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.

42. Chapter 42

Hi Yaalllll! Thankyou endlessly for any new reviews. They really do keep me inspired! It's another long chapter! I hope you enjoy it :)

---

Chapter 42

4 days pass and its now day 10 of the Granger dojo lockdown.

Another hot sticky Japanese day, another gruelling day of high pressure training for Tyson and his multicultural guests...and another day Dranzer was missing.

From across the yard Hilary belted insults through tunnelled hands at sloppy beyblade launches from the boys. Tech-heads Kenny and Emily sipped iced caffeinated drinks continuously, whilst tapping away on their laptops and periodically wiped sweat from their foreheads with the backs of their hands. Tyson, Max and Daichi bitterly cursed their less than perfect beyblades, Dragoon's upgrade was well on its way or so Emily said. The White Tigers, with their reinvented Galux and Driger grew sharper and hit harder with each unleash. Grandpa Granger tended to his bonsai collection whilst humming a peppy tune in a quiet corner of the garden nearest the house… and the Blitzkrieg Boys were doing nothing strenuous and chilled with iced desserts wearing sunglasses on the deck like they were at a holiday camp. The soviet blooded duo drew the line at training in any temperature over 30 degrees Celsius and today was 33 and climbing.

Kai's day was going to be just like the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, ever since the news of Dranzer's heartbreaking fate. The wounded beyblader withdrew into himself in a way no others could reach him. He sat cross legged, alone, in a patch of partial shade on the yellow wood veranda with his spine pressed against a wall. A thin purple blanket draped around his forlorn shoulders of which were becoming bony with muscle loss. His pale face, sick with lack of nutrition sported dark areas around his skull orbits. His eyes, usually so full of fire and feist were dull coloured with depression and disinterest. With a glum look he gazed slow and staring with half open eyes about the dojo yard listlessly. He wanted to spend his days locked away in the solitude and shadows of Hiro's room, cold and on the floor where his body and mind could decay as much as his heart…however, something drove him to seek the light and warmth of the Sun, a piece of him didn't completely want to die. He knew it would only draw concern and unwanted attention from his housemates if he retreated again behind the closed shoji doors of a bedroom, he did that once, and it didn't end pretty.

The silent and broken beyblader took a moment to gaze over at his friends training so hard and spunky with life in the heat and covered in dust. They cheered, complained, and poked fun at each other despite the dire situation and their strict captivity behind Tyson's walls. With no beyblade to hand, nor in any physical condition to pull a rip cord…he hadn't any desire to join them. Kai Hiwatari felt too tired to do anything other than breathe and each one of those was exhausting.

For the last 3 days Kai had barely said a word, he'd completely shut down and it wasn't long before he had everyone again fretting over him. He stopped joining them for meals and whenever he did eat, it was on his own and barely swallowed a thing. He attended one dinner the previous evening in an attempt to be social, to put his friends mind at ease he was doing okay-ish, but left shortly after serving with the whimpered excuse "I'm not hungry." Grieving for Dranzer destroyed his appetite, despite his wilting body screaming for much needed sustenance.

The starving guardian made no eye contact with anyone and when not sunning himself on the deck, he shut himself away in Hiro's room to sleep. He'd found comfort in slumber and yearned for it as a means to escape the emotional pain that came with being conscious; a classic sign of clinical depression. Sleep was his new best friend and spent over half the day's hours combined doing it. He was so low mentally and so physically drained that napping often was easy and drifted off quickly when comfortable enough. A side effect of sleeping so often was a messed up circadian rhythm and so, he found himself awake at odd hours of the night. For the last two nights running he wandered around the dojo veranda past midnight to watch the bats feast on moths as his heart begged for his own winged creature to return.

The worried residents closest to Kai made multiple gentle attempts to reach out to him. Each was reciprocated with a cold murmur comprising of "Leave me alone" or "I don't want to talk about it." Or he would simply take to his feet and walk away from them wordless as they cried "Why won't you talk to us?" and "We're here for you Kai" to his back. Tyson especially, he tried over and over to talk heart to heart to him but his forlorn friend would offer him neither eye contact, nor conversation as he shrugged his kindness away. Max brought Kai a plate of food to Hiro's room yesterday lunchtime which the now ex-Phoenix blader barely touched. Tala tried the tougher approach and blocked his skulking ex-comrade from walking away after calling him out on one occasion. Kai attempted to shoulder bash him out of the way and meekly stumbled back with how weak his frame, whilst Tala's strong and toned form barely flinched. Kai was buried so deep in self pity and harboured no zest for living that he side stepped the red haired Blitzkrieg blockade and carried on walking with his head low, grasping the blanket tight around him like armour.

The group of youthful beybladers decided pressing him wasn't getting them or him anywhere positive, if anything they were stressing him out, meaning he spent more time in self confinement in the dark of the Granger brother's abode. Tyson and Co had talked it over many times at the breakfast and dinner table and decided it best to leave Kai to come to terms with everything in his own space, in his own time. Hilary, Max and Tyson disagreed with the plan but went along with the majority vote. The mish-mash of teams pledged to keep a caring eye on him from a distance and intervene if he spiralled any further. Kai was still healing from his stab wound and although externally it appeared to have healed requiring no more bandages, his insides still had a way to go, and mentally…he was just as wounded and diced as his torso.

With a lack of mobile phone to call, his grandmother and close colleague Mr Gottlieb left several voice messages on Tyson's home telephone number. Kai hadn't returned a single one of them. Grandpa Granger answered some of those calls and relayed the message Kai was asleep or "busy."

One of those callers…was not going to be fobbed off any more.

Mr Granger peeped his head out from an open sliding door leading to the inner house. "K-Dude, you gotta a visitor." He announced from a ways down the veranda.

From behind the kooky elder wearing billowy blue shorts, a white vest and an unbuttoned pink Hawaiian shirt emerged another man with far more dignity and poise. Mr Markus Gottlieb, acting CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises, lawyer and professional powerhouse. His tall European frame wore finely tailored black suit trousers, an expensive sky blue office shirt, black cotton socks and a dark blue tie. His suit jacket was lopped over one arm due to the summer warmth. He sweat patches under his great cotton sleeved arms and clutched the handle of a shiny black briefcase in one hand. His designer shoes were left paired at the genkan. The newcomer's expression was that of a man with a heavy burden on his shoulders. He was dreading this meeting but it had to be done.

The giant of both size and corporate reputation approached the forlorn beyblader close; Grandpa Granger disappeared back into the house to give them privacy.

Kai remained statuesque as he gazed out over the yard at nothing in particular. His soul chewed itself like a rabid dog, unhealthy, irritated and sensitive to everything. His mood was a damp blanket soaked in sorrow, regret and self disgust. His body harboured no energy for anything other than breathing and sleeping.

Gottlieb was awarded no eye contact from his ex-ward as he took an uninvited spot cross-legged nearby on the wooden deck.

Tyson and Co had heard Granger senior yell Mr Gottlieb's arrival and yet pretended they hadn't. If anyone could get Kai to open up...it could be that guy and he'd need space to do it. Their ears twitched as they tried to catch any conversation between the two. Earwigging whilst beyblading was no easy task given the noise their beyblades made on collision and trash talk for some was hard to stifle; Mariah and Daichi especially.

With bright blue eyes Markus Gottlieb side eyed his roles' predecessor. His tone was soft and caring and tried to sound un-judgemental. "You haven't been returning my calls."

Kai gave no answer as he gazed emptily outwards.

Gottlieb was sure he'd heard him; they were in close ear-shot after all. The last he saw of his superior was at the hospital when he was discharged...much to Kai's doctor's strong disapproval. The caring elder was taken aback as he began to analyse the extent of Kai's mental decline. His skinny physical condition and ghostly complexion was deeply upsetting, he'd never seen Kai look so frail without healthy flesh and bulbous muscle on his skeleton. Markus took a moment to think about what he wanted to say before delivering in a tender German accent. "Sir I know it's been a difficult time for you as of late. The attack, and the theft of your Bitbeast have been life changing I have no doubt. I can see you're struggling somewhat and have been for some days now. I'm not a psychiatrist and I'm not going to pretend I am, but you seem very unwell. I strongly suggest you see a professional to overcome how you are feeling. We need to get you back Mr H. We need to get you back quickly."

It was like Kai was deaf. He neither said a word in response nor moved. He blinked with a melancholic gaze.

Gottlieb allowed a few seconds to pass. His heart thud heavy with worry as he cocked his head at an angle for a better view of Kai's stony face. "Sir?"

The younger man gave him no reply or grant a peek back. His dull amethyst irises remained focused on nothing in the distance.

Mr Gottlieb straightened and recoiled with fear. He gulped then summoned courage with straight lips. "Sir, I'm afraid I have some news that cannot wait any longer. I hoped you would be in a healthy mind set today but we don't have the luxury of time. I know you have been though something terrible and this is only going to add to the burdens you already carry."

Fatigued Kai muttered under his breath as he frostily side-eyed his pussy-footing colleague. "What...what is it Gottlieb?"

Markus delivered with all seriousness etched on his face and strength bolstered his voice. "Mr H, some management and the board of directors are looking to replace you if you don't come back to work within the next 4 working days. They are organising a coup de tat as we speak. Megumi, Haruka, Midoria, myself and a couple of the other directors are on your side but the others are plotting to remove you as head of the company. I was hoping to buy you more time given the severity of your injury. Ordinarily you would be afforded as much time off as you require until you are fully recuperated but I'm afraid, we have been pushed into a very tight corner. We need you back in the office Mr H. With great urgency."

Kai remained un-moved and wordless. The idea of going back into the office, to leave the compound of Tyson's dojo on a regular basis was unthinkable and unsafe given the four person threat waiting with bloodlust just beyond the brickwork. He wasn't physically or mentally strong enough to make his own bedsheets let alone be a leader of a company any time soon. He emitted a long and deep sigh as he absorbed the news of another crisis.

Gottlieb deeply regretted he couldn't give the wounded man prior warning and sought to explain why. His tone was calm but defensive. "I wanted to tell you sooner but you haven't exactly been reachable. I wanted to tell you last week but you were so preoccupied with your Bitbeast situation that I feared you were already under more pressure than you could bear. But I'm afraid with our window to save your position in the company closing with every day; you can appreciate why I couldn't hold off any longer. I've been tied up with back to back meetings and you wouldn't come to the phone."

Kai listened to what his Chief Operations Officer had to say and turned his head back to stare blankly at the garden once more. As far as he was concerned, his life was already rock bottom and struggled to comprehend there was another level of crap beneath the already thick crust of misery he daily waded through.

