Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ The Price of the Past ❯ One Step Forward ( Chapter 4 )

AN: I can't think of anything I want to say, so enjoy the chapter. Wait, no, I do have something… There hasn't been any Dizzy in this fic, and I attribute that to the fact that I haven't spent a lot of time with the Bladebreakers, but she will be showing up, starting this chapter. So for those of you wondering: no, I haven't completely ignored her presence, I just hadn't needed her interaction until now.

 

Reviews:

Blackrose: Don't worry, I'm not out to make Takao the `bad guy'. He's just confused right now, but that actually gets sorted out in this chapter. He won't be joining up with Lee and Kevin simply because of the way I've set up the relationships in this fic. All the bladers who get over the supposed betrayal are going to have their own roles to play, though, so expect to see more of him and some of the others in the future. He'll also have a more active role once I get to my version of VForce (the planned 1st sequel). Thanks for the review.

 

Kerianya: Their mother will have a name when I come up with one; there will be more on her, as well as their father, in later chapters. I probably won't get to the whole All Stars issue until next chapter or so… depends on a few plot details I've yet to decide on. Glad you're enjoying the fic.

 

Canbria75: Yep, something's definitely up, but you'll have to wait and see what it is. As for Rei being like Kai… I'm actually just trying to give him back the attitude he had when he first faced Takao, as well as what you see from him in GRev. In my opinion, he's every bit as secretive as Kai is, he just hides it differently. Glad you like the fic!

 

Dark Angel Of Fire Ice, and-then-he-said-no, and Crystal Rose: I appreciate the ongoing support. It's gratifying to know that I have readers who enjoy my fic to the point that they keep reviewing.

 

Warnings: Language

 

Disclaimer: Not mine.

 

 

Internal Dialogue

 

Chapter 4

 

“What?” Rei finally asked, looking up from his book. He and Bryan were the only two in the cell-like room, and the neko-jin had felt the lavender gaze on him for the better part of an hour.

 

“You never told us what happened in China,” the older blader was straightforward. “You and Tala said that BioVolt was there, told us all about it, in fact; but you never told us how you managed to get away.” The raven-haired teen set his book aside and faced the other, closing his eyes momentarily. We didn't mean to leave that part out; we just got caught up with the whole BioVolt in China thing that it got pushed to the side. He opened his eyes as he felt a shift on the bed.

 

“I didn't,” replied, making room for his friend to sit.

 

“But…” Bryan's eyes widened as he realized what the Driger wielder meant. “They did get you.”

 

“Yes,” the neko-jin nodded. “I couldn't just let them take Tala, so instead of staying in the cave like I should have, I tried to help him.” Sighing, he continued. “But what's a little kid going to be able to do in that situation… They grabbed me almost the moment I came out. Didn't stop me from trying to get to Tala, though. At some point, Boris had caught up with his men; he had someone else with him, someone from a nearby village.”

 

“So they separated you and Tala,” Falborg's master concluded. “Why?” he wondered aloud, to which Rei could only shrug.

 

“Don't know,” he replied. “But I do know the reason I stayed and Tala was brought here.”

 

“Appearances,” The older guessed. “Tala looks nothing like the neko-jin, but you do.”

 

“Right,” the raven haired blader confirmed. “And I also know that the neko-jin that took me to the village was Lee's grandfather. He's the one who started the branch of BioVolt in China. The thing I can't figure out is why. The village is locked in tradition, to the point of suffocation. It doesn't seem logical that he would ally with such a technologically advanced, not to mention foreign, organization.”

 

“Everyone has a price,” the statement was bitterly made.

 

“I guess,” Rei sighed. “Somehow, though, I don't think that's it…” he trailed off, not really sure what he thought it could be.

 

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Bryan decided to change the subject as there really wasn't much more either could say on the matter.

 

“Yes,” he replied. “Though I really don't like the idea of leaving the rest of you behind. Who knows what Boris will do to you guys in retaliation for Kai's and my leaving.”

