Crystallis

Crystallis

Summary: Kai follows Rei back to China, but they are closer to Crystallis than they expect. They encounter an enigmatic villager who will change their relationship. Meanwhile, Volten returns closer to Kai than ever before, and the Bladebreakers will reunite in a final bid to save their lives and save Max. Sequel to "Angel and Devil".

Same protocol, I do not own Beyblade.

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SoulSister: Well, actually not too long ago I was totally in a mess about Volten's motives... he can't be evil just like that, right? But now I think I've got it all figured out...

LoneWolfStar7: Erm, well, Dreamer hasn't found out yet... if you were referring to the last part, it's the Tainting Ceremony. Was it too ambigious?

Platinum Rei: Well, here we are, back to the story proper. And judging from your craving for Rei, i think you're gonna like this one...

Rumi-chan: Well, if he wasn't like that, he wouldn't be our Kai, right? Kai is mean... but look at how much meaner Tyson and Rei are combined! (But alone, no one matches Kai. Heh.)

~~~

Rei: What kind of title is 'The Attack! Kon's Angry Outrage'?

Trueangel: Well, I was trying to do an acrostic of 'Takao' (in loving memory, deceased 6th November 2003). Apparently, it didn't work out that well.

Rei: Yeah, Kai-

Kenny: *appeares to bash Rei's head*

Trueangel: What did you do that for?! We were just having a civil conversation...

Kenny: He mentioned Kai's name. With a 'yeah' in front.

Trueangel: But you should have waited for him to finish! It probably wasn't even remotely hentai!

Kenny: *shrug* Anyway, I now have the power of De-hentai-ist! I can bash your head or Kai's head if I want to!!!

Kai: *bashes Kenny's head*

Trueangel: -_-U

Kai: Sigh. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." -Lord Acton. You should be more careful when you give away bit beasts...

Trueangel: Yeah, I know now... talking about quotes, let me give you readers a little puzzle: who said "You are your own limit", and to whom? Free Volten Voodoo Dolls to all who guess correctly!

Kai: Argh. Volten. I have to get back to kicking his sorry ass...

Trueangel: Well, for tradition's sake, Kai, do the disclaimer before we get back to the fic.

Kai: Oh well, if I get to kick Volten's ass... Trueangel does not own Beyblade or any characters in this story except Uncle Lin, Mariah's Mom, the Village Elder, Xan, Dreamer, Light Dranzer, Titus/Hui, Drifter Titan, Insidion, Volten...

Trueangel: Alright, I think the lawyers and prospective plagarizers get the point... but anyway, here, have a Volten Voodoo Doll for effort.

Kai: >=) Volten, you are *SO* dead.

Trueangel: Erm, ok, back to the fic...

~~~

Chapter 8 The Attack! Kon's Angry Outrage

Titus trudged back towards the village, carrying both Max and Tyson. Well, with Drifter's help. His beyblade was spinning at his side, and Drifter had emerged, carrying Tyson's body, while Titus carried Max in his arms. As they neared the village, Titus saw Uncle Lin standing near the entrance. Uncle Lin would naturally be worried, he figured. He had been waiting for the Rei an the others for over an hour. However, Rei and Kai were not with him now. Uncle Lin quickly noticed that.

"Hui, where are Rei and Kai?"

"They're gone."

"Gone? What do you mean? And is this Max? Where did you find him? And Tyson... OH MY GOD! What happened to Tyson?! Hui, what happened?"

"I guess... it's time to tell you people everything. Get the White Tigers and meet me in Rei's house. Rei will need all the help he can get."

Uncle Lin wasn't used to accepting orders from people so much younger than him, but he sensed the seriousness in Titus' tone and quickly obliged. Sighing, Titus cointinued towards Rei's house.

=Rei's House=

Lee, Mariah, Kevin, Gary and Uncle Lin were gathered in Rei's house to listen to Titus. Max and Tyson were both lying on the bed in the room. Max was still unconscious. But Tyson... Titus had covered his face with the blanket as a sign of respect. They would be holding his funeral soon.

"So, that's what will happen..." Lee said as Titus finished his story.

"Yes."

"How can we help Rei?" Mariah asked.

"You won't be able to do anything in the battle with Volten. But when Rei returns to the village... he's gonna feel more lonely than ever."

"No... I feel so helpless, Rei shouldn't have to go through all this!" Mariah said.

