BRACE YOURSELF! because Rei's battle is about to startttttt. enjoy!
disclaimer: obeliskprima doesn't own the beyblade series, nor ost, or songs that will be mentioned throughout the storyline, only the ocs!
[Opening: JET]
[GO SHOOT!]
Takao launched his beyblade out, as the logo shown.
[Bakuten Shoot Beyblade: V Force.]
Takao layed upon a grassy field, having a small stem sticking to his out, blowing it away.
[Saenai mainichi tsukaku to boya ite,
Kirana koto ga areba sugu ni hekon dari]
That's when something shining shone from above and fell straight down.
[Dakedo ii toko Kimi ni misetakute]
The beyblade started to chase Takao, taking a form of a magnitude beyblade and Takao tripped and fell face-plant! His shoe hitting on top of his head.
[Sonna boku no sesuji Shakii to shiteta]
The beyblade (which belonged to Takao) clashed with another black beyblade and bounced back.
[Ganbaru no wa Shoujiki ittara]
In the screen of Dizzi's, it displayed all of the Saint Shield's bit beasts.
Vanishing Moot, Voltic Ape, Sharkrash, Venom Serperior, Flash Leopard.
[Mada mendou Tayorinaishi]
Kenny walked and Hilary followed with her athletic uniform and smiled. Takao stumbled and fell once again face-plant!
[Tsukare sou dakedo]
Max had his launcher out.
[Nigeteru dake]
Rei got his launcher out too.
[ja namerareppa nashi]
Kai looked over his shoulder, taking out his launcher.
[Tashika ni]
Opening her eyes, Ashley elegantly took out her launcher.
[kuyashii kara]
Takao had his eyes closed, but soon opened them and held out his launcher, as the rest of the BBA team assembled in with their launchers.
[Hate nai kono yume wo mawase]
Ashley on the top left, Kai at the bottom left, Max at the top right and Rei at the bottom right, Takao was self centered and each of them launched their beyblades one by one.
[Speed wo kasoku shinagara]
Each of their beyblades started to glow from the center.
[Sora no teppen e Kakenobore]
All of the lights shown brilliantly to the sky and all twirled, finally revealing the BBA team's Sacred Beasts.
Dragoon (Seiryu), Draciel (Genbu), Driger (Byakko), Dranzer (Suzaku) and Wolverine (Kitsune).
[Jibun ni maketetakunai deshou]
Takao and his dragoon was showed followed by Rei and Driger.
[Kakko tsuke demo ii ja nai]
Max was shown with his Draciel followed by Kai and Dranzer and soon Ashley with her Wolverine.
[Honki no mirai sagasou]
All five beyblades twirled around each other.
[Saa mukaikaze no]
Takao jumped with his fist high up, as Max jumped cheerfully. Rei pumped up a fist with a wide grin. Kai having a hand on his hip and Ashley smiling with glee, with the clear blue sky behind them and soon, their Sacred Beasts appeared faintly behind them.
[naka e]
On the last episode!
"Genbu!" shouted Max.
Genbu slammed Cyber Draciel into some type of system on the far side of the wall. Genbu had pinned Cyber Draciel up against the wall, preventing for Cyber Draciel to escape from the haywires sparking all over.
"Go, my Genbu!" shouted Max, commanding for Genbu to start to thrust Cyber Draciel's head against the wall, however, at first it was struggling to do so but was proven to be able.
With Cyber Draciel's head being slammed once more, it caused a massive explosion around the arena, sending both Max and Jim flying back.
The explosion caused the glass to shatter, finally releasing the in-prisoned.
"Look!" pointed Hilary over to the smoke.
Max's Genbu had been defeated by the digital Sacred Beast, and stolen!
But Max fought his very hardest!
Next thing, the BBA had entered passed the doors when they slid opened, revealing the next battlefield. The entire room was portrayed with rocks, like the bottom of the Grand Canyon, except without the river. Giant walls of rock surrounded everyone.
And the one waiting for them on the next floor...
A rock across the room started moving, revealing a secret doorway.
