I hope you are all are happy and healthy.

So here's a life update from me: I am going to be perminately working from home! Even after the Corona Virus is over! Looks like I'll also be perminately on the night shift. I'm a top agent as well, so they increased my workload. I'm doing a little of everything, tech support, billing, complaints, supervising, cancellations, etc. Which means, I will continue to update when I can, just realize I DO work full time. I have been trying to do writing during the dead periods, but my mom has been smothering me a bit when she realizes I'm free. She's 60 years old and watches the news religiously and just really happy I'm home and alive.

Now this chapter also took a bit longer because I scratched my cornea, and I got an infection. Lots of eye drops, watched super carefully by the doctor, and I also became super light sensitive. Which meant the 8 hours I spent looking at a screen for work was about all my eyes could take. My eye isn't fully healed either. It's probably going to take a month before I can see properly out of it.

My daughter has also been acting out, so I had to regroup with her dad to figure out what to do. We got it sorted and she's currently back home with him for the time being.

Sorry guys, unfortunately of those individuals who get to stay at home bored all day, I'm not one of them.

No warnings for this chapter, just more holiday fun!

Mariah stepped foot into the house and marveled at the christmas display. Garland with red bows and bells was hung neatly on every wall. Little snowflakes shimmered as they dangled from the ceiling. Little santas and snowmen were sitting on end tables and book shelves. "This must've taken you forever!"

"Oh nah, Tala and the other Blitzkrieg Boyz helped out the other day."

"They're in town too?" asked Max excitedly.

"Yup. Probably staying at one of the fanciest hotels in the city, doing a vacation in style. My understanding is they'll be here for Christmas though."

Ray looked around at the modest-sized house. "Where are you keeping everyone?"

"Oh, Christmas will be held at Gramps'. WAY more room."

"I feel like I haven't seen him in forever!" said Max excitedly. "I'll be hanging out at my dad's for awhile. My parents have been more lovey-dovey when they see each other now. I won't lie, it's a little weird, but it's nice."

"Well if you need to escape, you have a house key." joked Tyson.

"True."

Mariah looked around nervously. She had no idea where they were staying. Ray hadn't mentioned anything to her. She had just assumed they would be staying with Tyson and Kai, but looking around, their house wasn't that big. She susposed they could stay with Tyson's grandfather, but that seemed a bit awkward-

"We'll be staying at a hotel here. They let me stay for free since I got rid of their rat problem a few years ago." announced Ray. Crimson eyes narrowed.

Oh thank god for her sensible boyfriend. Now she could sleep naked without worrying. She glanced over at her brother, who seemed equally as relieved.

"Now that's what I call a tree!" stated Rick from the living room. "Is it real?"

Tyson laughed. "Oh man, do I ever have a story to tell you!"

Everyone gathered in the living room to hear the tale of the Wicked Shopkeeper Who Tried to Put a Price on Christmas. Just before they got settled, Kai clapped a hand on Ray's shoulder. The Asian turned and Kai nodded towards the stairs. Ray sighed, then nodded. "Be right back Mariah, just need to catch up with Kai, you know how he is."

"Kay!" He gave her a quick peck on the lips then followed Kai to his bedroom. The Russian's bedroom was almost exactly as he imagined. Filled with Beyblade memorabilia and a spot for all his previous beyblades. His bedspread was black, he took notice of the picture framed on his bedside table. A photo of the 4 of them winning their first tournament. There was another photo of the tournament last year, of his and Tyson's first kiss, and him being crowned the World Champion once again. He saw the book Dante's Inferno on the bedside table. It looked worn as though it had been read many times. It dawned on him how small the bed was and the computer desk in the corner.

As if reading his mind, the Hiwatari said, "This is my home office."

"R-Right." He kept forgetting that his friend did more than beyblading these days.

"There is no hotel is there?"

Damn. He forgot that Kai was basically a human lie detector. "Ummm."

"What was your plan?"

"Go to the first decent hotel I saw and work in exchange for room and board."

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. "You haven't changed."

"Old habits die hard."

"Look, don't worry about working or paying me back. I'll take care of the bill."

"You don't have to I-"

"Ray, I own a multi-million dollar business that's thriving. I've got more money than I know what to do with. Here." He handed him a black credit card. "Your expenses are paid anytime you're in town, or if you're in need of money and don't feel like asking."

Ray took the card. "Kai, this is-" A thought struck him. "Wait, were you also the reason we were bumped up to first class?"

"Didn't want you to catch something."

Ray scratched the back of his head nervously. "I'm going to take this this opportunity and apologize for ever thinking you were ever a snobby rich kid."

Kai chuckled. "Oh I was a total snob, just not a snob like Robert. I just didn't think anyone was worth my time if they weren't powerful. Somehow you brats became the most powerful and taught me not to hold myself in such high regard."