"It's a torture Rei is willing to undergo. I know that you love Rei, Mariah, but Rei has chosen Kai, and he will do anything for Kai."

"But he doesn't know what will happen!" Lee growled.

"Nobody does."

"I... I'm sorry."

Saying that, Mariah ran out of the room. Uncle Lin sighed.

"That girl..."

"No, let me talk to her," said Titus.

Titus went out of the room. He found Mariah outside sitting on rge rge rock, looking into the starry sky.

"Mariah..."

"I wish that there was a way I could help Rei..."

"By supporting him after his battle with Volten, you are already doing him a great favour, Mariah."

"But..."

"Mariah, your love for Rei is the greatest gift you can give him. No matter how insignificant it seems to you, it means a lot to him."

"I... see."

"Take good care of Rei, Mariah."

"Why? Are you going somewhere?"

"No. It's just that... Rei will really, really need you to get through this ordeal."

Mariah turned to look at Titus, and smiled.

"Don't worry, I will."

=Somewhere=

"Master."

"Ah, you're here. How is it going on so far?"

"Well... not too good, I'm afraid."

"Sacrifices have to be made, no matter how painful they are."

"Yes, but still..."

"You are developing a soft spot for them. But never mind. How is the boy?"

"He's doing ok, master, but he still needs guida"
"

"Guidance, you say?"

"Yes. He doesn't even have a clue as to where to start. Should I-"

"No. From now on, he has to find things out for himself. Besides... he will soon be pushed to discover the power."

"You don't mean..."

"Unfortunately, yes. The enemy has found another way to get closer."

"But then..."

"No more sacrifices will have to be made. I have faith in that boy. After all, isn't it remarkable that he has managed to proceed thus far?"

"That is true... it is amazing how he has managed to control the power and not let it take over him."

"Indeed. Even our kind were immediately overwhelmed by it. But he... nothing has happe Tha That's the amazing thing. And that's why I believe... he's the one destined to use this power."

"Perhaps... if there's nothing else, I shall be returning."

"I'm curious... you work there is basically done, so why do you still keep returning?"

"Well, I... er... I feel somehow responsible for all that has happened so far."

"No, I think it is not because of this. But never mind, you can leave."

"Thank you, master."

=With Rei and Kai=

The wind whipped around Kai's ears as he and Rei dashed through the forest.

"Where are we going?" he shouted.

"There's an empty lodge in the forest. The White Tigers and I used to camp there. It's been deserted for quite some time, so I thought we could stay there for now."

Xiaohu leaped over a fallen tree, almost causing Kai to fall off.

"Are you sure you know the way? The woods look all the same to me."

Kai ducked just in time to avoid a low branch.

"Don't worry. We used to play with Xiaohu there. He'll know."

Xiaohu swerved around a tree, with Kai clinging on desperately.

"what's Xiaohu trying to do; kill me?"

Rei laughed, while Kai was slapped in the face by a branch of leaves that promptly snapped.

"It's nothing. Once you get used to it, it's quite thrilling, really."

Suddenly, a gunshot pierced the air. Xiaohu jerked to a halt, flinging Kai off him.

"OwowowowOW!"

"Did you hear that?"

"What, Xiaohu saying 'Die, Kai!"?"

"No. A gunshot."

"Well... yeah."

"Hunters. What are they doing here? This area is protected by the government!"

"Poachers don't give a damn about laws."

"Well, I do," replied Rei, as he leapt off Xiaohu and walked into the woods.

"Where are you going?"

"To stop them."

"You're crazy! They've got guns and everything!"

"What they're doing is wrong."

It was a simple statement, yet Kai couldn't say anything to refute that. He watched Xiaohu turn to follow Rei.

"Xiaohu, what are you doing? There're poachers out there! Stay with Kai, I'll be back soon."

Xiaohu shook his head defiantly.

"Fine! If you want to be shot to death, then so be it," said Rei, exasperated.

"Xiaohu doesn't want to lose you, Rei. Neither do I. I'm coming too."

"The two of you... oh, whatever. But don't blame me if anything happens."

There was another shot. The three of them ran towards the source of the noise. Soon, they arrived at a clearing. There was an nguinguished campfire beside a tent. Obviously there had been people here not too long ago, and they were going to return. Indeed, Rei and Kai soon heard voices from the nearby bushes.

