Disclaimer: We don't own Bakuten Shoot.
Notes: In this chapter, Blader DJ has a name. This name is in fact made up, because we don't actually know what it is. So don't take it as being fact. We own the name, but not the character. Well… to be fair, we don't actually own the name either.
…what do we own come to think on it?
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade – Doom Chronicle
Chapter One- To Find the Purpose of Oneself.
'There is no choice but to seek and to loose'
He sighed, slumping back further against the wall, storm grey eyes flicking nervously at the clock situated to his right.
12:19
In just over forty minutes the deadline for entering into this year's tournament would be up and Takao doubted that the rules could be bent for him, despite being three times world champion. Somehow he couldn't see 'I was waiting for Kai to turn up' being a valid excuse. For the second year running.
Takao let out the breath he had been holding in with a little puff and reached up to alter his trademark cap. When he realised what he was doing he let his hands drop to his lap. Max had always said that Takao fidgeted when anxious, and Takao was damned if he'd admit that he was really starting to worry about his wayward team- mate.
He glanced at the clock again.
12:22
Flexing his fingers once, Takao set about calming his mind down, closing his eyes and crossing his arms, mirroring Kai's favourite stance in the hope that mimicking his ice cool friend would help him to ease his nerves. Thinking about Kai's gestures made his mind seem to settle upon him, weighing his friend- come- rival up.
Last year Kai had pulled a frighteningly similar stunt to this, showing up only when Takao had been given an extra five minutes to register. Chances were that Kai was either so over-inflated with his ego that he felt like he had to show up seconds from being too late, or he was simply letting his sardonic sense of humour slip free and deemed it amusing to make Takao teeter on the edge of a mental breakdown. Either seemed plausible.
12:26
Takao swore when he realised that his eyes had settled back upon the wall clock once again.
Perhaps if he didn't pay attention to the clock, then the time would pass quicker, and Kai would walk through those doors, just like many other bladers had through the day. Albeit the large crowd that had gathered earlier had thinned out, and the masses of fans had filtered into the stands, attempting to find a seat ready to watch the teams battle each other in an attempt to become Japan's new representatives.
What bugged Takao most of all was that they hadn't automatically qualified. Normally the BBA team would advance straight to the final rounds, as they were rightful representatives for the illustrious organisation. Yet this year they had to battle against the lesser teams. They had to fight their way to the later rounds; they had to fight to be rightful competitors in this year's competition.
Not that Takao thought they wouldn't make it, in fact he was more than confident enough in his team's ability; however it wasn't what was normal. They should have qualified; they should be training to take on the bigger teams…
Takao sighed and reclined back in the chair, his gaze drifting back up to the clock once more.
12:47
Now it was getting close to the time, and Takao could feel a sickening pang in his stomach. He couldn't believe he doubted Kai, of all the people to doubt, why him? Did he not think that he would show up? No, Kai would show. He may be an inconsiderate bastard at times, but surely he would have let them know he'd quit.
'But Rei didn't.' Takao cringed at the instant reminder of Rei's disappearance. He was sick with worry for his former team-mate's safety. He wanted to know if Rei was alright and well. Most of all he wanted to know why he wasn't here, and why he had let them down.
He now knew that Rei hadn't jumped ships once again, as the Bai-Fu-Zu had arrived after the closure of the Chinese Qualifiers. Rai, Mao, Kiki and Gao had all won their respective battles, and were once more the official team. Rei hadn't been with them.
The American Qualifiers had been held before the World Championships were announced – for what reason, Takao could not comprehend – and so their team was ready and waiting, and had arrived with Max. The PPB Allstars were prepared long before every other country, and Takao thought that in a way it would save the worry and stress he was feeling at this particular moment, had Japan done the same.
The Majestics had landed in Japan a short while after the PPB Allstars, and their team was also ready. As Takao had been informed earlier that day, the Russian Qualifiers had ended a few short hours ago. Team Neo-Borg would be arriving soon, if not by the end of today.
12: 58
Takao stood, and brushed his hands over his t-shirt. He couldn't wait any longer; he doubted that the officials would allow for them to go over the allotted deadline. Casting one last glance at the door, Takao only half expected to see Kai there, so he was not in for much of a shock to see that the doorway was empty. Takao shook his head sadly and made his way over to the desk, his former excitement long gone. At least last year his team mates had bothered to tell him that they wouldn't be on the BBA. This year they hadn't even seen fit to tell him, and that hurt worse then them leaving for other teams.