Inside, was another Psykick member. They had their back turned towards them. Soon, the person turned, finally revealing their face.
It was Salima, whose expression seemed to have changed quite a bit. She was looking directly at her next opponent,
Rei.
Episode Twenty Five: The Battlefield Promise
Rei could only gazed at the entrance of the other side of the room, which stood Salima.
Salima had a look in her eyes; both hate and evil all written over her.
Ashley blinked and stole a quick glance at Rei. He looked... upset. Out of the team, he was the most surprised.
Rei swallowed, his golden hues still shown with astonish. He dared took a few step forward and only stood a safe distance from Salima.
"You're fighting with me. Are you ready?" were the first words Salima spoke.
"Salima..." whispered Rei, and Salima had a malicious glint, which made him wonder if she was the same Salima he had met back then?
Salima quirk a brow at Rei's lack of responce and scoffed."Something wrong? Are you scared, Rei? After seeing how we took Genbu?"
Taken back the reply, Rei just narrowed his eyes at the red-headed female. "What?!"
Relief washing over her, Ashley held her chest with her hand. She narrowed her eyes at Rei and Salima. "Looks like this is Rei's battle."
Kai nodded at Ashley, standing alongside with her, on top of a huge boulder, keeping a safe distant from the battle. "Let's just see how this'll play out. Let's hope that his emotions won't get the better of him."
Batting her long lashes at Kai, Ashley rose a brow at Kai's statement, not understanding what Kai was interpreting. 'His emotions?'
"You won't get your hands on Byakko!" Rei started.
Salima just blinked and grinned. "We'll see."
...
Meanwhile, the rest of Team Pyskick were witnessing Salima's progress from the main room.
"Salima... how will your Cyber Driger fight against Rei's Driger?" wondered Sean out loud.
"I'd like to see that." Jim said with high amusement. "I'm keeping my eyes peeled."
The doctor turned away from the screen to inform Gideon of Salima's progression. "Mr. Gideon. During these past few days, Salima has worked her hardest to evolve her digital Sacred Beast. I am positive that she will produce satisfactory results."
Sean shifted his pupils to the corner and overheard the doctor explaining Salima's status, and reverted his eyes forward to the screen, his eyes landing on Salima's figure.
...
Rei made a fist. "I wish I was right."
Salima had to laugh at Rei's words. "Listen, I chose the side were I can succeed and become the very best." she leaned forward and grinned so wickedly. "I chose power, isn't it obvious, Rei?"
Eyes going wide, blinking, Takao was caught off guard. "Whoa." he whistled. "What happened to Salima?" he asked, surprised.
That's what everyone would also like to know but the answer was obvious. "Perhaps the temptation of power was too alluring for her, as so as the rest of her friends." Ashley states the facts, with calm. And Rei looked reluctant.
No longer finding a need to exchange words, Rei narrowed his eyes and fetched out his launcher, as Salima did the same.
Both readied their beyblades and launchers out and were ready for battle.
"Rei, you have to win! Win and get Genbu back!" shouted Takao.
"He's right! You have to win, Rei!" added Hilary.
[Battle Theme: Naked Girl — Dresstic]
"Let's do it!" shouted Rei.
"Go Shoot!"
The two cried out as they launched their beyblades, finally letting the battle commence.
Since this is an open and free rock like stadium with no dish, the winner will be determined on the last beyblade spinning.
The two beyblades clashed on, everyone else cheering for Rei, even Ashley and Kai were cheering for Rei silently.
Almost immedietly, Salima's bey thrusted Driger into the air but with mere luck! Driger was still spinning!
"That was close..." sighed Takao, afraid that he'll actually have a heart attack if something like that were to happen.
"Hey don't let up!" Hilary said.
"Go, Driger!" shouted Rei. Driger swooshed in and thrusted Salima's bey away.
"That's it! Keep it up!" boosted Takao with a pumped fist.
Salima's bey didn't looked to be affected by Driger last attack, as it remained still in one peace, and Salima had to taunt. "You're too soft."
Rei wasn't looking as if he was giving his all. In fact, he wasn't using his full power, as if he were holding back. Rei was letting his beyblade getting pounded and pounded over and over again.
