Beyblades and Blood: The Attack of Shadow Vale

by IloveDranzer

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

33. Chapter 33

Hiya guys! Livn89 and Vlissan Thank you so so much for your reviews for the last chapter. I re-read everything you write to inspire me and give me encouragement. I'm so glad you like my story. I hope you're both well! Here is another chapter for ya :) xx

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Chapter 33

"AHHHHHH I just can't believe they got away Ozuma! HOW?! JUST HOW did they get past us annnnnd most of Kais' security team?!" Complained Dunga in frustration as he stamped his foot up and down. His tanned face was a brick-red with rage as steam billowed from his ears.

Ozuma scowled as he turned back to complain. His hands were flustered as his swinging pendant earring glistened in the artificial light. "I know Dunga. I'm just as peeved about it as you are. As annoying as it is... we have to get back to Tyson and Kai and quick. It's clear now we have to gather and watch the old Bladebreakers like babies from now on. They didn't listen to our warning the first time round, maybe they'll listen now they've had a taste of how dangerous Shadow Vale truly are."

Dunga huffed as his anger dispelled with a long outward breath. He joined his team mate as they jogged at pace. He moaned. "I hope Mariam and Josef have had a better day of it than we have."

---

"Here ya go Kai, don't forget this." Said Tyson tenderly as he placed Kai's left slipper onto the thin blue blanket covering his legs.

Unconscious Kai was well taken care of under the watchful eyes and expertise of three nurses, Kai's own private physician and five of his security staff including Mr Cooper who stuck to his side like super glue. Before long, Patient 12 was strapped onto a gurney, a blanket placed over his body which was too cool to the touch to be considered normal and an oxygen mask placed over his nose and mouth. His closed eyes twitched every now and again as he slumbered, completely unaware of all the fuss around him. His doctor insisted he be taken for some urgent tests and then be allocated a room for a long dose of strict bed rest.

Kai's sleeping body was soon wheeled away down a white painted corridor surrounded by his protective entourage and health care staff. Tyson, Hilary, Daichi and Tala trailed quietly behind until a voice called out from behind.

Ozuma barked aloud causing a slight echo in the hallway. "Tyson!"

The G-Revolution trio and Blitzkrieg Boy stopped in their tracks and spun around instantly to face the familiar bladers jogging towards them at pace.

In moments, Ozuma joined the fold. "What happened? Is Kai ok?" Closely followed by Dunga.

Tysons' tone was unusually gentle. "The doctor thinks he fainted from exhaustion. They're taking him to the ER to be checked out and we're going with him."

Hilary playfully and without thinking slapped a hand on Daichis' half bent over form. "Annnd were going to get this one looked at too."

The short red-heads' tummy still greatly irked him and Hilarys' friendly pat did him no favours "Ouuuwwwwwwwwwww grrrrrrrrr! That hurrrrrttss!" He complained then comically pouted with an upturned bottom lip angrily at her.

Tala took their brief stop to wander away a couple of steps, pulled out a slim black Google Nexus phone out of his left back pocket and speed dialled a number. Seconds pass with no ring tone and a voice mail saying..."It has been unable to connect your call. Please try again."

Incoherently growling he replaced his phone back and looked up to find the rest of the group had already set off.

The blue eyes red-head jogged to catch up and less than 2 minutes later; all had arrived at the hospitals' bustling and well packed Emergency Room. The fire evacuation had caused a backlog of patients and for some... there was a long wait to be seen.

Through the double doors were a receptionist desk and a large linear waiting area. Kai's doctor, a male in his 50s with thick black hair and wrinkling features spent less than 10 seconds conversing with the head nurse, explaining Mr Hiwataris' unconscious condition and his recent life threatening wound survival. This earned the phoenix blader immediate priority and was wheeled straight through where a team awaited ready to throw all medical hands on deck.

Tyson, Hilary, Tala, Ozuma and Dunga watched and silently fretted as Kais' covered upright feet, buried under a blue blanket on the gurney, disappeared through another set of double doors where access was restricted to nurses, doctors, patients and one family member to be at the bedside. Mr Cooper sent a pair of security operatives to stand guard at the Emergency Room doors and another pair to over-watch the nearest fire escapes should Shadow Vale attempt to get close to "the King" again. Mr Cooper himself wouldn't take no for an answer to remain at his Boss' side and after explaining his role as head body guard, and despite not being a relative he was allowed to remain.

Tyson, Hilary, Daichi, Tala, Ozuma and Dunga however, were cast aside to the waiting area. The former three were sick of waiting areas now, after days of hospital incarceration they were glum at the idea of another tedious minute in one.

The waiting area was well lit with sun streaming thought a line of windows along one side. The walls were white with grey tile flooring and pale blue hard plastic seats with no pillows to help keep the area sterile and easy to clean. Canvas prints of lily flowers and daisies sparsely decorated the plain walls. The seats lined along one wall opposite the reception desk and from then on were two rows seats lining each side of the wall. A poorly stocked vending machine with a low selection of potato chips and random chocolate bars waited nearby a disabled toilet door and entrance to the ward.

"Come on Daichi, let's see if we can get you checked in too." Said Tyson, as he hap-hazardly slapped Daichis' back and not very gently.

"Yahhhhhhhhahhhhh! Tyson!" Grouched Daichi a little too loudly as a young passing nurse instantly scowled at him for the noise before making a "Shhhhhhhhhh" gesture with her finger to her lips.

---

Hilary, Tala and the Saint Shields duo found themselves a line of empty seats between a young couple with a snotty nosed toddler dressed in a blue onesie, grizzling whilst bouncing on his fathers' knee... and an elderly man with a cast on his leg and a nattering wife next to him who wouldn't stop hampering on about her neighbours' cat pooping in her begonia flower beds.

"We'll save a seat for you over here." cried Hilary to Tyson as she eyed up the bank of 6 seats and left him at the desk with Daichi.

Hilary took the second from the left seat; Tala filled the gap between her and the crying baby. Ozuma and Dunga took the farthest two seats nearest the old couple. She turned her head back and forth between the beyblade team leaders and wondered why they didn't just sit next to her but thinking about it, the further Ozuma and Tala were from each other, the better. The two hardly made eye contact or said a word to each other and good thing too. The hot headed Blitzkrieg Boy and self righteous Saint Shield did not like each other after their heated disagreement during and after their rescue of Tyson earlier.

---

"Excuse me maam. Umm I'd like to get my friend seen by a doctor please. He's in a lot of pain." Tyson pleaded politely as he hooked his fingers over the edge of a lofty desk.

His friendly gaze met with a nurse, aged in her mid 50s, probably not far off retiring age, miserable looking with half open eyes and sharp pout. She appeared disinterested with all mannerisms with greyish black hair scraped back into a small bun. She had a saggy leathery face who obviously loved suntan beds a little too much to be healthy and sported purple lipstick, the type of old girl that would smoke at least 2 cigarettes every lunch break and even more when she got home.

Daichi, although had grown some over the years was still a little too short to see over the nurses towering white station which reminded him of a judges' court desk, all that was missing was the gavel and funny wig. His flame red hair peeped like a brush of wild coloured grass.

The nurse tutted and peered down at him and with a hoarse uber slow voice said. "He doesn't look sick to me."

Tyson felt instantly that he and this nurse was going to get along like sandpaper and cheese. He gestured to his smaller friend with an open palm and exclaimed in disbelief for all nearby inhabitants of the waiting room to hear. "You haven't even properly looked at him!"

The nurse flapped her heavily mascara clumped eyelashes slowly like she was only half alive, rolled her eyes then tutted loudly before begrudgingly slipping off her plush-backed swinging throne. Her flat footed nurse's shoes clopped as she bumbled with the chubbiness of her figure around to the front of her island desk. Once there she mirrored Daichi in height and put one hand on her blue uniformed hip. She looked Daichi up and down superrrrrr slowly.

Daichi scowled in pain whilst hugging his tummy with both arms crossing his waist. He fluttered his eyes and made his eyes look big and doe eyed. "Pleaseee Miss, I need to see a nurse. And can she please be a young pretty one with big bazookas too?"

The nurse dimly pouted and took seconds to react as her purple tinted bottom lip drew dry from the time it spent extended in the air. "No." She croaked her reply and then hobbled away to the back of her desk. She took a moment as she traversed the height her seat and threw her butt back onto the seat cushion causing a hissing sound as the seat deflated.

Tyson exclaimed louder as he slapped the desk in astonishment. "Whhaatttt? Why not?! Can't you see he's not okay? He really needs to see a doctor now!"

She barked back in the same slow hoarse disinterested voice as before whilst chewing a fresh stick of chewing gum. "He's not in a life threatening condition. He's fully conscious and he's not under the age of 5 years old. He's not bleeding from anywhere and he is well enough to make sexist and derogatory comments towards women. But if you really fell he needs to be seen by a doctor or a nurse then fill in this form, take a seat and you will be seen within the next two to six hours." She produced an admissions form from a white paper organiser and slid it in front of Tyson, then slapped a black pen down on top of it with long purple painted nails.

Tyson was flabbergasted and enraged as he snatched the form and almost sent the pen flying with the speed. "You are a nurse. Nurses are supposed to be kind and helpful people. I'll fill in your form alright and then I wanna fill in another form...a complaints form that is." His stroppy voice was raised and his meaty tanned face burned red. He huffed and pouted at the rude nurse with poor people skills and was about to storm off with her dammed form and crook sore Daichi under his arm... when... his sharp eyes picked up a name on a beige file sleeve lying in flat, jutting out from a pile on her desk.

