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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Alright, reviewers! Here are your gifts: a video of the entire story (including this chapter)! And yes, it includes the yaoi scenes... so you'd better start hiding it! And if anyone asks, I didn't give it to you, ok? ;)

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LoneWolfStar7: Yeah, I agree, it's kinda sad... lets hope this cahpter is a bit better (but I sesly sly doubt it).

SoulSister: Yay, you get the point I was trying to make. Dreamer was too innocent and trusting for his own good, while Volten became what he was because of a moment of rashness. Just goes to show everyone's human...

Rumi-Chan: Oh my gosh, a relapse... Kai and Rumi-chan have gone ban. He. Heh, bananas. BANANAS!!! (Leon: Damn, this is getting contagious... I'd better go research a cure or something.)

Platinum Rei: (Leon: Heh. I was the one who gave A-chan the idea of the KaRe playsets. Glad you loved it.)

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Leon: Welcome to the final chapter of-

Xan: WHERE'S TRUEANGEL?! I waited so long for my part in the Chronicles and all I got was just ONE FREAKIN' MENTION?

Leon: Er, A-chan's currently-

Kai: TRUEANGEL!!! You're gonna pay for what you did to my Rei!!!

Leon: A-chan is-

Rei: Oh man, I am SO going to kick Trueangel's ass for giving me to the fangirls!!!

Leon: LOOK, A-chan is undergoing psychiatric treatment for the Monkey Syndrome!

Kai: Heh, monkey... no, this isn't the time for a relapse...

Xan: Well, we aren't leaving until Trueangel comes out!

Leon: Do I have to do this again... *starts casting Noah* NO-

Kai: OH NO YOU DON'T! *covers Leon's mouth*

Leon: MMPFH!!!

Rei: Let's take him hostage... Trueangel is bound to come for him.

Xan: Ok.

*Rei, Kai, Xan & Leon leave*

*A few minutes pass*

Trueangel: Is everyone gone? Good... Oh man, I've gotta bail Leon out later... but for now, enjoy this chapter!

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Chapter 11 The Parting of Lovers

"How's Max?"

"He's still asleep."

Titus and Mariah stood outside Max's room, talking.

"Titus-"

"Please, call me Hui. I am no longer Titus."

"Huh?"

"I've already left Light Dranzer. Even though I can return to Hell whenever I want and take back my devil body... I probably won't. I'm no longer a devil. I'm a human."

"But why?"

"Being a devil is not something I'm proud of. I helped Volten commit so many crimes... It tot to put thet bet behind me and live a new life. Besides, I feel responsible for what happened to Max... and Tyson."

"Hui, it wasn't your fault..."

"My mind tells me that. But my heart feels otherwise... I could have gotten there earlier. I could have helped Kai find Crystallis earlier. But..."

"No, it wasn't your fault! Volten... Volten is the one-"

"Please, don't say anymore, Mariah. I know what you are trying to do, and I thank you for it, but this is something I have to handle."

"Well... but don't be too harsh on yourself, ok?"

"Thanks. I think I'll go in to see Max now... wait, you had something you wanted to say to me?"

"Oh, it's nothing. You can go see Max."

"I'm not in a hurry. You can ask me anything."

"It's nothing, really. You can go in. I'll be returning home now."

"Well, ok, if you say so... see you later."

"Yeah, bye."

Hui watched as Mariah walked out of the house. He sighed as he turned to enter Max's room.

"Is it just guilt I'm feeling?" Hui asked himself. "Or is there more?"

Hui saw Max lying on the bed in the room. He looked so peaceful. However, Hui knew that within Max's mind, a terrible war raged between Max and Volten. And this was a battle that only Max could fight. But even if Max won... how long would he have peace before Volten returned to torment him further? Ultimately, it was Kai who held Max's fate, along with everyone else's, in his hand.

"Kai... for Max and everyone else you love, please win," Hui prayed silently.

Earlier on, the doctor had come to check on Max. He was sorry to have to bother the doctor like that, but Hui was strongly opposed to bringing Max to the hospital, despite knowing better. Hui wanted to be close to Max so that he could take care of him. But anyway, the doctor had said that Max was fine. The only thing left was for Max to wake up.

