A/N: Welcome! If you're new, have a nice reading! If you follow my story for a while now, note that I re-wrote some revious chapters (currently there's 27 chapters uploaded). I did this a several times and I'm doing it for the last time (2024). I started this story back in 2017 (*screams internally*) and both my English and my writing skills were poor back then. Pleasingly, the quality has improved a lot since then, and later chapters were written in a more composed way. But as a result, the earlier chapters became a big contrast to them, and the introducton, the first pages of a story is extremely important, hence the re-writing. The story has not been changed, only the grammar mistakes, narrative and such are corrected and polished. Some delicate details added that serve various characters' development and the plot itself. All in all, the storyline is more consistent, matured and entertaining now in my opinion. Have a nice reading to all!
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade and its original characters, they belong to Takao Aoki. Alexandra Katin and bitbeast (Baladrac) is the only Oc here, owned by me.
Warnings: cursing, violent acts, self-harm, mental breakdown, death and child (non-sexual) abuse in later chapters will occur.
* Please, take into consideration that English is not my native language, so expect grammar / stylistic / semantic mistakes in my writing. I apologize for them in advance, hopefully it won't ruin the reading experience.
** If you're interested in the status of story progress, check my profile. You can find information about updates, edits and other story related stuff everytime I make an update.
*** The story is based mainly on the anime - the Japanese version and not on the censured English one. Some details will refer to the manga, as well. For the Russians, I'm using the original names. (Only for the Russians, because most people is familiar with the English names, so I left other characters' name alone.)
Tala = Tala (as a nickname from the Russian 'talantliviy', meaning 'talented') / Yuriy Ivanov
Bryan = Boris Kuznetsov
Spencer = Sergei Petrov
Boris = Vladimir (Gregorovich) Volkov [Gregorovich patronymic is created by me, but Vladmir is the original name for 'Boris' in the Japanese version.]
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Chapter 1
The Newcomer
If anyone had asked him, he couldn't have told how long he was staring at the white paper before him on the desk. He received the letter just early that morning, delivering the news that would probably provoke a delighted shriek from anyone else who applied to University of London. But for Kai, it was only the next step to follow his grandfather's track on the long way to take over the Hiwatari Enterprises as CEO one day.
It was Voltaire who had insisted him to apply to the university as he had been on the edge of his patience with his grandson's silly beyblading hobby. The old man hoped that Kai would drop his passion for the sport with time, but the fire still burnt in the heart of the phoenix, not turning his back to the sport and determined to show the world his true potential once more.
Kai loved beyblading simply because he was good at it. He still could find unexploited power in himself and the one thing he hated the most was a talent going waste.
To get used to the new West-European environment, his grandfather ordered him a few days ago to fly into England for the Summer, before Kai could even know if he'd been accepted by the university. Voltaire had no doubts about that, of course, yet Kai argued with him and could postpone his travel until the acceptance letter arrived. And now here he was, hopelessly glaring at the annoying formal words that stated he had just become a student of the globally recognized university.
Kai couldn't neglect or run away his family duties anymore.
It was not about him not wanting to become a CEO of his family corporation. Kai knew it was his inevitable fate, and honestly, he was fine with that. He envied his grandfather's power, that his every employee bowed before his will and requests, obeying him as if it was the most natural thing in their lives. He also imagined himself an imposing, great man for the future just like Voltaire was.
It was just… so soon. Kai knew once he started attending a university, he wouldn't have time to beyblade and chance to turn back to the sport anymore. He had a comparatively well-scheduled childhood with lots of tasks from his grandfather, but he still cherished the times when he could forget the fact that he was a heir of a tycoon with great life purposes and could focus on the only thing he loved – beybattling.
Kai let out a heavy sigh in his frustration as shifted his gaze to the other letter that laid forgotten on the desk.
A letter from Tyson. An invitation.