The name stopped him cold.

Tate, Maximillion

Tysons' eyes widened, his breathing stopped and his skin prickled white. He made an attempt to grab at it but the nurse yanked it out of his sweaty fingers quicker than he'd ever seen her move.

"Nurse. Nurse please. Max Tate is my friend. Is he here as a patient? He's around my age, around the same height, blonde, American accent." The cap wearer had almost jumped over her desk and their faces were almost touching. She smelt like tobacco fumes, bubblegum and cheap perfume. His tone was begging and desperate as he fought not to grab her nurses tunic and shake her out of desperacy.

"That's confidential information. Now get off my desk before I call security." She began blowing a bubble of pink chewing gum.

Tyson jumped down immediately but his voice didn't rescind in the slightest. "Grrrrrrrr. Just tell me lady! Is my friend here or nottttttt?!"

"Boy you have a loud mouth Tyson. You might want to keep it down. This is a hospital you know." Remarked an un-amused Emily; with a fresh cup of vending machine coffee steaming in her hand.

Tyson snapped his head round to the voice at his side with frustrated and wild features, his fists in balls. He immediately simmered down once he saw who she was.

"Emily!" Tyson cried with surprise. He rushed into her personal space so close their faces were almost touching too. Tyson did a lot of that. "When did you last see Max?! You were with him right? When you went to look for Kai?!"

The gingerettes' face dropped all sass and spoke unusually soft as she peered to the floor. "Max... isn't too good right now." She lifted her head. "We'd best find a seat. Kenny and I have a lot to tell you."

---

The PPB All Starz blader led the way to a quiet corner of seats in the far off bend of the L shaped waiting room. Tyson picked up Hilary, Tala, Ozuma and Dunga on the way whilst Daichi skulked behind with his half scribbled in admissions form flapping in his clammy fingers.

As they approached the corner seating, a familiar face hung low. He wore thick rimmed goggles with hazel brown hair and as usual...sat tapping away on a laptop.

"Chief!" Tyson ran to the beyblade brainiac with a mix of glee to see him and the promise of urgent answers. "Chief! Are you okay? Is Max okay? Tell me!"

Hilary grew alarmed as she took a seat next to Kenny. "Chief!" She said excitedly." Oh you're a sight for sore eyes! But what do you mean Tyson? What's wrong with Max?"

Kenny ceased tapping on Dizzis' keyboard and fell still. His demeanour worried all and peaked their anxiety. The coming news was not going to be pleasant to hear.

Ozumas' fuse was running short as he crossed his arms. His green eyes were serious and wide. "Tell us. I need to know. Is Max ok? And pleaseeee tell me Draciel is safe."

Emilys' tone turned sombre. "Take a seat everyone."

Hilary was the only one who did and perched down next to the Chief.

"Just tell us Emily. Tell me Max is alright!" Tysons' chest thudded like a taiko drum.

The Floridian born placed her coffee cup onto a nearby window sill. Her nasal yet feminine voice started as she pushed her glasses up to her nose, rubbed her left elbow with her right hand and took a deep breath. Her news wasn't going to be easy to share. "Max... is in the emergency room. He's undergoing tests at the moment. We...couldn't wake him up."

Tyson eyes popped out and gestured with the confusion and worry. "What do you mean? Couldn't wake him up?!"

Kenny interjected after folding his laptop closed and looked ashamed. "You know those bladers Ozuma warned us about. Shadow Vale. Well...we found one of them looking for Kai in the basement."

Emily piped up. "We told Max to not engage and we tried to get away but Max fought with him anyway."

Kennys' chin dipped. "He did it to protect me."

Emily shuffled close to the sorry brunette and hooked a hand softly on his shoulder then lifted it off again. She broke out of her apathy in favour of talking more unattached and clinical. "This blader used attacks I've rarely seen used. He was ruthless, cruel even. When things heated up during the beybattle, Max called out Draciel and the blader called out his spider type bitbeast."

Kenny sharply lifted his head with conviction. "He called his blade Zap- Arachnid."

Ozuma and Dunga shared a brief side glance at each other. The duo knew exactly who faced Max and how lucky he was to still be alive.

Ozuma interjected with a snarky tone and his arms tightly crossed with agitation. "Let me guess. He used an electric style attack to sap the energy from Maxs' beyblade, from Draciel and from Max himself."

Emily carried on. "Yeah that's exactly what happened. The blader defeated Max in battle and went to steal Draciel away but before he had the chance to do anything, I rushed in with my Trygator and chased him off. Mariam showed up just as I was about to beat him... and IIIIIII... let her help."

Ozuma barked with a cross face. "Then what happened?"

Kenny piped up again and fought not to get too soppy. "Mariam did more than that Emily. She saved Max just as much as you did. If you two hadn't been there I'm sure we would have lost Max and Draciel for good."

Dunga gruffly asked. "And where is Mariam now?"

Emily piped up. "She's at Max's bedside somewhere back there in the ER. We've been here ever since they allowed the public to come back in after the fire evacuation. We got Max to an ambulance parked outside, and a paramedic and oxygen. He was so weak we were worried he was going to stop breathing. His breaths were so shallow and we...just couldn't get him to arouse let alone speak. We were so worried."

Kenny shrieked as his emotions ran away with him. He could feel hot tears swelling up his lower eyelids, tears of which were well hidden behind his plush brown hair. "At one point we thought he had stopped breathing. He scared the pajeebers out of me. It was nearly Kai all over again."

Tyson could tell Kenny was getting upset and did his best to comfort him. He barged past Emily, threw himself down on the seat next to him and put a chunky arm around his meek pals' shoulders. "It's okay Chief. We're here now. I'm sure Max is being taken care of real good. This hospital saved Kais' life after what he went through and he was really really bad. I'm sure Max... will be just fine."

Hilary put a caring hand on the Chiefs' other shoulder as she chirped. "Yeah Kenny, Max is in the best place here. I bet we get to see him in no time."

Kenny was sounding sorry for himself. "Ozuma. You tried to warn us. We didn't listen well enough and today...Max paid the price."

Dunga snorted without any tact. "Kai almost paid too today. So don't worry, Max isn't on his own in the "I'll do what I want and not listen to lifesaving advice morons club.""

Tyson burst up from his seat and jutted a foot forward with his fist raised. "Say what?! You think we brought this on ourselves?! Do you think Kai wanted to be held hostage with a knife to his throat today? Do you think Max wants to be in the ER too? Yeah I bet they're having a real party in there!"

Emily and Kenny startled immediately.

Kennys' tone shrieked high from the shock. "Say what now?! What happened to Kai?!"

Dunga hadn't finished his gloating and sarcasm. "Oh nothing. Just that he wandered off around the hospital on his own without his security detail and then Blake found him. He nearly lost his head with Blakes' dagger and it was nearly curtains again for Kai."

Tala gave Dunga the filthiest glare with slanted ice blue eyes. His arms tightly folded and cursed every word that came out of the Saint Shields' mouth. Dunga wasn't the most tactful or sensitive of guys and he downright irritated the Wolborg blader.

Emily exasperated. "So why is Kai in the ER too? Did he get hurt again?!"

Tyson relaxed from wanting to punch Dunga in the cheek to answer Emily's' question. "Kai fainted. After his 2nd run in with Blake, everything just got too much for him. I think he'll be okay but they're checking him out just to be safe. The dude needs some serious rest after this."

Emily was on top form with her questioning. "And what happened to you short stuff?"

All eyes turned to Daichi who'd perched and half folded himself on a seat like a squatting monkey. He screeched. "I got injured too fighting Shadow Vale. His name was Harkan and he did nasty things to my poor Strata Dragoon. He completely trashed my blade and then shot it at my belly."

Tyson chortled. "He's been bent over like a pangolin ever since, and walks like one too. I tried to get him in to see a doctor but looks like we've gunna have to wait a while."

Emily advised. "It's probably just bruising Daichi but it's better to get checked out." She paused. "But you look pretty unscathed Tyson. Did you defeat your Shadow Vale stalker?"

Tyson was caught off guard by Emily's' inquisition and didn't know how to get the words out. How could he tell the others he was knelt down in front of Harkan, had surrendered his life to him and was seconds away from being a stabbed sacrifice like Kai? He stuttered. "No, I didn't. I had...um...um... help. I had help right when I needed it the most."

"Meeeeeeeeeee. I was like Super woman! I ran and I ran and I hunted high and low for help and who did I find? The fabulous ice prince TALA!I couldn't believe it. I dragggggged him to Tyson and he savedddddddddd the day." Hilary could see the beychamp struggling with his emotions and did what she did best. She stole the limelight all so that Tyson could retreat from the attention and deal with himself. She made a mental note to spend some time with her love later and have a chat that he so obviously needed. Tyson may not have any visible injuries but there was nothing they could do for his mental wounds in the ER, he was going to need a whole other therapy for that pain.

Tyson stammered at first but soon found his voice. "Yeeeaahhhhh Tala saved my bacon alright. I can't believe you're here. Come to think of it. Why are you here?"

Tala brushed off the temporary smugness resulting from the kind compliments from Hilary and Tyson and serious talk started. "To be honest Tyson, I'm not sure why I came. Kenny emailed me after Kai got attacked and asked if I could help. I don't know what you meant by needing my help at the time, regardless, you sure needed it today. Close call or what. Question is... what are you going to do long term? And what sort of help were you hoping to get from me with Kai? Kai and I haven't talked in a really really long time. Ten years at least. The last I saw of him was the BEGA fiasco."

