Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Have You Ever ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

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Warnings: Yaoi, Lemon(s), language, angst, violence, etc. and that cavity warning I mentioned before. Rated NC-17. This chapter: EXTREME ANGST! + character "death"!!?? Uh…sorry? ^-^;; + really weird Powers-That-Be…

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Kali: is busy running away from an angry mob of TyKa fans. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Dryad: watches. Oh, for Ra's sake! Looks like I'll have to finish this chapter myself.

Tyson: sniffles. I can't believe you two did that to me!

Kai: anime twitches & looks evil. Fix it or else!

Dryad: Fear not! And worry about yourself, Kai…

Kai: O.o WHAT?!

Tyson: o.O latches onto Kai & clings. No!

Dryad: rolls eyes. Kali doesn't own Beyblade so don't sue.

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Pairs: Tyson/Kai, Rei/Max, others to be decided.

FYI: {telepathy}, //bit-beast speech aloud//, thoughts, normal speech

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Chapter 24

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Kai took note of Tyson's laboured breathing and looked up, calling to his teammates. "Get over here!"

"Holy mother of God…oh no!" Max dropped down on one side of Kai and Tyson, tears filling his eyes. "Tyson…"

Kenny sniffled and the others looked on in horror and sorrow. The Bladebreakers had given them all a brief explanation as they ran towards the battle, but they hadn't believed it was truly so serious.

Rei knelt down on the other side. "He's lost a lot of blood…"

"Please, Rei…tell me you can fix this." Kai begged, his heart breaking. He could feel his mate slipping away.

"I'm…I don't know, Kai. I'll try."

DO NOT BOTHER, MORTAL, FOR SOON NONE OF YOU SHALL BE ALIVE.

Everyone froze and looked toward the edge of the bluffs. There was an inky, formless fog floating there again, only this time it didn't coalesce into any shape.

Dizzara, Dragoon, and Dranzer flinched and moved closer to their human partners protectively.

//The Void.// Dranzer squawked, ruffling his feathers in agitation.

//Creation has won, Evil One. You have no reason to be here.// Dragoon growled.

"In other words, take a hike!" Dizzara folded her arms over her chest and glared.

I GROW TIRED OF LOOSING BATTLES TO THAT…BITCH. I MAY HAVE LOST THE CHANCE TO OPEN MY PORTAL TO MY DIMENSION, BUT I CAN STILL DESTROY THIS PLACE OF CREATIONS!

The sun had long since disappeared on the horizon and night had fallen, so there was no visual evidence of what happened next. With a burst of laughter that chilled the group of bladers and Spirits down to their very souls, the Void did the unthinkable.

It put out the sun.

YOUR STAR IS BURNING OUT! SOON YOU WILL ALL WISH THAT YOU HAD YIELDED TO THE VOID. ENJOY YOUR FINAL MOMENTS, MORTALS.

Dizzara shook her head in denial and wrapped her arms around herself. It was already growing colder. "This can't be allowed to happen! It's against all the rules!"

"We have to be able to do something!" Kenny wracked his brain for a solution - any solution.

STOP RIGHT THERE! Another voice boomed, as a second foggy cloud appeared. This one, however, was a shining bright white light and flickered in annoyance with its dark counterpart. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? BY OUR RULES YOU HAVE LOST. YOU WOULD CHEAT?

THE GAME IS OVER. I AM NOT CHEATING. I HAVE NOT OPENED A PORTAL! I MERELY DESTROY THAT WHICH YOU HAVE CREATED. The Void sounded vaguely insulted about the cheating comment.

WHY? ARE YOU SUCH A CHILD THAT YOU MUST THROW A TANTRUM WHEN YOU LOSE?! The white light, which the Bladebreakers figured had to be the voice of Creation, sounded a bit like a mother scolding a child. HOW DARE YOU? SPOILED BRAT!

The conversation degenerated from there.

While the two Powers bickered, Kai stared down at Tyson's pale face as Rei seemed to go into a trance, working to heal his fallen teammate with all his power and will. There must be something we can…wait. A star is a ball of burning gases. Burning…FIRE… Kai's thoughts led him to an idea - one that he knew could cost him everything.

But it would be worth it if the planet - no, the solar system - could be saved.

