their seats filled the room. Then the meeting continued its painful course.

Haruka spoke next in her quirky nasal tone after taking some notes on a piece of lined paper. "I have been tasked with taking the minutes for this meeting. Present here we have senior managers Acting CEO and COO Mr Gottlieb, Mr Zhou, Ms Megumi, Mr Midoria, Myself Ms Haruka. Board members and those acting on behalf of shareholders Mr Jack Smith, Mr Rashid Patel, Ms Sara Tayaka, Ms Aiko Suzuki, Mr Johnny Chen. And finally Mr Kai Hiwatari. Let us begin with the main agenda which is aligning a back to work plan for Mr Hiwatari and agree a time scale for his return."

Mr Chen, 30 something year old, asian, male, with short shaved black hair, brown eyes, wearing a grey suit, and big boy of the Japanese stock exchange. "I'm sorry I'm confused. I believed this meeting was to appoint a new CEO should Mr Hiwatari not be fit to return to full duties as of immediately. It's been the two weeks we agreed save a day. We stressed in our last meeting that shares and profits have downturned in such a way that we can not suffer waiting any longer. A newly appointed CEO or Mr Hiwatari's immediate return to position would alleviate any more losses, and inspire confidence back in the company's ability to move forward with contracts."

Ms Aiko Suzuki, a young female Japanese lady, another shareholder added her piece wearing a tight green dress and jade bead necklace. "I'm afraid I was of the same illusion. Mr Gottlieb would you care explaining. Was this a miscommunication? And was Mr Hiwatari made aware of the time scale he was awarded?"

Gottlieb groomed his tightly curled greying brown hair back for comfort in the fast growing pressure killing the oxygen in the room. He stated back the facts. "It was agreed Mr Hiwatari had 2 weeks to return as the figurehead of this company and here he is in the flesh. It was not agreed he needed to return to full duties right away. Another couple of weeks and he will. Just as soon as a qualified doctor signs off on a return to work certificate."

Mr Rashid Patel, a 35 year old Indian man with dark brown skin and a thin beard waited eagerly for his turn to catapult a question. "Mr Hiwatari, without trying to sound cold and unsympathetic towards your injuries, will you be returning to full duties as of say...tomorrow? The company and profit margins beg you to return as soon as possible. I'm afraid waiting until you are completely fit and healed is not acceptable given the chronic loss of revenue and frozen contract offers."

Without giving Kai the time to muster a reply, another pounced on his mental space. Zhou added as if he cared, but those who knew him knew his true and nasty agenda of wanting nothing more than to see Kai fail. "Are you sure you feel well enough Mr Hiwatari? How have you coped since your unfortunate encounter with your assailant? Are you seeking therapy for any psychological damage? Do you feel fit to return to work and all the pressure that entails as CEO? Because if you aren't then appoint someone else in the interim, someone who isn't Gottlieb who can lead the company forward with a more profitable and stable future."

Mr Chen added to his secret ally's barrage towards the stab victim. "Our first and only priority is profit for our shareholders. This is not personal Mr Hiwatari I hope you know that. We are all very sorry about what happened to you and I have no doubt none of this is what you wanted. But you need to think of what's best for the company...your company...your legacy. None of us want to see Hiwatari Enterprises fall into bankruptcy."

Kai finally unfurled his balled hands and placed them flat on the table. He rose from his seat and delivered his eagerly awaited reply. His voice was husky and warning as he eyeballed each and every one of his verbal attackers with a sliver of threat. "Markus Gottlieb is to remain acting CEO until I return. As a majority shareholder I have heftier say over who retains that title in my absence. I believe he is best suited for the job and one of my most trusted advisors. How I feel and how I'm coping is none of your concern. In light of what you have said about the downward spiral of profits I will work with Mr Gottlieb out of office to improve relations with clients and increase revenue. As for my return to full-time duties I wish to make a request, and one I do not make lightly given the concerns you have relayed to me today. I formally request to take annual leave...for 2 months."

Bodies on chairs shuffled with disbelief. Eyes popped and short gasps escaped mouths at the unbelievable request. Smirks painted enemy faces who knew...Kai had lost his mind and this was the beginning of his downfall.

Jack Smith, a white British man with a clean shaved face and short slicked-back brown hair, around 40 years of age and a very invested party in the company scoffed. "I'm sorry did I just hear you correctly. You wish to take 2 months off duty. Are you joking? You are needed back in office as soon as possible, ideally as early as tomorrow. Your request is utter madness."