Kenny replied. "We hadn't seen Kai in a long time too. Like you, after BEGA was defeated Kai left and never came back. Its only very recently we reconnected and then this happened. You know how...ummm Kai can be, and I guess I hoped you and he were closer than we were and could help him with what he's going to go through. After all, you two do share similar backgrounds."

Tala fought not to snigger and smirked. "Well that was a giant misconception. Kai and I are far from braiding each other's hair."

Kenny explained himself further. "Also after the arrival of this new threat, I thought it would be advantageous to have another beyblader around. Someone we could trust and with the skills to help us defeat them."

Tala sighed and cocked his head. "So basically you wanted me to be Kais' psychotherapist and a new member of G-Revolution? If that's what you're still calling yourselves?"

Hilary winked and smiled. "Not quite. But we're super glad you're here if that's any consolation."

Kennys' demeanour perked up a tad. "Well I for one am glad you're here too. And no, just as you are is fine. "

Emily had been containing herself every since she saw the elusive Russian blader in the corridor. More pressing subjects of Max and Kai had passed and she was finally free to flirt. "It's good to see you Tala. It's been a while huh."

Tala had barely noticed the American girl other than when she was revealing important information and therefore... worthy of his attention. The PPB Allstarz and Blitzkrieg Boys hardly ever interacted as rivals at Beyblade tournaments other than dirty smirks in passing at beystadium canteens and trash talk at the beydish. Her friendliness now, caught him off guard.

Tala -"Hhnnn yeah I...guess so."

Tala had accepted Tyson and his team as allies after their support in taking down his archenemy Boris Balkov and his malignant scheme at the BEGA Corporation. All other teams and their members however had not earned that privilege and were to be kept firmly at arm's length. Or at least until they'd earned his trust and that...wasn't given away cheaply.

Before anymore chat could commence. Talas' back pocket vibrated making a *ZZZZZZZZZ* *ZZZZZZZZZ* *ZZZZZZZZ* sound.

Dunga scoffed and childishly sniped at Tala as he pulled the phone out of his back pocket. "Oh I'm sorry, are we interrupting your busy schedule?"

The wolf spirit prince blanked the ape Bitbeast wielder like the mature adult he was and pressed a tab to receive the call. All eyes were on him as he sharply turned 180 degrees, his open shirt fluttered with the motion. Tyson, Hilary, Emily, Kenny and Daichi were intrigued. Who would be calling Tala whilst he's in Japan and what could be so urgent?

The Blitzkrieg Boys' voice was clear and snappy. "Bryan! Where are you?! I've been trying to call."

Tyson jumped to his feet despite Tala telling him earlier that Bryan was in Tokyo with him. "Bryan! No way, where is he?"

Inaudible talk could be heard muttering through the phone pressed close to Tala's ear. Hilary and Tyson glanced at each other, then to Kenny and to Daichi in turn. Ozuma and Dunga were less than impressed; they had no time for Talas' personal life.

Tala replied just as sharp tongued. "I'm in the ER with Tyson and the others."

More inaudible nattering of a voice though the small speaker on Tala's phone in reply.

Tala exclaimed loudly. "What? You're in the ER too? Where?!"

---

Moments later, after the Russian duo waved to each other with long up stretched hands from opposite ends of the ER waiting room...the beyblader, known as Bryan Kuznetsov eyed his fellow Blitzkrieg Boy and proceeded to make his way over, with someone else in tow and who's view was completely shielded by his broad 6ft tall frame.

Buff Bryan with his cool steel coloured eyes, fluffy grey hair with a short fringe, light stubble on his chin, wearing navy blue tight-ish fitting trousers with a loose fitting burgundy t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up; rocked into view. His wide chinned smirk animated everyone. He was considerably more appealing after aging a few years and soon bulldozed into the spotlight of the group with his cocky swaggered arrival.

Bryans' attention however, was on nobody else but his red haired team leader as serious words needed to be spat. He didn't even properly say hello to Tyson, Hilary, Kenny, nor Daichi and especially not the unknown Saint Shield duo.

The Falborg blader grabbed Talas' arm, jerked him and then began a tirade of complaint. "Did you have any idea of what we were gunna be doin' here in Japan Tala? Any clue? I'm wasting paid holiday leave to take down some whack job beybladers who want to steal Rays' Bitbeast?" His bark was monotone and droning. He continued. "I thought we were here to help Kai with something but here I am, helping the White Tigers too. I didn't sign up for this Tala. This isn't any of our business. We should just go home."

Before Tala could deliver a disgruntled reply and rip his moaning comrade a new anus for his disrespectful entrance... two hands, shoulders and the head of Josef, shoved his way through the Blitzkrieg Boys like parting two curtains; instantly snapping Talas' arm out of Bryans' grip. This instantly earned him a pair of cold Russian grade glares.

Bryan was aghast that anyone had the gall to shove past him let alone interrupt him. "Heyyy what's the big idea. I'm talkin here!"

Josef swan walked to Ozumas' side and gestured nonchalantly. "Oh quit complaining. You volunteered to help Ray. Once I arrived there was no need for you to stick around but you did. You involved yourself fella."

Bryan couldn't say anything back. The shrimpy man with one dangly pendant earring and dark green hair with funny clothing was right.

Dunga gruffly cried. "Josef we coulda used your help earlier. Where have you been?"

Ozuma remained stoic and serious with his arms crossed. "I'm glad to finally see you safe Josef. Now, tell us. What happened with Ray? And his Driger? Tell me they're safe."

Josef got straight to the point. Ozuma needed to know everything but he wasn't going to like anything he was about to tell him. He peered up at his team leader with his arms crossed tight to brace himself. All eyes were on him as he spilled the event of his day. "Garnetta is what happened. She ambushed Ray and Mariah in the hospital garden. You should see it, the whole place is trashed. That little witch...she did a number on Mariah; she's been cut to ribbons. Ray was going to surrender Driger to Garnetta, when I launched Vanishing Moot from a rooftop. I stopped them just in time by cutting her hand but... I was up real high and finding a way down took time. Then this guy..." He pointed a snappy finger to Bryans' face, almost reaching his chin. "...shows up and kept Garnetta busy. By the time I finally reached the ground, Ray and Mariah were gone. Thennnnnnn the Blitzkrieg Boy and I kinda teamed up and beat her. She ran off, I gave chase, but I... lost her. Then I found Ray and Mariah and this guy at the makeshift nurses' office outside in the hospital parking lot. We got back into the hospital after the alarm was over and checked Mariah into the ER just now. They took her straight in... and here we are."

Emily cried with urgency with a light sweat drop on her temple. Her eyes were disturbed and anxious "Who the hell is Garnetta?! And what did she do to Mariah exactly?"

Dunga narrowed his eyes and his voice deepened, he raised a curled fist to his waist. "She's a vicious piece of work, that's what she is."

Josef quipped with serious eyes. "Garnetta's a Shadow Vale blader with a real nasty way of winning her beybattles. She attacks her opponents just for fun and rumour has it... she's killed bladers before."

Hilary stood up with alarm. "That's terrible! Garnetta. She was the one with Blake and the rest of them earlier weren't she. What exactly did she do to Mariah? Is she going to be alright?!"

Bryan was vague with a touch of rare emotion. "Imagine giving a baby mouse to a cat to play with. Mariah was the mouse. She's been cut all over her body."

Daichi was heartbroken; he and the White Tiger female had a special friendship consisting of poking and riling each other up both on and off the beydish. He screeched whilst still clutching his belly on his seat. "Poor Pinky. When can we go see her?!"

Bryan added. "Ray's in the ER with her. We can't go in, we gotta wait until they let Mariah out."

"Ggggrrrrrrrrrr Mariah! How could that Garnetta chick do that!" Tyson was utterly sickened and emotional by the news. The taboo act of attacking beybladers hit close to his chest after he'd seen what beyblade and Bitbeast strikes could do to a human body. Rays' match with a certain Demolition Boy, Kai at the hands of Brooklyn, what Garland did to Tala and many more scrapes even he'd endured throughout history as a world beyblade champ. The bluenettes' fists wrapped into clubs and half hid his tanned face under his cap before snapping his head up. "And poor Ray. Did he get attacked too?" He shot the latter of his question sharply to Josef.

Josef shook his head. "Ray hasn't got a scratch on him. His hands are a little bloodied from trying to help his girl but otherwise, he's fine physically."

Kenny whined with his head hanging low. "I feel terrible for Ray and even more so for Mariah. Ohhhhhh how did it come to this?! Half of our team in the emergency room with injuries. It so frustrating, I just wanna go see them and offer my support."

Tyson placed a supportive paw on the fretting brunette' shoulder. "I know Chief, I know." His tone was solemn.

An awkward heavy silence befell the group.

Ozuma quietly vexed, keeping how he really felt about the situation to himself. Now was not the time to lecture all about staying safe and for not heeding his warning about Shadow Vale sooner...that discussion would come later once he'd rounded up the rest of the old Bladebreakers once out of the ER. Stronger words had to be pounded into their skulls like a nail into a thick plank of maple wood and a concrete plan of action was needed.

The tight knit Russian bladers...brothers, though not bound by blood, side-eyed each other. An icy blue orb met with a frosty grey coloured glance and they knew without a word; whatever was going down with Kai and the others, they were involved now... and they were not leaving for home any time soon.