{I love you, my Dragon. Don't mourn me if…well, you know. I know you'll understand.} Kai pressed a kiss to two of his fingers then laid them over Tyson's lips. {Someday.} Then he looked up at Hilary.

"Hil, come here and take my place, please."

She gave him a strange look but carefully switched places with Kai, gently cradling Tyson's head in her lap.

"Kai? What are you going to do?" Max looked up at him as he stood up.

"Stay here, Max, and protect everyone. You, too, Dranzer." He stroked his life-long friend's feathers one last time. Then he walked over to where the two Powers were still arguing like children, out over the edge of the bluffs. He walked up to the edge himself, staring into the darkness of the night, and remembered a conversation that he had once had with Tala, of all people. It had happened that evening they had all been at the gala in Bay City at the beginning of the season.

~~~Flashback~~~

"Mind if I ask you something, Hiwatari?"

Kai looked up at Tala in question. "You can ask, but I can't promise I'll answer."

"Fair enough." Tala grabbed a chair and sat next to him. He'd chosen this moment to talk to Kai because no one else happened to be close enough to listen to the conversation. "What I want to know is…how do you know what you feel for Tyson is love?"

Kai blinked in surprise and tore his gaze away from his sexy lover's movements on the dance floor, turning slightly in his chair to look at the Russian blader. "I'm not sure I understand what you're asking, Tala."

"I want to know what it is between you and the Dragon that makes you so sure it's love."

"Why do you want to know? Are you…in love with someone?" Kai inquired, curious. He smirked when Tala blushed furiously.

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking how you know."

Kai thought about it. "Well, it's not something that can be explained. It just is. But let me ask you a couple of questions and perhaps the answers you come up with will also answer your question to me."

"It can't hurt, I suppose. Sure. Hit me."

"Have you ever felt so alone, as if there was no one else in the entire world, and then had someone reach out to you in the darkness and offer you everything?" Kai looked out across the room, his crimson eyes searching out his beloved, remembering a moment in the past out on a frozen lake in Russia. "Have you ever been shown a different path - a better one - for your life to travel down by someone who has never lived your life, yet totally understood it and you?" His eyes met Tyson's across the room and he felt a tug on his heart, as if there was a string between them and the bluenette was pulling on it, pulling Kai insistently toward himself. "Have you ever wondered, Tala, what would have happened if that person had never become part of your life? Or what life would be like now if that person suddenly wasn't in it?"

Tala stared at him with surprised blue eyes. Kai glanced back at him with a slight smile.

"I can tell by your expression that you've got some answers to work with. That's good."

They sat in silence for a while, watching the throng of party-goers as Tala mulled over Kai's questions.

Eventually, Kai stretched and decided it was time to go over to Tyson and make sure he still had his lover worked up for their little game of seduction. "I think I'll wander over and heat things up a little." He stood and looked down at his fellow team captain. "I hope whoever it is can accept what you're willing to give, Tala."

"So do I, Kai."

"One last thing…" Kai smiled. "Now that you've thought about things. Tala, have you ever loved someone enough to give them your all? All your power, strength, and control, I mean. And still find enjoyment in life? Because when you know that, then you'll know it's really love you feel for that person."

With that Kai walked off, threading his way through the crowd toward Tyson, missing the thoughtful, wondrous expression on Tala's face.

~~~Flashback Ends~~~

I hope my advice helped you out, Tala. Kai glanced back over his shoulder at the other Russian blader. It's not always easy to ask yourself questions like the ones I asked you. Sometimes it's just as hard to answer them, too. But in the end, it's worth it.

Kai sighed and looked up at the two entities that were supposed to be the heart of everything. Love is always worth it.

"HEY!" He yelled, interrupting their banter.

Both stopped and there was startled silence for a moment.

YOU DARE SPEAK THAT WAY TO ME?! The Void cried, indignantly. Creation shushed it.

OH, BE STILL, BRAT. WHAT IS IT, YOUNG WARRIOR?

Kai sweatdropped heavily, and cleared his throat before speaking. "You said that the sun is burning out? Well, I want to stop it. Will you allow me to, or am I just going to have to push you both out of my way first?" He said it in his typical, Hiwatari Kai voice - cold, commanding, confident, powerful…but inside he was quaking, knowing that he was risking instant obliteration from either or both entities. He heard Dranzer in his mind, silently agreeing.

