A/N: I re-wrote the first 5 chapters, because they were outdated and kind of lame compering to the new chapters (~chapter 14-16) and I actually missed some delicate, but semi-important details from the story that might give a bigger picture in some characters' case. I also wanted to give a good entrance for the new joiners and new readers, so here it is if anyone is up to re-read my story. Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade and its original characters, they belong to Takao Aoki. Alexandra Katin and her Baladrac bitbeast is the only OC here, owned by me.
Warnings: cursing, violent acts, self-harm, mental breakdown, death and child (non-sexual) abuse in later chapters will occur.
Please, take into consideration that English is not my native language so expect grammar / stylistic / semantic mistakes in my writing. I apologize for them in advance.
In my story, I'm using the original names of the Russians, such as:
Tala = Tala (as a nickname from the Russian 'талантливый' meaning 'talented' word) / Yuriy Ivanov
Bryan = Boris Kuznetsov
Spencer = Sergei Petrov
Boris = Vladimir (Gregorovich) Volkov [Gregorovich is my imagination, but Vladimir is the original name for 'Boris' in the Japanese version.]
Have a nice reading!
The Black Phoenix
Chapter 1
If anyone had asked him, he couldn't have told how long he was staring at the white paper before him on the desk. He received the letter just early that morning, delivering the news that would probably provoke a delighted shriek from anyone else who applied to University of London, but for Kai, it was only the next step to follow his grandfather's track on the long way to take over the Hiwatari Enterprises as CEO one day.
It was Voltaire who had insisted him to apply to the university as he had been on the edge of his patience with his grandson's silly beyblading hobby. The old man hoped that Kai would drop his passion for the sport with time, but the fire still burnt in the heart of the phoenix, not turning his back to the sport and determined to show the world his true potential once more.
Kai loved beyblading simply because he was good at it. He still could find unexploited power in himself and the one thing he hated the most was a talent going waste.
To get used to the new West-European environment, his grandfather ordered him a few days ago to fly into England for the Summer, before Kai could even know if he'd been accepted by the university. Voltaire had no doubts about that, of course, yet Kai argued with him and could postpone his travel until the acceptance letter arrived. And now here he was, hopelessly glaring at the annoying formal words that stated he had just become a student of the globally recognized university.
Kai couldn't neglect or run away his family duties anymore.
It was not about him not wanting to become a CEO of his family corporation. Kai knew it was his inevitable fate, and honestly, he was fine with that. He envied his grandfather's power, that his every employee bowed before his will and requests, obeying him as if it was the most natural thing in their lives. He also imagined himself an imposing, great man for the future just like Voltaire was.
It was just… so soon. Kai knew once he started attending a university, he wouldn't have time to beyblade and chance to turn back to the sport anymore. He had a comparatively well-scheduled childhood with lots of tasks from his grandfather, but he still cherished the times when he could forget the fact he was a heir of a tycoon with great life purposes and could focus on the only thing he loved – beybattling.
Kai let out a heavy sigh in his frustration as shifted his gaze to the other letter that laid forgotten on the desk.
A letter from Tyson. An invitation.
The next Beyblade World Championship was announced just a week ago by Mr. Dickenson but Tyson's letter had already arrived few weeks ago. The Dragon-wielder had asked him to entry to the next championship once again teaming up with him, Ray and Max. As Bladebreakers.
Kai liked the idea and he replied uncommonly fast to the letter with a short, straightforward answer. His reply had been so fast that he was now a bit regretting his uncommonly impulsive action.
Kai knew the previous championship was overwhelming for Tyson; competing with his closest friends was something the Japanese boy couldn't handle properly; it had really worn him out, so it was only natural for Kai receiving such a letter from him. What rather surprised him that the absent-minded boy was already preparing for the next championship weeks before the announcement of the new one.
Truthfully, Kai actually liked the idea. It had a high probability that he could attend on a championship for the last time in his life, so he felt himself a bit nostalgic to register with Tyson, Ray and Max as a team, to take his leave of the Beyblade world in an elegant, stylish way.
There was no way to beybattle with his friends again after he flew to London. He was going to be too far away, too busy concentrating on his study. This thought somehow saddened him, deeply.
