Hiya Vlissan! and new ready Saorsie! Thankyou for your little review there, Its brilliant to hear i have another reader :) I'm so pleased you're still loving it too Vlissan. Biiig kisses! I lost my job last month so I've had a bit more time than usual to get some fanficcy writing in so here's another chapter for ya! I rather enjoyed writing about Boris too in this one. The next chapter is going to be quite descriptive so may take me a little while to produce but I'm on it!

Thank you all! And Enjoy :)

Chapter 48.

The steaming homely aroma of beef stew made up of cow meat, carrots, and chunks of diced potato wafted short-lived across the room on a plate, before the scolding meal unexpectedly befell gravity to the moth eaten rug below. The fish-gutter who intended to eat it with a rumbling tummy sharply lost his appetite, as his chilled grey eyes immediately recognised the uninvited guest from his very chequered past. A young face which had matured in the past decade was gazing back with glowering amethyst eyes and a pale and unusually thin complexion, sat powerfully postured and stoically silent in the stunned homeowner's armchair. Wrapped around his fingers and resting sideways in the trespassing youth's lap...was a handgun with the barrel pointing outwards and ready to shoot. His clothing was stylishly rebellious with grey cargo pants, darker grey army boots and a plain black t-shirt beneath a fashionable hooded biker jacket also black in colour. Kai Hiwatari's clothing, facial expression and body language stated he meant business.

The intimidating invader barely moved with one leg crossed over the other. He remarked with pure control and poise in a voice more mature and deeper than his in teen years. "Hello Peter Molotrov...or should I call you by your old name...Boris Balkov."

Boris...or Peter as he was locally known...had no time to smarm anything witty or defensive back. Conversing with his unwelcome intruder no matter the topic took 2nd priority to the SWAT team that had no doubt accompanied the boy, and was seconds away from ramming through his door and smashing through his windows to handcuff him, finally putting an end to his decade or so of dodging the fists of justice and the book of law. Panicking with jittery legs, an uncomfortably thumping heart and nausea from the sharp produced adrenaline, the man with greying purple hair in a scruffy ponytail ran to his living room window before clawing aside a dirty and ripped net curtain with dread, to see the inevitable swarm of federal agents from multiple countries with badges and warrant paperwork collecting outside his secret rural abode. His eyes rapidly swivelled from side to side, his tiny pupils hawked fast over the immediate view of his driveway and surrounding vegetation expecting to see snipers at the ready with laser beams, dogs viciously gnashing the air and foaming at the mouth, helicopters whirling noisily above, men carrying a battering ram ready to destroy his front door beyond any and all repair, and more operatives hiding in the bushes with radios and cameras... Instead, Peter saw no one...but remained glued spying from the dirty window...expecting his time as a convict on the run had come to an end... just as soon as a troop of armoured vehicles and fleet of Russian police cars finally arrive at speed to the edge of his property...any...moment...now.

Kai's warning but somewhat playful tone broke the silence. "Boris, if the CIA or FBI knew you was here you would have been zip-tied with a black bag over your head and you'd be in the back of an armoured vehicle before you had time to reach for your house keys." The stylishly dressed man wearing grey and black arose gingerly from the lumpy old chair as if he was mindful of a hidden wound, he then powerfully strode two steps away from it, and strongly gestured with his free hand for his unwilling host to sit. "It's just you and me. So take a seat...Boris."

The man who once fraudulently passed himself off as a holy man of a Russian abbey and kind hearted father-figure of needy orphans spun on his heels, and peeled his franticly hunting eyes away from the unclean window pane. Mildly satisfied he was safe from the immediate danger of an interrogation room and chains he relaxed a touch but was still visibly shaken by his sudden discovery. Boris Balkov finally afforded his ex-student his whole focus and low key fretted for his life having remembered what lay in the unpredictable beybladers lap. His voice was husky and hissy, exactly as Kai recalled. His words were breathy and panicky. "What do you plan to do...with that gun Young Kai? You can't still be mad...at me for our time at BIOVOLT together? And BEGA was nothing personal... Brooklyn was his own demon...and what he did to you in battle had nothing to do with me! I swear it."

With a height almost matching the elder man, Kai slowly stalked around the room step by step causing the senior fish-slaughter man to scuttle away in an opposite direction to keep space between their bodies. Kai took a step forward; Boris took a step back and so on. Their movements appeared like a funny dance, but were no doubt a challenge of dominance on the youth's part. The Japanese invader couldn't resist but enjoy the opportune power whilst hiding a sinister smirk from his stoic face; a buried trait inherited from his grandsire Voltaire was evident. In doing so, he judged the dated and poverty stricken home, and even fingered some dust off a shelf beholding various nick-knacks and animal bones collected from the nearby woodland and cruel trappings. The man who once terrified him as a child...how the tables had turned, and how far his old coach had fallen from renowned manager of elite championship level beyblade teams with a healthy income and extravagant standards...to living in a beaten up cabin on the outskirts of a tiny fishing village eating tinned meals and enjoying TV as his only luxury. Ceasing his parade around the half-derelict home, Kai finally gave his frightened ex-tutor an answer to his question. He tauntingly inspected the weapon in his hand at chest height as he spoke. "Don't you recognise your own gun? I found it in a drawer beside your bed...you expecting someone? 10 years is a long time on the run Boris. My Grandfather stood trial and is paying for his transgressions...instead you ran away from your comeuppance like a cockroach."

He then lowered the handgun to hang loosely at his thigh, slyly cocked his head to the side with complete control and stated calmly. "Don't worry about the gun Boris; I don't intend on using it...I just needed to make sure you wouldn't either. I've searched your home and unloaded the one you keep under your floorboards in the bathroom, and emptied the shot gun under your kitchen sink."

The jittery fish-gutter finally settled somewhat but still remained terribly on edge. His snake-like voice demanded answers. "What do you want Young Kai. Why are you here? After all this time why now...and who told you where to find me?"

The dual-toned grey haired man softly cocked his head the opposite side; his bangs softly flopped as he did. His tone was a touch menacing and mysterious. "Take a guess."