 

“I think I have an idea about how to handle that,” the lavender haired teen stated. “But I'll wait until I can run it by everyone.”

 

“If it can keep you guys safe,” gold eyes were laced with concern as he spoke. “Then I don't think I'll have any problem with it, whatever it is.” The sat silently for a moment before Rei spoke again. “We're still going to go all out in the finals, though,” was the somewhat idly spoken thought. “The team they're facing in the semi's is nothing, so it's a given that it will be the D-Boys versus the Bladebreakers.”

 

“Yeah, well, it's not like it will really matters who wins,” the older replied. “It will just determine our approach to the final step.” The golden eyed youth nodded thoughtfully.

 

“And it would be nice to finally have a challenge… Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to hold back in battle, so much so that you lose?” the teen asked.

 

“Can't say that I do,” the falcon master responded. “Being here,” he gestured, indicating the entirety of the abbey, “that's never really been an issue.”

 

“I imagine not,” Rei snorted. “At least now I understand why Kai asked me to hold back on a couple of occasions.” A violet eyebrow rose in question.

 

“You're telling me you've lost on purpose during a competitive battle?” his tone was slightly disbelieving.

 

“Yeah,” the neko-jin laughed. “He didn't tell why until I got caught up in this mess, but he wanted to make sure I was kept off BioVolt's radar. He didn't have to worry about Max and Takao because even though they're great bladers, they don't have the skill required for a place like this; he was worried that I would have been lured here if they'd known what I was capable of.” A sour look crossed the raven haired blader's face. “Doesn't look like it mattered much anyway; Boris already knew about me. Probably would have come after me because of who I am, despite Kai's efforts.”

 

“No probably about it, Tiger,” Bryan informed him. “I hacked the computers this morning, and he had plans to grab you the day after Kai came back. It was dumb luck on his part that you were here and recognized Tala.” Rei nodded then did a double-take as he realized something.

 

“You called me `Tiger',” the younger teen stated, his tone a bit questioning. “And Spencer did the same thing earlier. Only Kai's ever called me that before...”

 

“You're one of us, now,” the amethyst eyed youth shrugged. “That's how we address each other.”

 

“I haven't heard anyone else use their beast's form as a name before,” he pointed out. “Why am I hearing it now?”

 

“That's easy,” Bryan replied. “We accepted you when you first came here, but until today at the tournament, you weren't really a D-Boy. You proved you can do what you need to do.” A smirk settled on the pale face. “I'm sure that's not the only reason Kai calls you `Tiger', though.” The only answer he received for the suggestive comment was a smack to the back of the head. His laughter was soon joined by the neko-jin's, and their discussion soon dissolved into a chat over more frivolous matters.

 

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The Bladebreakers were gathered in their assigned locker room, waiting out the last half an hour before the semi-final round would begin. I know I should be nervous about this, Takao thought as he glanced around at a calm Max and fidgeting Kenny. But after all the help Lee and Kevin gave us yesterday, I know we can do this… We have to make it to the finals so we can face the Demolition Boys. If we beat them, maybe we can save Kai and Rei. The dragon master was determined to help his friends. He may not have a clue as to what was really going on, but he could just tell that something was up. Jumping to conclusions, as always, he assumed the worst, but he was not about to abandon two people he considered to be friends when they could be in trouble.

 

“Stop looking so worried, Chief,” the dark haired teen spoke up. “We'll take this team, no problem.”

 

“That's not what I'm worried about,” the nervous brunette responded. “I've been going over the data Dizzy gathered on the Russian team so far, and it really looks bad for us.”

 

“How so?” Max asked of the younger.

 

“I can answer that for you,” the bit beast answered for Kenny. “But I don't think you're going to like what you hear.” Dizzy paused, seeming to enjoy holding the moment in suspense.

 

“Well,” Takao was getting impatient with her sense for dramatics. “Are you going to tell us, or what?”