Ozuma broke the silence. "We should all take a seat, get comfortable and hope there's plenty in to eat in those vending machines. I think we're in for a long wait. Once we hear Max, Kai, Mariah and Ray are ready to leave the emergency room, were all going to meet in the garden...the side that Garnetta hasn't trashed that is. And we're going to have a lonnnng talk about what we're going to do next and what's best for the Sacred Spirits. And you WILL...listen... and abide to what I say this time." He stopped and owl eyed at Dragoons' guardian and sternly ordered. "Tyson, I don't want you out of my sight, not...for...a...second."

Tyson, Hilary, Daichi and Kenny nodded their heads and remained silent with concern for Mariah and Kai, and sheer dread for any serious news about Max and his state of breathing.

Emily remained buttoned too. A coffee drew cold by her ankles as she tried and failed to compile data on her laptop, the worry for her blading friends wouldn't allow her to concentrate.

Tala sat bolt upright with one leg crossed over the other, arms crossed with softly shut jet lagged eyes. On the neighbouring hard plastic chair resided a half slumped Bryan, who gazed around the room with boredom with his legs stretched out in front, his arms were knitted across his plush torso as he too fought the fatigue of air travel and Japanese heat.

Directly opposite the duo were the Saint Shields. Lack of seating with the fast filling waiting room shoved all five in closer proximity than they liked. The two sides didn't trust each other but neither fancied sitting on the floor. The team leaders Tala and Ozuma mirrored each others' pose exactly; they sat wordless and made no eye contact wanting to have nothing to do with each other. Dunga, through lack of maturity periodically leered and filthily smirked at Bryan who was more than happy to return the favour in a test of dominance and frankly... to pass the time.

After three hours, several trips to the vending machine with a shocking lack of options and multiple toilet breaks... Josef had enough and though sheer boredom went to the reception desk to ask for an update on Mariah, Max and Kai. With his polite attitude and luck of talking to an accommodating nurse, he was afforded the privileged information that Miss Wong was ready to be discharged.

He nimbly jogged gently back to the group, evading peoples legs, hand bags and children playing on the floor in the tight waiting room corridor and passed on the news. A great wave of relief painted everyone's' faces that finally they were going to be reunited with at least one of their friends and quickly opted to make their way to the hospitals' garden after many yawns and spine stretches. The waiting room was packed, smelly aired and stuffy with a backlog of patients and visitors...the garden however would be a peaceful and private place for them to reunify.

---

The sun burned orange as sunset befell Tokyo. Wisps of jet stream striped the tangerine sky without a cloud in sight. The air was chirp-less as birds had retired for the evening and only the last of the days' insects made any noise as they buzzed and fluttered around well maintained blue hydrangeas. No breeze existed to cool off warm fretting faces as Tyson and Co took in the sight of the garden around them. Tyson, Hilary and Daichi occupied the 3ft high brick wall of a flower bed like ducks in a row. To their left on a wooden bench under a lush green maple tree, sat Emily and Kenny. Tala and Bryan observed nearby with their backs to the hospital building wall. The wolf spirit blader had his arms crossed and Bryan hid his hands in his pockets coolly. The trio of Saint Shield boys stood quietly but anxious on the lawn; Ozuma in particular was serious faced, straight lipped and readying to deliver his lecture on safety and duty.

To the far left of the garden was the wasteland left after Garnetta and Mariahs' ferocious beybattle.

Daichis' emerald eyes were wide with shock as he jumped from his seated position on the wall, much to his pained bellys' protest. "Ouccchhhhh. Oh man! Look how bad the lawn is ripped up. They've actually made trenches in the earth."

Emily too left her post, walked a few paces and crouched to inspect a deep scratch mark in the brickwork of another nearby flowerbed wall. She ran two fingers along the grooves of the indentations. "This is definitely Galuxs' work alright. I'd know Mariahs' Cat Scratch attack anywhere." She said as she tweaked her glasses.

Tyson exasperated. He too couldn't sit still as he took to his feet and gawped as his eyes scanned the trashed landscape nearby. "Yeah, I can tell a real nasty match took place here. The earth is all turfed up. And all the grass has been shaved away! I can't believe it!"

Kenny adjusted his goggles and whispered seriously. "The beyblade attack ring marks on the brick walls, the soil mounded up and most of the lawn has been completely destroyed. I've never seen anything like it."

The Blitzkrieg Boys were indifferent. This sort of damage to terrain was nothing special and was something they saw a lot of training all those years ago at BIOVOLT. They kept their thoughts to themselves and waited patiently for the injured bladers to finally arrive and the subsequent emotional upset from G-Revolution and friends that was bound to come.

"Hey! What's that?" Hilary exclaimed then leapt from her brickwork seating and bounded across the bare and brown lawn. She stole everyones' attention as she crouched down next to a rhododendron bush, her hand shot underneath the foliage a short way and pulled out...something pink. Her back was turned to the group as she clutched the limp, light pink body part in her hands. With horror etched on her face, she twisted to reveal what she'd found and walked it back to the group. Like a disease, the twisted fright on her face spread to the others with varying levels of gasps and looks of distaste. It was Mariahs' severed pony tail with her favourite hair band holding it together at one end. "It...it...is... Mariahs." She stammered.

---

*SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAKKKKKKKKK* Cried a nearby door as the latching mechanisms moved and creaked from hinges and bolts. The heavy metal door opened and at first no person emerged. All eyes watched intently with held breaths and knotted stomachs. They were about to meet one of their injured friends no matter what state their body or mind was in.

Then, Rays' long whipping hair braid with a tuft of black hair at the end appeared, then his ankle in Chinese slippers, then the back of his tunic. Ray was reversing out of the door with his back first for good reason. His body fully came into view with his head low and listless as he dragged a wheelchair over the lip of the door, swivelled round and produced Mariah from concealment. The door slammed shut. *WHHAAMMMMMMMM*

Ray Kon walked slow with his dewy stressed out face hidden behind the ebony curtains of his long sleek bangs and walked in shame towards his eagerly awaiting friends.

It wasn't long before the White Tiger pair reached the lawn and was unanimously greeted.

Mariah sat upright half mummified and awake in her wheelchair. She was stripped of her pink and white Chinese attire due to the amount of blood it had on it and had no choice but to go in the bin at the nurses' office, even if she could wash the blood out it was shredded and past the point of repair now matter how good the sew job. Galux's guardian was adorned instead in a white hospital tunic with little pink sakura flowers dotted all over it. Beneath her floral gown poked bandages which wrapped around her torso and breast region. Her legs from the shins up, all of her neck and arms all the way down to her knuckles were completely wrapped in white bandages too, some of which had red seeping through and her left cheek sported a long clean white plaster. Her hair was in just as much of a mess as her body, short, uneven, chunks of hair chopped too short and other clumps were at their full length. Her fringe was unscathed but one bang on the left side of her head was cut short making her style lopsided. She needed to see a hairdresser and stat.

Both of the White Tigers bowed their heads with the heaviness of the day. They were fatigued, in pain and sore in more ways than physical. Neither of them lifted their heads or made eye contact. Rays' faces expressed shame and black coloured regret. For Mariah... it was embarrassment.

Tyson sprinted to the pair and stopped close in a clearing in front of them. "RAY! MARIAH! Are you guys a sight for sore eyes!"

Hilary quickly held Mariah's ponytail behind her back, she didn't want to risk her seeing it and getting upset, nor throw it away in a bush again in case the pinkette actually wanted to keep it like a morbid momento. She harped with worried eyes. "Mariah! I heard what happened to you! Are you alright?!"

Daichi completely forgot about his aching diaphragm muscles and screeched as he hobbled forward. "PINKY! URHHHH MAN! ARE YOU OKAY?"

Ozuma darkly scowled at the White Tiger male. He had a major bone to pick with him after hearing what Josef had to say about an earlier incident, but retained his wrath for another time. It was clear, Ray Kon was suffering enough.

Kenny noticed how quiet his former team mate was. Ray was always so light, cheerful and open. This Ray was completely different, like a black shadow stood in his place. "Ray? Mariah? You can talk to us you know. We're here for you."

Tyson piped up louder as he straightened. Rays' subdued and dark behaviour worried him further. "Yeah Ray! Come on dude talk to us. You haven't said a word."

Mariah lifted her bowed head with crystal slivers twinkling in her lower lids. Her eyes were blood shot and her voice was still sweet but raspy from when Garnetta strangled her. "We're alright" *cough* Or at least we will be. Once I get hold of that Shadow Vale blader again I'm gunna shave her head bald for what she's done to my hair."

Rays' expression was empty and tired as he finally rose to meet a gaze with the blue haired cap wearer. His words were slow and an effort to spill. "I'm okay. Don't worry about me Tyson. It's...Mariah... I'm worried about."

Mariah found her spunk like the tough cookie she was. Her voice was husky but upbeat. "Oh Ray, do I have to keep telling you! I'm fine. I'm really sore and getting stitched up was no fun at all but I'm over it. I'm gunna need a bit of time to rest and heal up and when I do, I'm gunna get straight back up and get training. Garnetta made a huge mistake picking a fight with me!"

Kenny delivered an upbeat offer. "I'm so glad to see you both safe. And when you're good and ready I'll supe up Galux and Driger for you. It's the least I can do."

Emily chipped in with a wink. "Yeah and you know I'll chip in with the analytics and design framework. And don't worry about your hair Mariah. That's nothing we can't fix."

Mariah grew worried as she grasped with both hands at choppy cut bangs. She shrieked as high as she could with a sore throat. "Is my hair that bad?!"