Markus Gottlieb became flustered with a raised voice and gestured disbelief with his big hands. He couldn't believe Kai's out of character behaviour and was appalled by it, his lack of passion was polar opposite to the old Kai, rigorous and needed to know everything. The elder scooted close and his words were urgent and drilling. "Sir! You could permanently lose your position as CEO. The board declared you have to return to duties or at least show your face as the company head or they will invoke a vote of no confidence. You know how long some on the board have wanted you out, opposed your promotion because of your youth and would do anything to discredit you. Most of the board opposed your choice to attend the Beyblading tournament and they are more than eager to use this incident to hang you out to dry. You need to come back in and prove to them you have what it takes to retake control of the company. Add to that the stock prices have dropped and new contracts have frozen. We aren't making the same profit we were a fortnight ago and we are dangerously south from our monthly target. Share prices are tumbling at a rate I've never seen in this company before. Spooked shareholders are pulling their investments daily. The profits we can mitigate but we cannot run the company without you."

Kai murmured as he turned his head with heavy crystalline eyes and a hurt expression. The weight of everything was too much for him to cope and he was sick of the feeling. His world was falling apart. "Is that all Gottlieb?"

The Giant suited man urged as he grasped Kai's forearm in a four-legged stance. "Sir. This isn't like you. You need to snap out of whatever you're going through and now. If you don't crawl out of whatever head space you're in you are going to lose everything you worked so hard to build. You don't have to do anything strenuous, just show your face and attend a few meetings then you can come back here to rest."

Kai waited for a moment, turned his head away and murmured coldly. "You can go now Gottlieb."

A spark ignited in the old gentleman as he climbed to his feet. Frustration burned through his towering frame and veins. His voice was raised and dignified. "Mr H. You fought tooth and nail to get this company where it is. You sacrificed your adolescence in preparation for the role of CEO and now you are days away from it being stripped away from you, you're not willing to fight for it?!"

The anorexic beyblader had nothing more to say and gave him no reply or reaction. He was exhausted and just wanted to be left to further obsess over his failure to protect Dranzer.

Tyson and his beyblading compadres had stopped ripping and blading moments ago to watch and listen with sealed mouths to the growing tension between the corporate elitists.

Gottlieb knelt to open his briefcase to produce a box and placed it close to Kai's form. He slammed shut his case, loped his suit jacket over his forearm and stood tall ready to leave. His voice dripped with bitterness and hurt. He didn't want to be harsh but felt a little toughness was what Kai needed to hear. "Fine. Watch everything you've built turn to ashes. I've brought you a new mobile phone. Call me if you change your mind. You have 4 days to decide if you want to be CEO…or stay here and play in the garden with your beyblades, just like your friends."

---

The aging man in his 50s with a neat moustache and tight curly brownish grey hair huffed and snorted angrily before turning on his heels and marched down the veranda to the genkan to retrieve his office shoes. His journey thereafter however... was blocked. Crowded in front of the wooden gated exit stood a group of familiar boys and Hilary, waiting to have a stern word or two.

Tyson marched to meet the elder in the middle of the path with a serious puffed out face from training in the sun. "Hey, you can't talk to Kai like that. You have no idea how much pain he's in and I'm not talking about his stab wound. You've never felt what it's like to have a Bitbeast, to battle with one, to have a bond with it. Kai is grieving the loss of his Dranzer and he's gunna need time to get over that. 4 days isn't long enough! You can't just rush him back to work! What about compassionate leave huh? Isn't that a thing?"

Max added with embers in his cerulean eyes. "And is that what you think we are doing here? Children playing with our toys? Beyblading is a competitive sport and the training we're doing now is important. You don't have a clue what it's like for us and for Kai right now. We're all up against it."

Ray crossed his arms. "You've seen the state Kai's in. Can't you buy him more time?"

Hilary interjected before Gottlieb could answer. "Kai's CEO right? Can't he just tell people when he's coming back? He's the boss after all."

The four abruptly ceased their inquisition as they took heed to the hurt expression on Mr Gottlieb's kind oblong face. He sniffled with glittery bottom eyelids. "I know what beyblading means to you all and to Mr H. But I've also seen what Kai has done for his company and I cannot sit back and watch him throw it away. What I have seen in him over the years as my ward of court all the way to CEO...The journey we went through to put his Grandfather behind bars and climbing the corporate ladder together...the bravery and dedication I've witnessed in that boy...that man is outstanding. If he doesn't come back to the company I will be polishing up my resume that's for certain and I can name a long list of colleagues who will be doing the same. Now, if you please. I have a meeting to attend. A meeting Mr Hiwatari booked 3 weeks ago that he was set to headline...not me."

And with those words the monolithic corporate gent squeezed through the crowd of concerned and hot tempered youths. The heavy wooden gates opened from the outside by awaiting guards, another guard opened the door of a jet black Humvee, Mr Gottlieb crawled inside, the door was slammed shut and was rapidly driven away.

---

*SLAM* The gates behind the embarked elder were soon rammed closed and securely bolted by Hiwatari Enterprises security guards. With the new guest safely escorted off the premises Tyson, Ray, Max and Hilary were free to rejoin the others at the beydish. However before doing that, they rushed to check in on Kai after more anxiety driving, soul crushing news was thrust upon his fragile shoulders.

The quad raced over to the spot their darkly despondent friend was perched but they needn't bothered. Kai was gone. He wanted to be alone and bury himself under unfeeling and painless sleep in the dark of Hiro's bedroom.

Hilary gripped her chin and frowned. "Poor Kai. I wonder what he's going to do."

Emily smarted from the veranda from behind her laptop. She said blaze whilst tapping away at her keyboard. "He's not ready that's for sure! Kai's can't arrange a picnic right now, let alone lead a business."

Ray added as he clicked his shiny new Driger beyblade with razor sharp edges into his launcher. "This is too much pressure for one person to handle. Going back to work, that's way too soon after his injury too. He needs at least a month off to heal properly."

The White Tiger pinkette retrieved a dusty but very sharp Galux from the dirt having not long drawn a tie with a newly designed Driger. "Well there's nothing we can do for him. It's all up to Kai, if and when he wants to go back to his job. Annnd that's if he can get past the Saint Shields."

Dunga suddenly jumped off a rooftop ledge and with a large thud he hit the ground. His instant and loud presence made Max and Tyson jump 2 inches clear off the dusty earth. "Kai's got another thought comin' if he thinks he's goin' to leave this yard and go to an office Monday to Friday. I won't have it…and neither will Ozuma. So what if his career goes down the toilet, the safety of mankind is a gazillion times more important."

Tyson quipped with a challenging face as he regained his stance. "Oh yeah, who died and made you gate keeper."

Dunga spunked back with grit at the beychamp with raised fists. "I did, that's who smart mouth!"

Max solemnly clicked his multicoloured Draciel into his launcher. "I feel so bad for Kai. He's got enough on his plate and now this. It's a tough call to make."

Tala, every inch a leader, and heat wave slob, wearing black sunglasses, removed a well chewed wooden icelolly stick from his white teeth to add his piece. He decided their focus needed redirecting. He even exerted the energy to stand and overlook them from high on the decking. His toes were sticking together from the searing warmth despite doing next to nothing the whole morning. "The only thing you guys can do is keep training. You wanna be ready for anything when Shadow Vale show up. Because we know they will, and I doubt they'll send a postcard to warn us they're coming. Leave Kai and his problems with him. He'll figure it out."

Daichi belted with a pointed finger at the relaxed Russians on the deck. "Heyyyyy well why dontcha come on down and join us you pair of albino sissies!"

Black shaded Bryan smarted with an open-legged sprawl on the veranda. "Nahhhhh! You guys can have all the fun. We're already the perfect bladers. We don't need any more training. And besides our beyblades have an edge yours don't. Sorry suckers but we're battle ready. You enjoy blading in the heat okay, but leave us out of it."

Hilary crossed her arms and cocked her hips. She warned. "Oh yeah and who said that?! Perfect bladers…I'll be the judge of that if you can peel yourselves away from your icecreams!"

Kenny tweaked his glasses and his tone brought a sense of warning. "I'll remind you Blitzkrieg Boys, we still haven't worked out why that is yet, so don't get too comfy. We will need to do some battle analysis with you at some point in the very near future. You're powerful beybladers without question but you're hardly unbeatable and with our enemies out there as serious as they are to get at Dragoon, Driger and Draciel, we're going to need to utilise all the tricks in the book we can find…As for Kai, he's got a big decision to make and he hasn't got a lot of time to make it."

---

A day prior, Kai had summoned the time and effort to tidying the carnage that was Hiro's bedroom, it was his mess after all and he needed to acknowledge any damage inflicted by his rage driven hands. Drawing pins were put back into a small box, red string was wound into a neat ball, broken kendo sticks were returned to the box from which they were tossed, Tyson and Hiro's baby photo albums were carefully returned to a box with the right label, Tyson's Dad's journals too. Ripped up chunks of Shadow Vale photos were discarded to the depths a small office bin, prints of Dranzer were neatly piled on a disused antique dressing cabinet, cork boards were stacked against a wall, detective paperwork was put in order and placed into a cardboard box of their own, pens were returned to a drawer and anything else was tidied away to appropriate cubby holes or files.

The room was now a bedroom again complete with a white futon, dark blue bed covers and a matching pillow in the centre of a beige tatami mat floor. It was almost the middle of the day and a dual toned slate-haired man lay in the solitude and quiet of its four walls. He stared up at the plasterboard tile ceiling with half open eyes and a clenched jaw. His depressed state was sharply evicted so that anxiety and high stress could move in. Mr Gottlieb's news hit hard and turned his blood and skin toxic like a nuclear bomb. He murmured to himself in the closed-curtain semi-darkness. "I don't know what to do. I…I'm not ready. I can't go back to the office. Not like this. I need more time."

The impending loss of his entire career weighed on his mind as heavy as an elephant standing on his chest. Bleeding almost to death and recovery was one thing, losing his beloved childhood friend and bitbeast whom he may never see or battle with again was another, add returning to the lion pit work space of an elite corporate enterprise…and the championship beyblader turned CEO was at the end of his tether. He lay on the floor with one skinny white forearm lopped over his eyes whilst the other clamped a hand gingerly over his bruised wound site. His voice broke with each murmured sentence. "I don't know…how much more of this I can take. I have no control…over anything. I'm completely powerless. I've never felt like this…before. I can't control how quickly I heal. I can't get Dranzer back, not on my own, not like this. I can't be the leader my company need me to be. What use am I? What is…the point…of carrying on if all I am is a weakling at the sidelines…I can do nothing...but watch as the things I love are taken away from me."