Boris scoffed and smiled with pointy cigarette stained teeth. He hooked a hand on his hip and leaned on a nearby wooden cabinet in an attempt to look cocky. "Voltaire, your forever doting Grandfather. That old goat. Just how is the justice system treating him? A life sentence without the possibility of parole in a Maximum security jail, a far cry from the pomp and grandeur he's accustomed to. I bet he wasn't all that happy to hear from you after you turned your back on him, and helped lock him away forever in a jail cell. I can't expect that was a warm welcome from your dear old Grand-daddy. I watched the whole trial on TV. You didn't hold back...did you...Young Kai. A clever strategy now that you're in charge of his company and wealth. A job well done. That's your future and inheritance secured all when you were just a teenager. Very clever and a bold move I have to say."

Kai sneered a reply. His Grandfather was never a comfortable subject. "He despises every second no doubt, despises me, and despises you for dodging your share of penance."

Boris hissed with an element of pride. "I adapted and pivoted when I needed to. Voltaire thought he was invincible, he chose to stay and fight the system and he lost his freedom for it. I chose to change public perception of me, and when that didn't work, I ran...this place may not be the Ritz but it's better than a 12 by 8 prison cell. At least here I get to come and go as I please, eat what I like and have some semblance of a life. I'll take freedom over pride any day. Besides, it's all worked in Voltaire's favour for me to stay out of that witness box...I hold secrets for your Grandfather he would never want me to spill."

Kai didn't have time for memory lane, nor cared to hear of his Grandsire's dirty laundry. He interjected before the ex-monastery owner could spew anymore words of boast about his escapades as a wanted felon. "As wonderful as it'll be to talk about my Grandfather all evening, I haven't come here to socialise. I need something from you."

Boris chuckled from nostalgia as he relaxed more some. "Ahhhhahhhh finally, we're cutting to the chase. That's just like you Kai, no fluff and no games, straight to the point. What can I help you with...Young Kai."

Kai's eyes glittered mysteriously beneath the shade of his light grey bangs. "Black Dranzer...I need to know what vault it's in and the code to open it."

The scruffy purple haired man cackled as his leaning stance fell apart. He then took a dangerous step closer to his past student. "Well well this is a surprising conversation. I must say I never expected to hear or say the words Black Dranzer ever again. Such a powerful and destructive piece of beyblade engineering. Just devastating...what you did with it when you were only 11 years old. Half the abbey destroyed in seconds and those poor poor boys who got caught in the crossfire. Tut tut tut. Kai, you and Black Dranzer have caused so much pain and havoc already, why would you want to do it all over again? Don't tell me your Grandfathers dreams live on in you...world domination? Hahhaha. I thought you were playing for the goodie's side. Tut tut tut. What will your friends the BladeBreakers think?"

Kai sneered darkly. He did not take well to being jibed or laughed at on a good day let alone on top of the pressure of recent circumstances. His voice harshly rose to reflect his impatience. "That's my business. Do you know where Black Dranzer is or not? My Grandfather said you were the last to have it and locked it away under the Abbey. He said you know what vault and the code to get in."

Boris grinned devilishly. The man described just moments ago as a cockroach now all of a sudden had all the power in the room...power he wished to bathe in for as long as he could get away with it. "Always so hasty Kai. Humour me first and then we can talk about vaults and codes. It's been a long time since I've had any visitors and it's not like I can go see my old friends anytime I like nowadays."

Kai hissed back with venom. "We are not friends and I don't have time to stroll down memory lane."

Boris smarmed in reply. "So prickly Kai. I guess I can't blame you..."

Kai's eyes rolled before raising his voice again to interrupt the fish smelling host's babbling. His hand twitched and readied to pistol-whip the man if need be. "DO YOU KNOW WHERE BLACK DRANZER IS? Yes or No? Don't waste my time Boris!"

Mr Molotrov/Mr Balkov slid a calloused hand over his greasy hair and unkempt ponytail. "Tsssk Tssk That's not how this works Young Kai. You can't just break into my home and demand something for free. Quid pro quo. You have to give me something for that information Kai. You should know nothing of value comes for free and as you can see...I'm hardly living flush right now. I know you're CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises and my guess is you aren't short of a few yen. So I want cash and lots of it. I can tell Black Dranzer's whereabouts is something of value to you...so what is that terrible beyblade worth?"

Kai said nothing further as he reached into his left-side biker-jacket pocket and withdrew a brown paper bag about the width and heaviness of a house brick, and rudely tossed it into Boris's arms with a hard thump as it hit his chest.

The Slavic convict hastily opened the brown paper bag, almost ripping it in the process...to find a thick wad of Russian rouble bank notes. This was exactly what he had in mind for the trade but didn't actually expect the boy to have it to hand. There was enough to cover well over 3 years salary. This was a life changing sum of money for a fish-gutter living in the middle of nowhere in Novosibirsk. The ex-orphan recruiter's grey eyes twinkled like stars as he gazed at the giant chunk of Soviet notes. He deeply sniffed and breathed in the scent of rich papery contents of the bag clutched tight in his hands with dried fish blood beneath chipped fingernails and nicotine stained digits. The smell of the notes was intoxicating causing him to salivate and giggled high-pitched like a giddy school girl.

While Boris was busy nasally making love with the bag of money, Mr Hiwatari interrupted him with a trade deal. "That's all yours Boris...if you tell me where Black Dranzer is and how to get it. Screw me over and you'll have every law enforcement and federal agent breaking down your door. If you run, I will make it my life's mission to hunt you down, and I WILL find you, and see that you spend the rest of your miserable life held underground at a government black site handcuffed to a radiator. It's up to you Boris. Make your choice. What will it be? A comfortable living...or a life sentence with no trial?"

"Peter Molotrov" took a moment to inhale the moneys' scent again and weighed up the incredible luck of being offered this glorious little bundle of wealth. He felt like he'd won the lottery. Boris hadn't seen that much money since his BIOVOLT days, and never ever dreamed of seeing that much again. His information was cheap for the price Kai was willing to pay for it...very very cheap. Boris had no use for Black Dranzer and the thing was just sitting in a vault doing nothing anyway. He grinned as he agreed to the Hiwatari's serious yet clear terms and happily delivered his side of the bargain. "Black Dranzer is in Vault 13 in the South wing. The code to the vault is 096523 on the key pad and 12-16-28-05 on the dial. Is that enough for you, Young Kai."