"What the hell is Rei doing?!" asked Takao after seeing Rei's lack of motivation in this battle.
"His guard is down!" Max said.
"It looks like his bey is holding back!" Kenny mentioned.
"What?" Takao turned to Kenny, surprised.
Despite that assumption, Rei did have an advantage in this stadium, but there was also his potential feelings for Salima. Was he really letting her win?
At that same moment, Salima didn't felt that spark. In fact, she wasn't satisfied by Rei's battling method, she didn't liked it at all. She had figured out Rei by now. "Why?! Why won't you fight me seriously?! Are you making light of me?! Then I'll get serious!" she yelled while gritting her teeth. "Cyber Driger!"
[Two, tres, four]
A burst of light energy shone from the center of her beyblade, therefore, releasing Cyber Driger.
Rei didn't even bother to call out his partner. Only silence was his response.
The two beyblades collided and clashed but nothing seemed to be working for Rei's favor.
Takao could tell Rei was actually struggling and had to say, "Rei! Use Byakko! Fight back with Byakko!"
Ashley batted her lashes and was confused. "Is he really holding back?" she spoke in a very low whisper, as if she were speaking to herself. She didn't expected for anyone, nor Kai would be able to hear.
But Kai did heard. And he could only grunt, a frown appearing on his face.
Ashley shifted her feet a little, tilting her head to glance at Kai, who looked conflicted. "Kai?" she spoke so gently, "Do you know why Rei isn't giving it his all?" her face was filled with innocent oblivion.
Kai didn't glanced at her, face remaining serious, and nodded. "The other night, Rei told me that they feel the same way and understand each other." his eyes fell on Rei, who was in deep thought and was not planning to fight back. "And right now, he feels as though that the real Salima is still in there."
Pursing her lips, Ashley slowly nodded, a small 'o' shaped on her lips. "Ah. I see." her attention fell back to the battle before her.
Ashley started to compare herself to Rei, who was in the same position as herself. Just the mere thought of Rei having feelings for Salima, especially like that!
Face heating up, heart thumping, Ashley could feel a swarm of butterflies swarming around her belly. Placing her palm a over her beating heart, swallowing, she couldn't believe that such a mere thought would make her feel this way.
Taking a quick glance over at Kai, he was really focused on Rei's match against Salima. It must've been hard for Rei. Ashley understands Rei's situation so well.
Because she also has feelings for someone.
Nonetheless, Rei needed to make his decision. Ashley could only pray it would be the right one.
"Summon Byakko, Rei!" demanded Salima and only sensed hesitation from the young Chinese boy. "Why are you not fighting back?!" an aggregating sigh can be heard from her. "If you don't, it's all over for you!"
Her beyblade slammed Rei's beyblade against the rocky wall, and Rei was really losing his game.
Rei stared up at Salima, "Salima..."
...
Back at the river, where Rei met with Salima,
With a shaky sigh, Salima turned to Rei. "I have a request. Will you—," she felt hesitant and bit her lower lip. "— forfeit the match?"
...
'No!' Rei had to shake that heartbreaking memory that was only feighed by Salima. But how could he? He couldn't stop seeing Salima's face from then.
...
Salima sighed and tried to reasoned with Rei as desperately as she could back at the river. "You see, all this isn't what the whole team wants. We were ordered to fight with specially programmed beyblades. As you're aware, I'm sure."
Rei nodded in understanding. "The digital Sacred Beasts..."
Salima averted her eyes to the ground, before her eyes shifted at Rei. "What's the point of battling when you overwhelm the opponent with pure power under the manipulation of a Sacred Beast? I can't fight a battle like that."
...
The Salima Rei met back then or the Salima he was fighting now? Rei felt conflicted and wondered, 'Which one is the real you?'
[Two, tres, four]
"What are you waiting for? Summon Byakko! Now!" demanded Salima already growing impatient.
"I—... I—..." Rei tried to find the right words to say but his throat turned dry. He really did not want to fight with Salima. Not after seeing the real her and her true feelings. Rei felt like he made a special connection with her that one night. Did it meant nothing to her?