"Brat? Excuse me, but Tyson was the only brat. His mouth got us in sooo much trouble!"

"Max totally encouraged it though, and you never stopped them. How many times did I have to save your skins?"

Ray sat and thought about it, "Alright fine. But you totally became the leader of the Brat Pack."

"I'm still lost on how that happened."

"Dickenson."

"Riiiiight. Didn't that old man have us running around Europe?"

"Can you blame him?"

"Nah. We were awful."

Ray stared at the picture of the first world championship. "We were. Tyson never let us give up though."

"Not once."

"I'm not giving up either Kai. This year I'm coming after your title."

"Then show me what you got Kon, because Dranzer and I have no intentions of losing to anyone."

The were interrupted by the sound of Kai's phone going off. Kai looked down and smirked. "How do you feel about snowball fights Kon?"

DING DONG

Tyson jumped up. "I'll get it!" he opened the door and none other than the Blitzkrieg Boyz stood on his doorstep. "Tired of the Jacuzzi tub already?!"

"Lost it's novelty after 2 hours." stated Bryan, walking into the house.

"Kai! Your weird friends are here!" shouted Tyson, opening the door wider, silently inviting the Russians into his domain. To his surprise, they didn't take off any of their coats or boots and just walked in.

Kai appeared at the top of the stairs. "Alright, everyone in the backyard in 2 minutes. If you're the last one out, you'll be the last one picked!"

Ray rushed down the stairs, grabbed Mariah's hand and tossed her the white jacket she arrived in. "Ray? What's going on?"

"Something awesome!" he blinked when he saw the gang of Russians. "When did you guys get here?"

"Days ago." said Tala with a smirk.

About a minute later everyone was standing outside in the spacious backyard. Max glanced at Tyson. "What's going on?"

"Beats me." the blue-haired blader shrugged. They heard the sliding glass door shut, and Kai walked out and stood in front of them. He was warmly dressed in a long black trench coat. His presence was commanding, demanding respect. Seeing those crimson eyes filled with a fire, sent tremors of excitement down Tyson's spine. He knew this man, this was no longer his boyfriend Kai, nor the CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises. The man standing before them was Captain Kai Hiwatari, The World Beyblading Champion, and the second craziest man alive and his one true rival. His heart started beating rapidly as his soul came alive in preparation for what the enigma had in store for them.

"Before I begin, everyone place their beyblades into the basket that Spencer is passing around." He took initiative and tossed his Dranzer blade into the container. Everyone followed suit. Spencer then took the beyblades back inside the house. Kai waited for the giant to return before continuing. "The activity that I have planned out will challenge you physically and mentally as well as your endurance."

Max and White Tigers clenched their fists in preparation.

"HAHAHAHA! SNOWBALL FIGHT! RUSSIANS VS EVERYONE ELSE!" shouted Brian giggling like a madman. He grabbed a handful of snow and whipped it at Tyson.

"OH IT'S ON!" shouted Tyson.

Chaos ensued. Cold white projectiles were being thrown from one side of the backyard to the other, as people made efforts to dodge and return fire. The Russians however were slowly dominating the field. Max realized this and came to the conclusion: They needed shelter. "Rick! Start making a wall of snow! Mariah! Get behind him and start making snowballs. We need to regain control!"

Without question, Rick started building a fort, Mariah happy to get away from the fray took cover behind the bodybuilder and started making one snowball after another.

"I see a fort!" Shouted Bryan through the chaos.

Kai took his attention off Tyson and Ray and looked over towards the other side of the field. He saw that Rick had pulled back along with Mariah and they had started making emergency provisions. His eyes then met with icy azure and then he realized he was fighting against the wrong opponent.

Max Tate was a brilliant tactician, he knew how to utilize every piece on the board, and because of this intuition, he had bested Kai more than once. Sure, Tyson was powerful and Ray was a wildcard, but if Max was the one giving orders, then this was an all-new game. Judging the determined face on those freckled cheeks, Max had a plan.

"Spencer! Fall back and start building a fort! Ian, start creating more snowballs. Bryan try to suppress their forces, Tala work on precise shots to take out that fort!"

Kai took a snowball and whipped it at Max as hard as he could. Max was ready however, and caught the ball, tossing it towards Mariah to add to their collection.

"Sorry Kai, but I won't lose." the blonde declared from across the field.

"Spencer! Change to plan Beta!"

Now Kevin, wasn't the strongest or fastest member of the white tigers, by a long shot, but what did set him a part from the rest of them was the fact that he didn't hesitate and was willing to break orders if he thought he had a better plan. Hearing Kai shout out to the rest of his team to switch to plan beta, he was curious to find out hat this plan beta was. Breaking off from the attack team he quickly climbed a nearby tree, so he could see what was going on behind the huge fort Spencer had built in a matter of minutes. He saw HUGE boulders of snow being created. He realized Kai's plan must've been to tear down their fort. And with a giant man like Spencer, he could more than take a few snowballs to the face. He needed a plan and fast. He jumped down from the tree and went to Max, who was still trying to catch as many snowballs as he could. "Their planning on charging through, I have a plan but I'm going to need Gary and Mariah."

