HIGHWAY: PART I

This is a little something I came up with after watching an episode of Third Watch. The theme of the story comes from that episode, and I'm sure a couple of you might know the one that I mean. I haven't seen this attempted before in Beyblade, so I'm hoping that I have an original idea here. I love breaking cliches. ^_^

Setting: This is five years after the first season of Beyblade. V-Force and G-Rev never took place.

Note: Very small amount of shonen ai in Part IV. Not even enough to fill a teaspoon. Also, I have attempted to get all teams from season one in here. Note the word 'attempted'. Some characters are referenced only. Finally, this is a four part story, so it's only a quick one between my long ones.

Warning: Character death!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, though I wish I did.

"Well that was just a waste of time."

Kenny smiled, watching as the 18-year-old patted his pockets looking for his keys. "Actually, Tyson, I found it rather fascinating."

"Well you would." Tyson scowled, finding what he was looking for and pulling them out. "Everything that has anything to do with beyblades has you drooling all over Dizzi. I'm surprised she hasn't short circuited or whatever."

"So am I," Dizzi replied from within Kenny's laptop.

"Oh come on," Kenny glanced down at the interface as he walked, then back up at his old friend. "It wasn't that bad. Besides, we got to catch up with the other teams. We hadn't seen the Majestic's for years, not to mention the All Starz, White Tigers, and Demolition Boys."

Tyson snorted. "Yeah, well Steve's still in prison, remember? And the Demolition Boys aren't what you would call pleasant company."

"Neither's Kai."

"Don't get me started on him. Yo Kev!"

Ahead of them the imp-no-longer turned, long green hair whipping behind him in its ponytail as violet eyes sparkled beneath his bandanna. "Yeah?"

Tyson moved toward him. "Which way you headed?"

"Back into the city." Kevin glanced toward Gary as the other disappeared out the doorway. "The White Tigers have an apartment at The Grand."

"Seriously?" Tyson smirked. "Wait, let me guess, the BBA are footing the bill."

Kevin smirked. "But of course. You didn't expect us to pay to come to this stupid friggin thing, did you?"

"Know the feeling." Tyson spotted something out of the corner of his eye, glancing over his shoulder to see his team's captain. "You going to meet us at the restaurant at the hotel, Kai?"

"And hang around you dweebs?" Kai narrowed his crimson eyes, pulling his sunglasses from his pocket. "I'm going back to the hotel to my room to finish off some business. Interrupt me and I'll personally go about shortening your life span, got that?"

Tyson raised his hands in defence. "Sor-ry, oh Great Leader."

Kevin chuckled. "He's certainly got good people skills."

"You're telling me." Tyson led the way outside, gazing across the field as a helicopter settled down beside the building. "What-?"

"That would be for the Majestic's," Max said as he approached with his mother. "Apparently they're going to head straight for the airport and fly to Russia to see the ballet."

Tyson rolled his eyes, glancing to the side. "Looks like someone's got car trouble."

Kevin smiled and shrugged. "Ah, don't worry. Once Gary gets that heap of shit going she'll be fine. The thing is to get her going."

Tyson nodded, stopping beside his red Holden and unlocking the door. "I know how that feels. I had the same problem with my old car, which is why I sold her and got this one."

Kevin glanced to the side and spotted Ray climbing into his black 4-Wheel-Drive, Mariah easily swinging up into the passenger seat. "Looks like everyone's headed out."

"Yeah." Tyson glared after the midnight-blue Viper as it burned passed. "Do you think Kai will ever learn to slow down?"

"Actually Tyson, Kai is doing the limit, he is just able to pick up enough speed in a short time to-"

"Don't need to hear it Kenny."

Kevin moved away as Ray started up his car. "Well, guess I'll catch you guys at the restaurant."

"You bet." Tyson moved around to the drivers' door as Kenny climbed in. "Seya, Kev."

Kevin waved, moving toward Gary and grinning as he approached. "Won't start again, Gaz?"

"Nope." Gary looked up from under the bonnet. "I think the radiators gone."

"You only replaced it last month." Kevin shook his head and sighed. "Do yourself a favour, Gaz, and sell the friggin thing."