His face glowed a shade of pink as hot streams of rare tears cascaded from the far corners of his eyes and trickled into his thick grey bangs. His throat closed as he sobbed barely making a sound. Only in grief did Kai ever cry, like for the loss of a passed away pet, or upon hearing Dranzer had been abducted from him when arousing from anaesthetic. He felt physically sick and ashamed for doing something only "weak" people do. His time at BIOVOLT brainwashed the need to cry right out of him, there was no room for babyish behaviour there, where shedding a single tear was a punishable offense and earned a night in a damp cold dungeon. Brave Kai was dealing with more than the most mentally resilient could manage, and all had occurred in less than a fortnight. His world was crumbling as fast as his mood plummeted. "It's too much to take. I can't…live like this."

---

Later that afternoon.
Hilary and Kenny returned from inside the house each carrying a large pink sack. Within the flimsy see-through plastic were empty drinks cans excavated from the household recycling bin. The duo had scantly rinsed each one in the kitchen sink so as to clean the aluminium rims of any residue of sugary sweet beverage. The beybladers were already at risk of attack from the evil Shadow Vale bladers, and they didn't need angry wasps and even worse…the dreaded Asian hornet added to their list of threats.

"Here you go guys! Plenty of cans to practise your agility." Cried Hilary, as she tipped the cans out from the bag onto the dusty earthy terrain.

Kenny too dumped his cans in suit adjacent to hers creating two small mountains of cans.

The guys would help themselves and organise their very own personalised obstacle course; they knew the drill, tin cans were standard beyblade training tools and the team used this method to hone their skills for years over.

The bushy haired brunette pushed his spectacles up to his nose with one finger. "It's about time we worked on your control. Ray and Mariah I expect precision from you two. You're the first two to have upgraded beyblades. I want to see how you control them and if we need to make any tweaks. Mariah, I've got to say I'm impressed with your handling of Galux so far. You've really taken to the new blade considering how different it's makeup to your original."

The pinkette poked out a cheeky tongue and gestured the V sign with two fingers as she approached to pick up her cans."Thanks Chief, I'm really starting to gel with her. Garnetta's in big trouble thanks to you." She winked at him playfully inducing the nerdy brain box to blush.

Ray scooped up his cans, then Max and Tyson in no orderly queue.

Emily called out from the veranda. "As frustrating as it is Tyson, try to keep your cool. Your new Dragoon design is almost ready and will be in your hands before too long. Just focus on handling and launching today. Get that down to perfection and it'll make synchronising with your new blade easier when you finally get to play with it."

Kenny ordered. "Daichi. You keep at it too. You have the same drill as Tyson."

Daichi whined back as he struggled to carry so many cans in his short arms. "Fiiiiine! But when am I gunna get my new toy?! HUH?!"

Emily barely looked up from her laptop screen as she answered. "After we've worked on Draciel and then it's your turn. Now quit bitching and set your cans up already. We haven't got all day you know."

Aimed at the ginger haired American, Daichi grunted swearwords under his breath as he finished setting up his aluminium obstacle course. The heat of the day was boiling his temper. His neighbours Tyson, Mariah, Ray and Max we're ready and rearing to go with their set of 10 cans lined up with gaps in between for their spinning tops to slalom. With beyblades locked into the launch mechanisms, arms extended, fingers curled around the loops or hooks of rip-cords…Dragoon, Galux, Driger and Draciel were ready to let rip.

Daichi set his last can onto the dusty terrain and sprinted to the left of Tyson. In a flash of hand manoeuvres he clicked Strata Dragoon into his club-like launcher and expertly pushed his ripcord through with a series of speedy clicking noises. "I'm Ready!"

Tyson quipped with a jokey tone. "Finally. Thank you for joining us Daichi. Better late than never huh."

Daichi snorted back. "Whateverrr Tyson!"

Hilary raised an arm high before dropping it sharply with cutting edge fingers. "Let it rip beybladers!"

In unison…
Tyson yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Daichi yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Mariah yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Ray yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Max yelled. "LET IT RIP!"

Five high-velocity beyblades shot outward from their launchers, they hit the ground whirling at high velocity; and like they had a mind of their own they dodged in and out between the tin cans with varying levels of flair and speed.

Driger was disastrously off balance at first but straightened in the nick of time to stay upright. This was nothing alarming given how new Ray was to Driger's upgraded design and unfamiliar weight. The shiny new silver and white Driger managed to zip between each can without touching a single one…albeit much slower in speed than its launcher was used to.

Galux handled her course like the queen of cans as she danced effortlessly between each one. However, Mariah's cockiness got the better of her. She smarmed over at Tyson and Daichi whose beyblades were not doing as well and the momentary lapse in concentration cost her a slice into the last tin can. The aim was to dodge the cans, not mutilate them.

Draciel didn't do so well leaving Max crying aloud. "Nooooo I just can't grasp the control of this thing!" He ripped his fingers through his bouncy blonde hair. "The sooner Draciel has his upgrade the better. This knock up blade is totally useless!"

Dragoon appeared to do okay for the moment. Tyson was focused 110%. He was driven by the pure burning desire to help Kai get his Dranzer back and his perseverance was something the others hadn't seen in him since the last World Championships. Tyson's blade took each turn like he was playing a game of operation, fearful of an electric shock should he touch the metal sides. His form was on point but travelled any distance slow. If this was a race, he was definitely the last to cross this finish line. Still, he was happy his beyblade didn't touch the cans, not once.

Strata Dragoon was all over the place. Like Monkey Boy himself, his spinning top was erratic and tapped 6 out of the 10 cans, one was sliced completely in half. Daichi was seriously pissed with himself as he collected his beyblade from the dirt. He cursed. "Stupid blade. I need my upgrade already!"

Hilary sighed from the sporting sidelines. "Huhhhh. Okay guys that was…hmmmm how do I put this… Okay. Line em up and let's go again."

The Chief was not allowing any compliments. His strict head was screwed on tight today. "You're not doing them any favours by sugar coating their performance Hilary. Ray, that was alright but you can do better. Tyson I'm actually quite pleased with your control but you have a long way to go. Mariah, you need to keep your ego in check, that extra power Galux has behind her needs your undivided concentration. And Max… Daichi… What the hell was that?!"

Tyson stepped out of line. "Okay Chief. What's gotten you so hot under the collar? We're training aren't we? We haven't touched the XBOX in days and we've stuck to our army regiment of 12 training hours a day. We aren't machines you know."

The blonde blader glanced at his blue haired pal before speaking his mind too. "Yeah chill out Chief. We're doing the best we can. We've been in this heat all morning. We are well over due a rest break. How about it? You seem like you could use some cooling off yourself buddy."

Tucked behind his laptop Kenny sighed then stood up. He rubbed the back of his moist neck. "Sorry guys, I know I've been a bit of a slave driver lately. These nights of back to back working on your beyblades are doing me in and I think this heat is frying my brain. Literally."

Tyson fanned his face with his cap in hand. "So, let's take a break. Whatdya say? Half hour won't hurt. Then we can go right back at it."

Hilary checked her watch before announcing. "Oh look it's almost lunchtime. How about you have one more spin and I'll go make us some sandwiches. How about that for a deal?"

Tyson flapped his cap back onto his head then recalled Dragoon to his palm. "Okay okay. One more for ol' Queen Hilary."

With a chummy nod between the 5 beybladers they relocked their beyblades into launchers, lined up, extended their arms, and aimed…

In unison...
Tyson yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Daichi yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Mariah yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Ray yelled. "LET IT RIP!"
Max yelled. "LET IT RIP!"

The 5 beyblades shot forwards and hit the dust running. The power of their spin and sharp edges threatened to slice anything in their path. The 5 grating objects of metal and plastic began their slalom…when…

*Bark*

*Bark* *Bark*

"What the? That sounds real close!" Tyson broke his gaze away from Dragoon to scan the garden for the perpetrator of the noise only a pet canine could make. It sounded like it was coming from inside the yard.

*Bark* *Bark*

Max heard it too as he rapidly locked a stare with his Japanese team mate. "Did you hear that Tyson? That sounds like… And your neighbours don't have a dog right?"

*Bark* *Bark*

Daichi pointed a sharp finger. A grey and white hairy beast emerged from behind a cluster of rhododendron bushes on the other side of the garden. "It's a dog! What's a dog doing in your yard Tyson?!" He screeched with surprise and alarm. Experience taught him not all dogs are friendly but thankfully this one appeared relaxed sniffing a nearby patch of grass.

Mariah sweat dropped with surprise in her voice. She was definitely a cat person in more ways than one. She and the others watched as the dog lifted its head and caught sight of them with his ears pricked up and his dark eyes locked on the strange human crowd. "It's just spotted us!" She cried.

Tala jolted upright with haste and excitement at the sound of one of his favourite animals. "A dog? How'd it get in?" He couldn't have jumped off the veranda quicker and landed barefoot on the dusty soil to get a clear view of the furry intruder.

Emily abandoned whatever work she was halfway through on her laptop. She wasn't a lover of dogs but the sudden arrival of one was most intriguing. Kenny did the same, he liked dogs but only if they were small enough to fit in a lap. The big breeds were nothing short of terrifying.

The uninvited guest was a scruffy haired mongrel of no determinable breed. A medium sized mutt whose large head came up no higher than knee height. It had a stocky build and was covered in a semi short scruffy coat of grey with patches of white around its neck, tip of tail, front paws up to its elbows, white muzzle and a flash of white over its head. Its adorable grey ears were triangle shaped and flopped frontwards when excited or alert. With a sheath hanging from his underbelly, the dog was definitely male. He wore a bright blue collar and from it hung a circular gold identity tag.

Hilary sweat dropped and staggered back a step as she panicked. "Oh look it's running straight towards us! Do something Tyson!" She shrieked as she hid behind him.

Tyson blurted with a cynical raised eyebrow. "What do you want me to do Hilary? Shoo it away? I love dogs! Come here boy!"

The girly skirt wearer dashed to the raised safety of the veranda knowing safety would not be found behind the man calling the unknown animal. Once high and dry she scolded. "Don't call it over Tyson. You don't know if it's friendly! We don't know who owns it or where it came from."

Mariah and Ray ordered Galux and Driger back to their hands and cat leapt to Hilary's side with the laptop lovers watching from up on high too. The dog was too large in size for Kenny's comfort and so he stayed put. Mariah wasn't the biggest fan of dogs and Ray was indifferent about them. Emily never grew up around dogs therefore had no affinity with them and above all she didn't want its hair or slobber on her clothes or precious laptop. None of the beybladers, even those still at ground level couldn't be certain this dog was safe. For all they knew it was an escaped savage looking for trouble.

*Bark* *Bark* Barked the dog some more.

Alert Ray cried. "Hound incoming!"