Ms Sara Takaya. 50 year something, mistress of the corporate world and big time investor wearing a pencil skirt, black blouse, and short frizzy greying hair tucked behind her ears. "That's impossible Mr Hiwatari. You are needed here. What do you intend to do with 2 months of annual leave? Your company is already bleeding money and you want to abandon your duties when your leadership is needed the most? Outrageous Mr Hiwatari, and I have serious concerns over your commitment to the needs of your shareholders and your own business."

Haruka snapped the bones of her fingers before delivering her knowledge as the Head of HR. She was in her element and her words were passionate. "Technically as an employee of Hiwatari Enterprises such as we all are, are entitled to annual leave as stipulated by working rights laws. Kai is well within his right to ask this of his superior, and in light of his recent trauma he has a right to ask to take of his accrued leave in one block. Over the years he's barely taken any annual leave or holiday entitlement, whatever you want to label it and like all workers, are entitled to take it at their leisure. Mr Hiwatari has accrued enough leave to cover his request of 2 full months. Excluding the last 2 weeks he has already been off work which has been approved as sick leave."

Megumi added. "Mr H and I will work closely with Mr Gottlieb to increase communications with past and present clients and ramp up revenue. We'll soon see that downward spiral in profit turn the other way. Mr H can remain a part of the team without being completely present. There are no legal grounds to deny him his request, one which I'm sure is an important one for a number of personal reasons we need not pry into."

Midoria joined the race to arms. "I concur. Mr Hiwatari has worked hard to build this company up from near ruin. None of you would be sat where you are if it weren't for him. Surely he can be allowed precious time needed to heal from his ordeal. Where's your humanity?" He side winked at the greynette still standing. Kai saw and heard his friendly gestures but stoically chose not to react back.

Ms Suzuki fiddled with her jade necklace with unease for the future of her investments. "Tell me. What do you intend to do with two months of free time should it be granted?"

Kai warned with glowering edgy eyes. "That's my business."

Zhou chuckled satanically inside himself before delivering his verdict on the whole affair. Kai's integrity as a leader was shattering before his eyes and he was relishing every second of it. "Well I just don't know what to say to you...Kai. I'm concerned you've even made such a request after hearing our very dire concerns regarding loss of profit and what's more, the reputation of the company is crumbling without a stable figurehead. You are needed here and you're choosing to do...something for 2 months and you won't even share with us what that is. What could be more important that ensuring the success of your business's future?... You've left us with no choice. I say we take it to a vote. All those in favour of granting Mr Hiwatari's 2 month sabbatical raise your hand."

Mr Gottlieb shot to his feet, spat with disgust and wanted nothing more than to wring Zhou's fat neck as he slammed his hands to the table top. His voice was raised and teacher-like. "Don't be ridiculous Mr Zhou! This is childish and unnecessary!"

Chen added with snake-like sneer. His tone was calm and dared to join the witch-hunt. "No. I think we should take it to a vote. This affects all of us and we should all get a say in what happens to this company going forward. Raise your hands all those who...DECLINE... Mr Hiwatari's request."

Haruka, Midoria, Gottlieb and Megumi were horrified at the coup de tat unfolding across the desk.

Mr Jack Smith raised his hand with a stern face.

Mr Rashid Patel nodded as he slithered his arm into the air.

Ms Sara Tayaka fluttered her fingers and forearm towards the ceiling.

Ms Aiko Suzuki swallowed as she lifted her painted fingers high.

Mr Johnny Chen hid a smirk which he wiped away as he lifted his arm to the vote.

Mr Zhou couldn't stop grinning as he raised his as high as his swollen chubby arm would stretch.

The vote was cast. Haruka, Midora, Gottlieb and Megumi would have all supported the approval but 6 beats 4. Kai's vote would not count and so in any case...Kai's request for 2 months leave to find and rescue Dranzer was...DECLINED.

The injured man could do nothing but sit back down and fold his hands in his lap like a child who'd just been told "no." for the first time. The verdict was in and he was in pale faced shock. Never had he been overturned for something so trivial. On paper, the company was doing just fine but the shareholders and certain managers with interests clearly saw differently. Strong nausea tickled his stomach and energy waned exponentially with the high stress. He was dumbfounded and felt completely powerless for the first time in 8 years since assuming the coveted role of CEO of his own company, Hiwatari Enterprises. He felt the need to cry but bottled it up behind years of steely practise. He stayed silent and stiff as the mutinous events sunk in.

The whole room was on edge waiting to see what would be said next. Team Kai were gravely quiet as they struggled to comprehend the coup that had unfolded in front of their very eyes. They were outnumbered and could do nothing to stop it. Not even Gottlieb with Acting CEO status. Zhou, Chen and the other members of the board could oust him just as easily too with another vote. Gottlieb did not like his chances today given how the hyenas had already made a kill and would be ecstatic to make another.