 

“I was just about to,” she replied without apology. “It comes down to this… Individually, any one of the Demolition Boys could go up against both of you at the same time without breaking a sweat. You've already seen what Kai can do with Black Dranzer. Well, the same goes for Tala and Bryan. Spencer and Ian aren't quite up to their power level, but they're pretty damn close.” The three teens stared blankly for a moment, absorbing what Dizzy was telling them. Even Kenny, who'd seen some of the data himself, wasn't prepared for her analysis of the situation.

 

“You didn't tell us what Rei can do,” the blonde quietly reminded her. “We all saw that he has a new blade. What is it?”

 

“Oh, he's still using Driger,” the bit beast replied in a cheerfully sarcastic tone. “But he's not the same Driger he was before. Rei let someone increase the power of his blade. Even without having actually called Driger out, it was obvious that he's at least twice as strong as he was before.”

 

“That's not too bad,” Takao commented, thinking back on the tiger master's previous battles.

 

“You're wrong about that, Takao,” Kenny informed his friend. “I don't why, but Rei never `bladed to his full potential.” The shaggy-haired youth turned his laptop so that it was facing the other two. “Dizzy, please show them the old data on Driger and Rei when compared to what we have for Kai and Dranzer,” he requested knowing that Kai was by far a stronger blader than either Max or Takao. Without even a smart-assed remark, she complied.

 

“Why didn't you ever tell us about this?” Max wanted know after having looked at the screen. “He's up there with Kai!”

 

“To be honest, Kai asked me not to say anything,” the short teen replied, his tone apologetic. “Every time I asked why, he would just give me that glare of his, so I left it alone. I asked Rei about it a couple of times, and just said not to worry about it.”

 

“Kai knew something,” the bluenette finally commented on the situation after giving it some serious thought. “Kai knew something was going to happen and was trying to protect Rei. But then the whole Tala thing happened, and Rei got caught up in it anyway.”

 

“What are you talking about?” Kenny was confused by the older teen's thought process. “We don't even know if Tala was telling the truth about them being brothers.”

 

“Maybe,” Takao drew out the word. “But I don't think it was a lie. I'm willing to bet that something else is going on here. Either the Demolition Boys have something big hanging over both their heads, or they've betrayed us.” He stopped for a moment to take a breath. “I don't believe for one second that either Kai or Rei betrayed us, no matter what it looks like.” His eyes shone with confidence and defiance to anyone who tried to argue with him. They had to give him credit; when he took the time to think things through instead of jumping to conclusions, he was usually on the right track. Too bad he's so hot tempered. We could avoid half the messes we get ourselves into if Takao would just stop and think…or listen, Kenny thought.

 

“You're right. So we should figure out how to help them,” Max said through a smile, the navy haired teen's optimism rubbing off on him. “But first, we have a match to get through.” The other two glanced at their watches, realizing they had less than ten minutes; it was time to head to the stadium.

 

“Let's go!” the enthusiastic Dragoon master shouted. Together, the Bladebreakers left their locker room, heading for their next match, knowing they would win; they had to if there was any hope of helping their friends. Fortunately for them, they wouldn't need to do as much in that area as they were thinking.

 

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“I told you guys you didn't need to worry about Takao and Max,” Mariah looked very smug. “They didn't have any trouble making it to the finals.” Lee rolled his eyes then gave his lover a knowing look. The green haired neko-jin smirked behind his hand.

 

“You were right,” Kevin responded with a sarcastic edge to his voice, though his pink teammate didn't seem to notice. Gary sat back, silently amused with the whole exchange. Mariah had been going on and on, since they had arrived back at their hotel suite, about how she had just known she was right, and they had all been witness to the proof of her infallibility. The bear master knew otherwise, but chose not to speak up; if Lee and Kevin were going to keep their mouths shut on how they had helped the Bladebreakers, he would as well. I would've even gone with them, but someone had to keep Mariah from getting in the way, even if they hadn't asked me to stay and distract her.