The next Beyblade World Championship was announced just a week ago by Mr. Dickenson, but Tyson's letter had already arrived almost three weeks earlier. The Dragon-wielder had asked him to entry to the next championship once again teaming up with him, Kenny, Ray and Max. As Bladebreakers.
Kai liked the idea and he replied surprisingly fast to the letter with a short, straightforward answer. His reply had been so fast that he was now a bit regretting his uncommonly impulsive action.
Kai knew the previous championship was overwhelming for Tyson; competing with his closest friends was something the Japanese boy couldn't handle properly. It had really worn him out, so it was only natural for Kai receiving such a letter from him. What rather surprised him that the absent-minded boy was already preparing for the next championship weeks before the announcement of the new one.
Truthfully, Kai actually liked the idea. It had a high probability that he could attend on a championship for the last time in his life, so he felt himself a bit nostalgic to register with Tyson, Ray and Max as a team, to take his leave of the Beyblade world in an elegant, stylish way.
There was no way to beybattle with his friends again after he flew to London. He was going to be too far away, too busy concentrating on his study. This thought somehow saddened him, deeply.
It would mean the end of an age, and if this was supposed to be his last chance to beyblade along his teammates' side, he was not going to let it slip away, that's why he had accepted Tyson's invitation.
However.
It also meant it was his last chance to beat Tyson in a beybattle. Last year, he failed to defeat him. It was a very close match, but eventually, Tyson had come out victorious. Although, he was disappointed with himself, he didn't have bad feelings about his rival's win. The Dragon-wielder had defeated him fair and square, giving his all strength into that legendary fight.
Kai's lip curled into a smile, reviving the unearthly landscape where they had landed thanks to the intense battle they had fought. He had sensed every small motion Tyson had made around him, he had felt the whole universe vibrating in his own mind with Tyson's thoughts and emotions as dying stars had been sliding along the ink of the sky with eternal bright.
Kai had never felt so complete and in such harmony with everything in his life as in that moment. He hadn't wanted to chase power, hadn't have any doubts in himself; he had been living the present, not fearing the future, not mourning for the past; he had been at the right place, in the right time to fight for only one glorious purpose.
He remembered how Tyson had mirrored his thoughts. Separated worlds had narrowed only to the two of them, forcing out everyone and everything else out because only their presence that had mattered at that moment.
Although he didn't talk about their amazing fight to anyone and Kai couldn't deny the slightly bizarre part of the fact, he had experienced the greatest time of his life with Tyson. It had just happened, and he didn't bother to find it unnatural. He was also certain Tyson felt the same way.
Kai doubted if he could repeat that phenomenon with anyone else. This experience was shared only between the phoenix and the dragon.
Fighting Tyson was a thing he wanted, and when Kai wanted something, he pursued it until he succeeded.
He had connections at the BBA, thanks to his generous help that he had offered to the chairman as a representative of the Hiwatari Enterprises months ago. Mr. Dickension needed money and resources to resurrect his global organization once again after Vladimir Volkov had destroyed it with the BEGA-project. It was a long-term investment from Kai's side and he was already enjoying its benefits.
He kept the old man as president, Kai didn't claim any specific role for himself at the BBA, but he had a say in deals and businesses of the organization. He preferred to stay in the shadows, controlling his surroundings from his safe hideout, so he had a better advantage against other competitors in any case.
So, through his newly forged link to the BBA, he heard the Blitzkrieg Boys were struggling to find a new member for his empty place in their team.
The opportunity, that he had already used once, was right before him again.
oOoOo
The BBA's main office was crowded with busy, dutiful people. They were working hard to organize every moment of the forthcoming championship, but each of them took the time to stop and reward the red, imposing younger blader with a welcoming smile. People related to beyblade in Russia still looked up at him and his team and felt proud for their achievements in the past. Tala only nodded back, he was loath to smile back. He was not in a good mood.
Tala was heading into the chairman's private office with firm footsteps; he was requested in by Mr. Dickenson himself as he was in Moscow, now. The old man preferred the personal meetings over phone calls, and it was something Tala could agree with. He was able to read the other's mind better if he saw every gesture and reaction they made.