Victorious Mr Zhou scoffed a cackle in the form of a fake cough. "We're not completely heartless though. Boy. What do you all say to allowing Mr Hiwatari a further week's leave? A gesture of good will to give him more time to heal from his injuries. And to do whatever he had planned to do for 2 months...he will just have to squeeze into 7 days. Hmmmm. What do we all say to that? Raise your hands all those who approve."

Again, a slow precession of hands, fingers, and arms rose upwards in agreement that Kai shall have a mere week to "rest" before he is expected back to work and all that entails as a full time CEO. The endless meetings, flying or driven all across the country and internationally, charts and report deciphering, more meetings, employment drives and even more meetings. Kai...was not ready and would not be ready in the puny timescale of a week. And that was Zhou's plan all along to set up the underweight and ailed man...for failure.

Zhou just had to add more salt to a wound he'd been wanting to inflict for years. "If that idea doesn't work for you Kai."

Midora snapped. "His name is Mr Hiwatari to you."

The overweight China-man who loved cigars and would certainly be lighting one tonight. His words were peppered sarcasm and his aim was to humiliate. "Hmmmphh...Mr Hiwatari. Then maybe you can think about naming a new successor and having all the time off you like. Think about it. Move out of the way so a new CEO can take over...and you can play with your spinning toys with your friends as much as you like."

---

"Look Kai! Look Hilary! Dunga you see em...the arcades! Kai, can't we just stop to play for an hour...half an hour...okay how about 10 minutes?! Pleeeeaasseeeee! I'm desperate! I don't wanna go home yet." Tyson created like a child as he bounced and fought with his seat belt to press his face against the glass. For just outside the bullet proof windows were the flashing lights of arcades and all the cheap thrills they offered. His beloved claw machines and shooting games made noises and flashed like electric rainbows to draw in customers like moths to flames. The beychamp would spend every day after school and college and time at weekends as an adult throwing his money away with them for the short lived fun and entertainment they provided, and occasionally win a prize in the form of a stuffed toy, cheap toys, or sweets. Good times and good memories!

Kai's mind was far away from games as he stared with a face so heavy and forlorn those in the Hummer with him wondered if he was going to cry or kill someone at any moment. Dunga sat next to him and shared his limited foot space with Victor. The grey and white fuzzy body lay across both the mens' feet and was totally pooped from all the fuss, new smells and excitement of meeting so many new people from receptionists to cleaners and even high level staff stopped to give him a pat and a stroke.

Hilary cocked her head and figured someone should try to talk to him. "Kai. Is everything okay? You hurried us back to the cars pretty sharpish. How did your meeting go? I'm guessing going by how quiet you are...it didn't go too well?"

The Dranzer bladers' closed off form was silent with pent up frustration and rigidly crossed arms. He hadn't the energy to do anything other than zombie-like stare out of the window as he deathly simmered and seethed. Victor nudged his best buddy's knee with his nose but was rewarded with no fuss or affection back. The loving pooch couldn't reach him either. The greynette was clearly in an unhappy place.

"How about it Kai! Look another arcade. Whatdya say?!" Tyson was clearly oblivious to Kai's pain and needed grounding.

*SLAP* Hilary provided just what he needed to settle down and see what was in front of him instead of the flashing fascias outside on the street. "Cut it out Tyson. Kai's not in the mood." She scolded through gritted teeth.

"Owwwwwww. Whatdya do that for? Huh? Kai..."The bluenette rubbed the area where his girlfriend whiplashed her fingers and imagined the size of the red mark raising on his skin beneath his jeans. He ceased rubbing and fooling around as he now understood why. He calmed and relaxed back into his black leather seat with a seatbelt keeping him in place. He started. "Say Kai. You alright bud? You're awfully quiet dude. Your meeting go pretty bad huh? Talk to us. What's up?"

The ex Dranzer blader was silent for a while before murmuring. "I've lost all my power."

The cap-wearer cupped an ear. "Say what? What you say Kai? Speak up bud."

Kai remained gazing at the outside street with glassy eyes and a lost expression. "I have no control over anything anymore."

Tyson was getting quickly agitated which was easily done as of late with poor sleep and overtraining. "Stop being so cryptic Kai. What the hell happened in there to make you feel like this?"

The dual grey haired man lowered his head to stare at his lap before returning his gaze to the outside view of the highway exiting the city. "I have a week."

Hilary quizzed further in a perplexed tone. "A week to do what Kai?"