 

“And they'll take down those bastards in the finals, too!” the female neko-jin was vehement. “After that, we can get Rei away from that corrupting son of a bitch.” Her amber eyes burned with determination. Lee and Kevin let out nearly inaudible sighs while Gary slapped his hand to his forehead in exasperation. The Galux wielder was definitely intent on having things her way, no matter what others might want. She really doesn't get it, the shortest White Tiger thought. And they say women are supposed to know these kind of things.

 

“For the last time, Mariah,” Lee finally addressed his teammate, glaring at her. “Rei loves Kai. This situation doesn't change that. And let's not forget the possibility that he's found the only live member of his family. Going to the Demolition Boys was his decision; a decision he made regardless of the consequences.” Mariah defiantly held his gaze.

 

“We are his family,” her voice taking on a growling hiss that would do a true mountain cat proud. “Kai just has him confused, so much so that Rei believes his all his lies, including the one about the redheaded Russian being his brother.”

 

“Stop it, Mariah,” Gary, who rarely spoke out against one of teammates, commanded. “Quit acting like some jealous girlfriend. With the way you've been acting over the past few days, it doesn't surprise me that Rei wouldn't want you. Get over yourself; even if he weren't gay, that doesn't automatically mean he would be with you.” Having said more in one minute than he would in a day, the large neko-jin turned and walked out of the hotel room, leaving Lee and Kevin to deal with the irate teen.

 

“He's right,” the violet-eyed youth spoke up before Mariah could begin another endless rant. “You're just jealous, and it shows.” He looked at the rose haired blader for a moment before continuing. “Thing is, I don't know why you would ever think Rei was yours to begin with. He's never treated you as anything more than a sister… And that was before he left our village. Since then, has he ever once come to you with anything personal? Has he ever acted towards you in a way other than a friendly acquaintance?” Mariah didn't answer, but her silence confirmed that she knew what Kevin said was true.

“I didn't think so,” he continued softly. “You don't know what Rei is really like… what he thinks, what he feels. What we saw yesterday when he faced Eddie, that was as close to his true personality that he's ever allowed anyone other than a very few people to see. Quit acting like you know what's best for him when you obviously have no idea what you're talking about.” Her eyes were swirling with fiery rage, covering the fact that she knew the green haired teen was right; she was certainly stubborn.

 

“You are the one who doesn't know what he's talking about,” Mariah all but yelled, her voice shaking with misplaced anger. Following Gary's example, she stalked out of the hotel room, slamming the door behind her. Kevin shook his head, saddened by his friend's denial of the truth.

 

“Someone had to tell her,” Lee stated, wrapping an arm around the younger's shoulder. “She'll eventually see that we're right, and she'll move on. You're words got to her more than you think. She's not angry at you,” he continued. “She's angry at herself for not seeing what was right in front of her.”

 

“I know,” he replied, turning to face his lover. “I just hope she doesn't do something stupid before she admits it to herself. She's our friend, and I don't want to see her get hurt.”

 

“Unfortunately,” the orange-eyed blader started. “That may be what happens, and we can't do anything to stop it because she has to accept this before she can begin to move past it.” Violet eyes closed as Kevin acknowledged his captain's words. And she will most likely let things get out of hand before she realizes how stupid she's being.

 

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“They're in the finals,” Spencer informed the two who had stayed behind. He, Kai and Tala were just returning from watching the semi-final round of the World Championships. “Something's definitely turned them around, too,” he added.

 

“How's that?” Rei asked from his spot on the floor; he and Bryan had been playing chess when the other four returned.

 

“They've gotten their confidence back,” Kai allowed a small, proud smile to slip as he said this. “That will make what we have to do next a great deal easier.”

 

“That's something, at least,” the falcon master stated. “Seeing as how everything else we have to do is going to be a veritable pain in the ass.” The others silently agreed; truer words had never been spoken.

 

“So what have you two been doing all day?” the red haired teen questioned as he made himself comfortable on the floor next to his boyfriend.