"Ah! Kinomiya-san! I was worried that you were going to sit there all day. There are no problems I trust?" The attendant caught his attention, giving him a wide smile.
Takao stretched a wan smile across his lips and spread his hands, "Sort of, but I suppose these things can't be helped. Will you pass me that pen?"
"Sorry, of course!" The attendant hurriedly swivelled the paper upon which the teams signed, to face towards Takao and offered him the BBA pen.
He hesitated before reaching forwards to pluck the pen from the outstretched hand. Breathing a heavy sigh, he reached forwards and wrote: BBA Revolution; Kinomiya Takao, Mizuhara Max, Sumarugi Daichi.
Without sparing a second glance, Takao handed it back.
The attendant grinned and looked pointedly at the clock. "Just in time Kinomiya-san!" She looked down at the paper and Takao noted grimly that her eyes widened in surprise. "No Hiwatari- sama or Kon-san?" She asked, confused that Takao seemed to have forgotten half of his team.
In return he simply shrugged and sent her regretful smile. "Not this year."
She gave him a gentle smile. "Perhaps Hiwatari- sama is late, or pulling the same joke as last year. Are you sure that you don't want to wait? I can give you another ten minutes if you want. The sheet doesn't have to be given in 'til half one." The attendant offered. Takao felt his stomach knot tighter. He could take her up on that. He could well be the butt of one of Kai's sense of humour.
Or, he could finally admit what his gut had been telling him from the start.
"No, Kai won't be here."
Without looking back, Takao walked away, leaving the building behind in search of his friends and team.
"Are you serious?" Max all but shrieked.
Takao nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately, yes. Kai didn't turn up, so Daichi was right all along. It was going to be just the three of us." He looked pointedly at the red-haired boy who was running around, hyper over the fact that he had a permanent spot on the team. "I guess we were lucky that monkey-boy did come here after all."
"Watch who you're calling monkey-boy, you pig! I could quite easily walk away, you know." Daichi paused in his jumping to threaten the new Captain. "I'm sure plenty of teams would be more than willing to compensate for a World Champion blader to be on their side."
Takao sighed. "I know, Daichi. I was only messing."
"I can't believe it though… No Rei, or Kai. This is awful!" Max rubbed at his eyes to stop any tears from forming. "I really hoped that we would be reunited this year."
"You're not the only one, Maxie." Takao turned Dragoon over on his palm. "Damnit." He clenched the blade tightly.
Takao's head lifted at the feel of a hand on his shoulder. Max smiled at him. "It's alright, Captain Takao. We will still be unbeatable, ne?"
"Yeah. You're right, as always." Takao felt his spirits lift at his sudden confidence. He was now Captain, and he would lead this new team to victory.
Max winked. "Of course I'm right. Did you expect any less?"
Takao laughed, and for the first time since Takao had got back Kyoujyu looked up from his laptop. "I'm on the official site. They are going to be announcing the battle line ups soon."
"What do you mean soon? How soon?" Takao walked over so that he stood directly behind Kyoujyu.
Kyoujyu pointed out the timetable. "Another 40 minutes. That's not very long at all. We should head back over to the main building as soon as we can; I want to see who we're up against."
"Does it matter who we're up against? We'll trash them all!" Takao punched the air, which roused a round of cheers from Max and Daichi.
"I want to make sure, that's all." Kyoujyu sighed and adjusted his glasses. He clicked onto another page, and it brought up a window with some familiar faces.
Takao did a double take. "That's Robert!"
"You're right, Takao. It is Robert." Kyoujyu clicked another button, and more faces appeared. Max and Daichi joined Takao behind Kyoujyu.
"Kyou, what is that all about?" Max asked, as his eyes scanned down the page. Robert, Giancarlo, Olivier, and Johnny. All snapshot photos, and relevant data next to them.
"This tells us how they did in their qualifiers." Kyoujyu smiled. "In fact, it tells you all the results for all of the teams that qualified."
"Oh my God! Look at that." Takao pointed underneath Robert's photograph. "Robert lost a match! I wonder what happened? I bet he was gutted."
Kyoujyu nodded. "But also note that it was the only match they lost. And…" He pointed next to the result. "It was a forfeit."
"Does it say why he forfeited?" Takao snorted. "Bet he was too scared to face off against his opponent."
Max laughed. "I don't think so, Takao. This is Robert we're talking about after all."
"He forfeited due to illness," Kyoujyu stated matter-of-factly. The others stared at him. "I talked to him earlier when he phoned. He said that Johnny had left in a huff because he'd been dropped from the match. Robert had insisted that he was feeling well enough. Then a couple of minutes before his match he collapsed from a fever."