Tala's sharp ice-blue eyes and even sharper brain analysed the unfolding scenario. He eyed the animal running directly into the path of three spinning beyblades and yelled with urgency. "Call your blades back! If that dog runs into your blades he's going to get hurt or worse. You want him to be minced dog meat?!" The Russian hero sprinted without shoes or socks across the dry dirt to intercept the dog before he could reach the potentially deadly training ground.

"Crap! Yeah Tala that's quick thinking dude! Dragoon!" Tyson's gloved hand and fingers coiled around his beyblade within a second of his command.

Max and Daichi immediately did the same. "Draciel!" "Strata Dragoon!"

With all spinning weapons returned safely to palms, all attention fell to the dog and the red headed man as the gap rapidly closed between the two. Tala knew what he was doing. The canine family was a passion of his. He had his own pooch back home who he sorely missed every day since leaving Russia for Japan. The wolf king knelt with one leg flat to the ground so he was at the dog's eye level and opened his toned Caucasian arms wide ready to receive him. The dog B-Lined straight for the dog lover and the two suddenly collided.

A vicious attack ensued.

The excited pup jumped all over the hard-faced Blitzkrieg Boys leader and barked with glee.

*Bark* *Bark* *Bark.* Tala chuckled as he endured multiple face clicks. His long hair tendrils were soon all messy and bent from the new moisture and pulling. The pup's white tipped tail wagged relentlessly and his whole body gave signals of joy. *Bark* *Bark* The fuzzy newcomer made his excitement known to the whole neighbourhood. The only damage done were dusty paw prints to Tala's thighs and crotch which would easily come out in the wash and a few light scratches to his arms from the dogs nails which he paid no mind to. His credibility as a tough guy was destroyed beyond all repair as he ruffled the dog's hair on the top of his head and went goo-goo over him. "Who's a good boy! Where's your owner huh? Where are they? Oh yes you wuv me. I wuv you too! Who's a good dog!" The pup was lapping up every morsel of attention and repeated his lick attacks in waves. The four legged friend rested to pant with a long pink tongue protruding from his jaws before pouncing again.

Tyson coughed with amusement as he approached. Seeing Tala get so close and personal with the strange dog gave him the confirmation he needed the animal was okay to pet. Seeing a stoic and cold beyblader like Tala go all soppy touched his heart. He couldn't help but make a jokey quip. "I'm sorry are we interrupting something here Tala. Do you two need to get a room or something."

Tala was too busy fussing the dog to respond. "Who's a good boy? It's you. You're a good boy aren't you!"

Bryan joined the duo plus the dog and watched his brother get embarrassingly familiar with the mutt. He crossed his arms and boasted. "Tala's a complete sucker for pooches. He knows them better than people. What Tala doesn't know about dogs isn't worth knowing."

Max soon joined the group and with the words "Hey Boy!" the blue eyed Russian was ditched immediately and the blonde was set upon instead. The American boy loved dogs too and especially his Aunt's Labrador back in Florida and his Uncle's German shepherd in New York. The dog with no name licked Draciel's master as rigorous as he did Tala until he too had messy hair, dog breath smelling face, paw printed clothes and light scratches on his arms along with a dog hair or twenty on his t-shirt.

Daichi wanted in on the action as he was a dog lover as much as the last guy. He knelt down on the floor next to where the dog pinned Max and begged with bulbous eyes. "Hey doggie! Wanna say hello to me?!" Without any hesitation the overfriendly mutt found a new person to latch onto. The garden was filled with the noise of Daichi's screechy laugh as he too was moistened with saliva and ruffled it's hair in return. "Hahahaha, that's enough boy! Hahahahah I think you've licked me enough. Dog breath! Hahahaha! Ewwww! Hahahaha!"

Hilary bravely summoned the courage to say hello to the lively pup too, and meekly she joined the growing amateur dog lovers association. "Hello dogggggie. I'm Hilary. How do you do?" She put her hand out for the animal to sniff like her parents taught her years ago when approaching strange dogs. The pup with no loyalty abandoned Daichi without a second glance and leapt straight for her. The dainty legged young lady fell backwards and the over-loving pooch jumped all over her chest as she struggled to right herself under his paws, claws and tongue. "Ohhhhh AAHhhhhhh Ohhh my! Help me Tyson!" She screamed with surprise and mild disgust until the bluenette finally helped her to her feet. Her hair was out of place and she sweat-dropped with embarrassment. She got to work brushing off dust and dog hair off from her skirt and blouse. "Oh uhhh he's a lively chap isn't he?! Maybe I'll stick to hamsters or a goldfish if I want a pet in future. Hahahha."

Tyson lowered a hand to simply pet the pup which afforded him a sloppy lick to his fingers. The dog was beginning to tire and panting quite a bit from the excitement and heat. "I wonder who owns him. We should probably call the dog warden. Someone might have reported him as missing."

Tala added with warning. "The bigger worry right now should be how he got into your yard. If a gate was left open and a dog had the time to sneak in without being spotted, I have serious concerns as to how well guarded Kai's security have this place...and the integrity of the Saint Shields so-called patrols they like to harp on about."

Max pointed out. "Hey he has a collar on and a tag. That should tell us who owns him. There should be a phone number we can call."

Tyson snapped his fingers. "Hey good thinking Max! Tala can you tell us what you can read from his tag."

Tala bent down and had to hold the dog still with one hand whilst the other spun his collar round to view the tag. He arose with an unimpressed gaze with straight brows. He grouched. "It's all in Japanese."

The bluenette rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously. "Hahahah yeah of course it is. I forgot you can't read Japanese."

"Let me look." Without prompting, Max knelt to do the job as Tala held the pooch still enough to read his tag. "There's an address in Hiroshima." He flipped over the circular metal in his light skinned fingers. "Victor Uchiha" and there's a phone number."

Granger junior gripped his chin in thought. "Uchiha. Where do I remember that name?" Then the penny dropped and he snapped his fingers again. "Kai's Grandmother's last name… its Uchiha right?!"

Hilary was as perplexed as the rest. "Yeah that's right... But why is her dog here? She lives in Hiroshima. How did her dog get all the way from Hiroshima to Tokyo? Unless this is a huge coincidence and a family by the last name Uchiha lives nearby and their dog escaped from their garden."

Izumi chuckled from the path behind them. "Hehehehe. You do like to come up with wild theories don't you?"

All faces turned to the short statured elder wearing soft purple slippers, soft denim jeans with an elasticised waistband, and a pink t-shirt underneath a lilac cardigan with plastic daisies for buttons. Her white bangs and full fringe waved in the light breeze and the rest of her hair was pinned back by two red chopsticks. Her amethyst eyes glittered with wise intellect and fierceness for the love for her family. In her hand was a wrapped up blue dog lead matching the same colour as Victor's collar. The handles of a large canvas shopping bag with a dog image on it was clutched in her other wrinkled hand. A large plastic bowl and the tops of dog treat bags peeped from the rim of the bag. Victor immediately ran to her, sat by her feet and looked up at her with his big brown eyes, and his large flat pink tongue lolled out of one side of his mouth as he panted.

Tyson exclaimed before remembering his manners. "What's brought you back here Granny, I mean Mrs Uchiha? You here to see Kai?"

Izumi quipped with spunky sarcasm. "Oh no I came all this way to look at your pond fish and completely ignore my grandson. Why else would I be here sonny?"

Tyson enjoyed toying with Kai's bloodline whichever form it took, like the rivalry was pathological. He successfully made Voltaire hate him so why not his mother's side too. He enjoyed the jibe and knew the feisty elder would too. "We spent a lot of time together at the hospital and well, maybe you missed my charm and how funny I am hahahaha."

Izumi smirked; she was game for a verbal spar with her Grandson's "best friend." She retorted. "Oh yes. I've missed what a joke you are."

Tyson scoffed with the fun of the verbal jostle but before he could deliver another smart mouthed comment, the doting grandmother delivered by helicopter and limousine changed the mood.

Izumi dropped her smirking. "Now enough horse play. Where is my Grandson and don't say he's shut himself away again."

Sweetheart Max stepped forward as he brushed the last of the grey and white dog hairs off his shorts. "Sorry Maamm, but we don't know where Kai is. He was here in the yard with us this morning but we don't for sure where he is now. He's had some horrible news recently and taken it really badly. Mr Gottlieb came to see him and told him something pretty heavy about his job, and Kai's been AWOL ever since. Maybe you could talk to him because he won't let us in."

Tyson nodded in agreement with his blonde buddy before adding with frustration and passion. "He's like a steel door! We've tried our best to break through but he fobs us off or walks away. We don't know what to do! He was doing okay for a while but then he learned his bond with Dranzer was gone... it super kicked him in the guts. Now he's gone back to how he was before. He barely talks to us, he stopped joining us for food and he's just, ya know…he's totally blue. He sleeps more than I've ever known him to sleep too. You gotta help him Granny. I've never seen him so miserable! I'm scared if we push him he's just gunna snap again and who knows how far this time."

Tala stepped forward and crossed his dog nail-scratched arms. "I hate to go behind his back but they're right. Kai's struggling and he needs help. He's got a lot to shoulder and he can't keep doing it alone. There's only so much pressure someone can bare before they break and I don't think Kai's got long until he reaches that point. Trust me, I've seen it happen."

The grandmother absorbed their words and replied in a serious croaky elder's voice. "Yes I've heard the gist of the news you're referring to, he's lost his Dranzer bitbeast he loved so much and now he's grieving. My Kai takes loss, whichever form it takes harder than most. He has a bigger heart than he can cope with sometimes."

Her tone picked up to a lighter one. "Dear Hilary has been keeping me in the loop and I've come to pay him a visit. Though the news from Mr Gottlieb and his company is new to me. Don't worry I will have words with him and straighten him out. First, we need to find him. Lucky for us I have brought my secret weapon."

Ray tweaked his head causing his long black bangs to sway. "Your secret weapon?"

The grandmother smarmed as she glanced down at the panting pooch at her side. She crouched as low as her crackling spine would allow and with an excited tone she set her "weapon" to work. "Victor...Go find him. Where is he boy? Where is he? Go find Kai."

*Bark* *Bark* *Bark*

The bluenette cap wearer jumped with anticipation. "Oh man, this is gunna be cool to watch!"

Max joined him in the excitement. "A sniffer dog in action. We gotta see where he goes!"

Daichi and Tala smiled with wonder as they too watched their new four legged bestie go to work. The White Tiger couple and brain boxes Emily and Kenny remained still and wordless on the veranda so as not to divert the working canine's attention.