Ashley could only pity Rei. Rei shouldn't let his feelings get the best of him. She could understand it must be hard for him. Yet, Rei needed to fight this for his friends! For Max and Genbu and most of all, for the sake of Byakko.
Salima's beyblade shoved Rei's beyblade harder against the rocky wall, yet, Rei still wouldn't budge.
Being clueless on how Rei felt and not understanding why he wasn't even fighting back, Takao frowned and shouted to his teammate, "Rei! Call out Byakko!" oh yeah, as if no one thought of that. Sure Kinomiya.
Rei gritted his teeth. "But—... I—..."
Ashley sighed at Rei, shaking her head. She only wished to be more supportive for Rei but right now, this was getting ridiculous. He needed to call out Byakko. "R—Rei! Y—you must call out Byakko!" oh how she wanted to slap herself. Why at a time like this, she must stutter?
Salima growled, but she agreed with Ashley. Because enough is enough. "Rei! Why aren't you summoning Byakko? Why are you holding back?!"
Clasping her hands together, delicate fingers intertwining, Ashley prayed that Rei would not throw his battle because of Salima. Deep down, Ashley knew Rei care about Salima but Rei should not forget that his Byakko was at risk here.
Swallowing, Rei's golden orbs glistened, falling attention to Salima's figure. "Because I know the real you is still in there!"
At that moment, the BBA started to believe that Rei was almost considering throwing the battle and calling out Byakko but it was no used.
"This is starting to become a bored. Summon Byakko or else!" Salima threatened.
Rei shook his head, being stubborn by now. "No, I won't! I won't bring him out."
"Please tell me I'm not hearing things." Hilary said.
Takao shook his head, and sighed. "Wish I could Hilary, but Rei is still refusing."
[Battle Theme Ended: Naked Girl - Dresstic]
Looking down, chewing her bottom lip, it's about time Ashley does someting to get Rei some sense. "Rei—" but before Ashley could even begin, she stopped as she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Eyes widening, Ashley tilted her gaze to Kai, finding that Kai was looking directly at her, shaking his head.
"Let me." Kai stepped forward. Ashley batted her lashes, befuddled by Kai's behavior. Kai turned Max and took Draciel from Max's possession.
"Don't be soft, Rei!" Kai started, making Rei eye at him from the corner of his eyes. "You aren't fighting the old Salima! Don't waste your time worrying over it!"
Rei lifted his head, pupils falling on Kai's gaze. "Kai—"
Rei was cut off as Kai continued. "I know that it may be hard to admit but you need to put your feelings aside and realize what's at risk here." Kai averted his gaze slightly at Ashley, who only stared at him with her lips slightly parted, an innocent look on her. The gaze quickly broken, full attention back at Rei, who was regardless, in denial.
"But Kai, I—"
Kai didn't even defy into letting Rei finish, because now, Kai held Max's beyblade. An empty object. "Look at this." he said, and Rei only stared with a blank expression as Kai continued, "Did you forget what they did to Max?! This is what Salima and her friends did to Max, our teammate. You're letting someone like her win?" lowering his arm, Kai narrowed his eyes at Rei, a serious expression on him. "Are you just going to just let your teammates down or are you going to man up and fight?" his tone was so firm, yet strong too.
Rei was fazed by Kai's words. His eyes fell onto Salima, who was grinning so wickedly, as if her pure innocent look was no more. It still hurt. That she had turned like this. He didn't wanted things like this, no, not at all. But, Salima was an enemy. An enemy who took his teammates partner away from his. They hurt his best friend. And Rei was just letting Salima get away with it? What was Rei thinking?
Rei's heartbroken look transformed into a look of full determination.
Bros before ho—
"Byakko!" Rei finally cried out to his companion.
A burst of light shone from Rei's beyblade, now emerging Byakko into battle.
"Yes! It's Byakko!" Takao grinned, glad to see Rei finally getting into action.
Cyber Driger roared once the real Driger had shown himself.