Kai snatched an old envelope from a rickety coffee table and produced an expensive silver pen from his pocket. He marched forth and aggressively shoved them into Boris's hands causing him to fumble holding the pen, paper and money in the bag without dropping all three items. The dual grey hair coloured blader demanded. "Write it down. And make sure you remember right. If one of those numbers is wrong Boris and I can't get into the vault...you know what will happen...handcuffs...radiator."

Boris was busy scribbling the codes. He wanted his money and would do whatever he was told by his unexpected guest and patron so forth. "I remember them don't you worry. I maybe some years older now but I'm not senile yet. I opened and locked those vaults like they were my own front door back in the days of BIOVOLT." He then hastily passed Kai the notes, eager to seal their deal.

The Phoenix guardian pinched the notes between his fingers and examined them for a moment. "And you're sure...This is the vault you locked Black Dranzer in over 14 years ago?"

Cradling his brick-sized bag of money like a baby, Boris smarmed. "Yes, I thought it was apt to lock it in Vault 13. An unlucky number for the unlucky blader who wishes to wield it. Tell me Young Kai...what do you plan to do with it? And you must know what's locked away in that vault is the beyblade only...Voltaire was the last to behold the bitchip, and I'm afraid I'm none the wiser to what he did with it."

The youth with smouldering amethyst orbs pulled gently at a white gold chain from around his neckline to lever a locket from behind his t-shirt to the outside world. The steel encased item glowed toxic green through the cracks of the casing as it now hung over a space above his heart in full view. Kai took a long blink and subtly smirked with violent promise.

Boris raised a high purple-haired eyebrow before starting to wander from his spot. He knew his ward well and replied with an etch of dark sarcasm. "Well then I pity whoever's crossed you and I wish you and Black Dranzer all the best with your destructive tirade. Who is the unfortunate opponent you intend to cripple? It wouldn't be the first time Black Dranzer has sampled human blood."

Kai murmured with a deathly stare. "Someone who took something precious from me. He's got what's coming."

The cabin owner wearing just shorts and vest with holes in slapped the nearby cabinet top. "There's my boy. Ruthless and feisty. Just like I trained you. I may not be your father Kai but I am proud of what you have become. Number 2 beyblader in the world it weren't for Tyson Granger. Perhaps you could battle Black Dranzer against Tyson and finally gain the No.1 beyblader title you were clearly born for."

Kai meandered towards the door to leave before his temper could suffer anymore inflammation. Daylight was burning and he had more travelling to do before nightfall. "Keep talking Boris and I'll shoot you in the knee cap for the fun of it." He said with deadly seriousness and gave no hint he was joking.

Boris held up his hands in a playful gesture and chose his next words carefully. "Okay okay I'm only toying with you. Hmmmmmmm. You sound more and more like your Grandfather every minute. Voltaire liked to threaten people too, I should know, I was one of them. I promise you those codes are correct. Just watch out for the booby traps on your way down. Vault 13 is some levels below and our security systems may still be connected to the back-up generator. I'd hate for you to get killed down there."

"I hope for your sake I never have to come back here Boris. Have a nice life. Not that you deserve it." The intruder announced as he un-clicked the guns cartridge and threw the now empty gun onto the armchair in front of the TV. He then strode for the door, swiftly but careful, so as not to aggravate his torso wound healing deeply inside.

Mr Molotrov replied hastily. "Good Luck. Young Kai. I hope you find all that you seek and get what back what was taken from you. And I must say you well you've grown. No more the child or teenager I raised, but a young man now."

Kai afforded his former "care-taker" a final long cold stare before departing from the front door. His words were punchy and his tone gruff. His orbs smouldered with peeve at his former trainer's last words. "You didn't RAISE me Boris. You dragged me through years of hardship at BIOVOLT. I survived you...and that place."

Boris daren't say a word more as his once prized tool, a skilled beyblader, one of the most lethal boys of Balkov Abbey, trained and moulded by BIOVOLT ideation left through his front doorway without closing the door behind him, and stalked down his driveway, tossed the loaded gun cartridge into a dense thorn bush, walked further down a road and disappeared out of view around a corner.

Moments later, an expensive jet black car with blacked out windows drove by in the opposite direction, and could be nobody else but a rich outsider driving it...Kai...was in a hurry.

In a plane flying somewhere over the Mongolian mountains.

The glimmering silver business logo of "Hiwatari Enterprises" elegantly emblazoned the exterior sides of Kai's executive air taxi, so the whole world could see the renowned family name flying high on the flashy and extravagant symbol of wealth and excellence. The plane's interior was branded too with each fleece blanket, the front and back of every seat, flight slippers, bottle of water labels and napkins bore the same classy image. The seats were more like beds with their own little charge points, cup holders, and adjustable leg rests allowing passengers to sleep almost out straight and mega comfy. The colour scheme of the upholstery and plastics was matt black, gold and royal blue. Just the level of magnificence and grandeur expected of Kai Hiwatari's personally managed aviation, security, and defence empire.

An hour or so after take-off and the lights were turned down dim, all fold down tray tables were in the upright position and the only noise was the deafening whirl of the engines below the wings on the outside of the small aircraft. 23 seats of 28 were occupied leaving 5 empty. The plane layout was split into two pairs of seats aside an aisle for the single airhostess to push a snack and drinks trolley, and set in 7 rows down the length of the fuselage. The private plane's passengers comprised of 10 specially selected Hiwatari Enterprises body guards, plus super-henchman Mr Cooper to head the whole operation, and Tyson and his gang of merry beybladers, a pair of beyblade tech-geeks and tag-along Hilary. Like water and oil, the goons for hire occupied the left side of the aisle while Tyson's posy took their sky seats in the right. The security personnel, most of which came from military backgrounds had grown accustomed to sleep anywhere, were wordless and softly breathed as they sleepily nestled in seats rivalling any first class seat on a commercial airline, with enough leg room to stretch out and tuck up cosily under blankets as if they were at home on their own sofas.