Hui knew that he had a way to help Max wake from his coma. All he had to do was to return to his body, then enter Max's mind to help hbim fight Volten. For a while, Hui had been torn between his desire to help Max, and his resolution to leave behind his past. But in the end, he chose the latter because he knew that Max would win. Hui trusted Max to be strong enough to fight back. He had to be.

Just then, Mariah burst through the door.

"Hui... Rei, he's gone!"

"I know."

"You what?!"

"Mariah, Rei is under the control of Volten. Even if we were there to stop him, he would just fight his way out. Then what would we have? More deaths?"

"But..."

"Look, Mariah, Kai is the only one who can stop Volten now. There is nothing we can do but hope."

"You'd better be right about this."

"I'm not the one who can save Rei. Kai is. Do you trust Kai?"

"Rei loves Kai... I guess I can trust him."

"Hmm, it's dangerous to trust someone because of someone else. But since you do trust Kai, then you should return home and rest."

"I... alright."

Mariah turned to leave the room. However, just as she was about to close the door behind her, Hui spoke.

"And... hope is a powerful thing."

After Mariah left, Hui turned back to Max, and held his hand tightly.

"You see that, Max? Kai is going to fight Volten to save everyone he loves, including you... so for his sake, you have to wake up. And for my sake as well..."

Suddenly, Hui thought he saw Max's eye twitch.

"Max?"

Max moved a finger. There was no mistaking it now.

"Max, you're awake!"

Slowly, Max opened his eyes.

"Who are you... where am I?"

"Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself yet... I'm Hui. You're- MAX?!"

Max had suddenly jerked into an upright position. His hand clutched his head as he screamed in pain.

"AAAHH... Get out of my head... stop it! STOP IT!!!"

"No... Volten!"

Max rolled of the bed onto the floor, and he assumed a kneeling position. Hui walked closer.

"Volten, stop it! Haven't you done enough damage to Max already?"

Suddenly, Max stood up and glared at Hui, with an unmistakable evil glint in his eyes.

"Titus. Where is Kai?"

"Max, I know you can hear me inside there! You have to fight Volten!" Hui shouted, ignoring Volten's words.

Volten glided forward and swiftly pinned Hui to the wall with inhuman strength, his hand around Hui's neck.

"I'll ask you again. Where is Kai?"

"Max, I know you can fight back!"

"Don't force-"

Suddenly, Max dropped Hui as he clutched his head again.

"No... stop it, Volten! GET OUT!!!"

"Max, fight him, don't let Volten win..."

Hui held Max's arm and guided him to the bed. Max had stopped thrashing about, but his head still hurt. Hui gently pushed Max onto the bed.

"Rest, Max... don't think of anything else except fighting Volten."

For a moment, Hui heard Volten's voice again.

"Titus, it's useless- Stop it, Volten! Leave my friends alone!"

Then, just as quickly as it had started, Max collapsed back onto the bed. After a while, he opened his eyes again.

"Hui... is Volten gone?"

"Yeah, for now. Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm ok. Thanks for helping me, Hui."

"It's nothing."

"Hey, where's Tyson? I... I had a weird dream that I killed him..."

Hui sighed as he realised he was to be the bearer of the bad news.

"What's wrong? T-tell me what happened to Tyson!"

"It was... Volteolteolten... killed him."

+++

Kai trudged through the forest wearily. The burst of energy he had felt was now spent, but his desire to save Rei gave him strength to continue. He didn't know what time it was, he didn't know which way it was to anywhere, but he knew what he was here for, but he knew that he would stop searching until he found Rei, or until the moment he died.

Finally, Kai was too tired to continue further. He decided to rest against a tree for a moment, but at that instant all his fatigue came crashing down on him and he slumped down to the ground. It was then that he noticed a familiar mark on the tree: a scratch mark. He looked around, and saw the charred remains of the fire he and Rei had made just a few days ago, with the help of Dranzer... but now, Dranzer was destroyed, and Rei was controlled by Volten... Kai smiled a bittersweet smile as he reflected on how much things could change within so short a time.

Finally, after Kai gathered enough strength to push forward, he stood up and made up his mio goo go to the cabin. He didn't know what he was expecting to find there... Volten, perhaps? But it was absurd to even hope so... Volten could be anywhere right now. Kai had a feeling that Volten wouldn't just wait in the village for Kai to return. Volten might even have left to commit more evil deeds... but nevertheless, Kai followed the path through the forest that led to the cabin.