It was at that peak of moment when Ashley finally got to witness Driger up close. It was different from when she seen Byakko on the dorm's television. When she first saw Byakko battling against... She can't really remember since everything was still cloudy. But, seeing the old folk of Byakko, the Whiter Tiger, her eyes gleamed and she couldn't help but to smile and feel warmth. To think that she would get this opportunity to finally see all of the BBA's Sacred Beasts. She felt special to have earned this privilege.
The two tigers roared and howled at one another. The two beasts went for each other, clawing out and battling with brutal force.
Kai silently smiled. Kai turned and proceed to hand Max's beyblade.
Kai advanced his way, standing next to Ashley, who only glanced at him with amazement, with pure innocence. "Wh—whoa. Kai, n—nice choice of words. Y—your speech really got to Rei." can someone please slap Ashley now? Because she really wants to be slapped. Why was she stuttering at a time like this?
Kai tried to hold in a chuckle. He gazed at Ashley, who wasn't staring but twiddling her index fingers. Kai hummed and gave her a small smile, arms crossed. His eyes then averted back to the battle, which was now, only beginning.
The two tigers initiated, pushing against each other and clawing at one another with their mighty paws.
Cyber Driger and Byakko were really going at it. They pounced and turned before clawing at each other like how wild tigers battle it out in the wild.
Byakko pushed Cyber Driger back but it kept coming back. This could really be anyone's battle. Both Tigers were evenly match.
"Bring it on, Byakko!" Salima shouted.
"I'm finishing this, now!" yelled Rei.
Subsequently, the two mighty beasts dashed and finally clashed.
Salima and Rei were really putting up a good fight. Not one even daring to go easy for their opponent.
The battle was so intense, no one could take their eyes off of the match.
Up until, the most unthinkable happened.
Cyber Driger and Byakko roared once more, dissolving and returning back to their vessels.
That's when the two beyblades had lost their rotation, leaving the battle as a tie.
Tyson blinked, eyes widen. "Whoa." he stared at Rei. "Now what?"
Salima and Rei just stared, but, they both went to retrieve their beyblades.
"You're a lucky guy, Rei." praised Salima to Rei's surprise. "I'm sure you're aware that this is a deathmatch." she reminded. "We fight until one of us is down for good!"
Rei only narrowed his eye at the taunting Salima, and he knew that she was right.
...
In the intervening period of time, beneath the dwellings of the vast vents, the Saint Shields found themselves coming across an empty hallway.
Dunga managed to open a tile from the ceiling.
Ozuma looked down to make sure the coast was clear.
One by one, the each jumped down and landed on their feet.
"God, this place is rough..." said Dunga.
"Haven't we been here?" Monica asked while observing her surroundings.
Mariam huffed, crossing her arms and frowning at her young brother. "Isn't there a more normal path, Joseph? My clothes are dirty."
"If we took the normal path some stupid trap would've put big gaping holes in our chests." Joseph grinned, clearly joking.
"Are you serious?" Dunga had to ask just to be sure Joseph was actually being for real or if this was just one of his stunts.
"What's more important is that we get Genbu back. Joseph, as we close?" Ozuma asked.
Joseph grinned, shrugging. "Beats me. Either way..." he flashed a teasing wink, snickering. "I'm just going where my nose knows to go.~"
Dunga growled. "This isn't the time for jokes!"
Joseph then hold his hand up in defense. "Whoa! Don't move, Dunga!" Joseph scanned around, his eyes spotting a fire extinguisher. He grabbed the extinguisher, placing it flat on the ground.
Monica leaned closer to Joseph, batting her lashes curiously. "What are you planning to do?"
"Just watch." was all Joseph said as he let the extinguisher roll across the open hallway.
Although the hallway was portraying with cautious, instantaneously, almost the same mechanism from before, shot out a beyblade directly at the extinguisher, finally causing an explosion.
The Saint Shields stared wide-eyed, smoke finally clearing.
"No freaking way!" Mariam exclaimed.
"Not good..." Monica mumbled.
Ozuma was clearly baffled himself. "The security is getting stronger, which means we might be getting closer to Genbu." he said, exchanging nods with Joseph.