Hilary did her best to repair the anxiety Emily had just caused. She smiled and put her free hand on her hip. "Oh nooooooo don't worry about a thing Mariah. I've got a cousin who is a devil with a pair of scissors. She works in a top salon in Shinjuku and she'll sort you right out with a style you will rock." In her ditsy excitement she stumbled forward, tripping like a leggy dunce and accidently launched the dead lump of pink ponytail into the air. Many hands slapped faces as the onlookers of friends watched the unfortunate catapulting of Mariahs' hair and watched it land with single eyes peering through fingers. Little did they know it had landed at the same spot where Mariah was pinned down by Garnetta. The White Tigers' dried blood shaded the green blade tips of the little grass that remained and red blobs remained congealed in circles on the dry dirt.

Mariah was silent as painful flashbacks of her time pinned under Garnettas' weight stabbed her mind and caused her face to fall. Her expression fell smile-less and her eyes drew to pin pricks on yellow iris backgrounds. She felt her chest tighten as she remembered the weight of the sadistic shadow vale blader sitting on her chest, preventing her breath. Her throat felt like it was tightening as it re-enacted on its own what it was like to be choked to the brink of death. Her skin drew cold and pale as she physically stopped breathing.

Hilary could have died with embarrassment as she clasped her hands over her mouth. Once removed them she begged. "Oh Mariah! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for you to see your hair. Do you want it? Or do you want me to get rid of it for you? Oh gosh this must be so painful. I'd be just devastated if someone cut my hair off. Ohhhhhh I'm such a clutz!"

Mariah was stunned, not from seeing her hair again but the horror of what her nasty assailant did to her. A firm and familiar hand landed on her shoulder and gently squeezed in a spot he knew didn't have a wound beneath the cloth. Rays' touch snapped her out of it instantly. She closed her eyes and felt air rush into her lungs as she inhaled sharply though her mouth; then breathed out again and gingerly bent an arm back to land her fingers gently over his. His presence was all she needed and her mind returned to the world and her feisty attitude with her.

"Oh no don't worry about it Hilary. Its only hair, I'll miss it but I'll grow it back. I was meaning for a trim anyway." Smiled Mariah as she re-engaged with the group, but in doing so she cocked her pained neck and winced from the movement.

"Here, you should have this back. I picked it up after Ray carried you off. I'm sorry that's all that was left of your beyblade." Bryan had left the solace of the back wall and placed a solo beyblade bitchip onto her knee. Before she knew what he'd gifted her, the Blitzkrieg Boy already walked back to Talas' side without waiting for a thank you to follow. He didn't need gratitude nor want it.

Mariah gently and with great care picked up her precious Galux bitchip and held it. She twisted its face to shimmer the image of her lynx Bitbeast in the fast dimming sun. "Galux, you fought so well. You did me proud girl."She murmured.

Emily crept forward."Looks like we'll be redesigning a whole new beyblade for you. But don't worry Mariah, Kenny and I will have a crazy new blade for you in no time and I'm sure we can design it in any shade of pink you want."

The White Tigers drew silent. Ray began to withdraw his face from the world again and bury it behind his black bangs as anger at himself and Shadow Vale swallowed him up again. His girlfriend was a mess with wounds... and her beyblade which was a hand me down from her great grandmother she'd loved from the day she received it... was mere fragments in the mud.

Mariah glanced up with tears teetering over the edge of her ruby edged eyes. "Thank you Emily." Her voice wobbled. "I'd appreciate that."

A mix of emotions were felt for the White Tigers. Pity, that Mariah had lost her Galux beyblade forever, admiration for Mariahs' can't-keep-me-down attitude and concern over Rays' mental state.

Ozuma, Dunga and Josef stayed silent as their words would be aplenty very soon. Whilst, the Blitzkrieg Boys absorbed the goings on from a distance, taking the stance they would only get involved if absolutely essential.

---

*SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAKKKKKKKKK* All attention on Ray and Mariah ceased as again the heavy metal fire escape doors' latches creaked and whined. The un-greased hinges and bolts protested but moved as a tall athletic female forced it open.

Long dark blue hair like a mako sharks' tail jutted out from behind the solid wall. She grunted and struggled to pull a wheeled chair over the lip like Ray did earlier with Mariah. With a yank and a backward tug, she and the wheelchairs' occupant were free. She turned the chair using the back wheels to wheelie round and at last, Draciel's guardian had arrived.

Tyson staggered forward and was speechless. Despite his sore tummy muscles Daichi stayed painfully upright with eyeballs nearly popping out. Hilarys' jaw dropped as her doe eyed orbs swelled with pity and compassion. Kenny and Emily rushed forward a few steps. Moments later, Mariam parked Max's wheelchair in line with Mariah and readied herself for a plethora of questions from soppy friends.

Max Tate was a phantom of his usual self. His head was sloped forward and what could be seen hidden behind a thick blonde fringe were two stony blue eyes. He could barely keep his unusually dull eyes open and surrounding them were dark circles like a raccoon. He too, like Mariah had been made to change into a hospital gown, his however had small blue wave patterns all over his and ties holding it together at his shoulders. He had a cannula needle inserted in the back of his hand held in place with surgical tape, and the leads and plugs for drug administration dangled over the edge of his wrist. His whole body lightly shivered despite the warmth of the Japanese summer evening. He was not well, a sedentary shell... empty of his usual spark and beaming energy.

Mariam warned. "He can't be out here long. Max's Dad will be at the hospital within the hour and there'll be trouble if the nurses find out I've taken him from his room. I shouldn't even have him out here, he needs his rest. But this stubborn little guy said he wanted to see you all." She gently tussled his hair as she called him stubborn.

Tyson couldn't hold himself back anymore. He then threw his knees down in front of the wheelchair. He scooped and cupped Maxs' face in his hands to lift up his lolling heavy head to force eye contact. "Max! Maxie talk to me buddy. How ya feelin?! Talk to me bud!"

Kenny quickly joined at Tysons' side in a bent over position with his hands on his thighs. Max's lack of cognitive ability was terror-striking. "Max? How you feeling? Can you tell us? Just blink if you understand us. Who's the current president of America?"

Emily started as she drew in close and crossed her arms. "Guys he's exhausted! He really needs to go back to bed."

Max swallowed some saliva to wet this throat. "Tyyyyyyyyssss...oooonnnn. CChhhhhhiiiieeeeefffff. It's goooooodddddd to seeeeee youuuuu."

Tyson let Max's face free as Max's neck took to erect his head himself. The bluenette slipped his right hand extremely gently under Maxs' left with the cannula and lightly held. His face screwed with worry at his blonde bestie. "I'm right here for ya buddy!"

Emily stabbed a question at the female Saint Shield. "What did the doctors say? Will he make a full recovery?"

Mariam cocked a hand on her hip as she let Tyson take over babying. "The doctors have given him lots of fluid though an IV drip and he's gotta go back on it once he goes back to bed. He's had injections too containing electrolytes and salts I think. He has to drink sugary drinks and eat whatever he can, easier said than done as he's not up to eating much. He barely has the energy to move his jaw. He just wants to sleep poor guy."

Kenny shook his head madly from side to side in distress in a wave of panic and grasped tightly at his hair. "Seeeeeee. I told you he was bad!"

Mariam aimed a rhetorical question at Ozuma. "It's like Zap Arachnid sucked all the energy out his blood or something."

Ozuma grabbed his chin in thought. "It's something the elders have wanted to know more about. If we could get the doctors notes to find out exactly what Darcels' attack did to Max's body it might prove invaluable to counteracting his attacks next time."

Mariam quipped. "Leave it to me. Getting his doctors notes will be a piece of cake."

Emily was antagonistic and up for an argument with all the tension going on. "You do realise that's Max's confidential medical records you're talking about stealing. That's completely against the law."

Josef snarked back. "You do know that information might mean the difference between us winning against Zap Arachnid or not, right?"

As Emily and the Saint Shields argued about the legalities of medical information versus safety of the planet... Ray and Max shared a heartfelt moment.

The White Tiger X blader couldn't bring himself to say anything in his self piteous stupor. Instead, he rested a hand on Max's shoulder, patted it thrice then squeezed lightly so the fatigued victim could feel he was there. The drained golden haired beyblader managed to loll his eyes backwards to meet a lowly gaze from his Chinese ex team mate. The two locked eyes but produced no smiles; there was nothing to smile about.

Daichi hobbled close and lurched over Tyson's shoulder to see Max up close. He aimed a question to Mariam. "He's gunna be alright though? He's not always gunna be like this is he?!"

Hilary dug into whatever gap surrounding the half American was open and knelt with closed legs at the side of his chair on wheels. The cool grass ticked her bare knees. "Hey Max. I'm right here okay. If there's anything you need I'm your girl. Sweets, chocolate, ice-cream you name it an Ol Hilary will get it for ya okay."

Max's words had travelled from his heart to his slow moving lips. He slurred. "Thhhhhhaaaaaannnnnkkkkkk yyyooouuuuuuuuu ggguuuuuuuyyyyysssss. Ivvvveeeeee miiiisssssssseeeedddddddddd yyyyyyyooooouuu."

Mariam quipped. "The doctors think he should make a full recovery. He's got the blood sugar level of someone who's been starved for a week and needs plenty of rest. He was on the cusp of organ failure I overheard a doctor say. He looks bad now but he's come a long way since where he was an hour ago."

Max's eyes lit up a fraction as he swallowed saliva again. "Kaaaaaaiiiiii. Youuurrrreeeee heeerrrrreeeee. Weeeeevvveeee beeeennn looookingggg forrr youuuu." He attempted to smile as his panda eyes met with amethyst coloured ones.