Day turned to night, and night turned back to day. The next morning, Kai finally found himself before the wooden cabin again.

Kai looked around. He recognised the footprints he had made in the rain while running away from Volten a few days ago... the mud he had walked through then had turned into hard soil, and the lack of people around meant that those tracks would remain for quite some time.

Kai realised that he could follow those tracks to the dish. Would he find Rei there? Kai didn't know. He would go there later. But for now, Kai would check the cabin first.

Kai walked up the steps that led to the door. He noticed that it was closed. Volten had probably flung the door open so hard that it bounced off the wall and slammed back shut again. But it didn't matter. Kai opened the door, and walked in. Almost instantly he tripped on a loose plank and fell to the hard floor. That, combined with the sweet smell of Rei and him making love that lingered around the room, caused memories of his love for Rei to flood his mind. As Kai pushed himself into a sitting position, he could feel warm tears flowing down his cheeks.

After some time, Kai left the cabin and followed the path that led to the dish. As he walked, he realised how far he had went while he was blinded by rage and sorrow. The track seemed to stretch on forever, twisting and turning amongst the countless trees. Nevertheless, Kai continued following the path, drawing his strength from his love for Rei.

Suddenly, as he neared the dish, Kai could feel the unmistakable presence of...

"Volten."

"Ah, Kai. Here to destroy me, eh? I've been waiting for you," said the devil possessing the body of Kai's lover.

"Volten, return Rei to me now!"

"My my, aren't we getting fiesty... too bad you don't have a weapon to use to fight for your Rei."

"I have Crystallis!"

"Of course, Crystallis... that fool Ucharice entrusted you with it, didn't she? Why don't you use that power and show me what you can do?"

"I..."

"Of course, you already know that you'll turn into an angel once you tap into that power... such a torture, isn't it? Having the power to save the one you love, but yet afraid of the consequences of using it..."

"that's where you're wrong, Volten. I've already chosen to save Rei. Even if we are worlds apart, we will still feel our love for each other, and that is enough."

"Ah, such a noble speech. Well, lets us battle. If you win, you get Rei. If I win, I get Crystallis."

"Fine."

Volten took out Black Driger from Rei's pocket.

"Show me your weapon."

Kai closed his eyes and concentrated on the energy within him. There, he could feel the pulsating sphere of angelic might residing deep within him. As he touched that source of limitless strength, he suddenly felt a strong surge of energy in his body, one he had not felt since he had fought together with Dreamer and Light Dranzer. The transformation... it had begun.

A pair of pearly-white feathery wings tore out of Kai's back and stretched out, feeling the cool forest air as they flapped lazily. Kai's hair grew, until a wave of light and dark blue hair cascaded around his shoulders. Meanwhile, the residual energy was forming into a set of angelic armor. His old clothes shifted and transformed, and he was soon covered in a chainmail shirt, along with a pair of leather trousers adorned with metal studs and other ornaments. His hands were covered with a pair of gloves while on his feet were greaves, all made of leather. Only his scarf and the markings on his cheek remained as an indication of who he was.

Now that the transformation was complete, Kai concentrated on creating his beyblade. He focused on his old Dranzer, forming a detailed picture in his mind, exact right down to the very ornamental carvings and etches. He then drew from the well of energy that was Crystallis. Tendrils of angelic energy danced around his fingers, before reaching out and converging to form an orb of raw energy before him. Kai shaped and sculpted the energy with his mind, his hands weaving an intricate pattern as he commanded the energy at will. Before long, Kai's new beyblade floated right before his eyes, glowing like a hundred suns.

"Interesting. An exact replica of your Dranzer. Have you forgotten that I destroyed it merely days ago?"

"I promise you, this won't be anything like our last encounter, Volten," said Kai as he loaded the beyblade onto his launcher. "This time, I know what I want, and I won't be giving up until my purpose is fufilled."

"We'll see."

"Enough of idle talk, let's battle. 3, 2, 1, LET IT RIP!!!"

Kai's beyblade and Volten's Black Driger flew into the dish, circling each other at lightning speed.

"Black Driger, show him your Savage Fury!"

The black tiger emerged with a powerful roar. It then sprinted towards Kai's beyblade, ready to rip it into pieces.