{I wish you wouldn't, Kai.}

{I'm the only one who can. Thank you for…everything, old friend. I hope you and Dragoon will live long and happy lives together.}

{I will miss you, Kai. I'm proud of you.}

{Same here. Thanks, Dranzer.}

He could have sworn the two entities looked at each other as if trying to decide whether he was insane or just really, really brave.

YOUNG WARRIOR, I REALIZE YOU'RE UPSET, BUT DO YOU REALLY THINK…

I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND YOUR CREATIONS, WENCH. HONESTLY, WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?

Creation ignored it.

Kai bristled, but said nothing, feeling a Power that was huge and unfathomable poke around in his mind and heart without invitation.

There was a long, unbearable moment of silence until finally Creation spoke up.

VERY WELL. IT SEEMS YOU HAVE REALIZED SOMETHING FUNDAMENTAL ABOUT ALL MY DESIGNS. There was a hint of pride in its voice. I HAVE ONLY LIMITED RESOURCES TO WORK WITH. ALL IS ENERGY, WHICH CAN NOT BE DESTROYED - ONLY ALTERED. YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR ENERGY TO FUEL THE STAR THAT THIS JEWEL OF MINE ORBITS?

"I would." Kai stood before them, straight and sure. "You made us so that we had power…and if it takes all my power, I'm willing to give it all to further Your design."

AH. YET ANOTHER REALIZATION.

"Yes. It's my choice. This is my choice."

CREATIONS. The Void huffed. DO WHATEVER YOU WISH THEN. I'M GOING TO GO FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO OPEN MY PORTAL. AND YOU HAD BETTER BE READY FOR ANOTHER BATTLE, CREATION. The inky black fog disappeared.

Kai just stared at the spot where it had been, feeling like he was in the Twilight Zone or something.

HMM…YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL, MY WARRIORS. Creation twinkled happily. AND I THANK YOU. I HAVE A PARTICULAR FONDNESS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT OF MINE AND I WOULD HAVE HATED TO SEE IT GET SUCKED INTO ONE OF MY COUNTERPART'S PORTALS. It seemed to look down at Kai in question. YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU MUST DO?

"Yes."

THEN PROCEED. MY COUNTERPART WILL NOT INTERFERE. The blinding white light flickered once more and then was just…gone.

Kai closed his eyes and let his power go once again, an image of Tyson ingrained in his mind giving him a boost of strength and courage.

He could hear the startled and concerned cries of his team and their friends behind him, but he ignored them.

Love is always worth it.

The dual-haired captain of the World Champion Bladebreakers put everything else but his task out of his mind, concentrating his full attention on the dying star at the centre of the solar system.

What he did would live in the minds of those present for the rest of their lives. Kai gave it his everything, all his power and all his energy, leaving him completely drained.

His last thought as his body gave out was the first thing Tyson heard as he regained consciousness, fully healed but still weak from his injury and battle.

I will always love you, Tyson. You will never be alone because I am always with you.

Tyson sat up in panic, getting to his knees and watching in horror and despair as Kai collapsed to the ground and a huge fireball of pure energy rose up into the sky and vanished. Tyson's wail of desolation pierced the evening silence as he felt the connection between himself and his mate snap.

"KAI!!!!"

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Authoress takes this opportunity to weep and blow nose before continuing…

Dryad: You're absolutely NOT stopping here.

Kai & Tyson: X_X Damn right! clinging to one another.

Authoress nods and gives a watery laugh.

Kali: I'm not! Besides, you don't REALLY think I'd just kill you, Kai? Come on…give me a little credit!

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No one knew how long they stood there, silent and mourning, witnessing Tyson's broken heart shattering further with every passing minute. Tears flowed freely in a river of grief. No one moved or said anything.

After all, what could any of them possibly say?

Dizzara sniffled, staring at the bluff where Kai's empty body remained. "How noble and brave of him." She looked at Dranzer sorrowfully. "You should be incredibly proud of your Guardian, Dranzer."

//Indeed, I am, Dizzara. But it still hurts.//

Dragoon wrapped his coils around both Dranzer and Tyson, torn between trying to comfort his mate and his Guardian.

And then Draciel and Driger appeared in their Guardians' arms. Rei buried his face in the Tiger Spirit's white fur and cried silently, one arm holding Max against his side as the blonde sobbed into his shirt.

Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and one final bit-beast appeared.

The other teams gasped and backed away in fear.

"Black Dranzer!" Tala stared in shock. "Impossible!"

Kenny sniffed and said in a watery voice, "No, Tala. Kai had her all along. She's not as she once was, either." He looked up at the black Phoenix. "I'm so sorry, Drisana."

//Be at ease, little wise one.// She inclined her feathered head. //I am fine. But that is not why I have emerged. Despite what my Master has done, what he has sacrificed, I'm afraid it wasn't quite enough. Perhaps if he hadn't been weakened from the battle, it might have worked. The sun is still dying.//

Everyone but Tyson looked at her in fearful astonishment.

"NO! You mean all he managed to do was buy time?" Dizzara stomped her foot to vent her frustration. "So now what?! And why can't I think of something?!"

"Oh Dizzi…" Kenny laid a hand on her shoulder.

//There is a way. But it is not for any of you to do. This is my task, my purpose.// Drisana flew over to Kai's body, circling a few times in a sort of homage to him.

//Sister?! You…you aren't going to…?// Dranzer broke away from Dragoon. //You would leave me, too? After such a short time together?//

//Long have I contemplated my purpose in life, Revered Brother. Now I see…now I know what that purpose is.// She settled down on Kai's chest and seemed to smile gently at the group of teens and the four Sacred Spirits.

And then she burst into flames, flames that started out an inky, glossy black but changed as she spoke her next words.

//Hear me, Creation, Mother of all! I am ready! I will fulfill Your design! My power and life for this brave soul and for this piece of Your creation!// As she spoke, Drisana's feathers turned from black, to red, to blinding white, as did the flames around her. Those white flames surrounded Kai as well and consumed them both while everyone looked on and Creation's voice spoke one last time.

SO BE IT. WELCOME HOME, DRISANA, DAUGHTER OF THE SUN.

That voice sounded rather triumphant.

When the flames died out, all that was left was a pile of ashes.

All watched in awe, amazement, a little confusion, and sorrow. All but Tyson, that is. He had retreated so far into himself at Kai's loss that he had no idea what was going on around him - though, in his mind and heart and soul, without his Phoenix, he really didn't care anymore. Dranzer turned away and into Dragoon's comforting coils once more.

Drisana's offering had worked. The sun rose up behind them in the East, blazing forth its morning rays as if nothing had happened. The group watched it rise with a certain amount of relief.

A quick glance at his watch told Kenny it really was morning. Hilary closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun wash over her. Rei and Max just sat next to Tyson, holding onto one another and hovering protectively and worriedly over their friend.

"Guys? What's going on? Why am I alive? And where's Tyson?"

Since everyone had been looking either East at the newborn sun, or down at Tyson, no one had noticed when the pile of ashes suddenly moved and a figure sat up shakily, brushing himself off and looking around in confusion. But when Kai's voice broke the hushed silence, they all whirled and looked up at him.

Gasps and cries were his answer and his team (minus Tyson and Hilary, who'd stayed with him) ran to Kai, launching themselves at their captain in a moment of undiluted joy.

"Kai! Oh my God! You're alive!" Max glomped him, tears pouring freely again.

"Ooph! Max…"

Rei hugged them both from behind, Kenny wrapped an arm around Kai's waist and the other clutched at Max's sleeve.

"Damn you, Hiwatari! Don't you ever do that to us again!" Rei scolded, his golden eyes gone molten with tears.

Kai shivered and sighed, allowing himself to immerse in the people that mattered most in his life for one brief instant before shoving them all away. "I certainly don't plan on it, Rei. Is it over? Did it work?" He looked up to see the sun burning brightly and steadily rising in the distance, and heaved a sigh of relief.

Hilary gently stroked Tyson's hair, very happy to see their stoic captain alive and back to normal, but at the same time worried about the teen in her arms. She'd tried to get him to look up and see Kai for himself, but there was just no response at all.

"We'll explain it all, Kai, but right now I really think you should come here and help Tyson." She said, quietly.

Kai looked over and sucked in a breath at the blankness he saw in his beloved's eyes. He came over quickly and pulled the bluenette into his own arms, cradling his face in his hands so that he could look directly into the empty orbs.