"Max!" Exclaimed the raspy voice of Kai Hiwatari. Patient 12 stood tall with his left hand clutched over a padded wound covering under his loose black t-shirt. His grey slippers had newly settled into the bouncy soft grass. His face was pale and a little dark around the eyes himself. He battled through a growing headache as he fretted, confused over Max's physical state. "What...happened to you?"

Tyson and Hilary immediately jumped up from their kneeling positions using their hands to propel them off the floor, and twirled with great speed to rival professional ballerinas. The duo exclaimed loudly in an over the top fashion in unison. "KAI!""Kai!"

---

Sure enough, there Kai Hiwatari was in all his regale. A little off colour but otherwise appeared ok considering he'd collapsed hours ago and had spent most of his day in the emergency room being pumped with IV fluids, put on oxygen and offered sugary drinks every hour. He'd snuck into the Hospitals' peace garden from another entrance and he wasn't alone.

For behind Kai, stood his body guard...Mr Cooper. He stood tall like a human empire state building and belittled most souls around him both physically and figuratively. The last of the Japanese sun burned his perfectly shaved black skinned head and his sunglasses edges glinted clean and sharp as he lurched no less than 6 feet behind Kais' person. Furthermore, four male black-clad security officers positioned themselves in various corners of the garden. Each picked a spot to guard and peered around on high alert like guard dogs, watching and scanning for any new arrivals and would act with deadly force should anyone enter their boss's personal space without their blessing.

Kais' attention eagled down at the blonde and the cannula needle too buried into the vein of the back of his hand, the patterns on his hospital gown and Max struggling to lift his own head up properly. His sight passed to the female White Tiger blader in the wheelchair parked next door. Kais' keen sight rolled over her bandages, her unusual choppy hair, and the bitchip with no beyblade she fingered in her digits... And then up at her boyfriend holding the handles to her moving chair. He gazed at Rays' glum face but was not met with eye contact back. Daichi let a faint moan escape his lips as he retook a seat on the nearby flower bed wall earning him too, a glare from Kai with slanted eyes and one raised eyebrow of confusion. "Okay, now I have some serious questions. What the hell happened to you all?"

Kai's question was immediately buried never to be heard again by a landslide of other, louder produced questions. Tyson, naturally was the first to start and was holding nothing back. "What are you doing here Kai? I mean...are you okay?! Did they discharge you from the ER or did you just let yourself out?"

Emily interjected with a cocky tone. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's the latter Tyson. Kai hardly has the best track record for staying where he's supposed to."

Hilary scolded with a cross face and tapped her foot. Her words would nearly identical to what his Grandmother would have to say. "Kai are you sure you should be out of bed. You've had a really scary day."

Despite Mariah's sorry state she had cat-itude. She cockily stated with tired bloodshot eyes and a hoarse voice. "Well look what the cat dragged in."

Kenny scolded with a scarlet red face with fists shaking at his sides, not something he did very often. The brain box had been pushed to his limit with frustration, the poor tasting coffee, Max nearly dying in front of him, days of cheap hospital food, Mariah being cut to ribbons and the lack of selection in the vending machines had pushed him over the edge. "Kai! You're here. At long last! We've been worried sick about you!" He screeched.

Daichi deeply pouted, crossed his arms and eagerly joined in the inquisition. Of course forgetting Kai was held hostage at knife point only hours earlier and that he didn't ask for any of this. "Yeahhhhh Kai! The only reason we got in this mess is because we went looking for you!"

Ray could barely look at him for several reasons. One, he was ashamed he couldn't protect his girlfriend and nearly lost her. Two, he nearly gave Driger away in order to save her and felt like a traitor to his own Bitbeast. And three... Garnetta only found him and Mariah because they split from the group and were looking for...Kai. He knew deep down none of this was Kais' fault... but needed someone to blame.

Hilary interjected with a little nervousness in a small voice. "Um guys...I don't think we can blame Kai for any of what happened today."

Dunga jabbed his worth into the argument too with animated arms. "Yeah Kai, these guys split up from safety to go looking for you. If you'd only stayed in your bed, none of this would have happened. Max, Mariah and Daichi wouldn't be in the states they are now."

Mr Cooper shifted the weight from one leg to the other with unease for how much verbal attrition his employer was accepting. Something he wasn't used to seeing in the realm of Hiwatari Enterprises, and felt unnatural to witness. It was odd to see his superior of high standing be attacked...and by his so called friends. He felt unease at the whole tirade against his employer especially in his delicate state. The giant guard opted to stay quiet, watch over Kai like a titan and be ready for any physical advances to parry away in protection of the "King."

Kai was instantly riled as he bit back with a husky yet superior tone and pointed the finger. "I assume that's why Max, Mariah and Daichi are all beat up, it's Shadow Vale right? Before you blame me for anything I think you should know something. Nobody told me anything about this so called Shadow Vale clan. Nobody warned me a threat was waiting for us outside these walls... You know I only found out Blake was back when he had me cornered and soon after, a knife to my neck. You see this cut?" He pointed to the 2 inch long thin red line where Blake pressed his dagger into his skin then returned a hand to guard his torso wound. "All I know about Shadow Vale is what that creep Blake has told me. Some of you obviously knew about this threat and not one of you thought to tell me about it. The consequences of that are on you."

All bodies that threw blame on the CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises shifted nervously, they wound their extended necks back in and were instantly silenced. He was right. They had the responsibility to tell Kai he was still in danger and they didn't.

Hilary clubbed her hands together and pleaded, turning her begging to each complainant. "Guys let's not argue at a time like this. We need to all stick together!"

Ozuma had been waiting all day to hammer some home truths about Shadow Vale and now was the time to spill...and he was not going to hold back. His voice was authoritarian and glared with stern, penetrating green eyes at each beyblader and sidekicks Kenny and Hilary. "Silence! Shadow Vale did this to you. It's them that are trying to end your lives and steal your Sacred Spirits. They are the enemy. I told you all about the danger you were in and none of you thought it might be a good idea to sit Kai down and tell him. You pussy footed around him so not to stress him out after his ordeal which I can understand but as you now know...Shadow Vale are not pussy footing around you. Time to get real serious...real quick if you want to survive the next few days or even weeks to come."

Kai ceased grinding his teeth whilst Ozuma finished his lecture. The others had pissed him off with their blaming for something he had nothing to do with and his self respect didn't take it lightly. His voice was peppered with sarcasm. "Well... does anyone want to fill me in about Shadow Vale now? Or should I just wait until I meet with Blake again?"

Josef politely asked as tensions were high enough. "What do you know already Kai?"

Patient 12 took a short sharp breath before starting to try to lower the temperature of his attitude. His sore throat protested with every word. "A beyblader named Blake tried to kill me and failed. He stole my Dranzer from me and intends on making the world anew with my Bitbeast at his side. He said I need to die in order to bond with Dranzer or something messed up like that. He once told me he had siblings who were going to do the same to Tyson, Max and Ray for their sacred spirits but I didn't remember this until today when my memory came back. A lot of my mind blocked out what happened at the beystadium. I get back little snippets of memory every now and again. Otherwise I would have warned them about the danger they could be in much sooner, you know, so they can be kept safe. I was held hostage again by Blake today and I've now seen the faces of the other three shadow vale members."

Ozuma jumped straight in to fill an informational void. "Yes those four are the chosen children of the Arch mage of the Shadow Vale clan. Three male bladers and a female. The ones you saw earlier today. Blake...you've intimately met, Harkan the big guy who is pursuing Tyson's Dragoon...

Mariam tailed off his sentence. "The short ugly guy... who sucked the life out of Max for his Draciel, and Garnetta who ripped Mariah to pieces for fun, all in a sick game to pry Driger away from Ray."

Kai was not amused and tried to not let his emotions emblazon his tone. "Blake needs me to kill me to bond with my Dranzer. But bladers can utilise bitbeasts taken from other bladers without going to that extreme. I'm assuming Blake needs to bond with Dranzer on a spiritual level in order to command him as opposed to just stealing him away in a beyblade. Am I right?"

Tyson, Hilary, Kenny, Daichi, Emily and Mariah watched the ping-pong of questions batted between two dual haired young men. They'd never seen Kai speak so much and Ozuma really knew what he was talking about. Every question and answer each gave was clear, relevant and very important. No further questions needed asking because Kai was asking them perfectly. Even Ray dug himself out of his depression to listen intently and Max did his best to hold his head high to engage.

Ozuma and Kai were similar in intelligence it was clear. "Yes, any blader off the street can take your bitbeasts and use them in battle as if they were their own. But what Shadow Vale intend to do is forge a bond with your Sacred Spirits using black magic to seal the bond forever and amplify their powers to be ten times more destructive. If all four chosen children obtain all four Sacred Spirits that will be the end of the world as know it."

A wind whistled through the trees and tickled all necks causing short hairs to stand on end, it was like nature itself was warning them to take heed of Ozumas' words.

Josef added in a nonchalant way as if he was describing a cake recipe. "Shadow Vale can take control of your Sacred Spirits in two ways. They like the first choice the most; they beat you in battle, end your life, absorb your Bitbeast and forge a new bond to rule them. The second choice... you surrender your Bitbeast by saying words relinquishing ownership and it's done. You walk away and they own your Sacred Spirit forever...then...they might just kill you for the fun of it."