Previously, it was him who asked Mr. Dickenson's help. After the announcement of the new tournament and its details, Blitzkreig Boys was short of a member. The championship was going to be based on mostly four-member teams, and despite interviewing loads of volunteers for weeks, Tala still couldn't find the new candidate for the team ideal for his expectations.
The Blitzkriegs Boys was a closed community, they didn't let anyone in so easily, thus it was very important for the new member to be loyal, and respectable for the correct skills. It was not an easy task, and he really didn't want to lower his expectations, but Tala had to admit it to himself, he was running out of time.
Ivan would be the perfect choice, but after Volkov's Demolition Boys had been defeated a few years ago, he turned his back to professional beyblading and decided to educate himself instead.
Tala often pondered on the small boy's unusually responsible decision. Maybe Ivan was right, and they all should have left beyblade behind, because it was not possible to earn money from championships forever. Those had to be won if he wanted to build a financial existence for his adulthood.
However, he couldn't just turn away and leave behind everything he was fighting, beaten and raised for in his entire life. He had to prove to himself and to Boris and Sergei, that their not so ideal childhood was not meaningless. He had to show Volkov he was successful alone, as well, without his help.
Tala received many offers from volunteers for the post and he could imagine a few of them as a member of the Blitzkrieg Boys. Unfortunately, he'd already had to turn down two potential candidates because of personal differences. One of them was too pompous and challenged Tala as a captain from the beginning. The other one was not committed enough to the sport. Pity, because the guy was a real talent.
Anyway, feeling the pressure of the ticking time, Tala had turned to the BBA chairman for some help. The old man had more information about the beybladers, and thankfully, since Volkov had failed, Mr. Dickenson was kind enough to become their patron, especially after the Abbey had closed its gates. The man helped Blitzkrieg Boys in every possible way whenever Tala had asked for it – which was quite rare. He wanted his team to stand on its legs, be independent.
After the secretary announced Tala's presence to Mr. Dickenson, he could enter the chairman's office.
"It's good to see you, Tala! How are you doing? Please, take a seat." The old, stocky man pointed to the chair in front of his own desk with a warm, jovial smile.
Although, Tala highly appreciated the help he and his team always got from the man, he hated that constant smile on the wrinkled face. So unnecessary, so gushy. Like Santa.
"Thank you, sir." Tala replied politely and sat, then immediately got to the point. "Did you find any suitable applicant for my team?"
He noticed the small disapproving move between the grey, bushy eyebrows – Mr. Dickenson preferred the diplomatic, more delicate conversations, not the direct, plain ones that Tala usually served to his companion.
"Yes, as a matter of fact." The old man said eventually and took out several files from a drawer to the desk before Tala. "You gave me a very well-detailed requirement list regarding the candidate you're looking for."
"Just eight? I thought the sport was getting popular." Tala counted the files in his hands. He was disappointed, he expected much more when he asked the chairman's help.
"Yes. Unfortunately, your expectations regarding the skills are so high that an amateur beyblader can barely possess them. The ones you're holding in your hand are considered the best among the newcomers."
"Newbie was not a condition from my side. Actually, I'd be more pleased with a more practiced beyblader who already got used to the pressure of arena beybattles. A beginner would be just a burden."
Mr. Dickenson nodded keenly at Tala's rejective comment.
"I hear you, young Tala, and I understand the point made. But if you don't low your standards, you need to be open-minded. All the practiced beybladers are mostly occupied by other teams already, because, as you said, the sport is getting more popular nowadays. The number of registered teams multiplied compared to the last year."
Tala was not interested in his excuses, but regardless, he pondered on what the chairman said to him. He quickly thought through his requirements for the new team member in his head, but he didn't want to make any more compromise. That would just create more problems in the everyday life of the team.
God, why did Ivan have to give up beyblading?
"I took the liberty and called in the candidates in case you want to check their skills by yourself. They are waiting in the training hall downstairs."
