13. Doll

Hey there guys *lone spotlight moment*

So I'mm'a be real with you, it's been what? Three, four years? In that time a LOT has happened. I've graduated highschool, finished my first year of uni, got diagnosed with mild depression, officially realised I am at the very least a bisexual, made friends, lost friends, discovered new anime, fallen in love with old anime…

You know, all the usual junk. But in that time I've actually struggled with writing, out of a lack of time and simply because I started to lose energy. So I'm sorry I disappeared into the void for so long.

I'd like to take a moment to thank all my faithful reviewers, Rangersapprentice, Nazrita, DGMSilverAirHead03, and everyone!

This was always going to be the end, so I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long. I wonder if you saw the message in your email inbox like "She's…ALIVE?!"

I hope you've loved this story as much as I have. I've had headcanons and plotbunnies follow me around for years with this one, so, much like Tolkien, I feel like I have to end it with all that I've written and leave the rest of it to you.

Wishing you lots of love for the last time (on this story).

"Speaking"

Thinking (and or song lyrics, just check the context)

"Speaking in Russian (or another language)" – written in English

"Phonetic Russian/Chinese pinyin (will be translated at the bottom)"

It's been four years and I still don't own Beyblade. All in due time though!

The room was tense, the Russians having just revealed their knowledge of a loophole in the system. It didn't surprise Robert they had one though, if anyone was going to, in the most colloquial terms, "buck the system" it was going to be them. Despite their rather tough and often brutish exteriors Robert could see the minds of war generals ticked in each of the boys; something he'd always secretly admired and feared at the same time. It's the kind of skill you want on your side, rather than the opposition, Robert thought to himself, such cunning in the wrong hands…

"I suppose you want us to explain ourselves, don't you?" Ian snapped, his harsh voice cracking like a whip (and frankly startling the pants off of Robert). "Well tough, because you're just going to have to accept that we're right and that's that!" Spencer chuckled but the sound was humourless and cold.
"Ian, they won't work it out on their own. They're missing a major part of the equation, how are they possibly supposed to work out the answer? Half of them didn't even recognise Charlotte in the costume – they need all the help they can get." The aforementioned group looked mildly offended at such a statement, but the Blitzkriegs continued on regardless. Robert, who had been startled into a state of hyper-awareness, noticed that Spencer had almost unconsciously pulled a confused and borderline tearful Charlotte into his arms and was caressing her hair softly as he spoke. She had nuzzled her head into his chest, clinging to him as if he was all that prevented her from drowning in a storm. That's actually rather sweet, in a Blitzkrieg kind of way…

"Wait and see…" Tala smirked mysteriously, returning all eyes to him. "Sit down kiddies, it's story-time…" If they weren't looking offended beforehand, almost everyone in the room was now – Tala's condescending tone gave his smile the capacity to shatter glass (something nobody actually wanted to test out). "So we went home after we'd gotten the song choice…"

*Flashback* I just said the day and location then, do I have to repeat myself?

"Hatsune Miku? But that's not fair, you're all guys! Even Ian can't hit her regular vocal range unless you kick him in the balls!" They'd informed Charlotte of their poison (as Bryan had so rightfully put it) once they arrived home (finding her strewn on their couch swaddled in blankets watching some violent anime without a fuss) as she was the most knowledgeable person they knew about Vocaloids – the most famous of which was Hatsune Miku – and were seeing if she knew any songs that might be remotely possible for them. Unfortunately, Charlotte turned up a blank; Hatsune Miku's vocal range was too high for them to reach…

They were all lying about on the Blitzkrieg's well-loved maroon couches; Tala sprawled on his back over the ottoman in the centre with his head closest to the small couch, Bryan lying on the big couch arms spread out with Shrimp resting with his back to him on one side, Spencer on the smaller couch holding Tala's head in his lap and Charlotte curled up under Bryan's arm (not occupied by Shrimp) her head lying on his shoulder. A feeling of irritated futility hung in the air as the hopelessness of being unable to compete with something suitable remained an unspoken but accepted idea. Charlotte went through her iPod a fourth time, scrolling all Hatsune Miku songs she could think of to no avail. In her frustration she accidentally clicked on one, and as it played Tala's evil genius mind was hit with another brilliant idea. "I have a plan, but we're going to need to pull some big strings to get it to work."