"These old tricks won't work against me twice! Avoid it, Dranzer!"

Kai's glowing beyblade moved away effortlessly, leaving Black Driger running into an empty space.

"Dranzer? I destroyed it long ago!"

"Don't forget, the phoenix is a symbol of rebirth, Volten. Now, Dranzer, rise from the ashes!"

Kai's beyblade was engulfed in flames as his firebird rose out of the bit chip. Dranzer let out a piercing screech as its body blazed with fury.

"Well, I might have overlooked that... but you and your Dranzer are still toast!"

"There's still more, Volten! Crystallis' angelic energy will make Dranzer even more powerful than it has even been!"

"What?!"

Kai's hands were moving in yet another mystical pattern, drawing runes in the air as he tapped into the energy of Crystallis and channeled it into Dranzer. He could feel the spirits of millions of angels within him, teaching him the incantation for the spell.

"O Phoenix of the Holy Flame, receive the angelic power and reveal thy true might!"

Dranzer started glowing like its beyblade as tendrils of energy emerged from Kai's hands and wrapped around the phoenix. As Dranzer was imbued with the power of Crystallis, its colours began to change. Dranzer was now glowing white, exuding an aura of angelic en.
.

"This is... Tenshi Dranzer!"

"Now, Tenshi Dranzer, Flame of Passion!"

"Kai! Are you going to burn Rei?"

"Don't worry, I won't," said Kai just before his body turned into fire.

The flames wrapped around Black Driger and created a cyclone of fire, lifting Black Driger off the ground and rendering it helpless.

"Tenshi Dranzer," Kai's voice said from within the cyclone, "Purge!"

Tenshi Dranzer broke away from the cyclone. Rising high above the battlefield, Tenshi Dranzer opened its wings and balls of angelic energy rained down onto Black Dranzer. They were like the rain, washing the corruption off Driger and turning its fur white again. In the dish, Volten's beyblade stopped spinning instantly, and started turning back into its usual grey shade.

"Now, Volten, give me back Rei!"

"Crystallis is indeed impressive. I'm afraid I'll just have to take it by force."

"What? You-"

"I'm sure know that devils cannot be trusted, especially me. Now if you'll excuse me..."

Volten took a step towards Kai, but he was stopped by Driger emerging from its beyblade and standing between the two of them.

"Get lost, you stupid cat!"

Driger turned to Kai, and nodded.

Kai's hands began to weave yet another pattern as he reached into that well of energy once more. Sparks of energy danced on his fingers like before, and they slowly grew into tendrils that wrapped around his hands.

"Purge!"

The angelic energy shot from Kai's hands at Volten, wrapping around him.

"Wha-?!"

But it was too late for Volten to do anything; he could already feel Rei's taint being cleansed.

"You can't destroy me, Kai! My Taint is everywhere... I will return!"

"My aim is not to destroy you, Volten... I just wanted to save Rei."

Suddenly, Rei fell to the ground. Kai rushed forward and caught his body.

"Rei... are you ok?"

Slowly, Rei opened his eyes.

"Kai... what happened? Where's Volten?"

"He's gone now, Rei. You're safe."

"Thanks, Kai..."

Rei wrapped his arms around Kai, pulling him closer in an embrace. It was then that he noticed Kai's transformation.

"Kai, what happened to you? You look so... beautiful."

"Later, Rei, I'm running out of time."

Kai took off his scarf and quickly enchanted it with a Purge spell.

"Take my scarf to Max in the village... it'll purge his Taint."

"How about you? Where are you going?"

"I... I'm an angel, Rei. I'm going to Heaven."

"What? Why?"

"I had to do this to save you, Rei... I'm sorry..."

Rei watched in horror as Kai's body began to fade.

"I have to go now, Rei..."

"Kai, please don't leave me... I love you, Kai!"

Kai smiled even as he felt himself totally leave the world.

"That is all I need... I love you, Rei."

For a few minutes, Rei stared silently at the empty space where Kai once was. Then, he clutched Kai's scarf close to his chest and wept.

+++

Max held a bunch of sunflowers in his arms as he stood before Tyson's grave, in Japan.

"Sunflowers. You told me they were your favourite flowers, remember?"

Max knelt down and placed the flowers on the grave.