"That's very thoughtful of you, sir. I appreciate it." Tala cursorily reviewed the files of recommended people in his hand, hoping that some of them would outstand immediately, but so far, not really promising.
He picked one of them out and threw it back in front of the chairman.
"You accidentally left this one here. That's a girl."
"Oh, that is no accident."
"I deliberately asked for male applicants." The Russian captain couldn't hold himself back to give a rebuking glare.
"I know. But I think you could make an exception to this one. Read the introduction." Mr. Dickenson insisted.
Tala inhaled sharply. He could do that favor for him, after all. His eyes swiftly followed the words but quickly made an abrupt stop.
"Trained under Vladimir Gregorovich Volkov's supervision?" Tala repeated the written words out loud, looking up at the old man to confirm it.
"I knew that would catch your eyes." Mr. Dickenson smiled at him mischievously like a child who created a mess in the kitchen just to surprise his parents with a burned ham and eggs.
"That's not possible!" Tala opposed, not understanding why that suddenly made him so upset. "She obviously is a liar. How could you let them write such nonsense and believe them? I thought I could rely on the BBA's professionalism, sir!"
"Do you really think we haven't checked her background?" For the first time, Mr. Dickenson's face hardened, and despite keeping his tone in the same volume, he spoke in a strict voice that refused any accusations from the Russian's captain side. "If you can read it in her file, it means that information has been validated by the proper authorities and departments. Give us some credit after the many tournaments my organization coordinated under my command."
Tala didn't respond to Mr. Dickenson for putting him in his place. He knew he crossed a line with his comment and also knew that the chairman of BBA was a trustful man, someone who was able to connect the dots together if something was fishy. But he still couldn't believe that it was not just a girl's cheap lie to get the more competent teams' attention. He looked at the file again, carefully reading it this time.
Name: Alexandra Katin
Country: Russia
Age: 17
Bit Chip: Baladrac (whale-dragon)
Type: Stamina/Balance
"I'll check their game."
Mr. Dickenson's tone and eyes immediately shifted back to a friendly one, smiling warmly at Tala's decision.
"Excellent! I'll ask Fedora to escort you down to the training hall."
The secretary tried to initiate a conversation with the Blitzkrieg Boys captain during the walk to the training hall, but Tala was not up to it. He wanted to finish his search for the new teammate and move on to the actual strategic training with his team as soon as possible. He had wasted enough time for this already.
The training hall was filled with the murmur of the applicants. Some of them was lingering alone and in silence, but most of them talked with each other. When Tala entered the big room, their murmur died down and every eye darted at Tala. He enjoyed the attention.
The girl was not difficult to spot among the boys – and not only because of the gender differences, but also her appearance was extraordinary. She tried to cover it with her blonde hair, but the black eyepatch still was noticeable on the right side of her face. She looked like some damn war veteran.
"Everyone choose a training dish. I'm gonna ask various moves from you. Those who can perform them stay, those who can't – da svidaniya. Any question? Good."
Tala contentedly watched the people did as he commanded, all of them lining up to a beydish. He stood in front of them, in the center. This way, he could examine the technique and skills of each beyblader at the same time.
He started with basics, a simple launch, then a heavy and a reversed launch. He made them do loops, zigzags and backward rotation, and the eight candidates quickly decreased to three. Two boys and the girl.
"You three will battle with each other. Get ready, I'll count back." Tala instructed.
"At the same time? In the same dish?" One of the boys asked with worry in his eyes.
"That's right."
The boys didn't seem confident, but they didn't question the Russian captain's request. They diligently stood to the same dish with the girl and at the end of the countdown, they all launched their beyblade. The worried boy's beyblade couldn't handle the pressure of attacks and fell apart in the middle of the battle, scattering pieces to everywhere in the beydish. The other two beyblades had to maneuver carefully to avoid any encounter with them while they continued to clash to each other over and over again.