"Take them." nodded Max.

Kevin saluted and grabbed the other 2 members of the white tigers. They positioned themselves right in front of the other fort that Rick was finishing. Gary started to make another fort. Mariah looked at her friend with confusion. "What are you doing?"

"They're planning on rushing us with giant snowballs. So let's have something ready for them." He held up a shovel.

Mariah smirked. "Nice thinking!"

Rick realized what was up and soon helped Gary create a giant second fort.

Max glanced over at saw what Kevin's plan was. Unfortunately it wasn't guaranteed. Unless- "Tyson!"

"What?!" Shouted the bluenette as he dodged two of Bryan's snow balls.

"Do you wanna build a snowman?"

"What?" He looked over to the other side of the field with both snow forts and where Mariah and Kevin were working diligently. He grinned. "One sec buddy!" He turned around and glanced around the field. Kai's attention was on Max, and Tala and Bryan were working on taking down Lee and Ray. He had to time this next move carefully if it was going to look realistic. Gathering up the snow and putting it into a tight ball he went out in the battlefield just as Bryan chucked a snowball. He turned the wind into a sharp blade just as the snowball hit his face.

"Arrrgggh!"

Kai stopped what he was doing when he heard Tyson scream, looked around and he saw Tyson was on the ground. "Tyson!"

"I'm fine. Just took a snowball to the face." He looked up and his forehead was split wide open, blood was spilling out of the wound and dying the snow red.

Max rushed up to him, full of concern. "You ok?"

"I'll be fine. I'm just gonna sit out for a few minutes." He gave Max a sly wink, meaning the injury was planned and Max helped Tyson to shelter behind the first snow fort.

Meanwhile, as Kai looked at his lover's blood on the ground, the more his blood began to boil. "Bryan, how hard did you throw that snowball?!"

"Not any harder than I've been throwing them before. Maybe there was a chunk of ice or something. In any case, I'll tone it back."

Ray looked over at Tyson with worried eyes, only to be met with a thumbs up and a cocky grin from ear to ear. He looked over in confusion to Max who only nodded. He realized that the 2 of them just bought them some time to win this whole thing. "Alright Lee, it's up to us to put on a good show." Lee glanced over and realized what was going on.

"For sure."

Max bravely stepped out from behind the fort and stared down his former Captain. "Tyson's fine. He's got a cut. In any case I'll have him making snowballs, when he's feeling better he'll join back in. Are you ready to continue?"

"Hn. I should be asking you that."

"Game on!" announced Tala.

White projectiles were once again flying back and forth across the yard. However with less power, Lee and Ray were easily able to dodge them. Kai could see they were starting to lose ground as other players began to throw snowballs from behind the forts. They needed to take those down now! "Spencer, it's time!"

Spencer appeared from out of the fort with a giant boulder in his arms. Max's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. 'So this is what Kevin meant when they said they would charge!' "Fall back!" He ordered. "They're going to take down the forts!"

Just like that, everyone dispersed and Spencer came running through the enemy territory. He came to the first fort.

SMASH!

He smashed it to pieces. He went back to get the second boulder and-

"AHHHHHHH!"

THUD!

He disappeared into the snow!

"What the-" said Kai, but he had no time to react, as Tyson leaped from the second fort, with a giant snow boulder of his own and dropped into the hole on top of Spencer, sealing him in.

"What now Kai?" He gloated. "We have trapped your teammate and we still have our fort!" He laughed in triumph.

Kai clenched his fists. "Seems like I underestimated you." He pulled off his scarf, the weight of it hitting the ground, sending a shock wave through the entire backyard. As the Hiwatari cracked his neck, everyone froze in fear. "Boys, change of plans, Operation Echo."

It was a massacre.

The Russians unleashed their true strength and people started dropping like flies. First Kevin, then Gary, Mariah, Lee, then Ray went down. Rick charged, but a swift snowball from Tala also took him down. It was Max and Tyson left on the field, with four terrifying Russians. Max pulled a white flag from his pocket, signaling their surrender.

The Russians were hailed as the Kings of Snow once more and Spencer was freed.

The sun was setting and the wind had gotten bitterly cold, so everyone quickly returned to the safety of indoors, rubbing their bruises. To Tyson it was still a victory though, the had made Kai go all the way to plan E and they had captured Spencer. It was no small feat. As such, everyone deserved a treat.

He came out of the kitchen a few moments later, and everyone's eyes began to light up.