With a flicker of new hope, the boys seemed to bounce to life, and Bryan was the first to speak excitement evident in his voice. "Let's hear it, Captain." Tala's eyes flicked to Charlotte and just as she was about to tell him what the song was called (she had a feeling he was going to ask that) he cut her off with a stunning proposal.
"Sweetie we need you to sing for us."
"Sure, what do you want me to sing?" Confused but unperturbed she answered him almost immediately; Tala shook his head.
"Not now, I mean for the contest. The only way we can reach Miku's vocal range is with you." The excitement in the boys' faces died away and was replaced with a solemn concern.
"Tala are you crazy?! You know the rules, we aren't allowed outside help!"
"It could cost us everything! And there's no way they'll let us register her now!" Tala nodded as the boys put forward their valid points; it was true unregistered outside help was banned from the contest.
"I can't lose my doll Tala! Not again!" Spencer practically screamed at him, bordering hysteria. The Blitzkriegs knew full well infringement of such a rule meant they would lose the ability to contact her for the duration of the contest (which they'd had to redefine for Ian's 'I-didn't-read-the-rules-the-first-time-and-I-sure-ain't-reading-them-now' benefit meant not being able to see Charlotte until the end) as well as a substantial amount of points. They would be running a serious risk having an outsider sing…

"But she's not an outsider. The rules state that if a new member is to be recognised by the judges as a member of a team they must have competed as part of said team in at least ten challenges before they can be classified as an official team player. How many times have we had Charlotte help us professionally in challenges?" Ian frantically counted on his fingers at Tala's dramatic quoting of the rules – Tala had even gone so far as to find the rulebook (which had been lodged underneath one of the couches after a book-fight) and chuck it at Bryan. Bryan was the best person for finding loopholes in contracts and rules because he read down to the fine print and dissected every word until he found, and got, what he wanted. At that moment Bryan leafed through the rulebook until he found the acclaimed article and began furiously reading as Ian finally finished counting.
"Uh…about ten times we've registered her as a 'guest' for different stuff, not including all those times where we've asked her for a good song. Why do you… OH! Tala, ty geniĭ (1)!" Tala shrugged grinning making Spencer laugh.
"I like the way you think Ivanov, Kuznetsov is it possible?" Bryan threw down the rulebook and after a tense moment began to laugh.
"More than possible my friend, this shit's happening!" The Russians were so ecstatic with the news that they had a chance they almost forgot about the only person capable of giving them that chance. Charlotte was totally confused about the exchange that had just gone on, and although she knew it involved her in some way she wasn't entirely sure how, but was afraid to ask in case it ruined their good moods. Being ignored is never fun, especially when you're right in the middle of something that sounds like something you should know about; something Charlotte had learned with experience. The almost inaudible sigh that passed her lips was enough to remind the Blitzkriegs of her presence, and she was scooped up in a hug.

"We love you, you know that?" The biggest smile they'd ever seen graced her face and she hugged them back.
"I know, and I love you guys too."

*Present Time*

"Ah, but you're going to want proof, aren't you?" Bryan practically snarled outwards towards the audience, reminding them of a rabid dog. Mariah saw deeper though, and realised there were notes of hurt in that rage – he'd wanted to be believed, trusted. Everyone was staring at them like they'd said they'd found a purple hippopotamus dancing ballet in one of Ming-Ming's ungodly dresses (okay, maybe not that confused, but you get my point). Tala clapped his hands together like an eccentric billionaire requesting a show.
"Ian, roll the montage please!" This was one command Ian was totally happy to comply with.

A vintage black and white countdown began – but it seemed frozen on the number ten. The shot burned away, to reveal a shot from the Blitzkrieg rendition of "Haunted" from the over a month ago – lo and behold their lead singer (in all gothic makeup and tousled hair basically attempting to destroy the entire massive dining room in which it was set) was Charlotte – and this only made sense once they showed sped-up film of her being made up into the gothic ghost. The scene finished, and the number nine rolled on screen – revealing their live performance of "Icarus", and up on a high balcony on the piano – Charlotte again (she was in costume and almost out of vision so it was unsurprising no one remembered her). The camera changed angles so they could indeed see it was her.
From there numbers flashed past revealing her in different roles all throughout challenges, from model to dancer to accompaniment – the best one however they saved for last.