The still competing boy was obviously a beginner. He had no strategy, just attacked the girl's beyblade aimlessly, not realizing that with each hit, his beyblade got damaged and slowed down, not the other one.
In the end, the girl stopped his game with a fair finishing move, firmly pushing his beyblade out of the dish.
Tala was not pleased. These boys were a bunch of garbage compared to his team, even if some of them showed talent on the field. They were too inexperienced. The girl certainly knew these moves and had some serious practice, but her moves were rusty, as well. Tala could tell she hadn't trained much.
The Blitzkreig Boys captain signed with his head to the two boys to leave, so only Tala and the girl remained in the big hall.
"According to your file, you trained under Volkov. Is it the same Volkov who trained my team in the Volkov Abbey?"
"I think so."
"And how's that possible?" Tala put a hand on his hip. He tried not to be too offensive, but he was already irritated by the thought itself.
"I lived in Baby House No.23*. Vladimir Gregorovitch visited us once a month and trained those who was interested in beyblade."
"I never heard of him having visited other orphanages to give trainings." Tala glared at her with suspicious, narrowed eyes.
The blonde didn't have an answer for that. He already made a mental note to himself to check if it was true. Although, probably it was since the BBA already verified her application.
"Why did you join the BBA?"
"For the same reason as everybody else. To seek fame and fortune." She chirped, but Tala could see through the fake smile.
"With that pirate costume and emo expression you have? I doubt it. Cut the crap and save your pretense for both of us. What is your purpose with beyblade?"
The blonde contemplated her answer for a brief moment. She stopped smiling and looked at Tala seriously. Interestingly, this expression sat more naturally on her face.
"I know I'm good at it. I may be out of practice, but I feel I have true potential in the sport. I saw you on the television. I want to feel the same pride. I want to show everyone the value I have. And I don't care how much I must pay or what sacrifice I need to make for that. I want to be a champion."
The words sounded like a boring cliché, but the way she spoke them moved something in Tala. She had passion. She was purposeful. This was the thing that most of the candidates lacked, and now Tala found himself conflicted.
oOoOo
The crooked bed was getting uncomfortable for Tala, but he was reluctant to stand up. He was staring at the yellowed, cracked ceiling, adamant to figure out what to do. There was only two weeks until the tournament started, and whoever would be the new member of his team, they needed time to get used to each other. One couldn't except a strong teamwork in a few days.
He was considering the pros and contras of accepting Alexandra as a team member since he had left the BBA building; it was not an easy decision. Tala had his fears of having a girl in the team, it could complicate so many things.
First of all, he was not sure what Boris and Sergei would say in case if he had said yes to her. Would they accept her at all? Or the opposite, could she be a distraction for them? Tala didn't want to risk his boys' performance, they trained so hard in the past months, preparing for the tournament to win.
Incidentally, he asked Boris and Sergei about the option of having a girl member on the team. Their reaction was not very convincing. Boris laughed it off as if the idea itself had already been ridiculous. Sergei grimaced and shrugged his shoulder. Tala didn't discuss the topic further with them. It was a decision he had to make as a captain. It was his responsibility and he had to take it seriously or his team was not going to respect him. His performance from the last championship had made enough damage on his esteem.
Despite being somewhat content with the performance of Alexandra, his doubts regarding a girl being on the team didn't lessen. He had to acknowledge the skills she possessed, but her lack of experience was conspicuous. Tala tried to approach the question from a different perspective. Would he accept Alexandra as the new teammate if she had been a boy and not a girl? And he bitterly realized that he would. The blonde only just met the crucial requirements, but the team could use her.
Tired of his own indecisiveness, Tala closed his eyes and let out a long sigh through his nose. He reluctantly sat up, running a hand through his hair to remove the two red strands from his face. He probably just overthought this whole question as always. But Tala liked being prepared for any scenario, taking into consideration every point of a problem.
Just when he thought he finally made his decision, the phone on the corridor rang. He hurried and picked it up before Boris or Sergei could. Usually people called him and he preferred to directly answer it himself.