"Tyson? Tyson!" Kai searched those dull, midnight blue pools for any sign of recognition or response. He was still shaky and feeling pretty damned weak at the moment, but that didn't stop him from putting power behind his voice. {Tyson! Love, I'm alive…I'm right here…}

When he got no response, he looked up desperately and begged Dragoon for help. "I can't reach him! I need help…please, Dragoon!"

Dragoon slid over and curled himself completely around both of them, resting his head on Kai's shoulder and staring as Kai was into Tyson's eyes. //I will try. If I do get through to him, Kai, when I give you a nudge, start talking again.//

"Alright."

Dragoon entered his Guardian's mind and began his search, all three of them glowing a soft blue. He had to swim through the absolute despair and grief he found in there, but he managed to find the little Dragon.

{Tyson? Oh, Tyson…} Dragoon wanted to weep. His friend was curled up on the 'floor' and rocking himself, mumbling incoherently to himself. When Tyson noticed his presence, he looked up and Dragoon fought back a gasp at the pain he saw there.

{He's gone, Dragoon. There's nothing left for me anymore. Just let me die…}

{Don't be ridiculous. There's plenty of reasons to keep going, Tyson. What about your friends? Your teammates? Gramps? And what about me and Dranzer? We all need you, Tyson.}

{You'll all do fine without me.} Tyson curled into himself further, his voice as lifeless and empty as the minions of the Void had been.

{No, actually, we won't. Luckily, it isn't even going to be an issue…}

{What are you talking about?} Tyson asked, not really sure why he was asking. Something in Dragoon's voice had gotten his attention.

Dragoon smiled and purred. {While you were in here feeling sorry for yourself, a miracle was happening out in reality. Kai's alive, Tyson.}

{That's impossible! Damn it, Dragoon! Don't do this to me!!} Tyson stood, pure fury over-riding all his emotions.

Back out in the rest of reality, another storm was brewing furiously, reacting to Tyson's emotions. Kai ignored the sudden wind and driving rain, waiting with infinite patience and hope. Dragoon took Tyson's emotions as a good sign and nudged Kai a little bit hard while he tried to placate his partner.

{I'm not playing with you, Tyson! I swear to you it's true!}

Tyson opened his mouth to yell something rather nasty at his bit-beast when he heard another voice, one he loved dearly, cutting him off.

{TYSON! Please answer me! I'm okay, lover! Come back to me…I need you to come back! Oh please…}

The Air Guardian's eyes went wide and suddenly all that was Tyson flooded back into those gems, going from dull and empty to shining and full of life. "Kai…" Tyson whispered, his throat constricting and making his voice raspy and low. Kai grasped Tyson's shoulders and shook him slightly.

"Tyson! Come back to me! I love you…"

"Quit shaking me!" Tyson complained, throwing himself into the Phoenix's arms, feeling not only his arms wrap around him tightly but also the comforting, powerful presence of Kai's very soul. "I love you…I love you…" He chanted the three little words over and over, immersing himself in the heat pouring off his mate and the sheer love Kai was radiating. Their auras flared, the storm died away and their connection snapped back into place.

{Tyson…my love…I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you but I had to try and save everyone - no, everything. Please don't be angry with me.}

Tyson sniffled and buried his face in Kai's neck, tears pouring out and dampening Kai's shirt. {Forget it. Let's just forget it for now. Please? Just hold me and don't let go.} He shivered, chilled, since Rei had removed his shirt to work on healing him earlier.

{Never. Not ever.} Kai let his hands roam, one rubbing Tyson's back and the other burying itself in the blue-black strands of Tyson's hair, pulling him closer until their mouths met and locked onto each other in a soul-filled, passionate kiss.

While they continued reassuring themselves and each other that they were both okay and really there, their teammates and friends looked on with a profound amount of relief and joy - and a little embarrassment to be witnessing such a reunion.

Everything was going to be all right after all.

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Kali: eyes length of chapter. Hmm…okay. It's long enough. We'll just leave the rest for the epilogue.

Dryad: @_@ Holy Isis. There's more?!

Kai & Tyson: gazing at each other with a sickening amount of affection.

Kali: -_-; Yeah. There is. But only one more! And then that's it! Fin! Ende! Owari!

Dryad: Well, it's been fun…R/R!