The number one flashed on the screen and Miguel practically screamed in delight before coughing and pretending he hadn't just screeched like Ming-Ming. Charlotte turned out to be the voice of the lead character, an angel named Valkyrie, in their animated video promotion (which turned out to look more like a video game promo and had Kevin wondering where he could pre-order it). As well as this, they revealed it had not only been her idea, but much of the actual storyline went to her as well – Ian had been on graphics/visuals, Spencer on music, Bryan on the fight scenes and Tala had helped direct the whole thing. Much to their amusement Kai was the voice of the rival/love interest of Valkyrie and so much of the dialogue between the two was unscripted – just general banter (the favourite moment of their dialogue, voted unanimously by everyone, was:
Charlotte: Fuck you!
Kai: Take a number and get to the back of the line, darling)

By now almost everyone in the audience was wondering how they had managed to get through three months and not recognise her. Admittedly the Blitzkriegs had been wondering the same thing. Mr Dickinson coughed, wiping his forehead with his handkerchief (though by this point it was no longer doing him any good). "Well, I-I…um…"
"I suppose a conference is in order." Hiro provided, gently pushing the flustered man out of the room. The pregnant pause that followed was broken by Max.
"Wow! I didn't even recognise you in half those things! My favourite was Valkyrie though – that was so cool!" A bright grin crossed Charlotte's face and she nodded, about to confirm the awesomeness of their trailer when Tala began affectionately cuddling her the way one cuddles a prized pet.
"That's because she's amazhing and we wuv her," he nuzzled into the top her head making her giggle. "Yesh we do, yesh we do…"

"I've been wondering about that." Emily adjusted her glasses giving them a creepy sheen in the lights. "You boys barely show any form of emotion normally, so why would you, all of you, go out of your way to keep this one girl happy – even if it means letting down your emotionless facades?" Her eyes flicked to Spencer. "What is it about her that drew you all in?" Emily smiled at Charlotte, noticing her looking almost disheartened. "Not that you're not a lovely addition and we're all secretly grateful that you've made them smile." Charlotte grinned back, transferring herself to Spencer who caressed her hair. "But why?" A gentle smile crossed Spencer's face.
"That requires a bit of a story on my part…"

*Flashback*

"Mister, mister do you have any new dolls to show me?" A young boy, barely seven years old, asked the owner of the porcelain wares shop about his favourite thing in the world; the beautiful hand-crafted dolls that were made there. His eyes were bright despite being the colour of slate and filled with childish excitement. The old man smiled gently, ruffling the little boy's blonde hair, the same colour as a newborn duckling.
"Of course my friend. How many times have I told you call me Uncle?" The little boy's eyes lit up and he grinned.
"Then you have to call me Spencer." Telling him to wait a moment whilst he fetched the dolls, the old man shuffled off leaving a little Spencer to take a walk around the shop. It was his favourite place in the whole world and he had every inch of it memorised.

Three old dusty shelves, the highest of which he couldn't even begin to reach despite being a rather tall boy, covered by glass boxes lined with velvet and laden with beautiful porcelain wares spread themselves around the little shop, with a few little glass cases covering smaller items in the middle of the room. There were two creaky floorboards, one behind the counter and one over by the jugs; the creaking sound reminding Spencer of the train's aching wheeze when it pulled into the station near his home. A small crack in the plaster wall ran the entire way behind the platters display which put a bit of a dampener on the pale blue walls. A small bulb hung loosely from the ceiling, held up by a few woven wires, which despite its small size illuminated the miniscule room with a warm orange light; partially helped by the large shop window out the front. But it was what lined the shop window that always fascinated him; beautiful porcelain dolls, no two exactly alike but each sharing similar features. Big round eyes, thick black doe-like eyelashes, pale skin with dustings of pink on their cheeks and rosy lips. Some were smiling, some were frowning and some were just stoic but they were all enchanting to look at.