Almost all on the beybladers side of the aircraft slumbered too, drooling down chins and side of mouths and snoring with varying degrees of decibel. Usually falling asleep in unfamiliar places was difficult to achieve for most, but these airplane seats were more like orthopaedic beds with impeccable spinal support, the in-flight pillows were just perfect and everything was all too comfy to resist drifting off. After all, it was 4am in the morning Japanese Standard Time and therefore way past their bedtime. Most were yawning, cranky, and squabbling before they'd even boarded the plane. The group were advised by Mr Cooper their flight time was going to be around 6.5 to 7 hours long but the time difference will only be 2 hours. Mr Gottlieb organised and secured a protection team, arranged transport to the airstrip for all those approved to go, and takeoff happened a just after 3am (JST). The teams were due to land at Novosibirsk at 10am (JST) and 8am local time, and the second boots were on the ground they were to waste no time tracking down their target, Mr Kai Hiwatari.

Mother-hen Hilary and super-whiner Ozuma strongly reminded the disembarking group their only chance for sleep was in the tight 7 hour flight window ahead and banned all in-flight entertainment; even Kenny and Emily agreed to keep their laptops stored in the overhead compartment with the sensibility of grasping whatever ZZZZs they could for the cat and mouse day ahead.

The only people awake were the two pilots, the airhostess who had her own private seat behind a curtain near the cockpit whom too was trying to sleep...and those in seats E3 and E4.

"You should really try to sleep if you can Tyson." Whispered Hilary tenderly after she propped herself up on her elbows in the seat adjacent Tyson's; her ears suddenly popped from the change of air pressure with the movement causing her to subtly wince. A royal blue Hiwatari Enterprises branded fleece blanket draped over her legs and torso to keep her warm against the strong air-con. She had been watching Tyson emptily stare up at the overhead buttons for some time without his knowledge; her on-off boyfriend clearly had something on his mind and she decided he could do with a chat, besides, sleep hadn't found her either.

"Huhh?" The bluenette with his baseball cap on the bedside table immediately zoned back in. He rolled to his side and propped up his head with a rolled fist and v-shaped arm to meet her gaze. He looked super tired with dark bags starting to form under his eyes. He replied a touch too loud in the slumbering aircraft. "Hey Hil, you still awake huh? Can't you sleep either?"*Yawn*

Hilary hastily whispered in reply. "Shhhhhhhh Tyson. Everyone's asleep...No I can't, I'm too excited! I can't wait to see more of Russia, even if it is for a day or two. We can call it a micro-holiday...when we've found Kai that is. I know Mr Stressy-pants Ozuma isn't too happy we're going...I thought for sure he was going to burst an artery over it. *Huff* I'm glad we were allowed to choose our own seats, the White Tigers are far up front and the Shields are far at the back. One day soon it's going to be all fists and hair pulling if things don't calm down between them. Ray and Ozuma were so close to having a punch up earlier. I hate all this tension. I wish we could just all get along."

Tyson hushed his voice a few notches. "Oh let em get on with it. We won the vote fair and square. Ozuma doesn't own us; he can't dictate where we go and what we do all the time, for our safety or not, we have our mental health to think of. I'm sticking behind Ray on this one and I'm super excited to see Russia too Hilary, and hooking back up with Tala and Bryan is gunna be super cool...I bet Tala's missed me. Hehehe. They could be our travel guides and take us awesome places only the locals know...once we've found Kai."

Hilary smiled in remembrance as she softly cocked her head to the side. "I've barely seen anything of Russia. Just a quick in and out when we were on tour as team G-Revolution. It's really nice going somewhere for once. Kai's mansion is wonderful but it was never going to be enough. I just hope we'll be safe." The latter of her sentence had an etch of worry to it.

The beychamp brushed a thick dark blue bang away from his face. He forgot to be quiet again and his natural brashness elevated his tone. "Of course were gunna be fiiiine! We've got 11 body guards to protect us. How hip is that?! Don't worry about a thing Hil."

The girly brunette shook her head and smirked with humour at his naivety. "Urrrrrrrmmm I don't think they're exclusively here for us Tyson. Kai's goon squad are here for their boss when we finally catch him. We're just lucky Mr Gottlieb let us tag along for the ride."

Tyson felt playful. "Yeah and so what. Let's pretend were a rich couple for 5 minutes, we're on a private jet with our own security peeps and were on our way to a tropical island getaway. Hehehehe. All we need is a bottle of champagne and two glasses...Fat chance of that!...We haven't even been offered our in-flight meal yet. Poor service or what, he offers blankets and fancy slippers but can't feed us...sloppy service Kai. I give him a 1 star review."

Hilary softly scolded, then were game to play pretend for a giggle. "Tyson, it's the middle of the night! I'm sure the airhostess will serve us some breakfast before we land, or else we can eat at the airport. But I like the champagne idea. Let's pretend we have glasses, ready?" The brunette pinched her fingers together as if she was holding an imaginary champagne glass.

Tyson smiled warmly with the silliness. He too pretended to hold a champagne glass in his digits and tipped it to her imaginary one. "Cheers!"

Hilary beamed with the silly interaction and childishness in the shared and rare private moment. "Cheers. A toast to landing safely and finding Kai without a hitch."

The fun died away instantly as Tyson's facial features lost their sparkle. His reason for blankly staring at the overhead buttons for the last half hour was revealed. "Hilary, Kai's really got me worried. How can he do this? Just go off like this and to go so far away from us, he knows the danger out there all by himself, I don't get it. What could he be doing in Russia that's so important to risk his own life? And WHY couldn't he tell us about it BEFORE he left?"

The young lady yawned and snuggled sideways as tiredness finally infected her body. Hilary's sentences became drawn out as sleep battled to take over and her eyelids started to stoop.*Yawn*"Try not to worry Tyson; I know it's easier said than done. Have a little faith in him...He's doing something *Yawn*...really important...I just know it and I'm sure he'll explain everything...when we see him."

Tyson's worry faded into red shaded bitterness. "Oh he's got some explaining to do alright. And if he doesn't, he's gunna get a mouthful from me that's for sure. I'll beat it out of him if I have to. And I know plenty others that are gunna wanna grill him just as hard too. Just you wait Kai. We're coming for ya."