"But you were the greatest sunflower of all... you were always there to light up my life..."

A tear rolled down Max's cheek, as he recalled all the times he had spent with Tyson.

=Flashback=

Tyson woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. The first thing he realised as he woke up was that his head was hurting like hell. He looked around the room, and spotted a bottle of beer lying beside the bed. Suddenly, memories of last night flooded his brain.

Shit, he thought. No, he couldn't lose Max...

Hastily, he tried to put some clothes on, accidentally waking Max up.

"Hmm? Tyson?"

"Max! I... umm... err..."

"Ow! My head hurts! What happened last night?"

"Well, we..."

Tyson's face turned deep red in embarassment. Max's eyes widened in realisation.

"Max, about last night? I didn't really mean... no, I wasn't..."

"Tyson, we both were drunk."

Tyson looked into Max's eyes. He was so understanding... but would he be able to accept the truth? Tyson had to tell him. He couldn't keep it a secret any longer.

"Max... I know I was drunk last night, but a part of me... wanted..."

Tyson was lost for words. It was as though there was something stuck in his throat. However, Max already realised what Tyson was trying to say.

"Tyson, I love you."

Tyson looked at Max disbelievingly. He was torn between suspicion and relief. Unable to quell these conflicting emotions within him, Tyson broke down in tears.

"Don't toy with me, Max," Tyson cried.

"I'm not lying, Tyson, I really love you."

Tyson looked into Max's eyes. Those beautiful, blue eyes that had haunted so many of his dreams...on fon felt a wave of warmth overcome his body. In those eyes, he saw only sincerity and love, nothing else.

"Max... how could I suspect you? I'm sorry, I..."

Max slienced Tyson with a brief kiss. "I forgive you."

"I love you."

Max held Tyson's body close against his own. "C'mon love, let's go for breakfast."

"No, wait a while. I just want to be with you a little bit longer."

"Tyson not wanting breakfast? There's something new."

Tyson just closed his eyes and smiled.

=End flashback=

"Even when I was depressed, you were always there for me..."

=Flashback=

Rei, Kai and Tyson walked into the room. Max was lying on the bed. His entire left arm below his shoulder was gone. He was looking out of the window distractedly, and did not seem to notice that they had come into the room. Rei and Kai stood at the foot of the bed, while Tyson sat down beside Max.

Having cooled down, Tyson spoke. "Are you ok, Max?"

"I'm fine."

Tyson reached out to place his hand on Max's left shoulder, but Max pulled away. Wanting to comfort Max, Tyson leant forward to plant a kiss on Max's cheek, but Max shied away as well. Tyson frowned at this reaction.

"Why, Max?"

"There was so much blood... so painful..." Tears started falling down Max's cheek.

Suddenly, Tyson realised that Max wasn't just referring to the battle.

"No," Tyson cried softly.

His entire body was shaking with hatred and rage. Turning to Kai and Rei, he mouthed the word "raped". Even they were visibly affected by this revelation.

"We are going to get him," Tyson whispered into Max's ear.

Max seemed indifferent to this piece of news . Tyson continued.

"We are going to make him regret he ever came here."

=End Flashback=

"Please, Tyson, come back to light up my life again..."

Above, the dark clouds gathered.

"I... I don't know what to do without you..." Max whispered, amidst sobs.

The rain started falling as Max's tears rolled down his cheeks, as though the heavens themselves were weeping for Max.

"Tyson, come back..."

Max felt an umbrella shield him from the weather. Looking up, he saw that it was Hui. Hui had accompanied Max all the way to Japan for Tyson's funeral. After all, he had no place to go now. He would follow Max until his guilt was no more, and then, he would... he would wait until that time came to decide what to do.

"Hui?"

"Go on, cry. I know you really loved Tyson. You'll feel better if you cry."

So, Max wept as the storm raged. And within the howling wind, he thought he could hear Tyson's voice...

Goodbye, Max.

~~~

Trueangel: Like my previous y, Iy, I'll be having an epilogue... but meanwhile, voting for the sequel has begun. This is harder to continue than "Angel and Devil", but I've already got a rough storyline out, so don't you worry!

Kai: *from somewhere* Trueangel? You've got a few seconds to start running before I get out there to kick your sorry ass!

Trueangel: Meep! Gotta run!