 

“Read a little, talked for while, smacked your boyfriend, played some chess…” his twin replied as he stood to go settle on the bed next to Kai.

 

“And you're still alive?” Ian quipped from his own bed, finding it hard to believe that Driger's master had managed to get away with hitting the lavender haired Russian without so much as a scratch to show for it.

 

“Why wouldn't I be?” came the nonchalant response. “He deserved it.”

 

“What did you do?” Tala asked, amused suspicion lacing his voice.

 

“Nothing much,” Bryan shrugged. “Just made a casual comment about why Kai might really refer to him as `Tiger'.” The playful smirk on his face belied his innocent tone, earning him yet another smack, this one from the teen currently sitting next to him. Spencer snorted, while Ian chortled. Across the room, Kai's eyes were burning with an embarrassed fury.

 

“Why'd you tell him what I call you?” he demanded of the raven haired beauty.

 

“Well, Phoenix,” Rei started, grinning as he was enjoying the uncommonly `normal' teenage interaction. “It seems that I've earned the right to be given a permanent nickname.” Kai shook his head, knowing exactly what he was referring to, simply by the fact that Rei had made it a point to call him `Phoenix'.

 

“You should feel honored,” the blonde joined in the light banter, jerking his thumb towards the youngest. “It took snake-boy over there nearly two months before we started calling him Viper.” Said teen rewarded the slight insult from his friend by throwing a pillow at his head.

 

“Whatever, Moby Dick,” Ian retorted, though he was just as relaxed by the teasing atmosphere.

 

“Nice,” Bryan commented with no little amusement. “Real nice.”

 

“I hear footsteps,” Tala suddenly commented, looking to his brother who gave a short nod, confirming that he had also heard the sound. At their captain's warning, Rei quickly moved back to his previous position; chess was considered a worthy activity as it taught strategy. The others surrounded the two playing, acting as though they were watching intently. Not thirty seconds later, the door opened, revealing Ivan as the source of the approaching footsteps. Six heads immediately turned to give the repulsive guard their undivided attention.

 

“Boris has sent me to inform you that your training will begin an hour earlier tomorrow,” he stated. Not bothering to wait for a response, the man left the room, the door closing and locking with an audible click.

 

“They've never locked us in before,” Spencer observed a bit nervously, speaking in a whisper. “You don't think…” He stopped speaking when Tala raised a finger to his lips, indicating that Ivan was still outside the room. Nodding his understanding, the room fell into silence as Rei and Bryan continued with their game, trying to pass the time.

 

“Checkmate,” Falborg's owner called out, loud enough for the man lurking in the hallway to hear.

 

“That makes us even,” the dark haired neko-jin stated with a forced calm. The others looked to the board curiously, everyone knowing the two were nowhere near finished, before realizing what they were up to.

 

“Our turn,” Kai indicated himself and Ian; everyone played along in hopes that Ivan would quit his eavesdropping.

 

“You beat me nearly every time,” the indigo haired teen turned to the bluenette. “Why not challenge someone who will be a more worthy opponent?”

 

“You need to improve,” the phoenix holder's tone was flat. “The only way that will occur is if you play against others better than you.”

 

“And how does that help with your skills?” the younger asked, his voice just as even.

 

“He's gone,” Rei notified the others; they stayed where they were to be on the safe side. “Do you think Boris suspects something?”

 

“He's incredibly paranoid,” Tala replied. “I doubt he really thinks anything is going on, but he's going to be overly cautious now that things are set up the way he wants them.”

 

“Bryan?” the black haired teen turned from his brother to address the older blader. “I think now would be the time to tell us your idea. If this is how Boris behaves when things are going his way, I don't want to know how he'll react come tomorrow when it changes.”

 

“Right,” the violet-eyed teen agreed. “I've been thinking about how we can get around the prick's punishment for `allowing' Kai and Rei to escape.” He had everyone's attention at those words. “It's going to require some really good acting on both your parts,” he looked to Kai and Rei.