Novosibirsk International Airport otherwise known as Tolmachevo Airport.

Bryan grunted as he alighted heavy bellied from a McDonald's restaurant dining table. "I'm getting another drink and chicken nuggets; you want something while I'm up?"

Tala claw gripped a section of his scarlet hair with his left hand whilst balancing his elbow on the same dining table surface, his right hand was occupied clutching his mobile phone with his knuckles resting on the table top and the screen facing upward...the blader had been staring at it for some time. Upon hearing his comrades' offer he lifted his head with fuzzy furrowed eyebrows in disgust. His tone was sharper than usual. "You going up again? You still haven't finished your burger. What's wrong with it?"

"Nothin. Mr Gobbleglib is payin us for our expenses remember so stop nit-picking. My burger's cold so I'm getting something else." Bryan shrugged before making for the shortest queue to order more food he didn't need nor was hungry for.

"Don't be a pig Bryan. Think of your weight. And yeah, I'll have another vanilla milkshake!" The red-head yelled before returning to hawking at his phone wishing bitterly for a text or call to come through. He seethed in his seat and growled and grumbled under his breath with irk. Tyson was due to get in contact with urgent instructions on where to go find and rescue precious Prince Kai...but so far...nothing from the man in Japan.

All around the frustrated Russian bladers littering the table were multiple little cardboard boxes in stacked towers, alongside fries packets and greasy sauce covered wrappings. The cheeseburger half eaten and stone cold where Bryan was sat was one of many food items ordered, consumed and picked at by the Falborg blader. He'd demolished 2x Big Mac's, 3x medium portions of fries, a bag of halloumi sticks, a fillet-o-fish burger, half a cheese burger, a chocolate milkshake, 2x apple pies and 3x large sized cups of Pepsi Max and a medium Tango. The glutton's wiser and more restrained Demolition Boy team-mate had ploughed through 2x large fries, a fillet-o-fish burger, a McSpicy chicken burger, a hamburger, a vanilla milkshake...with another on the way, 4x Lattes, a cherry Pepsi and a sugar donut. Not to mention all the tomato, BBQ, sour cream and sweet curry dips that went along with their mammoth buffet. The vast spread of fast food was not out of pure gluttony...but to break boredom and to help keep them awake; for the young men, had not had much sleep and there was a reason for that.

Around the feet of the boy's chairs were bags of duty free shopping. Mr Gottlieb promised to cover their travel expenses which included food, any petrol, any parking fees, car hire and of course flights to Novosibirsk. Tala and Bryan raped their bank accounts to purchase things they would surely have reimbursed from the current acting CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises with bottomless pockets, who would no doubt be bursting with gratitude for their valiant efforts to protect the true head of the company and owner worth billions...Mr K Hiwatari. Tala bought himself the newest Apple headset worth quite a few hundred roubles and planned to justify the expense as his old headset "broke" at the airport. Bryan too was crafty and had stocked up on expensive male deodorant and aftershave and claimed the long journey caused him to sweat and needed the perfumes as he'd "left his at home." In another bid to alleviate boredom and subside rage for the no contact from Tyson Granger or Hiwatari Enterprises stooges, the hot blooded boys paid for pretty girls lunches affording them female attention they wouldn't otherwise get; it earned Tala a fashion college students number written on a napkin. Bryan treated a shabby elderly homeless lady to a MaccyD's lunch and for it he got a compliment..."Thankyou very much young man, your mother should so be proud." Little did she know, Bryan's mother was a heroin addict and had died some years ago of an overdose, the last time he'd seen his mother alive was before he ran away from home at the age of 6.

Additionally the boys bought newspapers and gave them to the homeless for bedding. The duo purchased meals for beggars outside the airport doors, and treated themselves...and the down-and-outers to Krispy Krème donuts...the expensive ones with the snazzy sprinkles and chocolate or custard fillings. There was a reason for the Blitzkrieg Boys sympathy for those living on the street, their childhoods, or at least for a short time was spent living on the streets, picking food out of bins, and sleeping at night in an abandoned warehouse roof with old blankets and cardboard for warmth.

The grown orphans kept every receipt safe in their wallets, stockpiling them for Mr Gottlieb to pay back as soon as their mission was done. They had waited...and waited...took a bathroom break...ate some more...and waited...took turns having naps so as not to miss a text or call...they waited some more... another bathroom break...ate again...waited and waited and waited...for Tala's phone to make a noise.

Mr Ivanov was beginning to feel sick from the high fat, unusually high ingestion of sugar and too much caffeine, Bryan too but that was likely from eating too much and was suffering a swollen gut; gluttony is a sin for a reason. The pair had engorged at the Airport at Moscow before their flight, then again on the plane, and more since landing at Novosibirsk. Once landed, they had a choice between three eateries in the tiny airport. McDonalds, Burger King or KFC and the former won, although Bryan ordered and half ate a Whopper from Burger King just because he could...not that he needed it and even then it was pure piggery driving him; additionally it was just another expense Mr Gottlieb would be obliged to fork out for. The fuzzy grey haired blader clearly had no respect for the working elite's infinite expenses budget...or at least he hoped it was infinite.

Tala checked his phone for the umpteenth time, each check incited more and more frustration as he banged his head on the McDonalds' dining table...Tyson still hadn't text him with Kai's location as promised.

Tala's texts...

10:02pm - "Tyson, I hope you're happy, we're leaving Moscow sooner than I said. We're on the runway. I'll let you know when we land."

02:32am -"We're here in Novosibirsk. Where is Kai now? Do you have an address?"

02:52am -"Call me."

03:01am - "Tyson, you wanted us here to find Kai. Why aren't you answering my calls? They keep going to voicemail. Call or text me as soon as you get this."

03:10am – "Call me for fuck sake Tyson. This isn't funny."

03:48am – "CALL ME. We're still waiting!"

04:59am – "If you don't call me in the next 10 minutes, we're getting on a plane back to Moscow."

05:38am – "You better have a seriously good excuse for this Tyson. I'm warning you. CALL ME! Or TEXT ME SOMETHING!"