"Yes?"
"Tala. It's Kai."
Tala would recognize the familiar, stern voice without any introduction, he hated it so much sometimes. This guy had a habit of turning up out of the blue with an ulterior motive when he expected it the least. He found it very annoying.
On the other hand, he just realized that he completely forgot Kai out of his calculations. According to his knowledge, the snob rich boy had registered to the tournament with Tyson's team. What did the phoenix want from him?
The question was rhetorical. Tala had a good guess why Kai wanted to talk to him.
"To what do I owe this call?" Tala asked, purposefully implying he was absolutely uninterested in what his former teammate had to say to him.
"I heard you're looking for a fourth member for your team."
If there was something he admired in Kai, it was his plain-speaking manner. Tala didn't like wasting his time for unnecessary formality, but the phoenix could stand it even less.
"And I heard you've already registered with the Bladebreakers." Tala retorted, reminding his fellow about his non-existent loyalty.
He was curious what Tyson would think about Kai, jumping ship again for like the hundred-tenth time in his beyblading career, but then he realized, he could care less what conflict the Bladebreakers had or would have. It was not his concern.
"It does not mean anything. The rules allow us to switch teams until the tournament officially begins. So, is there room in your team or not?" Kai sounded impatient that made Tala think.
Last year, Tala had had to give the last push for him to abandon Tyson and be his tag-team. Now, Kai was who tried to convince him. The tables turned, it seemed.
It was also amusing that he was looking for the new member for weeks then few days before the opening of the championship, two decent beybladers appeared to join the team. It didn't make his decision easier. Tala didn't know much about the girl. She played well today and seemed promising, but she still meant a significant risk for his team.
As for Kai, it was true that Tala was familiar with his beyblading style and strategy; he also got the experience how to handle his annoyingly arrogant attitude, however, he didn't find his offer so seductive like a year ago. The snob boy should know he was not such a big catch anymore. He couldn't defeat Tyson last year, what would guarantee for Tala he could do it now if they had to battle with the Bladebreakers?
But most importantly, Tala didn't like Kai's attitude keeping the Blitzkrieg Boys as plan B only because of a possible match with Tyson. He hated when people used him or his team for their own goals, even if he could understand Kai's motives. He was not going to let anyone to walk through him and his team anymore.
This year, Tala's plan was to make the Blitzkrieg Boys victorious and earn everyone's respect. He wanted to return their dignity what they had lost a few years ago when the Bladebreakers had taken away the champion title from them. He wanted to show everyone his boys could perform just as good if not even better under his own command, without Volkov's help.
For that, Tala had to draw a line even for Kai. He didn't want anyone in his team who couldn't honor the Blitzkrieg Boys as much as they'd deserve it, and Kai had to learn that.
"Actually, I just found a promising member for the team but… I'm not entirely sure she would fit in the team."
"She?"
Tala could hear Kai's surprised tone even through the line; it made him smirk in satisfaction.
"Yes. I think you two should battle for the place. That way I can make sure that I pick the right person for the team. But I guess, you won't be able to show up, since you're not in Moscow."
The line was silent for several long seconds. Tala didn't hear Kai's thoughts, but he could tell the phoenix was rapidly considering his options. He was also certain Kai was not pleased with the idea that he had to battle for a position that he had earned in the past without anything to prove, but he would be a fool if he dared to protest now.
Tala was content with himself. If Kai Hiwatari found an offer not quite for his taste, that meant he negotiated well.
"Actually, I'm in Moscow." Kai replied and Tala was genuinely surprised.
"Great. Come to the BBA's training center tomorrow, 2 pm."
Tala didn't bother to say goodbye, he hung up the phone before the other at the end of the line could confirm he understood the instructions or oppose them.
Now, he only had to notify Alexandra about the next round of her audition.
Baby House No.23 is an existing orphanage in Moscow.
Uploaded: 5/2017
Re-written: around 2020
Re-written: 5/2024