Victor burst with energy as he set off on his own little smell-guided adventure. With his nose to the ground the grey and white scruff bag immediately sniffed the local grass, then mooched over to the patches of beyblade ridged dirt, then over to a tree, then looped back, then back to another spot on the lawn, then over and around a bush then back to another spot…where he stopped. Then… his olfactory picked something up... a scent, a familiar one. He wagged his tail. *Bark* He dashed to the side of the veranda, sniffed the edge of it as high as his nose could reach. *Sniff* *Sniff*. The person he seeks sat there once, the wood reeked of Kai's odour only an animal could detect. *Bark* The pooch knew where he wanted to go.

"You want up boy?" Canine expert Tala knew what the pet wanted and hoisted him up onto the yellow wood veranda.

The doggo…was now topside.

With his wet black nose almost pressed to the beams, he scanned in a zig-zag pattern along the length of the high walkway. He met Mariah and Ray with their backs and hands flat to the wall of the house like burglars about to be caught. Victor took no notice of them as he continued the sweet scent trail of his master. The White Tigers had evaded a lick frenzy…for now.

Further along the deck were a nervous Kenny and Emily. They rapidly flapped their laptops down as if their lives depended on it and clutched them close to their chests to protect them from any saliva or dog hair that would inevitably find its way onto their screens, and imbed into the gaps of their keyboards. They gulped as the furry beast sniffed and snorted the wood panels behind their statuesque cross-legged forms. The tech duo too had dodged arm scratches of joy and a friendly moist tongue for the time being.

*Bark* Victor suddenly darted into the house through a pair of wide open sliding doors. *Bark* *Bark*

As the teams rushed to follow his trail, a surprised kendo master exclaimed aloud with amusement from inside his home. "Oh my gawd its a dawg! How'd you get in here pooch?!"

Tyson and company bounded in through the same sliding doors to follow where the hairy detective would go next. However, they had an idea of the room they were going to end up if the dog was true to his nose. It would be no surprise to them all if they finished their hunt at Hiro's bedroom, the dark cubby hole Kai shoved himself when he wanted to be alone to either brood or sleep for hours on end.

Tyson playfully slapped his bemused senior's back as he passed. "Chill Grandpa. The dog's alright. He's super friendly and he's searching for Kai. Follow him with us, you'll see."

Tyson, Max, Tala, Daichi, Bryan and Hilary followed the pup through the house close whilst the others Ray, Mariah, Grandpa Granger, Kenny and Emily trailed behind them. Izumi shuffled in her socks as fast as she could at the rear of the herd. She couldn't wait to see the impressed looks on their faces when her super smart dog completes his trick. And of course find her idolised grandson in the process.

Victor sniffed the floorboards, the skirting boards, the tatami mat flooring, the carpets, the rugs, whichever surface he crossed was nasally examined with a sense of smell multiple times stronger than of a humans. He circled back, dashed back to another spot snorting multiple breaths before moving on. He soon found his way to the kitchen, then down the hallway past Tyson's room, past Grandpa Granger's room to where the smell he sought was stronger than any spot in the house so far.

*Bark* *Bark* Victor grew more animated with higher pricked ears and straighter tail. He bolted directly to the closed shoji doors of Hiro's old bedroom. Every hair on his body was erect with confidence.

*Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark* The pup went ballistic barking at the shut doors. He knew he'd found the person he'd been sent to find. His favourite human's body was just the other side of those paper doors and the mutt wanted everyone's eardrums to know about it.

*Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark* Either Victor's barks were shriller in the confined space or they were simply louder with the heightened excitement. His noise echoed throughout the house and the inhabitant inside the room had undoubtedly heard them too.

Tyson suddenly felt a twist in his guts and a frosty shiver up his spine. Crystal clear flashbacks peppered his mind of the last time he and the group interfered with Kai's solitude as he barricaded himself in that very room. Memories of Kai shouting in bitter distress and coloured red with rage. Powerlessly listening as his best friend trashed his family's things was traumatic for the Granger. Let alone the mental breakdown Kai suffered as a result from their pressing...no matter how justified their cause. The Dragoon blader wanted to press pause for a moment to think about what to do next but it was all happening so fast. The dog was barking at the door and it would be up to Kai if he wanted to let him in or come out to greet him. Or should they let the dog in and hope Kai doesn't mind? What if he didn't want to be disturbed? Surely he wouldn't take his temper out on his own dog?

*Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark*

"I know that bark." Murmured Kai, groggy as he shook himself awake from a nap. The unusual and shameful act of crying left him exhausted and he'd been recovering asleep for the past hour. Curiosity and excitement aroused his senses quicker than adrenaline as he threw his bed covers off his body with haste, resulting in a sudden jabbing sensation from his spiteful stab wound; a price for moving his torso so sharply with the action. Kai winced momentarily with the discomfort but wouldn't allow any pain from stopping him doing more as he crawled on four legs to the door. Once at the threshold he adopted a kneel, reached his half awake arms up to the door handle and pulled with all his might his aching flank would allow. Thankfully his deflated muscles harboured enough power to slide the door open to produce a gap just wide enough for the noisy visitor to rush in.

Victor was finally reunited with his favourite human and barked berserk with joy. *Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark**Bark* *Bark*

Whenever Kai stayed at his Grandmother's in Hiroshima, the grey and white pup stuck to him like superglue. The pooch slept on his bed, was fed by him, Kai taught him commands and the pair went for long walks together over the forests and parks. The mongrel may have been Izumi's by law physically but spiritually and in the heart he was Kai's dog through and through.

The uber-loving dog was oblivious to his owner's once life-threatening injury and immediately set to jump all over him to plant as many wet and stinky canine kisses as he could get away with. Meek muscled Patient 12 didn't stand a chance as he fell back onto his butt and was hidden from view behind the mostly closed shoji doors. The rest of the household plus his Grandmother afforded the natural loner a few moments privacy, and stayed put to listen to the hopefully joyful reunion between boy and dog. And...to gauge what mindset unpredictable Kai was in before invading his space.

Kai habitually clamped a hand over his tormented flesh wound quicker than he could yelp the word "pooch." His free hand tried and failed to hold his canine compadre back as his pale face and thick grey bangs were pelted with slobbery affection. He raised a limp forearm for a half baked defence and arched his head backwards so he could breathe without risk of a long moist tongue pushing through his thin lips. The madly panting dog's energy quickly waned and ceased his jumping to allow his master to tussle his mop-top and scritch his neck and shoulders. With a tired but calm and kind tone Kai verbally fussed his pooch without any knowledge of the fascinated audience in the hallway listening to his playful babble. "What are you doing here boy? Huh? Did Nanna bring you in the helicopter? Was it scary? You're such a brave dog!... Ohhh did you miss me? I missed you too...Ohhhh man, are you hot Vic? You're panting pretty hard. Let's go to the kitchen and I'll get you some water...Hnnnn, I wonder what Tyson and the others will think of you." The latter of Kai's words were spent as he rose to his feet with a cranky backbone and warm uncomfortable throbbing feeling in his side.

The guys smiled, sniggered and smirked at each other with amusement and adoration. Like Tala earlier, his street credit as a tough guy was assassinated with every cutesy remark he made to his furry sidekick. The beybladers, Grandpa Granger and Hilary had never heard Kai talk like that...ever! Except Izumi and her husband who heard Kai talk to Victor like that all the time at home. Kai had a sweet and silly side his friends had never seen or heard before and they couldn't get enough. They patiently waited for man and furry best friend to emerge.

With protesting frail arms Kai dragged the rest of the sliding wooden door further open with a soft "Sschreeeeeee" sound...all the while adoringly gazing down at the excited pooch loitering close and eager beside his left ankle. The greynette had trained Victor well and the pup waited ready to go as soon as his leader's foot took off.

The young CEO broke his downward gaze to lift his head and with sudden sharp surprise he scuppered a shriek as his body stammered backwards. "Arhhhhhhhhhh!" Caught completely off guard he was met with the sight of a crowded corridor of people he did expect to be there. His friends, Grandpa Granger and...his grandmother which quickly explained Victor's means of arrival.

Big mouth Tyson protruded himself from the ear wigging gatherers. He just had to say something smart to break the silence. "I had no idea you were such a big dog lover Kai. If I'da known I woulda bought you a cute fluffy puppy to cheer you up. Guess I know what to get you for Christmas now hahaha."

With soft lilac slip-on shoes Grandma Izumi shot forward shuffling as quick as she could to greet her tall descendant. She drew close and stopped, then hawked him up and down like a predator. Her familial amethyst eyes trailed over his body from his skinny arms to his pale thin face and it was evident going by how much his clothes hung on his frame that he'd lost even more weight than the last time she saw him. She was darkly not impressed as she raised one sharp eyebrow and pouted for a moment with crossed cardigan covered arms. Kai instantly understood what her stance meant...she would be having strong words with him later. The doting elder knew her grandson was dealing with enough and so, decided not to embarrass him in front of his friends with her over-loving hugs and kisses today, nor scold him for not looking after himself...that... would be delivered in private and bucketful's soon enough.

Mrs Uchiha smiled with nothing but warmth emanating from her elderly frame and tone. "It's good to see you up and mooching about my love. Victor still has his sharp scent skills you taught him. He tracked you all the way from the garden you know."

Kai peered down at the panting pup glancing back at him from below. His words were stern and quick. He placed a guarding hand over his wound as he prepared to set off. "He's a smart dog Grandmother. You should give him more things to do. He gets bored if you don't train or play with him. Now...he's hot. He needs water."

---

With overheating Victor at his heels like Velcro, Kai swanned through the crowd of his amused and intrigued friends down the corridor and headed straight for the kitchen. All bodies hurried close behind the boy and dog combo to see what they would do next.

With haste the caring dog-dad produced a steel mixing bowl from one of Tyson's cupboards and filled it with water left to run cold from the tap before offering to his distressed four-legged friend.

Kai silenced a wince and his face scrunched hidden beneath loping hair as he bent-in-half to lever the bowl to the floor. Immediately the hot hound noisily and rapidly splooshed his tongue in and out of the water with how critically thirsty he was. Drops escaped his pink fleshy lips with every lap spraying the tiled floor and wooden cupboard nearby wet.

The petite kitchen was packed full of onlookers with a mix of fascination and contempt for the new hairy guest. Emily, Kenny and the White Tigers soon disappeared back to the veranda and yard for more training and to keep working on the all essential beyblade upgrades for the team. For the departed quad, the dog's arrival was more of an unwelcome distraction than anything to get excited about.

For the others, the canine's presence incited a much needed brain-break from all the heaviness of current life. There was something about being around the friendly animal that was soothing and fun; and they wholeheartedly welcomed the happy tail-wagger into the fold.