It would mean the end of an age, and if this was supposed to be his last chance to beyblade along his teammates' side, he was not going to let it slip away, that's why he had accepted Tyson's invitation to team.
However…
It also meant it was his last chance to beat Tyson in a beybattle. Last year, he failed to defeat him. It was a very close match, but eventually, Tyson had come out victorious. Although, he was disappointed with himself, he didn't have bad feelings about his rival's win. The Dragon-wielder had defeated him fair and square, giving his all strength into that legendary fight.
Kai's lip curled into a smile, reviving the unearthly landscape where they had landed thanks to the intense battle they had fought. He had sensed every small motion Tyson had made around him, he had felt the whole universe vibrating in his own mind with Tyson's thoughts and emotions as dying stars had been sliding along the ink of the sky with eternal bright.
Kai had never felt so complete and in harmony with everything in his life as in that moment. He hadn't wanted to chase power, hadn't have any doubts in himself; he had been living the present, not fearing the future, not mourning for the past; he had been at right place, in the right moment to fight for only one glorious purpose.
He remembered how Tyson had mirrored his thoughts. Separated worlds had narrowed only to the two of them, forcing out everyone and everything else out because only their presence that had mattered at that moment.
Although he didn't talk about their amazing fight to anyone and Kai couldn't deny the slightly bizarre part of the fact, he had experienced the greatest time of his life with Tyson. That was that had just happened, and he didn't bother to find it unnatural. He was also certain Tyson felt the same way.
Kai doubted if he could repeat that phenomena with anyone else. This experience was shared only between the phoenix and the dragon.
Fighting Tyson was a thing he wanted, and when Kai wanted something, he pursued it until he succeeded.
He had connections at the BBA, thanks to his generous help that he had offered to the chairman as a representative of the Hiwatari Enterprises months ago. Mr. Dickension needed money and resources to resurrect his global organization once again after Vladimir Volkov had destroyed it with the BEGA-project. It was a long-term investment from Kai's side and he was already enjoying its benefits.
He kept the old man as president, Kai didn't claim any specific role for himself at the BBA, but he had a say in deals and businesses of the organization. He preferred to stay in the shadows, controlling his surroundings from his safe hideout, so he had a better advantage against other competitors in any case. It was a principal rule in the world of big businessmen.
So, through his newly forged link to the BBA, he heard the Blitzkrieg Boys were struggling to find a new member for his empty place in their team.
The opportunity, that he had already used once, was right before him again.
oOoOo
The BBA's main office was crowded with busy, dutiful people. They were working hard to organize every moment of the forthcoming championship, but each of them took the time to stop and reward the red, imposing younger blader with a small bow which was shortly followed by a welcoming smile. The Russian captain didn't bother to return any of them. Like hell if he was going to smile back. Only idiots smiled without any reason.
Tala was heading into the chairman's private office with firm footsteps; he was requested in by Mr. Dickenson himself who preferred the personal meetings over phone calls. It was something Tala could only agree on, he was able to read the other's mind better if he saw every gesture and reaction they made.
Previously, it was him who asked the old man's help. After the he had heard the leaked information that the championship was going to be based on mostly four-member teams, he was one teammate short and for him and his team, it was truly a challenge to find the right candidate.
The Blitzkriegs Boys was a closed community, they didn't let anyone in so easily, thus it was very important for the new member to be loyal, and respectable for the correct skills. It was not an easy task, Tala would admit it, but he really didn't want to lower his expectations.
Ivan would be the perfect choice, but after Volkov's Demolition Boys had been defeated a few years ago, he turned his back to professional beyblading, and decided to build a proper future for himself with education.
Tala often pondered on the small boy's unusually matured decision. Maybe Ivan was right and they all should have left beyblade behind, because it was not possible to earn money from championships forever. Those had to be won if he wanted to build a financial existence for his adulthood.
However, he couldn't just turn away and leave behind everything he was fighting, beaten and raised for in his entire life. He had to prove himself and both Boris and Sergei, that their not so ideal childhood was not meaningless. He had to show Volkov he was successful without his help.