Hearing the soft shuffle of the Uncle's slippers across the floor, Spencer grinned and rushed over with eyes almost as wide as the dolls the old man was carrying. "Spencer, come here and help me get our new friends acquainted with our other guests. You're very good at deciding who should go where." Uncle talked about the dolls as if they were people because to him and to Spencer, they were. One thing Uncle had always stressed to him was that these dolls existed as real people at one point or another through some kind of old magic. Whether they had already lived, were living or were about to live simply was a matter of timing. Spencer gently took one of the dolls from the old man to ease the load on his back, and his eyes widened. The doll's wide eyes were a beautiful shade of green, and gorgeous brown curls bobbed adorably just past her shoulders with no attempts to contain them. A smile was painted on her face with her cheeks were dusted lightly with a rosy blush making her appear excited and full of joy. She wore an adorable little green dress; not too much bows, ribbons, frills and lace with matching woollen socks and black shoes. But the thing that enchanted Spencer most about her was how full of warmth her eyes were, it was as if she truly were alive. "She's beautiful…"

With all the tenderness he could muster, Spencer brushed some of her curls out of her eyes, smiled and whispered only for the doll. "Hello there, my name is Spencer. Do you have a name?" Her eyes seemed to sparkle as he spoke to her, as if she was listening to his every word. Uncle smiled at the little boy who was so breath-taken with the creation.

"As of yet, she doesn't. Do you like her Spencer?" He could barely nod a reply, so charmed with the curiously magical creation. For a brief moment, he could have sworn her grin extended a little before shaking it off and her face returned to normal. She truly was alive! His eyes flicked to the old man, who just nodded a silent yes to the question he knew Spencer was about to ask.

"May I keep her?" Spencer cuddled the doll and whispered how much fun they were going to have together, how pretty she was and how much she'd like his home. The old man laughed and after setting up the remaining dolls told Spencer to leave his new friend here for one night, people at least needed to be able to see her beauty before he kept her. Spencer shook his head clutching her to his chest, not wanting someone else to come along and pay for the doll he had fallen in love with. Uncle laughed, his old brown eyes lighting up with joy for the first time in what felt like forever.

"Do not worry, little one. I'll place a tag on her to say she's not for sale. No one will be allowed to buy her, only to marvel at her like the rest. You come back tomorrow and claim her. Alright?" Spencer grinned and nodded, placing his lovely girl in the window before realising he had to go back to the orphanage soon, it was getting dark. He turned to Uncle to say goodbye, and Uncle was about to do the same when he felt Spencer softly hugging his waist.
"Thank you. For my beautiful doll and for being my friend. Thank you, Uncle." Uncle cuddled him back, small tears threatening to run down weathered skin but instead he just smiled.
"Thank you for bringing some joy back to this old dog Spencer. It is always a pleasure having you here. God bless you and the rest of the children at Mother Albina's. Give her my best, won't you?" Spencer grinned and nodded before running out the door and onto the snow-covered footpath back down the road to the orphanage where he lived. As his footsteps grew weaker the only sound that could be heard was the soft chime of the old door-bell, and the shuffling of the old man's feet.

"Take good care of that boy, you understand my darling?" His eyes drifted to the green eyed doll, who looked back at him unblinking. As he met her gaze the sun's fading light made it appear just for a moment that her eyes filled with determination.

Spencer never came back to the shop to pick up his doll. He was never even seen again by his small town, for the very next day, he was 'chosen' (more like forced) to attend the Abbey where a lifetime's worth of cruel and unusual punishment was inflicted upon him from the tender age of seven until he left a scarred young man of seventeen with his equally hardened comrades Tala, Bryan and Ian; a bond formed in mutual pain.

Uncle waited for him every day, sitting behind the counter of the shop waiting for Spencer's blonde mop to come running through the door with a smile. He waited through each cold winter, each thundering storm and each painful freezing night. And every night, as he went to close up the shop he would look to the doll who too waited patiently for her friend to return and claim her as his own. And every night, he would speak to her still hopeful of his return. "Don't worry my darling. He's out there, and one day he will find his way back to us." Even when Uncle passed away after nearly six years of heartbreaking waiting, she stayed there with the shop's new owner, Uncle's great nephew, and she waited.

*Time-skip* The day Spencer met Charlotte (Spencer's P.O.V.)