...
Back at the battlefield, Salima had her launcher aimed at Rei, smirking. "I will take Byakko this time, for sure! Come on, Rei!"
Rei's eyes widen. Heart pounding, he held his hand up, as if he was about to protest.
Again.
"Wait!"
The audience in the background groaned and some even booe'd at Rei, but the entire cast weren't effected by the sound effects playing in the background.
"Salima, before we battle, I have one question." Rei lowered his hand and proceeded, "Why didn't you show up that night? You promised to meet me at the same place and time. I was waiting all night!"
As Ashley was hearing Rei's story and telling how he waited for Salima all night back then, Ashley's eyes had soften as they gleamed. She awe'd and felt touched. But of course, this wasn't the time for her to be fantasying.
Salima looked blank. Her face had a look of boredom. But, when Rei spoke, for a second, Salima felt like her old self. Her eyes widening while staring at Rei. However, her look was replaced to her mad look once again. She stretched her neck to her left, tilting her head, and began to laugh maniacally, soon glaring at Rei. "Why now? My mission is to take Byakko! You're weak, Rei!"
"Weak? You're wrong!"
"If you're distracted by that load of crap, I've already won! Hurry up! Get Driger already!"
"My point is that if you did show up that night I could have prevented you from getting under the digital Sacred Beast's spell!" Rei's golden eyes reflected regret and guilt. "I hate that I couldn't even do that!"
"Shut up! No one cares how you feel!"
Ouch, that gotta hurt for Rei.
"I will defeat Byakko with my Cyber Driger! Get Driger ready! Now!" demanded Salima.
"Fight, Rei! She can't come back to her senses!" Max shouted.
"She's a Psykick member!" reminded Kenny.
"Rei, think about Byakko! Y—you know what's at risk here!" Ashley raised her voice.
"Yeah! Do you want her to steal Byakko, Rei?!" Tyson yelled.
A laugh abrupt the room. Doctor B's face came to view on the intercom. "What an amusing story that was."
Takao turned to face the holographic screen and frowned, remembering seeing Doctor B's face back then. "It's you!"
"Rei, you cannot defeat Salima."
"What was that?!" Rei glared.
"And do you know why? Just as you with Byakko, Salima is now one with her digital Sacred Beast. A fighting machine, if you will. Trying to fight while reaching out to a machine means you've already lost." with that being said, the doctor began to laugh once more.
Takao had enough and was getting really annoyed by Doctor B's laugh. "Shut the hell up!" he launched his beyblade at the intercom, finally disappearing at sight.
"Screw you!" Takao said as his beyblade returned to his palm. "What does he think a blader is, huh?"
"It's so cruel!" Hilary said.
Ashley shivered and had a distress look in her eyes and started to look pale. "The fact that a digital Sacred Beast can change a person like that is truly terrifying..."
"Okay, now it's on!" Rei said while attaching his bey to his launcher and glared codly at Salima. "Salima, I will bring you back to your senses! Bring it!"
Just the words Sailma wanted to hear. And so, she activated her launcher, aiming it at Rei as a soft breeze blew by the two bladers.
Salima and Rei readied their battle launchers. With a countdown underway, they simultaneously launched their beyblades for battle.
"Go Shoot!"
And thus began round two of the match.
"Don't lose, Rei!" shouted Takao.
Salima eyes from her beyblade and smirked wickedly. "Come on, Rei!" she challanged,
Rei frowned at Salima, eyes narrowing. "Crush it to pieces, Byakko!"
"Go, Cyber Driger!"
Both beyblades clashed on and pounded. Without any hesitation, both bladers called out their Sacred Beast. The two tigers roared, and dashed for their foe, colliding, causing a huge collision of electricity to form. Driger began drilling Cyber Driger into the wall while the Sacred Beasts began to jump and claw at one another.
"He's totally different now..." murmered Takao, gulping. Even after all the moments his spent with Rei before, he has yet not seen the Chinese boy grow significant. It was overwhelming per say.
"Rei got serious!" Kenny added.