Tala received many offers from voluntaries for the post and he could imagine a few of them as a member of the Blitzkrieg Boys. Unfortunately, he'd already had to turn down two potential candidates because of the lack of language knowledge. Although all Blitzkriegs Boys spoke English, they mainly discussed team strategy in Russian, and considering the fact that his team was not quite friendly or social, a language barrier would just add an additional problem to communicate properly with the new member and forge an actual team.
Having such a short time, Tala had turned to the BBA chairman for some help. The old man had more information about the beybladers, and thankfully, since Volkov had failed, Mr. Dickenson was kind enough to become their patron after the Abbey had closed its gates, providing them every possible help he could give.
After the secretary announced Tala's presence to Mr. Dickenson, he could enter the chairman's office.
"It's good to see you, Tala! Please, take a seat." The old, stocky man pointed to the chairs in front of his own desk with a warm, jovial smile.
Although, Tala highly appreciated the help he and his team got from the man, he hated that smile on the wrinkled face. Again, smiling for no reason…
"Thank you, sir." Tala replied politely and sat on one of the chairs, then immediately got to the point. "Am I summoned here today because of a possible new teammate?"
Mr. Dickenson didn't find his blunt question offensive; he was very well aware of the different communication skills of the Russians from the Abbey. He knew they hadn't wasted time on such delicate things as diplomacy, though Tala got some talent on the area, that's why he was the captain of the team, he assumed. However, even the redhead boy tried to avoid wasting any unnecessary minute, just like he did now.
"Yes, as a matter of fact." Mr. Dickenson took out some files from the drawer of his desk and put it before Tala so he could examine them. "You gave me a very well-detailed requirement list regarding the candidate you're looking for, and unfortunately, I couldn't find many that could meet with all your expectations. There is one that I consider very promising for you, however…" The chairman trailed off, unsure how to continue.
"What's the issue with him?" Tala lifted his eyes from one of the files. Two out of eight were already not suitable for the team being too young or too unexperienced.
"Well…" Mr. Dickenson was still lack of words. "Exactly that, if that'd be an issue at all. It's a her."
Tala just raised a meaningful brow at the old man who was expectantly waiting for his answer on the idea. He totally forgot to add 'male candidates' as a criteria, it was so evident the new member had to be a guy.
Personally, he preferred not to have any girl on his team and Tala was perfectly sure that Boris and Sergei would share his opinion in this question.
He didn't deny that girls could beyblade, and he didn't have any problem with them playing in the park with each other. But the tournament was on another, professional level and females genuinely lacked the persistence and the proper physical condition for a tough beybattle, and Tala wanted to win this year. He couldn't afford more experiments with risky choices. Tala had considered Kai an ace for his team last year and even he had failed with Tyson. He needed the best member he could get and that didn't include any girl-power.
"No." He rejected firmly.
Mr. Dickenson was not taken by surprise with his dismissive reaction, but still furrowed his eyebrows.
"At least take a look at her file. I believe you'll find it interesting. Especially where she came from."
The red-haired boy breathed out through his nose, not pleased with the request but he didn't want to be rude. The old man was doing him a favor finding the correct member for the team.
Clear, icy-blue eyes searched through the files and he found the one he was looking for.
Name: Alexandra Katin
Country: Russia
Age: 17
Bit Chip: Baladrac (whale-dragon)
Type: Stamina/Balance
Beyblade background: Volkov Abbey, Moscow
Tala's both brows ran up.
Volkov Abbey? Volkov trained only boys, girls were forbidden in that building, so it was impossible for her to train there. This girl was a liar.
But why on earth would anyone lie about that? If her intention was a simple call for attention, she did a good job though it was a disgustingly low strategy. Joking with the Abbey or just using its reputation was not something any Blitzkrieg Boys member could tolerate without consequences.
Tala looked at the small photo that was clipped to the file. Alexandra was a blonde, green-eyed girl with a serious, despising look which was very common in Tala's team and among the boys who grew up in the Volkov Abbey.
Maybe she did have some connection with that place, Tala pondered amusingly in his mind.
The most striking thing on her was not her prettiness or her blank expression though, but the black eyepatch on the right eye, giving her the appearance of a vicious pirate.
Closing and putting aside the girl's file, Tala quickly reviewed the remaining ones, but for his much disappointment, he found only two beybladers he could use for his team. He bracketed them with the girl's file and held them up to Mr. Dickenson.