"What do they intend to do with my Dranzer in the mean time. Can they successfully bond with Dranzer any other way? Without my death?" Kai pressed more pressure on his wound as it began aching for his attention. The talk of Dranzer was causing his body to tense and random muscles to pull.

Ozuma gently shook his head side to side for a second. "As far as I know, Dranzer will fight not to be controlled by them and certainly won't allow Blake to spiritually bond to him. He was taken from you against your will. Blake will have a hard time using Dranzer for anything."

Dunga was quick to add as he stepped forward in a warning tone. "This doesn't mean that you're safe now Kai .Now that they have Dranzer, his village elders are gunna be screwing something chronic for him to finish the job he started. Blake is gunna stop at nothing to kill you now. And his siblings will do the same to Max, Ray and Tyson. The only difference with you is they they've half completed the job. If you die for any reason now...heart attack, car accident, suicide, you choke to death on a biscuit...Your spiritual bond with Dranzer has been half severed and all you have to do is die of any causes for them to bond with him. So you better take good care of yourself from now on."

Tyson finally jumped in with the garden time quizzing with a light swinging punch in the air from a rogue arm. "Then we need to find them and stop them before they can exact their plan, right? And take Dranzer back."

Mariam sassed her hair from side to side momentarily. "It's not that easy Tyson. The Shadow Vale clan are travelling cave dwellers. They move around from place to place and the valley they live in is pretty vast. They are fairly small in number too so they are easy to hide. My clan, the Saint Shields have always had trouble keeping tabs on their location and we've been rivals for centuries. We live in the hills and they live mainly in the canyons and rocky outcrops deep in the mountains. Their land has many caves and tunnels hidden in the rock face. We simply don't know the canyons like they do and they've been difficult to pin down and monitor for as long as time. But we don't have to worry about that right now, the chosen children know where you are...you four are their sacrifices and what they need to complete their missions. They won't be going far anytime soon."

Kai sneered in frustration with gritted teeth. "So what do we do? Sit and wait while they hunt us? Not happening!"

Ozuma knew his next news wasn't going to be swallowed well. "Whether you like it or not, you all need to go into protection. Our clan back home is hunting for their hide outs and we're here to guard you personally. I need you all to stay together in one place so that we can protect you. Shadow Vale are desperate and thankfully not the smartest, so they'll come for you and keep coming for you and when they do, we the Saint Shields will be ready to apprehend them once and for all."

Kai was as fiery and obstinate as Tyson. "So were just sitting ducks until you can find and capture them. No way. I'm getting Dranzer back myself."

Dunga sniggered and antagonistically placed fists on his hips with his elbows poking out. "Oh yeah and how do you expect to do that Kai...with your goon squad? They gunna find Shadow Vale and get them to retrieve your Bitbeast for you at gun point. Like a bad Liam Neeson movie. I will find you and I will kill you kinda scenario?"

Kai scowled but smirked at the same time. Dunga clearly knew nothing about what he and his security team were capable of. "Whatever it takes Dunga."

Dunga chortled and smirked at Kai's audacity. "Yeah good luck with that Kai. Your Matrix look-alikes are flashy and got muscle but I doubt they can deal with Shadow Vale. They are the slipperiest guys I know."

Ozuma was deadly serious and glared darkly at the CEO that had almost been killed twice. "Do whatever you want with your security team Kai but I'm giving you no choice, you will hole up in safety with the rest of your beyblade team. WE...will get Dranzer back for you."

Kai growled as his head began to spin and stomach turning nausea returned, rendering his ability to argue back impossible. "Dranzer is my Bitbeast. It's my job to get him back." His sight blurred for a second as he shook his head back to focus. High emotions and anger was rapidly draining his energy reserves. The risk of passing out again was imminent if he didn't calm down.

Josef added. "All you guys have gotta do is stay inside, play video games, make cup cakes and friendship bracelets or whatever you call fun until we deal with Shadow Vale. We'll drag Shadow Vales chosen children back to our village for a lifetime of imprisonment and you can all go on your merry way. Thankyou very much... Have a nice life."

Tyson stamped forward with a warning fist. His tone was loud and valiant. "No way are we just gunna sit in the side-lines while you do all the work! We can help you fight. We'll fix up our blades and fight alongside you. Shadow Vale won't stand a chance against all of us!"

Ozuma was less enthusiastic about Tysons' pitch. His reply was stern and his eyebrow furrowed. "Not a chance Tyson. You four guardians of the Sacred Spirits are too important and too much of a liability. If you lose your matches it could mean the end of you... and ultimately puts the safety of the whole world in jeopardy."

Josef scratched the back of his head with one hand nervously and rolled his eyes to Ozuma to lay down the only other option on the table. "There is... another way we can get you off the hook."

Tysons' eyes were alight with hope. "Oh yeah?!"

Hilary looked hopeful too. "What is it?"

Kai, Max and Ray listened intently with far less energy and excitement than their blue haired amigo.

Mariam sung as she hid a sweat drop under a long blue bang. "You're not gunna like it."

Ozuma delivered the impossible offer and readied for the verbal backlash from Tyson and assumedly the other two guardians in tow. "You could surrender your bitbeasts... to us. Give us Draciel, Driger and Dragoon. We'll take them back to our village where they will be kept safe. We will seal them in the rock like we planned to do years ago and ensure Shadow Vale never gets their hands on them for as long as they are a threat."

Tyson, Max and Rays' startled eyes lit up and pin pricks drew small. Give their bitbeasts up?!

Kai side eyed his team mates and watched. If they felt the same way he felt about Dranzer, Ozumas' offer would be unconscionable.

Mariam sought to add some sugar coating to the offer. "You won't need to worry about being attacked any more. Once Shadow Vale knows we have your sacred spirits they will leave you alone. Killing you will serve no purpose if they cannot get the sacred spirits from you and bond with them. They'll forget all about you and chase us instead. Once we get back to our village and your bitbeasts safely sealed away...their plan will be dust in the wind."

Dunga added. "Entrust your bitbeasts to us and we'll restore them to you once Shadow Vale has been stopped and everything is safe."

Tyson yelled with no restraint with fists in the air. His tone was defiant and unruly. "No WAY! Not an option! Dragoon is my friend and I don't want him living in some rock in the dark! What do you say Maxie?!"

Max couldn't speak much but shook his heavy head with eyes that glimmered like darkly lit sapphires hidden under golden hair. It was a definite no from him too.

Tyson, satisfied with Max's answer, he nodded and smiled down at his blonde bestie in his wheel chair...and with a hint of fight in his face, the turtle spirit blader smiled back.

The beychamp adjusted his eyeline to glance into the eyes of his Chinese ex-teammate. "Ray?"

Ray hadn't said a word and instead appeared to be in a trance looking to the floor in front on Mariah's wheelchair. His handsome face was pale and blank as his insides warped and twisted over the proposal.

Tyson stepped forward into the Chinese bladers' personal space. His face hid disgust at the thought of the White Tiger with a bond no different to what he shared with Dragoon, actually giving up his bitbeast. "Ray? You're not considering this are you?" His voice was gritty and desperate for an answer.

Hilary clamped her hands over her mouth, her heart beat echoed in her head as she watched Ray agonise over the painful choice. Kenny shuffled nervously on the spot as he felt unease in the high tension. Emily held her breath and allowed her glasses to slide down her nose a fraction. The gang had left the stuffiness of the hospital for some fresh outdoors air but the atmosphere right now was just as choking. Tala and Bryan too were silent as they watched the tense episode of the old Bladebreaker reunion further unfold with their backs rigid against the brick wall.

Josef added softly to help the White Tiger make a balanced decision. "It doesn't have to be a team thing here Ray. Tyson and Max can keep their bitbeasts, that's up to them and they will have to live with the consequences. We can take Driger away for safe keeping and you can focus on taking care of Mariah. You can go out and travel without worrying about Shadow vale murdering you or yours."

Kai piped up with golden words of wisdom. "It's your choice Ray. No one can make this for you. You need to do what's best for you. But ask yourself, could you live with yourself if you gave Driger up? There is the chance you may never get Driger back if things don't go the way the Saint Shields expect."

Mariah stayed unusually quiet as she wrapped her clammy anxiety wrought hands tight around loose fabric of her hospital gown, wringing it in her lap. She knew what was going on in Rays' mind but couldn't find the words to tell him what to do. "It's my fault. I engaged with Garnetta, forcing Ray into a terrible position. I feel so guilty! Because of my actions...Ray had to make a choice between saving me and keeping Driger safe. If Ray gives Driger to the Saint Shields it would relieve him of having to make that decision again. Next time it might not be me in danger but anyone close to our family and the clan. But my Ray-ray without Driger?...Would he even be the same man after that? Could he live with himself afterwards? Driger is such a bit part of who Ray is as a beyblader and to give Driger up would be like giving up a part of himself, a part of the man I love. And the thought of Driger being locked away inside a rock would be pure torture for him! Driger is a soul that needs to roam and run and play chase with Galux in the forests and hills. He needs freedom and travel to feel happy...just like Ray. His spirit will die if he's locked away, I know it. Oh Ray. I don't know what to say to you. This is just all so unfair! I hate this! I wish there was something I could do."

Ray turned his head to the side and away from Tyson literally breathing down his neck. He closed his eyes as pain scrunched his nose and clamped his jaw tight. "I don't know what to do. Tyson just wouldn't understand. It's not like he's had to sacrifice anything to save another."

Tyson stabbed at him, pleading and hurt. "Really Ray! You'd give up your Driger?! Seriously dude?!"