Gary sighed. "You might be right."

"I could give you a lift if you need one."

Gary shook his head. "Ian and Spencer said they'd see if there is a mechanic around. Their car won't start either."

"Sounds like sabotage to me." Kevin watched as Max, Emily, and Judy – Judy driving – disappeared down the driveway, silver Kia kicking up the dust. "Where's the rest of the All Starz?"

"Michael and Eddy are stayin' for a bit longer." Kevin and Gary turned to see Lee as their team captain approached, helmet under his arm. "I didn't bother tryin' to find out why. Didn't really wanna know."

"Don't blame you." Kevin glanced toward the building, then at his watch. "Well, catch you guys back at the hotel. I want to shower before we meet up at the restaurant."

Lee smirked. "You seeing Lakayla again?"

"I've been seeing her for over a year, Lee. You should be used to it by now." Kevin shrugged. "But no. She couldn't get any time off this week so she wasn't able to make it. The reason I want a shower is because listening to all that statistical crap has clogged up my brain. I need to wash all the mental filth away."

"I hear you. Just make sure you make it on time for once."

"Hey, I'll be there."

"You'd better be." Lee glanced at Gary's car and shook his head. "You really should trade that heap of shit in, Gaz."

"Kev just said that."

Lee looked up to watch as Kevin climbed into his green Holden, gunning the engine and causing Lee to smile as he heard the souped up, heavily upgraded and modified beast roar to life. "Maybe you should let Kev take a look at her. He's got his car purring like a kitten."

"Sounds more like a lion." Tala shoved his hands in his pockets as he watched Kevin plant the boot, back wheels throwing up the dust as the back swung around. The tires finally got a grip, sending the sedan flying forward in a streak. "He's going to blow that engine one of these days."

"Doubt it. Kev knows that cars limits. Loves her to much to let anything happen to her." Lee snorted. "I sat on the bonnet one day and he chased me with a spanner screaming something about scratching the paintwork."

"A car is a mans best friend," Bryan commented. "I would never allow anything to happen to my baby."

Tala shook his head and sighed. "Too bad you crashed it, then."

"Not my fault. He should have given way."

"You had the red signal, Falcon."

"He still should have seen me coming and given way."

Lee chuckled. "As much as I would love to hear what happened, I gotta go. Catch ya's later."

"Later."

Tala watched as Lee made his way for his motorbike, donning his helmet as he went. "You know, maybe I should get a motorbike."

Bryan allowed a small smile to play across his lips. "Don't suit you, Wolf. And what's wrong with the Mercedes?"

"It's restricting." Tala shot Bryan a devilish grin. "Maybe I should give my good cousin a ring and get some money to buy that Jag we spotted yesterday."

"Kai would just as soon pay someone to break Voltaire out of prison."

"Unfortunately, you are right." Tala looked toward the building, then back at Gary. "Tell Ian and Spencer we'll met them back at the hotel."

"Sure thing."

Reaching into his pocket, Tala pulled his keys free, catching Bryan's arm and moving toward the black, window-tinted Mercedes. "Now, to prove that I can stay on the speed limit, and therefore win our bet…"

~~~~*~~~~

Tyson stifled a yawn, glancing in the rearview and smiling. "Max's behind us."

Kenny glanced over his shoulder, smiling. "Looks like Judy still won't let him drive her car. Not that I blame her, considering he tends to be a little accident prone."

"I never did forgive him for sideswiping my car in the parking lot." Tyson frowned. "Has he finished paying his mum back yet? For the repainting, I mean?"

Kenny frowned. "I'm not sure. Dizzi?"

"He's still got a few weeks left," she replied. "Remember, they had to have the dints removed as well, not to mention replacing the front guard."

"True." Tyson shrugged. Spotting a flash, he glanced back at the mirror. "Shit Kev's moving."

"What?" Kenny glanced back. "He's probably just trying to catch up with Ray."

They glanced to the side as the green Holden burned up the outside lane, Tyson glancing at his own speedo and quickly deciding that Kevin was way over the limit. "Heh, too bad if there are any speed camera's around."

"Not to mention any patrol cars," Kenny replied. "Hasn't he already got a ticket?"

"Three to be exact," Dizzi spoke up. "In different countries. Most of them for racing Lee."

"Speaking of Lee," Tyson glanced in the side mirror. "I think I see him. He's back a few though."

"I was right," Kenny spoke up. "See. Kevin's slowed. Right beside Ray."

