Chapter 1

The morning sun streamed down to the earth below, where battles raged left, right and centre. Metal clashed against metal, in tune with the strained grunts of their masters. Commands were called and flashes of energy burst from the teens. Victorious cheers and agonized wails chorused in the ballad of Beyblade. The Brawlers' Bliss Tournament was in full swing.

A beyblade with a rose-gold attack ring sped through the stadium, easily sending others flying out of its way. Her opponent gritted her teeth, trying her best to salvage the battle. "Ugh! Arachne- Special Move!"

"Oh?"

"Spider Silk Snare!"

The face bolt glowed for a split second before Tangle Arachne's spin rate accelerated, to the point of it being half-embedded into the dirt for stability. Winds picked up, and the olive-eyed girl's bey was drawn towards it.

"Try that on for -huh?"

She covered her hand with her mouth, giggling. Oh, she shouldn't laugh- the poor thing really was trying her hardest. Exhaling, she let the laughs die, and showed her true boredom with the whole affair.

"Arachne, hm? Her spider form was a curse, dear. A punishment for misplaced ambition!"

The rose-gold bey started vibrating, the low hum increasing in volume as cracks started forming, slithering right in the direction of-

"GET OUT OF THERE, ARACHNE!"

The Special Move was cancelled and the bey attempted to dislodge itself, but it was too late. The earth under it crumbled and it was caught- as expected.

"Better luck next year, sweet."

Tangle Arachne's motionless attack ring faced the sunshine imploringly, mirroring her wielder's tear-specked eyes. The victor, unsympathetic, spun on her heel and contemplated her next move.

"It's almost noon. I'll get water."

A beep from her beypoint counter caught her attention: 130 from her 13 matches- 13 victories.

"We're on our way, Mercury. Let's show them they'll never catch up."

Her burgundy waves elegantly swaying as she walked, and with Blaze Mercury sparkling in her hand, Ayaka Maeda set off to find other obstructions to rack up points from. Would there be a-

BOOM!

The girl was thrown off her feet, rolling until her back collided painfully with a nearby tree. Grunting, she staggered to her feet and glanced around. Southeast, a column of deep purple light was shining, twisting the landscape into something nightmarish. The very aura it cast was intimidating. Her lips curled into a grin. There was someone interesting here, after all. She took off in the direction of the light, passing bewildered bladers limping away.

"You look interesting. I'd like to battle you."

Her subject wasn't even in a blading stance- seeming at attention if it weren't for her crossed arms. She scanned her for a bit, before closing her eyes. "Please don't. I'm not in the mood."

"Please, darling. I didn't ask about your feelings."

During their little back-and-forth, Ayaka furtively scoped out the environment. Five bladers were being rushed out of the area, in fetal position and shivering. Ah, yes. Weaklings being culled- that would make her job much easier later on.

"For your sake, I'll end this quickly."

Sleepy-voiced, almost drawling, but something foreboding stalked among the crisp consonants and lengthened vowels. Snapping out of analysis- mode, a strange shiver darted down Ayaka's spine, but she ignored it. The perfect countermeasure would be worked out on the battlefield, and she'd study quite the intriguing opponent. Launching her bey, she circled immediately, hungry for information. Would they attack? Go defensive. Perhaps they'd try to feel her out as well.

"Galaxis- Mercy of the Abyss."

Grey eyes flashed. A dark sphere tinged with purple erupted from the stadium and it suddenly felt…so cold. A cold that seeped into her very bones, immobilizing her from the inside-out. Was her heart even beating-why couldn't she breathe-Mercury. She needed to turn this around.

"Special Move- Deceitful Dance!"

Nothing. Where was he?

"He's tired of your little game, your bey."

What on earth was she going on about?

"Mercury! Come on! Let's end this!"

Nothing! A cold sweat stared breaking out at the back of her neck. Her heart was racing, while freezing energy pulsed from Galaxis. In a cruel twist of fate, the move was much similar to Arachne's. But everything was icy- heavy- too dark-Mercury- where was his light- where was he?! Darkness - reaching shadows inside-coiling around her spirit. She clawed at her chest as invisible tendrils brushed against her heart-get it out-get it out- get it out!

Out of nowhere, a shower of glass broke the crushing silence. It would have been comforting if not for the waves and waves of grief. Something in her consciousness wailed- she'd say her ears were splitting, but the scream that wasn't a scream resounded around and inside her. It was everywhere and… nowhere? And worst of all, she was buckling under the weight. Seemingly understanding, the pocket space melted, and reality burst through. It was a short distance away- metal shards no longer part of a whole, but shattered into oblivion.

"Mer... cury?"

No pulsating warmth, no reassuring calm. Scrambling to the pieces, she scooped them up, as cold dread and a pit in her stomach opened up. He was- there was- she couldn't- how had this- what had she done?

Kai-Rah turned, leaving Ayaka to turn over the shards wide-eyed and gasping for air. How could she let this happen? What happened to estimating her opponent's strengths before engaging? Her-

Someone was hugging her, speaking gently. Another was yelling insults to the retreating victor. Eventually, they turned their attention back to the stricken blader. "We can help you get patched up. You and Merc-,"

"No. We're fine." Her voice said.

"Listen, girlie. You don-!"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Shoving off the other, Ayaka limped off. Safe- she wanted to be safe. She needed quiet. Red cross. Safe. Bed.

Tears.

So many tears.