06:15am – "I hope everything is okay your end. Call me when you get this!"

After approximately 5 hours of waiting, Tala and Bryan held a serious discussion about how long they were going to wait before begrudgingly booking a flight back home having achieved nothing but engorge at a Siberian McDonalds at a German ex-lawyers expense. They checked the flight board for planes returning to Moscow and the only commercial flight back to their home town that day was at 5:10pm.

07:21am – "Tyson, There is an AirRussia flight back to Moscow at 17:10 today. If we don't hear anything back from you before 13:00, Bryan and I are going to be on it. We won't be coming back and Kai will have to save himself."

Unbeknownst to Tala, Tyson had not text or called him with Kai's location because Tyson did not know where Kai's live location was...as he...was in the air on a private plane with his phone in flight mode and unable to receive any messages. Tala's multiple missed calls and seething text messages demanding information would go unanswered...for now.

Unbeknownst to Tyson, shortly after his call to Tala begging him to help Kai, vulnerable and alone in Novosibirsk, the pair of Blitzkrieg Boys discussed Tyson's odd call and agreed to rush to Kai's aid sooner rather than later. Instead of leaving the following morning as Tala previously stated during their phone call...instead, Bryan pulled a sickie at work and by 10pm the duo were on a plane leaving Moscow Airport bound for Siberia. Tala and Bryan landed at 2am local time, shit-face tired from lack of sleep all night and had been waiting for direction ever since.

It was 08:25am.

"I'm starrrrrving! Who wants KFC?! I feel like I haven't eaten fried chicken in yearrrrrs!" Tyson Granger bellowed as he, and his friends, and the heavy booted troop of security guards passed through the arrivals gates. A wide hall comprising of three fast food restaurants, taxi rank stands, a bureau de change, and a selection of gift shops selling chocolates, tea towels, groceries and books were all that stood between them and the crisp Siberian air outside.

The oddly collated entourage of giddy young people with backpacks and terminator-like henchmen marched with varying energies towards the eateries. Some were stoked to just be out of Japan and off the airplane and salivated for some decent cooked food, some were tired and cranky from broken sleep or not enough of it, some were on edge with the fear Shadow Vale were preparing to strike and kill behind any given corner, and some were anxious to complete their mission to find their boss and high value target quick, safe and well with minimal fuss. Some were a mix of all the above...hungry, anxious, fatigued, excited and driven.

Next door to KFC...was McDonalds...where the pair of disgruntled and bored Blitzkrieg Boys with fast expanding waistlines had camped for the last 6 hours.

Hilary whined as she rubbed her eyes from lack of adequate sleep. *Yawn* "Really Tyson? Fried chicken for breakfast?! We ate on the plane just an hour ago. You're so greedy."

Daichi hurried to the front of the pack to skilfully walk backwards in front of the fellow Dragoon blader to confer with him. He gripped his backpack straps like a school-boy as he did. "Yeah that breakfast was tiny! Who eats muesli and fruit for breakfast anyway?! Where was the bacon and eggs? I'm gunna put in a complaint to Kai when we finally catch up to him. He's gotta know what a shoddy airline he's runnin'."

Max added as he hurried to Tyson's side to further chat about the substandard quantity of their morning meal. "That serving was kinda small. I'll have KFC if you guys do. Food is food and we're gunna need all the fuel we can get for today. We all know how slippery Kai can be so we gotta be on the ball...and that all starts with a decent brekky. KFC sell mustard don't they?"

Mariah squinted her yellow eyes as they approached the three restaurants from afar. Her acute feline sight was impeccable and clearly recognised a familiar Russian body. Ray too could make out his distinctive haircut and bright colour; he shot his woman a startled side glance to affirm it. The pinkette announced. "Hey! Isn't that Tala over there? Tyson, you were supposed to message him to tell him you didn't need his help anymore. So what's he doing here?"

The cap wearing beyblade and binge eating champion was too busy drooling and daydreaming of the calorie laden junk food destined for his stomach to notice...Tala Ivanov had turned on his seat near the open doorway of McDonalds and was leering straight at him like a starving predator locking onto his carefree and oblivious prey.

Josef quirked with an air of warning. "Yeahhhh that's Tala alright. And he doesn't look too happy. Get ready for it. Someone's got a bone to pick that's for sure."

Upon hearing Tyson's loud overexcited voice and seeing the unmistakable Kevlar clad collection of Hiwatari Enterprises military, and people he'd spent a little over a fortnight with barricaded behind Japanese dojo walls and fighting with for every amenity and last item in the fridge; Tala immediately shot from his seat like there was a bomb under it and marched with furious speed towards the group, whilst they, meandered calmly and unwittingly towards the food court to greet him on their way.

The closer they drew to the other, the more evident how furious Tala was. His pupils were drawn small, his arms swung and his hands were in fists with one still curled around his phone, his skin was a pinker shade of pale and his breath was flustered and dry. Tyson gulped and his demeanour fast slipped from salivating and food orientated to...mentally preparing to do some appeasing or else a smack in the chops looked likely from the man stalking like a pissed off assassin towards him.

The gang too noticed how hostile Tala's body language on the approach and prepared to take a large step back for their own safety once they met in the middle. Tyson would no doubt deal with the furious Russian; he was nominated point of contact after all.

The body guards were instructed by Mr Gottlieb to escort and allow offers of assistance from Tyson and Company in finding their boss Mr Hiwatari. They were there for their protection too yes, but only for real threats. They did not care for playground scraps between friends but would step in should Mr Granger or anyone else need assistance.

Anxiety bore Tyson a sweat-drop from his cheek, and he over-laughed as he always did when he was nervous. He jovially stretched his arms out wide to invite a hug in an attempt to break the ice before strike distance. "Hey Tala! What are you doing here?! Hhahahhahahaah. I was actually about to message you and tell you not to bother coming. There was kinda a change in plan. Hehehe."