~~~~*~~~~

"You're crazy, Kevin," Mariah called as she wound down her window. "You can't afford any more tickets."

"Oh ease off." Kevin shrugged, wind tugging at his hair as his eyes sparkled. "It's fun. Besides, I'm going as fast as you are."

"People like you shouldn't be allowed on the road." Mariah brushed the hair from her eyes. "Nor should they be allowed to drive powerful cars."

"This was an innocent little 6 cylinder when I bought her," Kevin reminded her. He grinned. "Now she's a monster. My creation." He spotted Mariah's look. "Oh come on, Mar. Everybody has a hobby. I like tinkering with cars."

"He has a point," Ray told Mariah, before leaning across. "You still should watch it, Kev, or else you won't be allowed to drive her, let alone tinker."

Kevin smiled faintly. "Yeah, guess you're right. I'll just stick to dragging on the country roads."

"Kevin," Mariah warned. "One of these days you're going to get yourself hurt."

"Probably, but that's the thrill of it." He pointed ahead. "I just wish I had something like that. Now that would be sweet."

Ray looked ahead and grinned. "Yeah. Kai gets all the good things. Owning one of those would be a dream. Then I could leave you in my dust."

"Dream on." Kevin laughed. "The day you own a Viper, Ray, will be the day I eat Galmon."

"Hope you've got strong teeth then."

Hearing a noise, they glanced back as the motorbike drew up between the two cars, Lee grinning at them. "Gave you guys a big enough head start. Now I'm afraid you're just going to have to eat my fumes."

Kevin growled as Lee burned away.

"Kevin!" Mariah called. "Don't-"

"Too late," Ray muttered as Kevin planted the boot, hurtling after the team captain.

Mariah shook her head. "That is just so immature. They're going to – Ray!"

Ray's fingers tightened on the wheel as he grinned. No way he was letting those two out of his sight this time. "Time to show them what this girl is capable of. Hang on, Mountain Cat, we're going for a ride."

~~~~*~~~~

Kai glanced quickly in the mirror, then looked again, chuckling softly. "Way to go, Ray."

He straightened his sunglasses, glaring at the traffic in front and sighing. It was nearing peak hour, and the highway was beginning to get busy. It didn't help that a truck was on the outside lane, meaning there was no lane for him to overtake. Nor did the fact that the car in front of him refused to simply let the truck overtake.

"Move, arsehole," Kai muttered, fingers tapping against the wheel. "Some of us have things to do." He glanced in the mirror again, sighing. "Might as well slow down, guys. Nowhere to go."

Seeing something out the corner of his eye, his eyes returned to the front, gasping as his hands yanked at the wheel. "Oh FU-"

~~~~*~~~~

A jagged piece of metal fell from the truck and bounced off the road, slashing the tire of the car beside it to shreds. The driver lost control, slamming into the side of the truck and spinning as the truck caught the median rail, jackknifing over the freeway.

The Viper swerved hard, tires screaming as it hit the car it followed, front end crumpling before it flipped, spinning several times to come to a stop, right way up. The motorbike missed the car, but was collected by the truck, rider flung over the front and sent tumbling down the road.

The green Holden slammed on its breaks, bike going under its wheels and sending it airborne, hitting the white car and sheering off its side due to the speed. Slamming into the ground, the Holden lodged itself under the truck as the truck came to a halt. Black 4WD slammed into the back of the first car, sending it lurching forward violently forward, red Holden smashing up its rear as it desperately tried to stop.

At the rear a silver Kia slammed on its breaks and slid to a halt, leaving a trail of smoke and burnt rubber as it was joined by the black Mercedes, both coming to a standstill just short of the wreckage.

On a tree nearby, a bird gave a sharp cry of alarm, fluttering from its perch and vanishing into the horizon.

I'm not sure if anyone's done a major car pile-up before, but ah well. So, who is going to walk away, and who will be carried away in a black bag…