Takao's mouth opened in an 'o' shape, and then shut again. "I see… Hey, what about the other teams? Got their data on here?"
Kyou nodded emphatically. "Of course!" Takao shifted to sit besides the youngest member of his team and waited for Kyoujyu to bring up more links. "The PPB Allstars didn't lose a match and the Bai Fu Zu lost one match to a relatively new team, but obviously, due to points they got through easily. This morning we also learned that, unsurprisingly, Neo- Borg stormed to victory in Russia, but like you said, Takao, Yuriy wasn't with them. From the Indio- Australian area an until now unheard of team called 'Spin Warriors' got through without a single loss and as far as I know representing Africa are a team of girls called 'The Blading Angels', a team who hails from South Africa." Kyoujyu grinned, his cheeks heating up as he brought up the image of four girls. "They're all really pretty too." He cooed. Takao glanced half- heartedly at them, not quite seeing what Kyoujyu was. All four looked extremely serious and strangely displeased.
Takao scrunched his nose up at the unfriendly girls. "So, anyway- 'Spin Warriors' and 'The Blading Angels'. Ones to watch out for?"
"Undoubtedly." Kyoujyu replied and flicked to another page showing some of their stats. "They're both pretty good, and both held their own in their respective tournaments. However the data shows that they may not be too much of a threat. Just treat them with extreme caution and you should be fine."
"Is that all?" Max chirped from Kyoujyu's right shoulder.
Kyoujyu glanced at him. "Well no. F. Sangrine and Barthez Soldiers are entered automatically due to their places last year and also-" Kyoujyu paused and brought up yet another new screen, "There seems to be a team called 'Chaos League' entering this year's tournament."
"Chaos League? Is that dramatic enough?" Takao deadpanned. Max giggled in agreement.
Kyoujyu fixed them with a stern look, "Yes, well despite the name, the fact that I can find no information on them whatsoever suggests that they are a brand new team, because, not only that, but the only thing I can read is that they haven't won a single match."
Takao looked incredulous, "How in Gods name are they in the tournament then?"
Kyoujyu pushed his glasses further up his nose and looked calculating for a moment. "Well, to be fair, they've never lost a match either. I think that- chances are- someone high up in authority has a kid who's into blading or something and has… to put it bluntly offered quite a large amount of money to allow them the chance to break into the sport. It would explain the name anyway. I can hardly see some kind of official like Barthez coming up with a title like that."
"Is that even legal?" Max enquired.
"No, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't take place. However, this is just presumptions. Simply treat them with caution and you should breeze through to the finals where the big teams are waiting. I'd imagine that it will come down to Team BBA vs. Neo Borg again."
Max smiled. "It does seem to fall that way."
"Yeah, although it will be different this year without Kai and Yuriy. They really seemed to make the matches what they were- friendly competition turned into battle between nemeses," Takao commented.
"Then we'll just have to try twice as hard, and show them what they're missing out on," Kyoujyu said, snapping his laptop shut. "Let's go over to the stadium."
Takao nodded. "Yeah. Maybe we could see some of the others too. Hey!" He nudged Max as they made their way to the door. "If we see your Mama, maybe we could ask her to do some upgrades."
"I really doubt that she'd be willing to help out the opposition, Ta-kun." Max laughed, and linked his arm around his Captain's. "Besides, we've got Kyoujyu, who could ask for more, ne?"
"True, true!" Takao chuckled nervously.
"He modified our shooters too, ne, Kyoujyu!" Max bounded forward, dragging Takao with him.
"I did, Max." Kyoujyu shot a glare at Takao. "And I hope some people appreciate the hard work I put into it."
"Eheh. I hear you, Kyou." Takao smirked. "Now let's get going!"
Blader DJ sighed, and adjusted his bandanna. He was feeling a little nervous over the tournament this year, especially after last year's uproar. The situations seemed to get worse with each new competition. He put it down to being some sort of curse.
He coughed, and stared into the mirror. "Welcome to the 2005 World Championship Japanese Qualifying rounds. I will be your official referee, Blader DJ and-"
"Somehow I don't think it's normal to talk to yourself in the mirror like that."
Blader DJ turned around to face the intruder. "Good afternoon, Hitoshi."
"Afternoon." Hitoshi bowed his head a little, and closed the door behind him. "Has Daitenji been to see you yet?"
"No. He's due to arrive here in another couple of minutes, why?"