Tala was not in the mood for a hug unless it involved the kind of hug hands made around a neck, squeezing it tight until the victim stops breathing...that kind of hug. Instead, the livid soviet said nothing as he invaded the hapless Japanese man's space and grabbed the scruffs of his yellow t-shirt to pull his face closer. The sheer aggression caught everyone off guard. His wild ice blue eyes were as cold as his stare. He was fuming and demanded answers for all the hours of waiting around without a text or word, not to mention lack of a night's sleep, travelling half way across the continent of Russia and ruining his day off work. His shouting echoed throughout the food hall and earned an audience of many onlookers, diners, shoppers and airport staff who stopped to watch the unfolding drama. Tala growled close to Tyson's tucked in nose and chin resembling the face of a beaten puppy. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! YOU BEGGED ME...BEGGED ME TO FLY TO THIS DUMP TO RESCUE KAI. WE'VE BEEN WAITING HERE FOR 6 HOURS FOR YOU TO CALL OR TEXT OR SOMETHING! THEN YOU COME MARCHING IN HERE TO WHAT...BUY FOOD?! WHY ARE YOU HERE?! AND WHY HAVENT YOU ANSWERED MY MESSAGES?!"

Bryan had snuck up behind his spitting with rage team mate with a box of chicken nuggets and a tall drinks cup containing Tala's vanilla milkshake as ordered. He added with haste to substantiate his brother in arms. He was royally peeved too but not as unhinged and raving tempered as his travel mate. "Yeah that has to be our question Tyson. What the hell are you doing here? You were supposed to let us know where to go to get your buddy back...not get on a plane and come here yourself. You've wasted our time and our time don't come cheap!"

Tyson whimpered feeling 2 inches tall in Tala's strong grip. He piped before nervously laughing again. "Well it's kinda a long story Hehehe."

The toned tall Russian dropped him from his grasp and took a step back to stop himself doing more than creasing the sorry Japanese hosts clothes, and doing something his anger problem would later make him and his victim regret...no matter what Tyson had done, he didn't WANT to hurt him. His pupils were still dot tiny in a sea of crystal blue and his stance was like that of a rabid wolf crossed with a Hollywood mental patient. The Wolborg blader's breath was laboured but he was battling hard to calm it.

His grey-eyed brother of a sort casually sipped at the vanilla milkshake even though it wasn't his to drink, Bryan was an asshole that way and natural food thief.

Hilary stepped forward to speak like a college lecturer. "Basically...Mr Gottlieb arranged his security team quicker than he thought and with a little persuasion we were invited to tag along."

Bryan spat out the straw from his mouth and quickly retorted. "That's not a long story. Where's the rest of it? Like...the part where you were supposed to tell US BEFORE we left Moscow and I threw away a night's work!"

Blonde American and sweet heart Max stuck up for Tyson and physically ribbed him in his side to do as he suggested. "We had to put our phones on airplane mode, Tyson's included. I'm sure if Tyson turns his plane mode off he'll finally get all your messages Tala. Come on Tyson, don't keep the guy waiting."

Bryan comically spat with the flattest tone. "Bit fuckin' late for that!"

The sweaty Dragoon blader fumbled around with his phone for a moment and sure enough as soon as it was switched out of airplane mode his device beeped madly with incoming texts and notifications for missed calls...all from Tala.

"Yeahhhhhhhhhhh I got ya texts now buddy." His humble brown eyes rapidly read each text in chronological order. As time went by he realised how the hours of growing frustration had led to Tala's outburst. He thought. "Ahhh man I see now why he's super cheesed off. I'd lose my cool too if I went through what he has the last few hours. He's here because I asked him to be here to help Kai. I feel bad for him; I'll have to make it up to him somehow."

Emily adjusted her glasses and interjected before anyone else could take centre stage. She had some educating to do. "Look. This has all been one big foul up. We didn't expect to see you guys so soon either. The last we spoke was yesterday evening when Tala said you two weren't going to leave Moscow until this morning and only after Bryan finished his shift at 6am. Like we said, Mr Gottlieb arranged security and transport sooner than he anticipated thanks to Daichi's suggestion to take security guards we already had at our disposal. We took off at 3am Japanese standard time which makes our estimated time of arrival here at Novosibirsk approximately 8am local time with a 7 hour flight. The time in Moscow right now would be around 4am. Tyson was going to message you around now which would have been more than enough time to tell you not to come and way before you even set off for the airport. How were we to know you were going to leave Moscow for Novosibirsk many hours earlier than planned? It's all a breakdown of communication as always with this team."

Tala didn't know what to say back to the girl who he shared many coffee delights on Tyson's dojo veranda with. Instead, he aimed the rest of his puff at anyone who would hear it. "You could have let me know BEFORE you boarded the plane in Japan, and BEFORE you made it impossible to get in contact."

Joker Tyson scratched the back of his head and tried to keep things light. "I'm sorry it's all worked out like this Tala buddy but like Emily said, it's all because of a breakdown of communication. We didn't know you were leaving earlier and we didn't think we would get to be here at all. Besides even if I did text you before we left Japan, chances are you were in the air too and neither of our messages would have gone through. Geeeze I hate all this. Can we just kiss and make up...well not the kissing part. I love ya but not that way. Hehehehe."

Dunga for some strange reason chose to be diplomatic and even pretended to be pally with the Blitzkrieg Boys he and his team had disliked from day one of meeting them. He crossed his huge muscled arms and smirked as he talked. Tala's embarrassing display of indignant rage had put him in a good mood. "Believe me; we wouldn't be here out of choice either. In fact none of these guys should be here! Not with Shadow Vale out there just waiting for a chance to stick em'. Kai has all these goons ready to globe trot and pander after him so we shoulda just let them crack on with it. We didn't need to go with em'. You guys have been roped in too when you weren't needed after all. Sorry they wasted ya time boys! Go back to Moscow and bill the German guy and make sure you pad that bill out. I would."

The Vortex Apes comment immediately pricked the male White Tiger's skin. Ray knew Dunga was low key whining about them being there and clearly remembered the hot blooded quarrel between the clans back at Kai's mansion about coming to Russia...the one that almost resulted in fur flying between those who wielded giant, strong clawed leopard and tiger spirits. Despite feeling triggered he aimed to be the bigger man. "Just drop it already. We're here now and there's no point arguing about it anymore. All were doing is wasting energy and time. What's the plan now? Have you heard from Kai's tech guy Midoria? Come on guys let's try to be proactive and positive going forward."