Kai was secretly furious at his grandmother for not offering his dehydrated dog water sooner, but hadn't the energy to raise the subject and argue with her right now. He crossed his deflated arms and held his breath trying to calm his temper, all the while leaning back coolly against the kitchen sink. He may have lost a lot of his muscle mass and vigour but Kai was still a sigma figure by design. He watched over his hot puppy guzzling water madly and was thankful he'd found him when did. Heat stroke in dogs can and often is lethal; Kai had read so in many of his dog care books.

Tyson crouched down low with legs parted like a frog to watch the hound up close as he lapped more and more water. Poor Victor was parched. A dog had never set foot in the Granger residence before and the whole situation was so odd and exciting. The beychamp was enthralled by his new hairy guest and especially his ability to hunt for someone with his nose. Tyson knew dogs could be trained to do all sorts of things from police work to becoming movie stars but to see one in action was the most thrilling thing he'd seen in ages. The only pets the young Granger had ever known were the koi in his pond and on occasion would feed stray cats that happened into the yard looking for lizards and birds to hunt. Grandpa was rather house proud given the ancient architecture of their home and the subject was never raised...until now.

The Dragoon blader jumped up straight and begged with doe-eyes to his senior...despite only having met the marvellously behaved dog for less than 15 minutes, he knew what he wanted. His stance was animated and his tone super excited. "Grandpa! Can't we get a dog?! I want to try training one. Did you see how he sniffed out Kai? I wanna train my dog to bring me my socks. Or bark when I tell him to. Or I could teach him to retrieve my beyblade!" He day-dreamed each scenario with twinkled eyes as he delivered his plea.

The wise kendo master lifted one arm to scratch his head gingerly as he half-chuckled. He never had a dog growing up either but was knowledgeable enough to know what was needed to have one. "Hhhauhhammmm. I don't know Tyson. It's not all fun and games you know homie. Dawgs are alottttta work and they can make a lotta mess. Lotsa moppin' and hooverin' up after em. You gotta pick up its doo-doo. You'd gotta get up early and walk it every day rain or shine. Take it to the vet if it gets sick and they can be pretty exhaustive on the ol'wallet ya know. You gotta feed it an' brush it. You'd need to getchaself a job to pay for it and everythin' it needs for its whole life. It's somthin' we gotta have a good lonnnnng think and talk about ma boy. Dawgs are a biiiiiig responsibility."

Tyson still couldn't believe he had a dog in his house and was partially distracted by whatever Victor was about to do next. The grey and white pup had finally finished inhaling water and was now scratching the back of his ear with his back leg in a contorted yoga position. Once Victor was finished satiating his itch he promptly sat to attention before Kai's bare feet, waiting for a command as his panting began to soften. "I hear ya Grandpa! I'm sure Kai will tell me everything I need to know to be a super good dog owner. Say Kai...does he do any more tricks?!"

The phoenix blader hid another wince as he bent his knees to stroke his rapidly tiring dog; Victor relished every pat and attempted to lick his pale hand with each one. The well travelled pooch was exhausted from the heat, the journey, and excitement of meeting all the new faces of the Granger residence, and quickly settled lying down on his belly, with his paws outstretched and chin rested on the cool floor tiles. Victor's trainer straightened and crossed his arms as his mutt began snoring cutely below. Kai was characteristically stern as he delivered his next words with direct eye contact to his former adversary and team mate. His face was serious to match the topic. "He's not a circus animal or a toy Tyson. Your Grandfather's right. Dogs are a lot of responsibility and work. Do you really think you're ready for that?"

Ignited brown eyes locked with amethyst for the first time in days. Since hearing the sad news about Dranzer's fate, former Patient 12 hadn't spoke to nor spent time with anyone. The cap wearer hid a smile as he stole the golden opportunity to re-connect with him. "Okay, so teach me. What do I need to know to take care of a dog? You clearly know what you're doing. Tell me your secrets Kai."

The tough dog lover delivered his answer. "Commitment, discipline, awareness, devotion and patience. Do you think you have all those qualities? If you don't, don't bother getting one. Go get yourself a stuffed animal instead until you're truly ready."

Tyson wasn't expecting such a profound and heavy answer. He sweat dropped as he nervously fanned his hot face with his cap. "Well yeah, I think I do hahah. It's all a completely fresh idea and I need to know everything right from the basics to decide if I can commit. How many times a day you gotta walk them?"

Tala eagerly butted in to add a little more support than his former team mate with his arms crossed against the close back wall. He loved sharing his knowledge about something he was so passionate about. "It depends in the breed you get. Not all dogs are built the same Tyson. Man bred dogs for a job and each breed will have certain traits needed to excel at that specific job. Some were bred to guard or herd livestock, pull sleds, kill rodents, look pretty in a show ring ect. Each breed has different grooming and exercise needs. Some are easier to train than others too depending in their intellect and genetics. You really have to do your research. Don't just go picking any dog you like the look of or you could end up with something you can't handle or take care of properly."

Max added his canine knowledge too as he parked his butt onto the kitchen side with his legs dangling and lightly kicking against the cupboards beneath. "My Uncle has a German shepherd and he needs walk to walk him at least twice a day...but he's still young with lots of energy and will completely wreck the house if he doesn't get enough outdoors time. He moults loads of hair too and my aunt has to hoover the whole house at least once a day, sometimes twice in summer and winter. My friend's Mom on the other hand has a Chihuahua and that thing barely walks anywhere, she prefers to be carried and only sheds hair a few times a year and when she does, it's not much. I think age is something to consider too Tyson. Younger dogs are far more energetic than older dogs. Puppies are hard work and chew a lot so maybe look at adopting a middle aged dog to start you off?"

Bryan quipped as he began unwrapping a Cornetto ice-cream he'd just retrieved from the freezer. "Where I work they got these Belgium shepherds. They're completely jacked. Those things never get tired. I'd give them a wide berth if you want your house to stay in one piece and not have to go hiking for half a day to wear it out."

Hilary was surprised Tyson was asking for a dog, he'd never mentioned before he wanted one before. She figured this was just going to be another hare-brained idea of his he'd not thought through. She added. "Do you really think you're ready for a dog Tyson? You can barely get yourself out of bed before noon some days. You have to really think about this. And what if it chews your Grandpa's furniture, or messes on the floor? My Grandma had a Pomeranian and it barked so much she had to give it away. Dogs are like children Tyson and they aren't all well behaved like this one."

Daichi interjected before Tyson could retort back at the skirt wearing voice of reason. "My dog is called Jabba. He can be real grouchy and doesn't like other dogs. He's big, with thick orange fur, he's got a big head with a loooong curly tail. He hates wild boar that come close to the village and loves chasing them away. I think he's got Japanese Akita in him because he's super independent and he pretty much takes care of himself. Sometimes he sleeps in the house, sometimes outside under the stars and I join him if the night is warm. And sometimes he stays in the mountains for a couple of days just doing what he wants. He guards our crops from the monkeys too and chases them away but he never catches them. Oh and he sheds sooooo much fur the birds pick it straight off him for their nests. He's an awesome dog and I can't wait to see him when all this is over. You'll have to come meet him Tyson!"

Tyson wrangled to absorb all the points raised by his friends. There was obviously more to the whole owning a dog thing than funny tricks and throwing balls. Breeds, shedding fur, chewing things, barking...so much to think about! He wanted Victor or the closest thing to him. "Where did you get Victor Kai? And what breed is he?"

The playful pooch's arrival had done something to Kai, like magic he'd snapped his owner out of his day's long depressive stupor and it was plain for all to see. The grey and white pet was a much needed and wonderful distraction from all the sorrow of losing Dranzer and distress of the impending loss of his career. Now Victor was happy and relaxed, so was his human buddy like the two were in tune with each other. Kai's stoicism peeled away into calm as he watched his canine buddy snooze. He spoke softly so as not to disturb him. "He was found dumped by the side of a road skinny and covered in fleas. I adopted him from the shelter years ago. I don't know what he is, a mixed breed. Maybe bull terrier in him judging by his jaw and head shape. He's an amazing dog and been so easy to train. I got lucky."

More chat ensued between the boys and Hilary as Grandpa Granger and Izumi watched on side by side with delight. The gang had completely switched off from anything to do with beyblading, Shadow Vale, talk of wounds, erased bad moods and banished all stresses to talk about...dogs.

Conversation began to run dry with the hundredth question about what dog breed Tyson should get that would suit him best. Something lazy, that doesn't shed hair, doesn't eat much, doesn't bark much, and looks hench...the group were struggling to come up with the perfect dog. After a lot of head scratching they surmised Tyson would maybe be better off with a cat...not that he wanted one of those. A cat can't be trained to retrieve his socks on command!

Moreover...the lonely Granger wanted something that would keep him company and something to play with when the whole Shadow Vale danger was over, for when all his friends would inevitably disperse back to their normal lives to leave him alone in the dojo once more.

Grandmother Izumi broke ranks and demanded. "As lovely as this has been, the day is getting late. I'm afraid and I need to have a much needed chat with my Grandson before I go home. Kai. Follow me young man."

---

The Hiwatari knew this was coming and there was no way to evade it, and so, followed his Grandmother to Tyson's living room and shut the sliding door behind them as if they owned the place. Victor instinctively followed and stayed at Kai's feet before growing bored and set off exploring the new room sniffing under the tables and pillows looking for any scraps of anything to eat, or balls to play with...not that he would find any.

The white haired elder adopted her trademark scowl with crossed arms and a glum lipped pout. She pinched his thin-skinned cheek between her wrinkled fingers and released. "I see you have lost more weight Kai. Why aren't you eating again? It's because you lost your Dranzer isn't it? Urghhhh you always do this."

Kai stood tall close before her with one hand on his wound and the other dangling at his hip. A red mark arose from where she pinched. He snappily remarked with a half turned face. "I always do what?!"

Izumi snapped and waved a motherly finger. "Oh don't be like that with me Grandson. You know what I mean. You almost starved yourself to emaciation after your parents died and then again every time we lose a pet. And now again with your Dranzer. I swear Victor will be the last dog we ever have if you keep doing this to yourself."

Kai snapped back with full blazing eye contact. His voice raised a notch. "It's not like I'm deliberately starving myself." He softened. "I just...I have no appetite. I'll eat when I'm hungry. We've been over this."

Izumi crossed her arms and tapped her slipper a couple of times. "And how are you feeling otherwise? Are you sleeping okay? I've been told you are sleeping well...a little too well in fact. What's going on with that?"

Kai responded sharply. "You scold me when I don't rest and now I am getting plenty of it, you scold me anyway?"

Izumi sliced back. "Sleeping half the day away is not normal Kai." She softened her tone a spot. "Are you depressed again?"

Kai turned to the side with crossed arms and grit his teeth. "Grandmother I'm fine. Just leave it at that."