Kai's exhaustion was getting the better of him and opened up without much of a fight. His gaze never broke from the window's view. "I have a week to return to my company as a full time CEO. Which means I only have a week to find and rescue Dranzer. It's impossible."

Dunga belted without any sensitivity. "Pah yeah like that's gunna happen. Ozuma ain't gunna allow that! Shadow Vale will watch your vehicles come and go and once they've worked out your predictable office hours they'll be out hunting for you Kai. It'll be open duck season and it'll only be a matter of time before you catch a bullet. If they come for you at your office what's to say they don't take one of your pretty girly receptionist's hostage...or your girlfriend Megumi? And you can't risk putting Tyson, Max and Ray through a hostage situation again either. Look how the last one worked out...and we got lucky."

Hilarys' gash to her neck became a serious and sore focal point for the three men in the following moments. Her special red-lined souvenir and reminder for how nasty and desperate the Shadow Vale clan had become and what they were capable of. Kai had one of his own and was reminded every time he moved or flexed requiring his stomach muscles, or looked in the mirror at what the blood loss; time in the ICU, the resulting trauma, and subsequent grief had done to him.

Tyson asked further. "What will happen if you don't go back next week? They'll replace you?! And what about Mr Gottlieb, what does he say about all this? Can't he help you?"

Kai shuffled his tightly crossed arms and slowly shifted his gaze from Hilary to her neighbour with the aid of a long blink. His tone laced with defeat as he broke eye contact once again to stare out of the window. "Yes Tyson. Gottlieb, my temporary stand in will be replaced for a new and permanent CEO. I'll lose everything I worked so hard to achieve. I'll lose a legacy, my career, my future and all the possibilities I had planned. It's not just a job, that company is my life...was my life."

Hilary quizzed again. "Can't you stay working for your company in a different department or something? Or with your experience maybe you could get another really good job somewhere else? That's when we defeat Shadow Vale and everything finally goes back to normal that is."

Kai's melancholic gaze veered to give them a sore glance each. "I've never wanted anything else. And no, I couldn't go back working under those who voted against me today. I have to figure out a way of working getting Dranzer back and keeping my job. I'm too tired to think properly right now and I haven't got long to figure it out."

Hilary yawned before delivering an idea. *Yawn*"Why don't you have a quick power nap? We're gunna be at least half an hour before were back at Tyson's. Why don't you try to get some rest and we can brain storm later. Hmmm? What do you say?"

Kai sighed. Her suggestion wasn't a terrible one and he was starting to get a headache from having not eaten for most of the day, as well as the emotional upset of his managers' treachery. His tiny breakfast made up of a banana and a handful of crackers and was hardly sustaining for the tumultuous day. Kai turned his glittering heavy eyes to look out the window once more and softly closed them. The rocking of the vehicle, hum of the engine and poor sleep from the nights prior carried his mind to nap-land quicker than expected. His leg splay limply and his arms unfolded a touch as his head began to lull forward and his front bangs to droop too.

He began to softly snooze until...

"KKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

A phoenix call shot his body and brain instantly awake. His arms separated, his skull jolted up and involuntarily his legs kicked out, causing poor slumbering Victor to wonder what on earth had happened. His pupils dilated tight with the audio surprise and his sight hunted for its phantom origin.

Tyson was feeling sleepy too and rested his head atop Hilary's, whose in turn was resting on his right shoulder with her eyes shuttered tight. He lazily muttered. "Must have been one gnarly dream Kai. What happened?"

Kai was wide awake and panted softly. He whimpered. "Nothing. I thought I heard...never mind."

The Dragoon blader yawned with no further interest in Kai's dream as he snuggled down into his seat and enjoyed the softness of Hilary's hair press against his face. Soon, he too began to doze.

Kai peered to his left to see Dunga fast asleep too. The Saint Shields did just as much patrolling night and day and fretting over the Shadow Vale members as his own security operatives...accept Ozuma and his team weren't being paid for it nor had adequate rest breaks or body armour. The Vortex Ape blader softly snored with his mouth partly open, drooling a thin line onto his chin with crossed arms and half of Kai's dog covering one of his chunky boots.

Kai...was finally alone to ponder in peace as he stared out at the burning hot sky and urban motorway landscape whizzing by. "Was that you Dranzer? No. That couldn't be you. I haven't heard your cry in days. This was different...I've heard that cry before but it's been years since. Am I imagining it? Did I dream it? Or am I manifesting something I crave? You could be just the tool I need to fix my life...But I have to go back to the same question. Can I trust myself not to get consumed by your strength, your perfection, your unmatched power? Right now...you're everything that I need...Black Dranzer... and I can't get you out of my head."