"Not bad." complimented Salima.
"I'm just getting started. Take this!" Rei yelled. His bey shoved and dragged Salima's bey against the rocky wall, leaving attacks. Rei thought, maybe through battle, he can reach her. "Salima! Wake up!"
"Silence!" Salima glared, "Fight back, Cyber Driger!" she yelled, causing her Sacred Beasts to roar at it's might, and started to fight back against Byakko. Both of the white tigers were sparring and clawing the other one out. Leaving to decide which white tiger was the dominant in the field.
Suddenly, a big gust of dusty wind began swarming around the rocky arena.
Just where was the wind coming from?
Ashley shielded her face with her arm, the gale getting stronger by the second. She flinched. Slowly, she lowered her hand. It felt like a hurricane was stirring. Her ice-blue orbs scanned around the room, until her eyes landed on the ceiling, something catch her keen eyes. "Look!"
Everyone eyed at Ashley and followed her line of vision. Everyone tried to see what was Ashley referring too when Takao caught the sight of what were these gigantic fans on the ceiling. The fans were the ones that was causing the small hurricane. "Cheating again!" he outta be surprised by he wasn't. He saw this one coming.
"Byakko!" Max called, realizing that the wind could possibly make it difficult for Byakko to move. Well that, and also troubling for Cyber Driger.
Needless to say, Cyber Driger was moving fine however the wind wasn't doing any favor for Rei's side. "Byakko!" he said, seeing his own Sacred Beast crying and struggling to withstand the wind.
Hilary immedietly noticed this, and frowned. "The digital Sacred Beast is totally fine! But how?"
"It's a mass of digital code!" Kenny pointed out, trying to hold his laptop, "It won't take damage from natural occurrences!"
"So it's just Byakko?" Ashley gasped, feeling so bad about Rei having to deal with this situation. She had to plead, "Please stop! This isn't fair!"
Salima glared at Ashley, scoffing. "Be quiet! Go, Cyber Driger!"
Cyber Driger was the first one to make a move through the hurricane. It dashed and hit against Byakko, causing him to fly back but luckily, Byakko managed to keep his balance.
"Rei!" cried out Takao.
Rei had stumbled back as Byakko had received another attack, but endured it. "Salima! Until you come to your senses, I won't go down!" he promised. Byakko dashed and collided against Cyber Driger.
Max grinned, cheering for his friend. "Keep it up, Rei! You can do it!"
Still though, this battle was starting to go on Salima's favor. And she was enjoying this.
That was...
A flashed of light past right through Salima. Her face fell, and lowered her arms.
Cyber Driger roared, letting go of Driger. Rei widen his eyes, completely caught off guard.
What just happened?
Salima's shoulders slump, her eyes filled with her color. "I—I..." she sighed, gritting her teeth. "Stay out of this! Shut off the tornadoes, Doctor!" she raised her voice to no one in particular, but she knew the scientists were listening.
...
"What'd she say to me?" glared the Doctor, not satisfied by Salima's sudden demand.
"Well, Doctor?" asked another scientist who was in charge of the tornadoes system.
"Ignore her!" said the Dcotor, "Crank it to full power!"
Meanwhile, Kane, Goki, and Sean were watching Salima's battle on screen. Sean stood completely silent, arms crossed while he wasn't impressed by Salima's changed of behavior. Out of all times, she now decides this was a bad idea? He only shook his head in dismissal.
...
"I told you to stay out!" Salima repeated, since the fans didn't turned off. Her eyes were close to tearing. She truly didn't wanted this. She wanted to win fair. Not with a sick tactic. After realizing she was wasting time, she scowled. "Oh forget them!" her eyes flared up at her Sacred. "Go, Cyber Driger!"
"What is she planning to do?" Ashley inquired with her head tilted.
That's what Takao would like to know too. His eyes narrowed and tried to pin point on what exactly Salima was aiming for. Until he finally caught up. "The tornado! She's heading straight for it!"
Rei's eye's dilated. "Cyber Driger's aiming for the control device!"