"I'm interested in these." He said as the old man took the folders from him and checking promptly the captain's picks.
"Ah!" Mr. Dickenson smiled again. "I knew she would catch your eye."
Tala cocked his eyebrow, irritated with what the old chairman was trying to hint.
"I'm quite sure she's just an impostor; girls were not allowed in the Abbey. I only want to question her, my true interests are in the two boys whose files I've just handed you over."
"Alright." Mr. Dickenson nodded, his voice suddenly became firmer. "However, before we move on, I'd like to remind you, Tala, every registered beyblader's background and data is checked and validated thoroughly by the BBA. No impostor can be part of our organization, I can guarantee you that."
Tala confirmed the chairman's words with a blank, unfazed face. He could be barely convinced to trust in a system he couldn't see through and was not under his control.
Mr. Dickenson checked again the files then changed his tone back to be more friendly again.
"All beybladers are in Tokyo. I can call them in to give you a presentation in our training room, if you would like to."
"Yes, please." Tala agreed. He liked the idea; the faster he decided about the person of the new member, the sooner they could build a strategy with him for the tournament.
Mr. Dickenson picked up the phone on his desk and gave instructions to his assistant before he left his office room with Tala, escorting him to the training room.
By the time they arrived at the gym, one of the two boys backed off. Once he heard it was the Blitzkrieg Boys, he turned the offer down, evidently not desiring to be part of the team. So now, only the other boy and the girl remained.
They were already waiting for them in the training room. A black-haired boy with round face was curiously exploring the modern training room, running from corner to corner his droopy eyes; and the blonde girl, surprisingly tall, was standing beside him with a determined, self-contained expression.
After a short greeting, Mr. Dickenson instructed them to beybattle with each other while Tala was watching them closely.
He was judging not only their skills but their appearance and behavior, as well. Skills were worth nothing if they couldn't handle the pressure. For Tala's annoyance, the girl was noticeably more confident than the boy who seemed too humble for his taste. Boris would eat the kid for breakfast.
A coach, who supervised the match, counted down and both players launched their beyblade into the dish.
The boy was pathetic.
Tala had to grimace at the sight. The guy seemed so promising based on the report Mr. Dickenson gave him, but in real fight, he couldn't focus properly.
As for the girl, she obviously less experienced. She didn't know many defending or attacking moves, but she was smart enough to use the boy's lack of confidence against him and she defeated him not much later after the launch.
Tala suddenly found himself considering the choice of the girl. He was looking for exactly this mentality. He needed warriors who didn't fear to pick up a fight against stronger opponents and concentrate only on the dish and on the win. His concerns about a female member were still in his mind though.
"You can leave." Tala gestured to the door with a tilt of his head for the boy who couldn't hide his sad, disappointed face. Clearly not a fighter, Tala sneered internally.
"Thank you, Jeremy!" Mr. Dickenson sent after the boy with a kind smile to give him some comfort.
Tala looked at Alexandra with a harder expression.
"Come here!" He barked and she obliged without a word, standing in front of him almost like a soldier.
For a few seconds, they stood in silence as Tala didn't say a word, just watched intensely the blonde, trying to catch a lie on her face. Although she seemed to be ill at ease under his gaze, she didn't look away.
"According to your file, you had learnt beyblading in the Volkov Abbey."
"Yes, sir." She confirmed his statement with a firm nod. Not even blinking under her lie.
Tala scoldingly narrowed his eyes.
"Tell me about it." He commanded.
"May I speak in Russian? It'd be easier for me." Alexandra asked. So far, they were talking in English in regard of the BBA chairman, who immediately took the hint, excused himself and thanked the coach for his assistance before they left the two young Russians alone in the training room to speak. He had other responsibilities anyway.
After the small interruption, Tala looked back to the blonde girl, giving her his undivided attention. With a short nod, he allowed Alexandra to continue in Russian.
"I know very well you're suspicious of me." Alexandra began, in unexpectedly straightforward manner. "Everybody believes only boys were raised in the Abbey and Vladimir Gregorovich did everything to keep it that way."
"'Vladimir Gregorovich'?" Tala arched a brow.