Granny wasn't relenting. "And what is this I hear about your company? Your friends said something about Markus giving you some kind of ultimatum. Spill the beans Grandson. What's going on at work?"

Kai paused to think about to how explain something corporate in simple terms. "Some members of the board want to replace me as CEO. I...could lose my job."

Izumi's tone was appalled and screechy. "And why would they do that? You worked so hard to get that role. You studied for so long to be where you are. You are head of the company, just fire anyone who opposes you and have done with them. If you are the king you need to rule like one. That's the whole point of being Chief executive right? So execute those usurpers and move on."

Kai shook his head and then briefly cupped his face in his right palm. "I can't just fire anyone like that. The board has a right to override their CEO and appoint a replacement if enough of them agree."

Izumi was clearly getting riled. "What did Markus have to say? Surely he's on your side."

Kai cupped his chin briefly before resting the same hand on his hip. "I have 4 days to return to work or the board will incite a vote of no confidence." He dropped his stance to gaze emptily at a Japanese painting on Tyson's wall. "If enough board members decide against me they can appoint someone else as CEO, and I will lose my position and all power within the company. Some didn't approve of me competing in the Beyblade tournament and ever since my attack... let's just say my absence has had an effect on the stock market and members have all the ammunition they need."

Izumi barked. "So, best get your suits dry-cleaned and pull up your big boy pants. Beast your way back into that board room and make sure that doesn't happen."

Kai cupped and dragged a palm down one half of his face once again. "It's not as simple as that Grammie."

The feisty grandmother delivered a speech with passion. "It looks pretty simple from where I'm standing. You studied ridiculously long hours, and those cram schools were so tough on you, I know because you would literally fall asleep eating your dinner at the table. You used to regularly pass out asleep in your college uniform on the sofa from studying so hard. You left me to live in London for two years to be taught by the best business school in the world. You fought tooth and nail to be qualified, and trained with degrees and diplomas I'd never heard of. Becoming CEO of your wretched grandfathers' company was all you ever wanted and not so long ago you achieved it as one of the youngest CEOs in the world. I am so proud of you Kai. Now a group of people are threatening to take that away from you. For the life of me I can't understand why you aren't fighting to keep what is so rightfully yours?...Are you happy? Because if you're not happy, and life as a CEO isn't what you thought I'd understand. I want you to be happy in life whatever you do or become. I'll be just as proud of you if you gave it all up and worked at Starbucks serving cakes and coffee. Money and status isn't everything."

Kai's eyes were alight. "I can't imagine doing anything else regardless of the title or salary. It's what I've always wanted and I don't want to do or be anything else. I want to carry on running the company my forefathers founded and build something greater than they ever achieved."

Izumi cocked her head and softly murmured. "But are you happy?"

Kai was certain. "Yes. I am...was."

Izumi stammered forward with a rolled fist. "Then why don't you fight for it?! Go back into that office and put your foot down. Show them that you are back and they should all wind their ostrich necks back in before you chop their heads off."

The young male smirked at his elder's display of love and aggression. His face then dropped into a sore look as a familiar surge of self pity arose from his belly. "It's not that simple grandmother. A fortnight ago I was fierce and unbeatable in every aspect of my work and now... I've lost my Dranzer forever; I can barely climb stairs thanks to this infernal injury. I struggle to open a jar... that's how weak I am right now." His voice grew gruff and bitter as his orbs locked with his beloved senior. The pain they reflected was evident. "I was attacked... on live TV for the whole world to see... and bled to death on the floor as my friends watched. How do I process all of that in 10 days? And for 3 of those days I was on life support... Just look at me Grammie. I'm not the person I used to be. I've... lost so much confidence in myself. I don't know...who I am anymore."

Izumi's throat tightened with emotion as she lifted a pair of gentle hands to cup her broken "child's" face. She buried her words into his soul for him to keep. "I know who you are. You're a survivor of something terrible. I know because I held your hand every day you were asleep in that ICU. I watched as you fought your way back to me with every beat your heart made. You...are my intelligent, strong, good looking, powerful grandson who always fights for what he wants. You've always been that way ever since you were little. You will get your strength back... if... YOU LOOK AFTER YOURSELF!"

Kai pulled away to break her embrace and paced a couple of steps before turning his back to her. He crossed his arms tightly in an act of self comfort, and spilled more of the agony on his mind with a mix of fire and sorrow in his words. "He took my Bitbeast, my Dranzer... and there is almost no hope getting him back. It's eating me up inside. I can't stand the grief. I can't break out of it. I'm living in a world of black and grey and I can't see any colour."

A wrinkled soft hand gripped Kai's crossed forearm. "Oh my darling boy. You were always were so sensitive. The tough exterior you show to the world is all to hide the giant tender heart within you. Your mother was exactly the same. You feel completely crushed when you lose something you love. You remember when Biscuit died and you wouldn't eat and you got depressed? Then we went to the shelter and came home with Duke and all of a sudden I saw the light in your eyes again. Then, when we lost Duke you adopted Victor very soon after and the same again, you were back to yourself in no time. I think you need something else to commit to in Dranzer's place."

Kai slowly turned with wide shuddering eyes. His adoring grandma took his face once more with a soft loving hand. A Bitbeast, let alone a sacred spirit was impossible to replace, and she clearly didn't have a clue as to how special Dranzer was to him...and the world.

Izumi continued softly and kind. "I don't know too much about these things but... do they have Bitbeast shelters you can adopt from? Are there places you can buy replacement bitbeasts? I don't suppose Dranzer has a twin brother somewhere?" She said jokingly as she stroked his pale cheek with her thumb. Some of her suggestions she knew were outlandish and fanciful but asked them anyway.

Kai's features stared blank and pale as her words stirred memories of something long forgotten and buried deep in a shameful chapter of his past. "I don't suppose Dranzer has a twin brother."

"Dranzer... twin brother."

---

Evening 7:30pm. Another typical dinnertime for the Granger residents went without a hitch. Dinner was served on time at 7pm at the grand yellow wood table dominating the middle of the modern but small, pretty kitchen. Greasy and used blackened frying pans and woks piled high in the sink; the sideboards were littered with drops of oil and stray flakes of chopped vegetables. Several empty udon noodle packets were rammed into the pedal bin which refused to close down due to being too full. Someone, namely Tyson forgot one of his chores that morning was to empty it.

The first of the "Empty plate club" rubbed his food-pregnant belly which stretched his blue night shirt tight. The Dragoon blader slouched relaxed in his wooden chair. His white bowl before him was clean if not for a small puddle of soy sauce at the bottom, of which enriched his noodles and the meat and vegetable stir-fry that accompanied it. "Oh maaan Ray that was your best dish ever I swear buddy!"

The other head-pig of the group slammed his chopsticks to the table, burped without a care to say excuse me, then slid back to allow his tanned skin to poke out from under the hem of his shirt. His whole body slumped with content. "Ohhh yeaaahhhhh that was goooood! I'm stuffed!"

The ebony haired male White Tiger chop-sticked the last of his noodles into his mouth and quickly swallowed to reply. "Hahah I'm glad you liked my special soy fried udon guys. I make it a lot back home."

The joyful pinkette at his side slurped a mouthful of their tasty work. "I have to say we outdid ourselves tonight. Maybe it's this soy sauce? We must note the brand. It's thicker than the one we usually use."

Max sucked the last of his noodles into his mouth like spaghetti. The tail of the udon whipped around before disappearing between his lips never to be seen again. He took a piece of kitchen roll and wiped his chin and mouth clean. "Hmmmmm yum yum. Thank you Ray...and you too Mariah. That was delicious! I don't think I've ever tasted udon so good!"

Daichi burped again before mumbling something as he tooth-picked his lower gnashers. "Burrrrppppp. Yeahhhhh. I give ya 4.5 outta 5."

Mariah screeched with dangerous eyes. "And why only 4.5?"

The Strata Dragoon blader closed his eyes arrogantly and crossed his armed behind his head as he cheekily delivered his reasoning for the imperfect review. "Service was too slow and the portion size wasn't big enough.

The fiery White Tigress had to be held back by the scruff of her pink night shirt by her strong armed partner to stop her launching herself across the dining table. She screamed. "Why you rude little prick!" With the knowledge Ray wasn't going to let her crawl over the table to gauge his eyes out, she relented, settled back into her seat, crossed her arms, pouted, then said something to make Daichi very sorry indeed. "That's it! We're not cooking for you anymore. You can eat microwave meals from now on."

Kenny added as he too wiped his face clear with kitchen roll. "Geeze Daichi. Be grateful Ray and Mariah cook at all for us at all. I think it's easy for us to take for granted we get Michelin star food cooked by experienced chefs every night...Thankyou you two. That was bravissimo."

Hilary dabbed the side of her mouth with a napkin before placing it on top of her empty bowl. "Well I for one am grateful for all the meals you cook Ray and Mariah. It's much appreciated. I'm usually the one stuck with all the cooking."

Tyson nudged the grey-haired soviet blader known as Bryan discretely with his elbow. He leant into him and whispered not quiet enough as half the room overheard. "Thank the heavens for Ray and Mariah. Trust me Bryan you don't want to try any of HER cooking. Hehhehee."

The Falborg blader sniggered before grinning at Hilary who looked confused as to why he was looking at her in the way he was. Tyson was sniggering in the same fashion and the two looked like a pair of naughty schoolboys.

The bossy brunette shoved her chair back to stand up and barked with her slim fingers gripping the table rim to hold her back. "What? You have something to say Tyson? Speak up!...Ohhhh you two are so volunteering for clean up tonight!"

Bryan whined back as he crossed his chunky arms. "Hey leave me outta your lovers tiff. I've cooked you all breakfast twice this week. I do my bit. Max or Tyson...why don't you have a go wearing the apron and give the White Tigers a break?"

Emily shook her ginger haired head profusely before warning. "Unless you really really really like mayonnaise on everything and I mean everything...keep Max OUT of the kitchen!"

The only blonde at the table chuckled. "Oh Emily. You know you can't fight the mayo! You love it really."

Tala, the ingrained leader in him spoke up as he rested his fork into his now empty bowl. "You're running low on supplies again. I'd be mindful of what you have in your pantry and stock up before we have to do another emergency run to the store. I won't be volunteering again until the weather cools that's for sure."

The PPB Allstarz girl smarmed as she flicked her short ginger hair over her left shoulder. "Don't worry Tala. We wouldn't want you to break a sweat now would we?"

Tyson broke the jest to kindly enquire to the opposite head of the table. "Say Kai. How was your dinner? I see you made a proper dent in your plate tonight."

Max added with warmth. "I'm glad you joined us tonight. We were sure starting to miss ya."