 

“That won't be a problem,” the crimson-eyed blader stated dryly. “We've had a lot of practice.” Rolling amethyst eyes as his friend stated the obvious - they had all been hiding behind one mask or another nearly their entire lives - he filled his teammates in on his plan. It would be tricky, but they all agreed that it would be the best way to appease Boris when the time came.

 

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“You guys!” Kenny shouted, practically running through the hotel suite to Max and Takao's shared room. “You guys have to see this.” They looked up at the brunette who was greedily sucking air into his lungs; the teen looked like he had run a marathon.

 

“Are you okay?” the blue-eye blader asked, voice full of concern as he took in the anxious state of his friend.

 

“It's… I'm… We've…” the frantic computer genius couldn't find the right words. “Just look at this,” he shoved a piece of paper, crumpled from where he had balled his fists upon reading it into Takao's hands. Max moved from his bed and leaned over the bluenette's shoulder, reading the words on the paper not once, not twice, but three times, before looking back and forth between his friends, still not completely certain what he had read was real.

 

“Is that from who I think it's from?” he asked in a voiced filled with renewed hope.

 

“I had Dizzy analyze the handwriting, and it's definitely Rei's,” Kenny confirmed what the other two could only assume with their eyes.

 

“Then we have to go,” the dragon master stated firmly. “We knew they needed our help, and now we can give it to them.” Ever since they had talked about their absentee teammates the day before, they had been trying, and failing, to come up with ways to bring their friends back. Now they were being offered an idea on a silver platter, by said bladers, no less.

 

“This seems too easy,” Max commented.

 

“But it's our only chance,” Takao argued. Kenny remained silent, having already decided to do whatever the others thought best. His mind was whirling with the possibility of have Kai and Rei back with them, but he shared the same skepticism on the matter that his blonde friend had just voiced.

 

“I know,” the blonde stated. “But we have to be prepared for anything.” He glanced at the paper still in Takao's hands one more time. “It says to meet them tonight at eight in the park across the street. They're going to be there with the Russian team, so we'll probably need to be ready for a fight. That's probably why they can't just leave.”

 

“Right,” the navy haired blader agreed. “We'll do whatever we have to, to get them back,” his voice was full of conviction. “Chief,” he turned to the brunette. “Do you think you and Dizzy can help us upgrades our blades in the next five hours?”

 

“That's not a lot of time,” he replied slowly, ideas already forming as to how he and the computer-locked bit beast could adjust their blades. “But we'll do everything we can to give you two a better chance.”

 

“I think Rei and Kai will help out, too” Max put in. “Once we're there, we'll be even, in terms of numbers, so they might not be so hesitant to openly fight against the Demolition Boys. Just do your best with whatever modifications you can make, Chief. After that, it will be up to us, and Rei and Kai.” The data analyst nodded and left the room, returning a moment later, laptop in tow. He briefly explained the plan to Dizzy who was more than willing to push her circuits to their limits for the team.

 

“Okay. Takao,” the brunette addressed his friend. “Let's have a look at Dragoon.” Said blader handed is bey blade to Kenny who, along with Dizzy, went about trying to increase the power levels of the blade, moving onto to Draciel once finished. Before they knew it, it was time to leave.

 

“Alright,” Takao stood up brown eyes shining with determination, looking a great deal more confident than he had only days before. “Let's go get our friends back.”

 

 

TBC

End of chapter note: So there you have a little more about what happened to the twins in China. After writing this chapter, I'm not sure how much I'm going to put Dizzy in. She'll be mentioned more frequently and will have some dialogue, but I just can't seem to get a feel for her dry sarcasm. We'll see, maybe it will hit me later on. Next chapter will have a few of the D-Boys' plans revealed, as well as a little insight into exactly why Kai and Rei despise two of the All Stars… That will actually carry over into chapter 6 as well. As always, let me know what you think.