I've always liked the rain, especially when I want to clear my head – especially after the warzone I left the house in. It's so relaxing, washes away all the tension and the anger. It even reminds me of my old home… I shake my head to rid myself of that thought. Don't think of home Spence, it'll only hurt you more... hey, who's that over there? There was a lone girl sitting under a tree where I'd watched her run to because she was getting soaked, and she clearly didn't like it. She took off her headphones and jammed them roughly into the well-worn black bag, covered with cute little badges, she was wearing. Clutching the umbrella in my hand tightly, I walked over to her. You should never leave people alone in the rain, especially not when you can help them. Gently I held the umbrella over her head, and she seemed oblivious for a moment before turning to face me and I could have sworn I'd seen her face somewhere before. "Where're you headed kid? Because wherever it is you aren't going to make it dry." I wasn't trying to be funny, but she smiled at me none the less. It was a nice smile, soft pink cheeks and eyes a lovely shade of green filled with melancholy warmth. A sudden flash of a long-forgotten memory hit me, of a doll that I'd loved from the moment I met her eyes and I nearly died of fright. That old bastard was telling the truth! They really are people! I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I almost didn't hear her begin to speak.

"I don't know… my friends left me behind and now I'm lost. I don't even know where I am anymore…" She looked so miserable, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of sympathy pour from a heart I was beginning to forget I had. I rubbed her shoulder gently and she smiled again but her eyes were full of pain as she wiped a few tears from them. "I'm sorry, for being so emotional. I'm just really worried, my mum said I could make my own way home because I'd have my friends with me but they've all ditched me and," Her voice cracked softly, broken and lonely.

"I don't even think they realise. They've all probably forgotten about me." There was no way I could stop the shock from reaching my face. How could anyone leave her behind? How dare anyone leave her behind? I must confess now, compassion and physical affection are not my strongest points. The Abbey sort of does that to you. Gently I wrapped an arm around her and cuddled her which she gratefully accepted. She was so fragile, just like a doll.

Just like my doll.

She was my doll. And I vowed to myself that day looking into her eyes I was never going to lose her again. "C'mon kid, let's get you cleaned up."

*Present Moment*

"So you've basically developed an attachment to her because she bears resemblance to a doll you owned as a child?" Well that was awfully unfeeling, Charlotte thought as Emily summed it up. Spencer began to chuckle, the vibrations rumbling through his chest to Charlotte who looked up expectantly.
"Initially yes," He smiled patting her head. "But there's a lot more to it than that." They shared a smile before Charlotte turned to Emily, and something clicked in her mind.
"You want to know how I make them smile, right? It's not why, it's how – that's what concerns you. You reckon if I can, surely you lot might be able to as well."

Emily adjusted her glasses to hide her shock; she'd seen right through the master plan! "Uh well, yes, I believe it would be valuable information."
"To do what?" Kenny squawked, eyes wide. Emily sighed, refusing to look up, before letting off a long string of explanation.
"To keep for future reference lest they ever decide to turn on my idiotic teammates. This smiling thing seems to have a calming effect upon them and since I know my own team won't calm down unless I knock them out it's probably easier to go with the lesser of two evils. There, are you happy?!" The All-Starz were stunned silent...

"Aw Em, I didn't think you cared enough to stop them killing us."

…Bloody hell, Parker. When will you ever learn that you shouldn't make stupid comments around smart women?
"What are you gonna do about it, hit me?" Michael obnoxiously asked the authoress, who glared viciously at him for breaking the fourth wall, before smiling evilly.
I can send you into hell with the tap of a few keys, Parker. Or worse, an endless Ming-Ming concert. Don't test me.
Rather appropriately Michael shivered in horror at that mental image; whilst everyone else wondered who it was he was talking to.
Remember to clean up the remnants of the fourth wall once you're done being an idiot, Parker. He nodded producing a dustpan and brush, muttering something about an evil authoress and how she hates his guts. Charlotte shook her head, turning back to Emily.
"Anyway, it's pretty simple. I'll show you one of my favourite ways to make them grin! Watch and learn!"

Charlotte took off the contacts and wig, shaking out her natural hair and blinking a few times so she could see properly. "Much better, hit it!" A guitar track began to play a cheery riff and Yu's eyes widened in delight – he loved this song! Kai rolled his eyes as Charlotte began to sing in time with the super cheery voice of Pinkie Pie's Smile Song. It should have irked him, but it didn't, and that irked him.