Josef quipped and sneered as he crossed his arms. If the Saint Shields were going to ram home the situation with the 4th degree then there was no point in doing it half way. "Ray was willing to give up Driger once today. Didn't you Ray? You mind telling everyone why?"

Ozuma was devoid of all light as he harped on. "I take no pleasure in having to be this heavy handed but you all have to know the seriousness of your situation. Yes Ray, share with us why you were seconds away from handing over a Sacred Spirit to Shadow Vale, an entity who would have used him as a tool to destroy the planet."

"Tssstsstt" Ray was a poked tiger in a corner as his apathy switched its claws out for a scratch of hot anger. His head remained low as flames burned in his feline eyes. His long silky black bangs swayed as he loudly growled with conviction. "I did it to save Mariah. You would all have done the same thing in my position. I don't regret what I did. Mariah would have been killed if I hadn't done something. None of you were there and have no right to judge." Rays' sudden outburst left his chest heaving up and down as he fought to put the animal inside back into the cage. He glanced to his right to Tyson and the two reached an understanding as scowling yellow eyes locked with soft sorry brown.

"Ray..." The bluenette whispered as his exasperated facial expression immediately melted away, realising how much of a hypocrite he was. Tyson remembered the kneeling pact he'd made with Harkan to keep Daichi safe. Instead of running to save himself, he offered his body and his defeated Dragoon in a trade to ensure Daichi would be allowed to live. A human life for a Bitbeast... no different to the impossible and heart-breaking choice Ray was given.

The White Tiger male broke his gaze with the cap wearer and announced to the Saint Shield quad in a low warning tone. "Driger... stays with me...for now at least."

Ozumas' temper kicked up a notch as steaming hot frustration amounted inside him like a volcano. "Okay fine. Have it your way. The offer is there but don't you EVER willingly relinquish your Sacred Spirits to Shadow Vale, not under any circumstances... for anything or...anyone. Shadow Vale are nasty as you know and they will not hesitate to take a family member or a loved one hostage. They'll kill the family puppy if they think it will get them closer to what they want. If you don't think you can cope with a hostage scenario then I'd strongly suggest reconsidering our offer."

He scowled down to the turtle spirit guardian in his wheelchair who could barely hold his head up for much longer with fatigue. "What are you going to do Max if they take your Dad hostage and you have to make a choice between your Fathers' life or Draciel?"

The dual haired Saint Shield sharply turned his stare to the Dragon spirit guardian before Max could answer. "Dragoon or your Grandfather Tyson? Which one is worth more to the world and its safety? It's not just you that your decision affects. Hilary, Daichi and Kenny too...they have families here in Japan and easily within Shadow Vales' reach. What happens if their families are taken hostage and hurt or worse? How will you live with yourself? How will you ever look into their eyes again?" He said the last few words of his sentence pointing a sharp finger at Daichi sat hunched on the wall, then Hilary and at Kenny nearby.

Ozuma cocked his head at the raven haired man next. "Ray? You've already been in that spot and boy I bet it was uncomfortable to say the least. What if they attack your village next? Your parents? Other members of White Tiger X?"

Before allowing any responses, his hawking landed at the phoenix blader. "You may not be in possession of Dranzer right now Kai but that's not to say you get to relax. Blake is going to come for you harder and faster than the other Shadow Vale members. You are a job half finished. He could take any one your loved ones for ransom too. Your grandmother? Any girlfriends we should know about? Close employees? I'd suggest you get security guards put in place. You have resources that most people could only dream of and I strongly suggest using them."

Tyson, Max and Ray were wordless as they took on board Ozumas' tidal wave of warning. His words drenched them like a monsoon that left them dripping with apathy and fear. Their minds swirled and spun in a mental whirlpool of crushing responsibility. Were they cut out for this level of danger? They'd stopped criminal masterminds from taking over the world using beyblades and bitbeasts as mere teenagers... but this...was closer to home and far more personal than anything they'd ever faced. Lives were at stake and not just their own.

Emily pushed her glasses back up her nose, left her seat on the flower bed wall and joined the unusually solemn group. She served some fast questions like the expert tennis player she was known for. With both hands hooked on her skirted hips she verbally jabbed back to the lecturing and high spoken Ozuma, thus breaking the overcast tension surrounding the group. "So, you've laid it all on the line. What do they do now? You said something about them staying together for protection. How are you going to manage that? Have you got a facility and plan in mind? I've heard a lot of dictating but no positive directing so far."

Dunga was taken by surprise with how direct the red head was and stammered before crossing his bulky arms with dismissal. "It's nothing to do with you...or the Russian blader boys over there. It's for us and the Blade breakers to work out. You three don't have to be involved."

Mariam aimed a warning to the trio of aforementioned outsiders. "Yeah... I'd go home if I were you before Shadow Vale has it in for you too."

Josef called out to the grey haired Russian who was currently making his way over with his hands in his pockets cockily with Tala at his side. "Yeah Bryan, I'd get out of dodge while you still can. You got in the way of Garnetta getting Driger; she'll be baying for your blood for the fun of it now."

Ozuma added with a side scowl aimed at the blue eyed interferer Tala who strode closer over the riveted soil of Mariahs' battle ground. "Yeah, thank you for the help but it's not like we needed you in the first place Blitzkrieg Boys. We've got this all under control. Have a safe flight."

Kenny shrieked aloud. "No, wait! We could use the extra hands!"

Tyson forehead produced a sweat dropped of panic and expressed disappointment at the thought of friends leaving after they'd only just got here. "Go home?! Are you serious?! The Chief's right. Tala, Bryan, Emily... I understand if you want to go but it would be really cool if you stayed. The more the merrier my Grandpa always says hehe."

Hilary had to be the voice of reason and tugged at Tysons' loose shirt fabric around the side of his torso. "We can't ask that of them Tyson! They may have people Shadow Vale may go after and hurt too! We can't ask them to stay to keep us company."

Tall Tala and broad Bryan joined the crowd on the lawn. Their Caucasian height and stature were intimidating and to Emily and Mariam...even a little sexy.

Bryan scoffed and gestured nonchalantly. "I'm not scared of Garnetta or the rest of her crummy team. She can come at me all she wants. If she wants a re-match, she can have one and next time I won't go so easy on her."

Tala cockily smarmed knowing his next words were going to irritate Ozuma and enjoyed expelling every one. "Yeah Shadow Vale aren't all that. Or at least the one facing you Tyson...Harkan was it? I can't say I rate him all that much. Bryan and I aren't going anywhere for now until we've determined how much danger you're really in."

Emily chipped. "All my family are in America. Shadow Vale are gunna have to be pretty committed to taking anything to do with me hostage, and that's if they find them. Don't worry about me guys. I'm staying. I need to collate as much data as I can on this Shadow Vale team and their beyblade battle style. Furthermore...Kenny's gunna need all the help he can get to design all new beyblades for all of you that need them."

Dunga snorted and smirked unkindly. "Fine. Do what you want but don't come crying to us if things get rough for ya."

Ozuma seethed from grouchy of the heat, tiredness from the day and irritation of his Talas' presence nearby. He crossed his arms bitterly. "Our priority is protecting Tyson, Max, Ray and Kai from anything Shadow Vale throws at them. The rest of you are your own responsibility and are nothing but collateral damage if Shadow Vale attacks and we need to make a choice between protecting the guardians or the rest of you. It's harsh but we have a mission too and that's to keep the sacred spirits safe no matter what."

Bryan whipped a fly away from his ear. "Yeahh yeaah we can take care of ourselves. We've dealt with worse."

Ozuma struggled to regain composure as he flattened a growl trying to burst its way out of his already tight and stressed out chest. Hammering home the dangers of Shadow Vale to Tyson and Co proved exhausting and Bryans' quip pushed him closer to the edge of rage. He took a deep breath and glanced up at the sky for a brief respite from the doom and gloom of the evenings' conversation. Daylight was fast burning as the sky turned bloody tangerine...and there was more to discuss before nightfall. He exhaled deeply and took another lung full through his nose. "Listen up. The plan for the next few days and possibly weeks is as follows..."

Before he could elaborate, Daichi complained over his voice. "Weeeeeeeekks? What'dya mean weeks?"

Ozuma overspoke. "I can't stress enough how important my next words are. You must all stay together under one roof at all times. It will be easier to protect you all if you're all in one place. This could mean days, or weeks...however long it takes to apprehend all four of the Shadow Vale bladers and capture their leader. The question is...where? Any ideas? Any offers of somewhere to stay?"

Mariam quipped. "All you little chickies in one basket. We need somewhere preferably with high walls. Plenty of bedrooms, and more than one bathroom. A mansion or something."

Tyson immediately felt giddy and shot his arm in the air like a school pupil who knew the answer quicker than anyone else in class. "I know! I have the perfect place!"

Ozuma instantly smirked and bowed his head. He'd planned to ask Tyson this but he wanted Tyson to volunteer it. It is his family home after all.

Tyson grew animated and beamed from ear to ear. "How about my Grandpas' dojo. It's more than big enough. Three bathrooms, a kitchen, at least 3 huge rooms to crash in and my Grandpa won't mind. It's got high walls around the edge and a garden for us to train in. We've got Netflix too."

Mariam, Dunga, Josef and Ozuma all looked at each other and smiled. "It's perfect." Said the leader of the troop. "There we have it. As soon as Kai, Mariah and Max are discharged from the hospital...you're all moving into Tyson's dojo for the foreseeable future. BladeBreakers...welcome to lockdown."