Of Love and Death.

The Future Chapter 8: Snakes Vs. Stars Pt. 3

      Belfyre landed in the stadium, radiating power. He was pretty sure it was in that moment, when his expression shifted from cocky to serious, that Zusie figured out he'd been acting. Bel had to admit, the look on her face was hilarious. Her eyes widened and she took a step back. Yes Zusie, I do know what I'm doing, Bel thought to himself. He even smirked a little

      On the other side of the stadium, Kind Zebra landed more gently, barely making a sound. The bey glided smoothly across the surface, not making any grooves. It was kind of pretty to watch, and a bit hypnotizing.

     Zusie studied the stadium as the beys landed. Belfyre hit hard. A bit odd as that bey's specks had revealed how light it was. It would appear that Bel had put considerable force into the launch. It was a shame how bladers always thought more force made them more powerful. Sure, if you could handle it, the power was nice. If not, the bey would just spin out of control. If she had to guess, Zusie would say that the boy standing across from her would not be able to control the power.

     While on the other side of the stadium, Kind Zebra landed more gently, barely making a sound. The bey glided smoothly across the surface, not making any grooves. It was kind of pretty to watch, and a bit hypnotizing.

     The captain of the Blazing Stars looked up from the stadium. She expected to see panic on her opponents face as Bel realized his mistake. Instead, she saw someone completely different than before they had launched the beys. This person was confident and had a look in his eyes Zusie'd missed before. It was fierce and intelligent and she realized she'd let her guard down. That cockyness she'd seen had been an act. She'd been tricked.

      "Belfyre! Start off by attacking," Bel called out. Zusie watched in horror as Belfyre put on a boost of speed to charge straight at Zebra.

      Zusie had had a plan. Zebra had been going to trap Belfyre against the wall, then dart away and send it toward the spinning part of the stadium. She would have caused the opposing bey to spin out of control. It would have been nearly impossible to fool. Now, she had been startled into playing defense.

     "Zebra dodge it!" Zusie called out to her partner. She hoped she did a good job of disguising the desperation in her voice. She was pretty sure she did. Only, her instructions were too late. By the time the word had left her mouth Belfyre had already connected with Zebra, sending the bey flying into the air.

     Bel watched Zebra like a hawk as his opponent went flying into the air. The trajectory was straight up, so it was definitely plausible for Zebra and Zusie to recover. If they would, was the question. All of while, Belfyre was hovering just outside of the spinning section of the stadium. Bel's partner didn't seem to want to risk spinning out of control. 

     Bel felt the whole audience hold their breath as all the eyes became fixed on this one bey up in the air. The tension was palpable. His nerves, even if he wasn't showing it, were frayed beyond any hope for repair. Well, maybe good food and music would help. That always seemed to heal his nerves.

     Zusie shut her eyes. It was the only way she was going to be able to focus. Everything was happening too fast, she needed to block out everything. All noise, all light, all smell. The feel of sweat on her back and her feet pressing into the souls of her boots.

      Zusie took one breath. Then another. That was all the time she had to react, to form a new plan. Thankfully it was all she needed. She flung open her eyes, revealing the sight of her beloved partner a couple centimeters off of the ground. "Zebra!" She called out, her voice filled with emotion.

     Black and white light surrounded Zusie, slightly distorting her vision. A creature came forth from the beyblade. Not exactly the most decorated of a bey, Zebra was, more or less, a zebra. Only, this zebra had spiked battle armor. Mainly in the form of a chestplate and a helmet. Both had a black base and white spikes that stuck out at wicked angles. Zebra had grand gray eyes that shone with kindness. To be expected, considering her name.

     By some miracle or the strength of their bond, Zebra managed to stick the landing. Zusie didn't allow herself anytime to celebrate, and neither did her partner. This was the time to turn around and attack Belfyre.

      "Zebra, Illusion Strike!" The words were a call to action, and Zebra answered. The bey whipped around and spread toward where Belfyre was circling the stadium.

      Bel took an unconscious step back as Zebra sped toward Belfyre. The script had been flipped. Now he was on the defensive and Zusie on offense. "Belfyre meet them head on with Destruction Wrecker!" He cried out. The two beys had been too close together when Zebra started attacking, there was no time to get out of the way. The only thing Bel could hope to do was attack back. Any strategy that either he or his opponent had had was gone. Now it was only a contest of strength.

     A glowing light surrounded Bel and Belfyre. It was made from black and pink and gold. Bel sometimes found the colors of resonance funny. Like, from old battle recordings he's seen, Aiger and Father's resonance could be similar at times. But Father's and Fubuki's were completely different. Despite the fact that Father had worked with Fubuki for longer than Aiger. It was interesting. Like did it have to do with innate similarities or was it just coincidence? Maybe there was a greater meaning? Like it had to do with which fundamental force you were most in tune with?

     "Zebra and Belfyre are flying at each other! The power in the air is palpable!" The announcer's words could be heard. With a start, Bel realized he'd zoned out for a second. He shook his head, and refocused on the battle. 

     Belfyre and Zebra collided, black and white against black and gold and pink. The colors exploded out from the stadium. Bel shielded his eyes with his arm. The wind was fierce enough that the crowd could be heard exclaiming as it blew through the stands. "A fierce clash resounds through the stadium! But what will the outcome be?" Hanami Jr. called over the noise.

     Then Bel saw something fly past him out of the corner of his eye. He whirled around, his cape curling with the wind, just in time to see Belfyre land on the ground. He gritted his teeth, trying not to get mad. He'd lost the clash. He'd lost the clash. Thank goodness for Gabe, or else the Snakes would have lost in the first round. 

     Bel swallowed hard as he knelt down to pick up Belfyre off of the floor. The bey tried to reassure him. Don't feel bad, it was cl-  Belfyre began but got cut off by the ref. Bel sighed as the man in a striped shirt began speaking, just going to announce he'd lost. But, he was in for a surprise.

      "Simultaneous ring out finish! No points!" The ref called out. That elicited another round of loud cheering from the crowd. Seriously, how were their throats not dead yet?

      Bel was so happy he dropped his partner back on the floor. Hey! The bey indignantly squawked. They got a second chance to defeat Zusie! The first battle had been intense. Bel had a feeling that the second would only be harder. Yet his blood was pumping red-hot with excitement. This was why he battled. For the chance to prove that he could beat someone who was clearly tough. Yet that wasn't the only reason. It was also fun to put himself out there, and he got to meet tons of people. Not just the humans, but the occasional talking frog. That had been quite a day.

       Excuse me! Still on the floor here! Belfyre shouted.

      "Eeep!" Bel exclaimed, scrambling to pick up his partner. Once the bey was safely in his hand, he spun back around to face Zusie.

     The Blazing Star's captain was not happy. She was glaring daggers at Bel, causing the latter to blanch a bit. "That was a good battle," Zusie said, her voice expressionless. "However, me and Zebra will be the ones to take home the point."

So...we finally got around to a Roar Tournament battle. Only four chapters after it was declared and fifteen weeks after I said it was happening. 

In other news...I don't have other news I want to discuss. So...have a good day?

Sincerely Grayvere.