My name is Pinkie Pie, "Hello!" she exclaimed chirpily to Yu and Kenta, waving and giggling a little as Yu's arm practically flung off in his return wave.
And I am here to say, "How ya' doin'?" Next she grinned at Barthez Battalion and received in return a bubbly beam, a cheerful grin, a slightly awkward smile and a tiny glimmer of a smirk. (A.N: If you can guess who was doing what you get virtu-lollies)
I'm gunna make you smile and I will brighten up your da-a-ay! The lights finally came on completely in the room, tinted slightly with pink, and Yu turned to Gingka. "I told you Pinkie Pie was magical!"

It doesn't matter now, "What's up?" Charlotte waved at the rest of Gen Gen Galaxy, most of them beamed back bar Kyoya (who was trying not to watch her skip around in the skimpy dress for the sake of being a 'gentleman') and Tsubasa (who didn't want to admit he knew all the words and was secretly a brony). Skipping like a four year old she waved at King and Queen.
If you are sad or blue, "How-dy!" She tipped her head as if she had a cowboy hat on, and the two of them responded warmly with "Howdy to you too!" in complete synchronisation.
Cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do! She pointed boldly to herself with a bright grin.

Cause I love to make you smile, smile, smile, yes I do! She skipped, bouncing on each "smile", before turning to the White Tigers with a grin on "yes I do!" Her grins were infectious, and the White Tigers couldn't help but smile back.
It fills my heart with sunshine all the while, "Yes it does!" She nodded emphatically Kane and Salima – the latter looking far less convinced than the former.
Cause all I really need's a smile, smile, smile, She skipped over to Mystel, Crusher and Garland, who were all more than happy to oblige her a smile.
From these happy friends of mine! She bounced on the three single notes before twirling around.

I like to see you grin, "Awesome!" She'd made her way over to the Majestics, and smiled at Enrique (who'd planned to give her his 'Prince Charming' smile but couldn't bring himself to give anything less than an honest smile for some reason he couldn't begin to fathom).
I love to see you beam "Rock on!" Oliver flushed, smiling brightly at the compliment.
The corners of your mouth turned up is always Pinkie's dream! Robert, who'd never been one for children's songs, startled them all by giving her the slightest (yet one of the most genuine smiles) they'd ever seen him give anyone.

And if you're kind of worried, She wandered over, poking Johnny's cheek which pulled the fiery Scotsman's mouth into a tentative grin – an expression so normally unseens that it left the Majestics at a loss for words.
And your face has made a frown, Kai, who'd been standing there pretending he was immune to the magic that is Pinkie Pie, was clearly fighting a deep inner battle when Charlotte finally came to him.
I'll work real hard and do my best, Charlotte jumped around him, poking, prodding, pulling faces and just generally doing all those annoying things siblings do when they want your attention.
To turn that sad frown upside down! Lo and behold it worked, and Kai allowed the tiniest glimmer of a smile onto his face, but that was more than enough for his teammates to freak out.

"HOLY SHIT KAI'S SMILING SOMEONE CALL THE COPS! NASA! THE FBI!"

That was more than enough to set off the rest of the room, the bubbly backing track wafting through the air. Charlotte looked over at Emily, a chipper grin on her features. "See?"

Emily couldn't help but smile back. "I think I do."

"I suppose we see too." In strode Hiro and a somewhat relieved looking Mr Dickinson. In his hands was a small fabric bag, which he warmly motioned to Charlotte to come and take. The room was silent apart from her soft footsteps, eyes wide and somewhat cautious.

"Here you are dear." Opening the bag with trembling fingers, she couldn't help but laugh. There lay a book of rules proudly branded with the BBA logo and a black t-shirt, emblazoned with what she recognised to be the symbol of the Blitzkrieg.

"Welcome to the Battle of the Bands tournament, my dear girl! We can't wait to see what you can do!"

All around her the Blitzkrieg gathered, excitement evident on their faces.

"Neither can we."

*EPILOGUE* Blitzkrieg's Flat

"So,"

"So?"

"You were…pretty cool today."

"Thanks, but why are you-"

"I'm…glad they didn't cut you off from us."

"…Me too, Kai. Me too."

ENDE

Review, for old time's sake. 3

Final Translation:

ty geniĭ = you're a genius!

MisstiqueRose out.