"Yes, Volkov, the main authority of the Abbey."
"I know who he is!" Tala snapped and waved her off impatiently. "Why don't you simply refer him as Volkov?"
Alexandra shrugged her shoulder.
"We were told to call him like that."
"Whatever. Go on."
"It was true that we were not trained inside of the Abbey, it was a covered program for only girls outside of the Abbey's walls, organized by Vlad… I mean, Volkov himself. He selected a small group of girls with promising skills and his instructors trained us every day."
Tala folded his arms, still not believing a word. Volkov never, ever talked about training girls during Tala's life in the Abbey. Moreover, based on the older man's demeaning remarks, he rather detested women. Volkov always thought them weak and useless outside of the kitchen, so it was hardly believable for Tala that man giving a fat chance for a better life to any girl.
"He never mentioned anything about this." Tala commented, still trying to catch her on a lie.
"It was a highly confidential agreement with other orphanages for girls. We were not allowed to talk about it either, he had to protect his reputation, I assume. Also, with all due respect, I don't think it was something meant for a boy's concern, sir."
Tala was not pleased with what she was saying but Alexandra got a point. Why would Volkov have told him anything about his plans when he was just a boy? A nobody, a tool? He was in exceptional position in Volkov's eyes, yes, the strict man always cared for him more than any other boy in the Abbey, and once Tala too had looked up at him as a father, giving a purpose for his miserable life, but that didn't mean Volkov had unconditionally trusted Tala.
"What was the goal teaching you beyblade? Did they plan to train a girl team for the championship?" The thought itself was laughable for Tala, but he kept his smile under his control.
"No, we were also forbidden to beyblade in public." Alexandra explained, making Tala's brows furrow in his confusion. "We were trained for a different purpose. In case of the failure of the Abbey's talented team, we would have been the backup plan in Volkov's world domination project."
Tala huffed a sarcastic laugh in his disbelieve. How could a man be so clever and so childish at the same time?
"What happened after our failure on the championship? Why he didn't use your group if you were trained for that scenario?"
"I don't know." Alexandra shook her head in her clueless. "There was not enough of us left, I guess. It was only me and another girl from the entire group. I don't know what happened with her. After the Bladebreakers' victory, our program was shut down as well."
"How is that only a few of you left?"
"Vladimir Gregorovich visited us and reviewed our progress on monthly basis. The ones, who didn't meet his expectations was rejected and thrown out back to the street. Most of them ended like that." Alexandra silenced, shifting her eyes down at the sour memory and Tala slightly softened for the first time by her sincere expression.
He knew very well that feeling; watching your comrades being kicked out back to the streets during cold, harsh winters, seeing the bravest boys pleading and begging with tears in their eyes, clinging into the faintest hope to escape from starvation and frost death. It was a painful sight and Tala quickly had learnt not to make a close bond with anyone in the Abbey.
Maybe she wasn't lying after all. Maybe she had been truly trained under Volkov's supervision, but he still had doubts.
"Why now? Why didn't you register to the BBA earlier if your program was shut down years ago?"
Alexandra shrugged her shoulder again, not really having a specific answer.
"I was searching my path. I saw you with Kai in the television last year and I thought… why should I waste my years with hard work and pain? So, I want to try. To win a championship and show the world I'm not something they can easily brush aside. That way, I'll know the suffer was worth it."
Tala hummed in contemplation.
He heard enough. He could see potential in the girl; she got her spirit, her personal reason for the win and got some promising skills as well, but it was obvious she hadn't been practicing hard enough in the past years. It would mean too much work for him and his team to make her catch up, so he had to think it thoroughly.
"Thanks for your time." Tala said bluntly then turned on his heel and left behind the blonde with her puzzled look, not giving her any exact answer.
He was considering the pros and contras of accepting Alexandra as a team member the entire rout back to his lodging; it was not an easy decision. Tala had his fears having a girl in the team, it could complicate so many things.
First of all, he was not sure what Boris and Sergei would say in case if he had said yes for her. Would they accept her at all? Or the opposite, could she be a distraction for them? Tala didn't want to risk his boys' performance, they trained so hard in the past months, preparing for the tournament to win.
