“I hate pancakes,” I mumbled, sitting up and yawning. I looked into the mirror across the room. My gilded blond hair was a mess, strewn about my pale freckled face, hiding my emerald green eyes. I yawned once again and got out of bed. After I had finished my morning routine, taking a shower, eating breakfast, and watching the new episode of Pokémon, I grabbed my Beyblade Flame Leone 100CS, and headed outside.

The warm sunshine hit my face, sending shivers down my cold spine. I smiled at the sky and made my way through the bustling crowds of people. Everyone was so busy those days; it bothered me. People really needed to stop and enjoy life, which, in my case, was Beyblading.

Once I made it to the town’s Bey Park, I took Leone out of my pocket caressing the smooth edge of the Fusion Wheel. “Do good today, Leone,” I encouraged, looking for any eager opponents.

“Hey, your name is Jet Falkner, right? Let’s battle!” a kid with rusty red hair asked, tapping my shoulder.

“Sure thing!” I agreed, setting Leone in its launcher.

“3, 2, 1, Let it – ”

My cell phone rang. I held up my index finger to the kid, signaling for him to wait, and answered my phone. “Hey, Jet! You’re not gonna believe this! The WBO is holding a World Beyblade Tournament, and the American representatives yet! The qualifying matches are tomorrow! Isn’t that so, so, so exciting!” my friend Luna screeched. I sighed and rolled my eyes. She never got anything right.

“Are you sure about that?” I questioned skeptically.

“Of course! I didn’t believe it either, when I heard it first! I thought it was too god to be true, but it is true!” she squealed in delight. “Can I meet you at Bey Park?”

“I’m already there.”

“Great! I’ll see you there in ten minutes!” I ended the call.

“Sorry about that. Now, let’s get back to the battle!” I apologized.

“3, 2, 1, Let it rip!”

***

“I made it!” Luna announced, bouncing up and down. I stared in disbelief at her eggplant purple hair, perfect blue eyes, baby pink t-shirt, and black skirt.

“You said that you would be here in ten minutes. That was over an hour. Now I’m terribly bored, ‘cause there’s no one to battle,” I grumbled.

“Oh, sorry! You see, I lost my purse and it took me awhile to find it, and then I had to help my neighbor find her lost cat, and then I tripped in a muddy puddle, so I had to change my clothes, and…” she rambled on.

“Do you even remember why you came here?” I asked shortly once she had finished.

“Yes!” She fished a colorful piece of cardstock from her fuchsia purse. “It’s an advertisement from the WBO.”

“Great news, bladers! We, the WBO, are proud to announce that we will be holding an official World Tournament. Each country will have one team to represent it. These teams will consist of a leader, two regulars, and an optional substitute member. The qualifying matches will be held Saturday, June 5th. Good luck! – Bey Brad,” the advertisement read.

“Wow! So, you were right!” I gasped, “’I’m not missing a chance like this!”

“Me either!” Luna agreed cheerily.

“Actually, you will be,” a cold voice spoke from the shadows.

“Who are you? What do you mean ‘we won’t make it’?” I shouted angrily.

“My name is Kris Tempus. I’m taking your place at the Beyblade World Championships,” the voice snarled. He stepped out of the shadows. His hair was black and shoulder-length, his eyes were a deep brown, and he was very tall. He wore a lime green collared shirt, black slacks, and brown combat boots. Why combat boots?

“Says who?” Luna puffed.

“I don’t need to say anything. I’ll prove it to you tomorrow, at the qualifying match, you can count on that.”

“Me too?” a second voice asked, shuffling out from behind him. He had curly blonde hair, teal eyes, and the same clothes as Kris.

“Whoa! You were behind him the whole time?” I gawked, noticing his petite figure. He nodded meekly.

“If you’re good enough,” Kris snapped in response.

“Yes sir!” the boy replied.

“What’s your name?” Luna asked calmly.

“S-Sammy Parker,” he mumbled.

“Speak up, Samuel!” he barked.

“Samuel Parker!” he obeyed.

“Good. I don’t feel like waiting. You’re a pest. Let’s settle this now, shall we?” Kris challenged, setting his Bey.

“Let’s do it!” I agreed, preparing Leone.

“3, 2, 1, Let it rip!”

“Hmm, a Flame Leone 100CS, huh?” he mused. “You’re weak. I don’t have time here. L-Drago, Freezing Bite Strike!”

“He’s using a Special Move?” I gasped.

“Already?” Luna shrieked.

A silver dragon spirit charged from Kris’ Bey, nearly devouring my Leone with its Fangs of Ice.

“Fine then, I’ll use my Special Move, too! Heart of Pri - ”

“Wait! I just remembered, we have a doctor’s appointment! The doctor will be really mad if we’re late!” Luna interrupted, dragging me away. I quickly called Leone back to my hand.

“We’ll settle this tomorrow,” Kris compromised, also calling L-Drago back to his hand.

“Yes, and Tempus will win!” Sammy sang.

“Quiet!” Kris commanded.

“Yes sir!”