For the first time in 3 days Kai chose to join the household for dinner. The offloading chat with his Grandmother, and the arrival of his beloved bouncy best friend in the form of Victor was just what he needed to snap him out of his spiralling depressed mindset...for now anyway. Izumi was right, he needed a distraction from the grief of losing Dranzer, and thanks to her short thoughtless statement he certainly was...distracted.

The phoenix blader sat with his chair tucked in with one limp hand resting on the table and the other poised with red chopsticks ready to pinch hovering over his bowl. With relaxed eyes he gazed down at his bowl half filled with udon noodles, chunks of fried vegetables and pieces of stringy chicken. The meal's contents were covered in dense black soy sauce and the inky substance painted the inner sides of the white porcelain in streaks. He stared at the dark oozy sauce and pondered back on his nightmare of Dranzer, covered in a black petrol-like substance and splattered with blood. He proceeded to dip and drag his chopsticks through the raven coloured sauce, playing with it, whilst his Grandmother's words echoed. "I don't suppose Dranzer has a twin brother."

His mind ran. "Black Dranzer. I guess you could call him Dranzer's dark twin. It's been years since I even thought about him...it. Black Dranzer should be an It because it's not like any other Bitbeast I've ever encountered. It's dangerous and more powerful than most can ever dream to handle. In fact, I know I'm the only one in the world that will ever be able to wield Black Dranzer. Psychologically it would break anyone else. Even so...I fell prey to its possessiveness and greed once. It fed into my need for perfection, for complete control, and used me to feed its own desires as much as I was using it. Black Dranzer is a leach for destructive power and I won't let myself ever be consumed by it again. I betrayed my friends for it without a second thought. To achieve World Domination, to please my Grandfather was a convenient by-product of using it. I'd have stolen many bitbeasts for my own satisfaction regardless of their purpose after the fact. I am proud of myself for stopping when I did and I have Max, Ray and Tyson to thank for that. They showed me the light and I was able to break free of Black Dranzer and my Grandfather's obsessive grip. Without their interference, how far would I have gone? My Grandfather was right about one thing...I have an inherited thirst for power that I've had to learn to contain. I was a tool to not only my Grandfather but to Black Dranzer too. We used each other.

Years ago I learned to push Black Dranzer to the back of my mind and over time forgot all about him... Until today. I promised to lock it away, out of sight, out of mind...never to lay eyes on it again. Black Dranzer is too sinister to ever be used in battle again. I can't trust myself. It was pure perfection, everything I craved...and still crave.

I have to stop thinking about it...But here's a taboo thought. I wonder how Black Dranzer would stack up against Blake? Maybe...it can help me get Dranzer back. But if I did...would I be in control... or Black Dranzer? That's even if I still have the strength mentally and physically to control it...because if I don't... It could harm my body and mind in ways I may never recover. We've seen that happens to bladers to who take on more power than they can handle and their minds snap. Team Psychic...Wyatt... They will forever bare the mental scars of using Cyber bitbeasts they couldn't handle. What if that happens to me? No of course it won't. I was able to control Dranzer when I was merely a teenager. I can still handle it now. But should I? No...I can't... I won't."

Tyson rolled his fist ready to slam the table. "YOOOOO HOOOO? EARTH TO KAI!"

Emily quipped with her elbow resting on the table propping her head up. "Nope he's on another planet. Call back later Tyson."

Max lurched in close as he was the nearest seated to the distracted diner. His cute round freckled face entered Kai's window of vision as the greynette continued mindlessly playing with the black sauce with his chopsticks. "Hey Kai?! Anyone home?!"

With the closeness of the Draciel bladers' head, Kai suddenly jolted backwards to attention. He lifted his gaze to see the whole table staring at him.

Like a deer in headlights the amethyst eyed man muttered. "What?"

Hilary quipped. "Did you go somewhere nice Kai?!"

The super host whined. "Dude we've been trying to ask you something for years now. I asked how was your dinner? You managed half the bowl. It's good to see you have at least some of your appetite back!"

With sharp yellow eyes Ray examined his former team mate from across the table. "You okay Kai? You seem a little spacey."

Tyson added. "Something on your mind Kai?"

Kai crossed his arms and the shutters came down immediately. "No. It's nothing."

The brunette queen of fashion pried. "You sure, you know you can tell us anything."

Mariah surprisingly reached out friendly. "Yeah we're all friends here you know."

Emily wanted to smash his skull open and have a deep root around. Instead, she settled for interrogation. "There was clearly something on your mind. What was it Kai?"

Tyson pushed further. "Yeah Kai. It's not like you to completely go inside yourself like that...at least not at the dinner table."

The maimed CEO grew rapidly tired of the questions and so, gave them a small nugget to satisfy. He daren't tell them the real topic on his mind. Especially with Mariah and Emily at the table...whose bitbeasts he stole to feed the greed and malevolence of his Grandfathers evil scheme. "It's fine. I'm just thinking about work."

Hilary sweetly asked. "Oh yeah, and do you know what you're going to do."

Tyson crossed his arms and took a stubborn stance. "You know if you're not ready Kai they can't force you to go back. You're the boss. You say when you back right?"

Kai sighed before placing his chopsticks on the table neatly beside his bowl. "It's not that simple. You don't understand the corporate world. It's my problem. I'll make a decision when I'm ready. Right now, I need head space to think."

From beneath Kai's wooden chair a hairy creature stirred. The tension in his master's voice caused him to arouse and seek to put it right. Victor was a sensitive dog and he knew when Kai was stressed, tired, happy, angry, joyful and today was no different.

*Bark* *Bark*

The sleepy grey and white pooch emerged into a clearing between Kai and Max's chairs by the empty corner of the table. He bowed to stretch his front legs, and then yoga stretched his spine and hind legs before shaking himself more awake. He then jumped up to rest two paws on Kai's lap earning him a double head tussle from Max and Kai both. His tail wagged hyper as he relished the attention and his nose snuffed the air for a whiff of whatever the humans had for their dinner.

The happy American boy cheerily asked as his fingers scratched behind a canine ear. "Hey Victor. Did you have a good nap?"

The beychamp stood up to get a better view from his far away position on the opposite end of the table. "Oh man! I completely forgot Victor was here. He was asleep under the table the whole time we were eating. He's so well trained! I want a dog just like him. There's no way Grandpa would be able to say no then."

The Chief adjusted his glasses intelligently. "Did you train him yourself Kai?"

A thin skinned face smiled as he scratched under his pups chin. "YouTube and books taught me how. Treats helped, and lots of patience."

Hilary chimed in. "I have to say he is a very well behaved puppy. You must have worked hard with him."

Bryan grouched. "Shame your dog isn't as well behaved Tala. This dog could show Elsa a thing or two."

Tala shot back with a smarm. "Leave Elsa out of this. She's perfect as she is."

Tyson exclaimed. "You have a dog too Tala! What you got?! And you're only mentioning this now?"

The Blitzkrieg Boy's leader proudly replied. "She's a Siberian husky and she's a free spirit alright Bry."

The grey-haired demolition boy complained with his voice raised. "She's not a puppy anymore and she's ruined three pairs of my shoes. Three Tala!"

His brother with ice blue eyes nonchalantly replied with a cheeky grin. "Yeah and I've paid for replacements every time."

Bryan argued. "That's not the point. She doesn't touch your shoes. Or Spencer's or Ian's. Only mine!"

Tala riled back. "Maybe she likes how cheesy they taste."

The Falborg blader snorted as he poked Tala hard in the arm. "Next time we get you a dog its gunna be the smallest dog I can find with no teeth."

The wolf master chortled with a wide toothy grin. "Quit your whining, you love her too."

Bryan crossed his arms and jested some more. "Maybe I'll do a bit of dental work on Elsa when you're out at work. Try chewing my shoes now bitch."

The whole table scoffed and chuckled at the bickering Russians. It was clear; Tala was a dog-Dad as much as Kai and he adored his pooch back home all the same.

Daichi quizzed. "Sayyyy why did your granny leave Victor here Kai? Doesn't he want to live with her anymore."

Hilary added quietly. "I think perhaps Mrs Uchiha left him here for Kai, you know, to cheer him up after losing Dranzer. Something to keep him busy."

Emily raised an sly eyebrow and announced. "Annnnnnd we've lost Kai again."

The wounded beyblader wasn't taking any notice of conversation, even as they talked to and about him. He was too busy with a dog biscuit and signalling with his hands for Victor to spin, and then sit, then lay down, and finally rewarded with his treat. Kai's tired face smiled for the first time they'd seen in days as he adorably played with his dog. The communication between them was something strong and special. Max, Daichi, Tala and Tyson soon congregated around the pair, each taking their own turns giving orders and watching with glee as the perfect pup performed. Victor was going to be as stuffed as they were come night's end with all the treats he was gifted for being such a "good boy."

All was seemingly well in the Granger household. Kai was finally back and actually ate half his dinner. Those who could beyblade were advancing their skills every day all thanks to the long hours of constant training. Tomorrow, Dragoon's upgrade was set for assembly just as soon as the package arrives by courier from the manufacturers. All that was left for tonight was a sofa huddled movie in the dojo and to bed early...for tomorrow was another day of training, training, and more training.

---

A rooftop several streets away from Tyson's heavily guarded dojo, harboured four cloaked inhabitants with the darkest of intentions. Around them, steam billowed from a vent, several air conditioning units lined two sides of the roof, and a large humming electric cupboard stood beside a heavy metal door with an emergency exit light glowing above it. The quad cunningly schemed in the dying light of the sun. Their variously sized frames and heights, each with identical silver coloured hair looked down at a large unfolded blue-print held in two of their hands... A map of the old sewer systems of Tokyo and the surrounding cities.

Darcel, the shortest and weasel-like member of the Shadow Vale assassins knelt and jabbed his fingernail onto a spot on the map. "There. That's the spot. I can get in right there and by dawn...Draciel will be mine."

Harkan's ruby eyes glinted in the light reflected off the exit light. His booming voice bellowed in the quiet night. "No mistakes brother. This mission has 1000 ways it can go wrong."

Darcel nasally cried with a daring smirk. "Don't sweat it...I'll be in an out before anyone even knows I was there. The sewer cover is just behind the dojo where they all sleep at night...niiiiceee n close. It's hot so they leave the doors open alllll night long. I'll sneak around to find where Max keeps Draciel, probably in a pocket or by his bed. Once I have Draciel in my possession I'll slash his guardian's throat nice n deep so there's no chance of recovery...hahhaha not like your guardian Blake...Max won't be seeing another sunrise. Then I'll skip on out of there back the way I came in. I'll pull the cover back over the hole and the rest of them will wake up to a bloody mess and a funeral to plan. As long as I have guardianship of Draciel that's a price I'm willing to pay."