"His information on the whereabouts of certain bladers is sketchy. He's worrying my brother to death." Hitoshi paused and sighed. "I just want to know where they are, so I can at least put Takao's mind at ease."
Blader DJ chuckled. "I think someone has a brother complex." He pointedly ignored the glare sent in his direction. "I'm sure if anything was wrong they'd have let you know. I can enquire for you when he gets here, and I'll meet you later."
"Thanks, Tetsuya." Hitoshi stepped closer, and let his hand brush across the material of Blader DJ's bandanna.
"What are you doing!" He asked, and jumped a little at the contact.
Hitoshi smirked. "Your bandanna is loose, that's all. I'm fixing it."
Tetsuya blushed lightly and stepped back, pulling a mock hurt expression, "Thank you, Mama, now, if you please...? I have important business to attend to."
Hitoshi chuckled and spread his hands out. "Right, right," he replied apologetically, moving to leave the small room. He paused at the door and threw his parting shot over his shoulder. "Though I'd be careful not to break the mirror, seven years is a long time you know."
He laughed heartily when Tetsuya simply flipped him off, and left the room.
"In the starting round, we'll see the clash of titans as Neo Borg faces off agains-"
"Do you do that every year, my boy?" A warm voice interrupted his speech, causing Blader DJ to spin around, eyes wide in fright. Quickly he calmed when he set eyes upon who had invaded his thoughts.
"Daitenji-sama! I wasn't expecting you for another ten minutes or so," he said breathlessly.
The man in question smiled and nodded. "Startle you did I, DJ- kun?" He questioned with a chuckle, amused by the light flush that had spread across the younger man's cheeks, obviously embarrassed at being caught in the act, not only once, but twice.
"Yes, I have to admit that you did," Tetsuya replied sheepishly, though he shook it off, not a moment later, falling back into his professional role. "So, sir, are the line ups ready? I was hoping to have a look at the details of any new teams in advance, so that I could show less favouritism in introducing the teams that I am familiar with."
Daitenji nodded and reached into a pocket, quickly fishing out a disk. He moved over towards the laptop situated in the corner of the room and inserted the CD silently, his usual cheery smile gone as he concentrated on bringing up the adequate information.
"As you must know, there are three new teams entering this year, one of which, I'm sure you've heard, has some controversy about its origins."
DJ nodded and moved towards the screen. "Yeah, I was wondering if it was even legal. Some have said that they're a team of rich kids who've gotten in purely through means of money."
Daitenji nodded once, taking on a distant look, "Yes, rumours are rife, however, I assure you that they will all die out once the tournament begins and more renowned teams start picking off their opponents. Ah, here we go… our three new candidates for the championship winning team." He said once the disk had finally loaded. "I trust that this will suffice?"
DJ frowned and leaned in closer, quickly scanning through information and flipping through pages of statistics for a few minutes. Then he abruptly stopped.
"Daitenji-sama?" his voice was small, barely concealing shock. The president of the BBA placed a hand upon the young man's shoulder and gave him a grim nod. "But… how? This is… unprecedented." He floundered for words and looked up at the elderly man as if seeking reassurance, yet for the first time, he found none. "Daitenji-sama…" He tried again. "What is this?"
Daitenji remained silent.
"Ha! Just like I said, we beat them all!" Takao punched the air with his fist, as the BBA team filed into the changing room. Kyoujyu hurried to the nearest seat, anxious to flip open his laptop and enter some data onto it.
Max sighed, and flopped down onto the nearest bench. "M-oo-u, I'm so exhausted! Some of those battles were very, very hard, ne?"
"Hard? I don't think so, Max!" Daichi jumped around, his Strata-Dragoon clutched in on hand. "Man, I'm so pumped for the next round. I can't wait!"
Hiromi laughed. "Well you'll have to, Daichi. The first matches don't start for another day or so, and they won't tell us the line ups until tomorrow morning. You know, that huge meeting at 11?"
Daichi frowned. "I know, I know! Still, I'm so excited."
"Well calm down a little, ne? Otherwise this…" Hiromi ruffled the red-haired boy's hair. "Won't be clear enough to even think, and you'll end up making mistakes."
"She's right." Takao sat down next to Max. "We all need to keep clear minds. As much as I hate to say it- we have to be more like Kai. We don't have him, or Rei, around to keep us level-headed this time. So we'll have to do the thinking for ourselves."
Max rubbed his forehead. "Man, Takao, I think you just grew up!"
"Shut up!" Takao thwacked Max's leg, letting his hand linger next to the skin for a little while.