He knew he couldn't ask their opinion on this matter. It was a decision he had to make as a captain. It was his responsibility and he had to take it seriously or his team was not going to respect him. His performance from the last championship had made already enough damage on his esteem.
When he arrived at his room, he dropped himself to the bed, tired by the day. He was arriving late night yesterday from Moscow, and his first thing at the morning was to speak with Mr. Dickenson about the candidates he had found for him.
He should call Boris to tell him and Sergei he was doing okay. He didn't have the time to speak with them yet.
Tala reluctantly sat up, running a hand through his hair to remove the two red strands from his face. He was about to pick up the phone and made his call when it suddenly rang.
"Yes?"
"Tala. It's Kai."
Tala would recognize the familiar, stern voice without any introduction, he hated it so much sometimes. This guy had a habit turning up out of the blue with an ulterior motive when he expected it the least. He found it very annoying.
"To what do I owe this call?" Tala asked, purposefully implying he was absolutely uninterested in what his former teammate had to say to him.
"I heard you're looking for a fourth member for your team."
If there was something he admired in Kai, it was his plain-speaking manner. Tala didn't like wasting his time for unnecessary formality, but the phoenix could stand it even less.
"And I heard you've already registered with the Bladebreakers." Tala retorted, reminding his fellow about his non-existent loyalty.
He was curious what Tyson would think about Kai, jumping ship again for like the hundred-tenth time in his beyblading career, but then he realized, he could care less what conflict the Bladebreakers had or would have. It was not his concern.
"It does not mean anything. The rules allow us to switch teams until the tournament officially begins. So, is there room in your team or not?" Kai sounded impatient that made Tala think. Why was he so eager to join his team? Last year, Tala had had to give the last push for him to abandon Tyson and be his tag-team. Now, the tables turned, it seemed.
He also found amusing that he was looking for the new member for weeks then few days before the opening of the championship, two decent beybladers appeared to join the team. It didn't make his choice easier.
Tala didn't know much about the girl. She played well today and seemed promising, but she still meant a significant risk for his team.
As for Kai, it was true that Tala was familiar with his beyblading style and strategy; he also got the experience how to handle his annoyingly arrogant attitude, however, he didn't find his offer so seductive like a year ago. The snob boy should know he was not such a big catch anymore. He couldn't defeat Tyson last year, what would guarantee for Tala he could do it now if they had to battle with the Bladebreakers?
Furthermore, Tala didn't like Kai's attitude keeping the Blitzkrieg Boys as plan B only because of a possible match with Tyson. He hated when people used him or his team for their own goals, even if he could understand Kai's motives; he was not going to let anyone to walk through him and his team.
This year, Tala's plan was to rise the Blitzkrieg Boys to earn everyone's respect. He wanted to return their dignity what they had lost some years ago when the Bladebreakers had taken away the champion title from them. He wanted to show everyone his boys could perform just as good if not even better under his own command, without Volkov's help.
For that, Tala had to draw a line even for Kai. He didn't want anyone in his team who couldn't honor the Blitzkrieg Boys as much as they'd deserve it, and Kai had to learn that.
An idea was forming in his head.
"Actually, I just found a promising member for the team but… I'm not entirely sure she would fit in the team."
"She?"
Tala could hear Kai's dismayed tone even through the line; it made him smirk in satisfaction.
"Yes. I think you two should battle for the open position. That way I can make sure that I pick the right person for the team. Are you in Tokyo, too?"
The line was silent for several long seconds. Tala didn't hear Kai's thoughts, but he could tell the phoenix was rapidly considering his options. He was also certain Kai was not pleased with the idea that he had to battle for a position that he had been earnt in the past without anything to prove, but he would be a fool if he dared to protest now.
Tala was content with himself. If Kai Hiwatari found a suggestion not quite for his taste, that meant he negotiated well.
"Yes, I am." Kai sighed, at long last.
Tala's smirk grew wider; he was in control now and he knew Kai hated him for that.
"Excellent. Come to the BBA's training center tomorrow, 2 pm."
Tala didn't bother to say goodbye, he hung up the phone before the other at the end of the line could confirm he understood the instructions.
Now, he only had to notify Alexandra about the next round of her audition.