Unbeknownst to the bickering beybladers, Mr Cooper had wandered off to receive a phone call. He soon re-joined the herd of beybladers and his team of Kevlar clad warriors to deliver an update...news which some were not going to swallow well. His thick American accent was clear and concise; all naturally ceased talking while he spoke and looked up to him for his great height and god-like stature. "I've just received word from Mr Midoria. We have a new live location for Mr H...

*Pause*

...He left Novosibirsk late last night and is currently in Moscow.

*Pause*

Our pilot on standby has already cleared us for takeoff. You have 20minutes to eat, go potty and get back on the plane. I assume Mr Ivanov and Mr Kutznetsov will be coming with us? The least we can do is give you a ride home."

*Pause* The information needed a few seconds to seep in and merge with their understanding.

Tala's psyche cracked as the bottom lip of his right eye twitched and twitched again. He flew IN from Moscow some several hours ago; therefore his whole trip was a completely wasted journey and a black-hole sized waste of his time and energy. He yelled with claw like hands. "You're fucking kidding me! This has to be a joke! Kai's left for Moscow? When?!"

Bryan quipped with limp sarcasm after he finished sucking the last of the vanilla milkshake up the paper straw. "He doesn't look like the comedian type so yeah...Looks like Kai's back home. Deep joy. Getcha bags brother."

The only female blader of the Saint Shields added. "Where will he go next? The Antarctic, Syria, Bora-Bora... please say Bora-Bora so we can follow him there too with an all expenses paid trip."

Mariah shrugged not too thrilled to be getting back in a flying taxi so soon. *Huff* "You heard him. Back on the plane everyone...we're going to Moscow."

Daichi was just as displeased but the prospect of another free meal would see him right. "Greeeaaaattttt. More flying! I hope we get a proper meal this time and no short changin' us."

Emily shot the short blader's dreams down in one shot. "Yeah fat chance of that pipsqueak. It's only a 4 hour flight."

Kenny whined with worry and peeve. "Oh Kai, what are you up to now?"

Hilary part replied with another question of her own. "What could Kai want in Moscow? Is there something there from his past you think?"

"Whaaaaaaaaaa! KAIIII! What's he doing now? Why is Kai in Moscow? KAIII?! What are you doing to us?!" Tyson cried aloud with his fists curled and yelled at the high ceiling as if Kai himself was hiding up in the rafters like one of the trapped pigeons. This afforded him just as much attention from passerby's as when Tala had his outburst, so much so Airport security watched him concerned he may need psychiatric help, but assumed the hired muscle were his carers and so left them to take care of him.

Balkov Abbey, an 18th century monastery built 100miles north of Moscow city, only reachable by car as no train stations or bus routes supplied the area due to its rural location, and the nearest village was over 30minutes drive away. Boris Balkov, then a wealthy entrepreneur bought the derelict abbey from the state in the early 1980s for a bargain due its poor state of repair. The Russian Orthodox Church couldn't afford its upkeep and had so left it for abandon in favour of a newer commune nearer the city some 10 years prior. The gem of the Abbey's features was its secluded location, perfect for his new and very exclusive business venture nicely tucked out of the way of local prying eyes. The time and weather damaged roof and brickwork would be fixed easily enough with ample money thrown at it. Together, Voltaire Hiwatari the financier and mastermind, and Boris Balkov the overseer and manager of the whole scheme plotted World Domination through the unbridled and terrible power of an enslaved horde of Bitbeasts. To achieve their mad goal Boris and Voltaire required beybladers... elite, unfaltering drone-like human beings with nothing to lose, mouldable, and who would fight till death to please their peers. Loyal and grateful soldiers with no family to interfere. The most pliable and vulnerable of souls...and Russia due to its sheer size, economic instability and social problems had an endless supply...of orphaned and unwanted children.

Kai , wearing his hooded biker jacket and grey army boots stood before the old monastery's staircase leading to the front doors and spied upon its scorned and defaced outer shell. The windows were all smashed, spray paint graffiti tagged the outside walls, the front doors were boarded up with nailed planks of wood, and battered old police tape blew from the nearby trees like Halloween tassels. Balkov Abbey once a proud, holy and stately looking building now looked like a Hollywood house of horrors frontage. It had been 14 years since the Dranzer blader had seen this place and the building had been through a thing or two since.

After Kai defected sides back to the Blade Breakers and refused to do as his Grandfather bid with Black Dranzer at the Russian World Championships, combined with Ray's hard won and bloody win against Bryan, and Tala's otherworldly defeat by Tyson's hand, the trio ensured the Demolition Boys defeat and ultimately crippled Voltaire and Boris's scheme beyond saving. The goings on at BIOVOLT (Beybladers Intent on Victory through Lawless Tyranny) was exposed and the two masterminds of the plot were hot under the authorities' radar for arrest, questioning and eventually sentencing for crimes against humanity, child abuse and animal experimentation. Voltaire was caught that day making for a private plane runway, but Boris was never apprehended.

The dark and disturbing truth of BIOVOLT and the fates of the children residing there hit the International media and the Abbey was raided within days after the Championships by federal agents, Russian police, CIA, Russian State services, child services and the FBI. All children, some of which were as young as 8 and as old as 22 were rescued and placed in legit orphanages, care homes, or supported living for those over the age of 18. Thanks to the widespread media exposure there was an influx of adoption applications for the boys and some lucky ex-BIOVOLT soldiers found new families not just in Russia but America, England and Australia.

Kai took a deep breath and wanted to take a step forward to go in but his feet wouldn't move. His heart thud booming in his chest and a striking chill ran up his spine. His whole body was in a state of alarm with raised hair as a cold breeze billowed through his clothes causing them to sway on his frame. Even the air surrounding was warning him to stay away.

Black Dranzer called to him from inside the bitchip, inside the locket hung around his neck. "KKKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR."

The desperate beyblader had the push he needed and finally made a firm stamp forward. He marched towards the steps to the giant front doors, ducking under police tape and ignoring the dull pain in his torso with every forced swift move. He'd travelled a long way to get there, to retrieve Black Dranzer's beyblade...and that's what he was going to do.