Max chuckled. "Sorry, Ta-kun. No harm meant. You just sounded so… so… mature! It's not befitting, you know?"
"I know. Still, one of us has to be, and as Captain I suppose it will have to be me." Takao pulled at the edge of his t-shirt. "I mean, isn't it time I started to act more responsibly? I have a team to look out for now, after all. Damn it!" He hit his head with his palm.
"What's wrong?" Max asked.
"I'm sympathising with bloody Kai! God, how in the world did he put up with me?" Takao looked at the floor. "I'm such an idiot."
"Yeah, you are." Max grinned.
"Hey!" Takao spluttered, bringing his gaze sharply up. "You weren't meant to agree with me!"
Everyone laughed in response, only fuelled on by Takao's wounded look.
The rest of the day had been spent practicing, Daichi and Max joining himself in refining their teamwork moves. It was hard enough to control one blade, but to rely upon another to have not only that same control, but the ability to understand your own. Well… it was an uphill struggle to say the least. Takao could only thank the Heavens that the three boys and their entourage of two got on amiably enough. Although, to his surprise, arguments most often broke out between Max and Daichi, rather then himself and Daichi as he'd expected.
Now, in the stillness of late night, the others were taking his advice on going to their beds in order to get a full night's sleep. He thought it ironic that he was the only one not following his mature suggestion, but he knew that sleep simply would not come.
He sighed, shivering slightly as a tiny, but cool breeze ruffled his hair and nightclothes. The sudden touch of still air caused him to curl into himself more, tightening his grip around his shins.
Takao raised his head to regard the small Japanese garden, hoping that the delicate fragrance of jasmine and the steady trickle of water would help him quell his unease. He didn't bother to stifle the yawn that answered and set his chin back upon his knees, pondering what exactly was making him feel such discomfort.
"A penny for your thoughts?" A familiar voice, softened in concern and simple courtesy to not awaken the others, reached his ears.
Takao found himself smiling tiredly, though he did not shift his gaze from the small pond before him.
"Do you have a couple of million yen to spare?" He replied. He heard the soft pad of socked feet approach from his left, before stopping close to him. Without need for an invitation, the other sat down beside him, close enough to offer firm support, but not enough to suffocate, respectful of distance.
"I'm sure I could get a loan," he joked once he was seated.
Takao smiled again and glanced sideways, catching eyes, so much like his own, even to the subtle crimson hues. "As much as I appreciate it, you taking a loan out for me would only add to my bothers Ni-san," he replied.
Hitoshi gave a resigned smile. "Well then, I'll offer my services on credit," he offered. Takao gave a brief half smile and turned his gaze forwards once again. "So, care to tell me what's gotten you sitting on the porch, looking forlorn at twelve thirty in the morning, Taa-chan?"
Takao let the use of his childish nickname calm his mind a little as he turned back to regard his brother. He couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth run through him. "That late, huh? Sorry, I guess I just got carried away by my thoughts," he responded.
"Then share them. If you let your problems weigh down on you, then you'll get distracted. That's not going to be good for the leader of a team."
"I know." Takao sighed, and averted his gaze to the sky. "I'm just wondering if we'll be good enough. We have the teamwork, but I don't know if we have the skills to make it all the way."
"If you worry yourself with those thoughts, then you won't make it." Hitoshi stood, and walked towards the Do-Jo. "Think about it Takao. Without trust, there is no team. Now I suggest you get some sleep, you know that you have to be up early tomorrow." He walked inside, leaving Takao alone once more.
Hitoshi was right. As Captain he had to have complete faith in his team-mates. If he didn't have any in their abilities, how on earth would they be able to battle together? Without that fundamental element of trust, the team would fall to pieces, and there would be no hope in hell of them making it anywhere. It didn't matter if Rei or Kai were on the team, what mattered was that they had one, and all that he could do was make it the best that he could. He had to be the leader, and he would have to try his best to keep them together through each challenge.
Takao pushed himself to his feet, yawning as he retreated back to his room. He was feeling tired now, and wanted nothing more than to curl up under his blankets, to sleep away the rest of his worries. They could wait for another day, because at this moment all that he should worry about was right before him. His team. His friends. He may not know where his ex-team-mates were, but somewhere in the recess of his mind, he knew they were safe, and that would have to suffice for the moment.
Hitoshi watched his brother head towards his room, and a bitter smile graced his face. 'I hope that you're strong enough to face what comes next, Takao. They're going to need you.'
Go ahead, I'm dreaming now.