"It was a real pity we missed that one, eh?"

"Yeah, a real beaut' that was. I'd reckon it'll fetch about a thousand or so."

Just then, two male figures emerged from behind the bushes. For a moment, they were shocked to see Rei, Kai, and Xiaohu, but their expressions quickly turned to one of anger.

"Hey, what are you kids doing here?" the first man shouted.

"Oh look, Reuben, they've got a tiger with them. Forget about the other one, this one is twice as good," said the second man.

"Poaching is illegal," said Rei.

"Don't interfere in our business. I could shoot you dead right now, and no one will know. Now, hand over that tiger we'lwe'll consider sparing you," said the man named Reuben.

"Over my dead body," said Kai. "Rei, let me deal with him."

"No. Please stand back, Kai, this is my business."

"Unwilling, eh? Well, I guess we'll just have to do it my way," said Reuben.

A gunshot rang throughout the air.

"No, REI!" screamed Kai.

Then, the roar of a tiger.

"Xiaohu, NO!" shouted Rei.

Ah, yes... your anger, let it grow...

The bullet had pierced through Xiaohu's chest, and he now lay on the ground, unconscious.

"Oh well. Guess it wasn't that difficult after all. Now, if you kids know what's good for you, the two of you should back off," said Reuben.

"You... you BRUTE!" screamed Rei.

Sweet, delicious rage...

Rei clutched Driger in his hand.

"Go, Driger! Tiger Roar attack!"

Rei's Driger emerged from the grey beyblade spinning on the ground, and leat out a deafening roar. The ground trembled.

Your anger is turning into hatred... soon, there shall be no return...

"Stop it, Rei! We can just hand them over to the police!" shouted Kai.

"No, Kai! Not after what they did to Xiaohu... Driger, Tiger Claw!"

Driger leapt at the two poachers and slashed furiously, leaving deep gashes all over them. Kai could tell that this was much more powerful than Rei's usual Tiger Claw.

Yes, feed on your hatred... draw upon the powerful energy...

"Rei, STOP IT!"

"I will avenge Xiaohu, and all the countless innocent animals you have murdered! Driger... Savage Fury!"

Driger dashed towards the poachers with it's teeth bared. It pinned them both to the ground and started ripping through them with its fangs.

"NO!!!" Kai screamed.

Yes! Rei... you are mine.

Exhausted from the sudden surge in energy, Rei collapsed to the ground, as Driger disappeared back into its beyblade. Kai caught Rei just before he hit the ground.

"Rei... Rei. Wake up."

Rei opened his eyes groggily.

"Kai? What... what happened?"

"I... I don't know how to say this..."

Rei covered his mouth as he gasped in shock.

"No! I..."

"It's ok, Rei, it's ok," said Kai trying to calm him down. "It... you were blinded by anger. It's ok."

"IT'S NOT OK! I... I'm now different from them... a murderer..."

"You're not a murderer. You were just trying to do something right..."

"Don't you hate me, Kai? After what I did?"

"I would never hate you. All I saw was your loyalty, and your righteousness."

"I..."

"Come on, Rei. It's ok. Let's get to the lodge... we can talk there."

"Well... ok."

Rei stood up, and walked over to Xiaohu. Kneeling down, he put one hand on his friend's paw.

"Xiaohu, I... I'm sorry. I'm sorry all this had to happen... that we had to part so soon after we reunited... but I'll never forget all the times we've been together, and how you've helped me."

Rei stood up, took one last glance at what was left of the poachers, then walked away with Kai.

~~~

Kai: What the hell? More deaths?

Trueangel: I promise, this is the last of it. For this story, anyway.

Kai: It had better be. The casualty count for this series so far is 5.

Trueangel: I know, I know... now, review!

Kai: You know, you haven't exactly have had a lot of reviews... about 3-5 per chapter only.

Trueangel: Well, it takes time for an author to build a presence... nevertheless, I'm offering gifts to all reviewers! Limited edition Kai plushies made by Kai for all who review this chapter!

Kai: Since when did I agree?

Trueangel: Since now.

Kai: ...

Trueangel: Oh all right... how about a life-sized Rei plushie?

Kai: Ooh... ok! ^_^

Trueangel: -_-U Heheh, you just need to know which strings to pull... ah well, review! And don't forget the quote puzzle!