"Hot Chocolate?!" shouted Mariah with glee.

"Of course! You can't go through the holidays without hot chocolate!" Max helped him pass the mugs around.

"Oh wow, they even have whipped cream! You didn't skimp out!" said Lee, taking a sip of his beverage.

"Not only that, but Tyson makes it a special hot chocolate." stated Kai.

Curious, Max took a sip from his. "Is that...egg nog?!"

"Yup yup! Milk is so boring! Oh and for when the whipped cream is gone!" he set out a can of whipped cream and a bag of mini marshmallows. "Take your pick!"

As they enjoyed the dessert, Ray found himself sinking into the love seat and absent mindedly admiring the decorations with Mariah snuggling in his side. The warm glow and crackling of the fire created an ambiance that set his heart as ease.

This was Christmas. Surrounded by good friends, his loving girlfriend and all of the trimmings of the season, made his heart swell with adoration.

He was glad Mariah had agreed to come to Japan with him, as he knew without his former teammates, there would be a heavy void in his heart. Sitting here, right now, he had everything he ever could want.

The first Christmas he had spent with the Bladebreakers had been an interesting one. It was right after the won their first tournament, and they were still in Russia. The Chief had left before them back to Japan because he needed to compile all the information so Mr. Dickenson could come up with a strong case against Kai's Grandfather. None of them had much money, but Tyson and Max had still insisted on celebrating anyways. Max had come up with the idea of doing a secret Santa so they each could get one nice gift. They set the spending limit to $20 and put their names into Tyson's hat and each drew one.

He remembered being so disappointed when he got Tyson's name, just because he couldn't think of anything, besides food, to get him. He had spent hours wondering the streets of Moscow and had nearly settled getting the lazy teen an alarm clock. That's when he walked past a beyblade store and something caught his eye. A pair of blue, finger less beyblading gloves. At first, he had decided against it, because they weren't Tyson's favorite color, red. But when he sat back and thought about how torn and beaten up Tyson's brown gloves were, he went in just to inquire about the price.

The store clerk immediately recognized him and stated he's sell them for whatever price Ray wanted, along with anything else in the store in exchanged for a few items to be autographed.

When the time came to exchange gifts, Tyson had insisted on going first, gifting Max a blue shirt with golden star on it, telling the young American that he wanted him to realize what an awesome beyblader he was and to have more confidence in himself and his abilities. Max had put on the t-shirt and hadn't taken it off, until it had so many rips that there was no way possible to mend it. He had to retire it to his bottom drawer, where it kept his baby blanket company.

Then came Max's turn. The blonde took out a small gift from his pocket, wrapped in black wrapping paper. They all watched Kai gingerly peel back the paper to reveal a Linkin Park CD. "This band is getting popular in North America right now. Take a listen, maybe you'll like them."

Kai stared at the album for several seconds. "I've actually listened to a song by these guys, they're pretty decent. Thanks."

Max flashed everyone a victory smile as Kai read the songs on the back. "Here Ray." The dual-haired male handed him a gift that was wrapped in green wrapping paper, complete with a bow.

He remember carefully sliding back the tape and let the gift slide out into his hands. Out fell a book that was entitled 'Dante's Inferno'. "Oh I've heard about this book on my travels. It's supposed to be good!"

"It is." Something about Kai's eyes were earnest and genuine. Ray didn't have a doubt that Kai had read it already and wanted to share the experience with him. When he did return to China, he had read that book over and over again, and was continuously captivated by it's pages. To this day he still had the book, hidden carefully in his nightstand back in his bedroom in the village. At this point, he had pretty much memorized it.

Finally it was his turn to give his present to Tyson. "Merry Christmas Tyson!"

The pony tailed teen took the red-wrapped gift and gave it a solid shake. "Oh boy! The has got some weight to it! Is it a launcher? Beyblade parts? A switchblade?!"

"Open it and see it for yourself!"

Tyson ripped open the package and tore open the box. "Awww sweet! New gloves!"

"Well your brown ones look pretty worn."

Tyson looked down at his leather gloves, just noticing how cracked and torn they were. "Oh man, I was so caught up on winning the finals, I didn't even notice! These are totally toast!" He took them off and put on the new ones. At once he could feel how stiff they were and how much support he had suddenly in his wrist. The gloves were obviously made from a pretty high-quality material. "Ah! Nothing beats the smell of new leather! Thanks Ray!"

"You like them?" He asked, surprised.

"Oh yeah! They're pretty sick! It'll make it way easier to practice my new launch technique! Plus they match my outfit!"

Yeah, they had come a long way from that first awkward Christmas, making new friends, seeing many more battles. He had a feeling, they still had many more Christmases to come.

So that's the end of this chapter, next few chapters might take me longer because I basically need to rewrite them. Stay safe, keep social distancing, and only go out when necessary!