Salima had Sacred Beast used the power of one of the mini twisters and used its wind power to cycle up towards the ceiling and bash into the machine, breaking it and shutting it down.
Everyone was truly in shock by Salima's choice of action. But most of all, Rei was the one who was most in shock. "S—Salima..."
Salima sighed, looking down. "I don't want to use any of their tricks." she confessed, "I wnat to fight you on equal ground. That's all!" she slowly looked up, meeting Rei's gaze.
Truly still in overwhelmed, a smile made its way to Rei's lips, letting out a chuckle. "That's it! That's how you used to be!"
[Battle Theme: Underdog]
Salima merely looked at Rei with a puzzle expression. "How I... used to be..." she whispered. She felt something inside her spark, warmth then, a feeling she hadn't felt before the Sacred Beast's power had taken over her control. Her left eye then twitched.
Oh no, Rei can't lose her again. "Come on, Salima!" he raised his voice out to her.
[Waited so long, standing for you,]
"Huh—?" Salima's eyes widen, scoffing then. "My pleasure!" she yelled, her glaring expression returning.
[The world beneath your feet.]
The two beyblades thrusted and pounded. Neither Rei or Salima were going to give up on this battle.
Rei tried to remain cautious. He wanted to get Salima back. He wanted her to be back like her old self. So close, she had almost regained sanity, yet he lost her.
[Crumbling down, you come around,]
Golden gues shrinking in astonish, Rei was fazed but what he was witnessing. Was it just him? Or was Cyber Driger evolving twice more than its original shape?
[To realize what I can be!]
"Crap! It evolved again!" cursed Takao. Now Rei's in trouble.
[I've paid my dues and
I've earned my kick,]
How will Rei be able to defend and defeat against the gigantic beast?
[I'm taking the stage,]
Rei glanced over at Salima. "Salima!" he called out.
[Spotlight shining on me!]
Salima was struggling with trying to maintain control of her digital Sacred Beast. She was gritting her teeth and growling. Byakko was trying to land attacks but was pushed back.
"Salima is acting weird!" Takao said. Way to point out the obvious. But luckily, there was an answer to his question.
"I don't know" Kenny started, opening his laptop and started to track any sort of data to develop a conclusion, but only could think of a hypothesis, "I'm positive that the growth of the digital Sacred Beasts puts an incredible strain on the Blader."
That didn't sound good. Ashley felt herself shiver at such thought, but had to ask, "So if it keeps evoling, she'll end up like Yuya...?" she said, which Kai glanced over his shoulder.
"Exactly." Kenny said, nodding. "It is incredibly dangerous."
Ashley took a quick glance over at Kai, who was focused back watching the battle, and chewed her lower lip. "Oh dear..."
Salima was trembling. Already, she couldn't hold it in. She was feeling pain. She growled, while clutching onto her head. "Go! Sonic Radiation!" she cried out as her gigantic digital Sacred Beast pushed Byakko back with cruel-some force, but Byakko managed to hold back the attack and roared.
[Gonna stand your ground,]
"Vulcan claw!" Rei called out.
[Turn your head around,]
Driger roared as in on cue. A green wave of energy form his mouth, hitting directly at his copy but it managed to withstood the attack.
[I'm gonna take you down cos,
IM THE UNDERDOG!]
Nevertheless, the attack only caused Cyber Driger to grow more and more and was becoming magnitude.
Salima clutched onto her head. She was starting to lose her breath, energy slowly draining from her. That was it. She couldn't hold her pain anymore. Salima screamed, so loudly. She was enduring the torment, striving to control the raw new power.
Rei was getting worried. He was starting to feel scared for Salima's health. "Salima! Huh?" he grew confused then when he later noticed Salima pausing her screams, and laughed heartlessly, sounding weak.
"Rei..." Salima almost sounded as if she were weeping. Who wouldn't be after having to endure the horrible agony. She slowly lifted her head, her look was though as if she were back to normal. "I... I..." she chewed her bottom lip, trying to hold in the torment. "I remember when we were all traveling together to learn about battling. Back then, we did our best to communicate through battles. Not just to win. But to have fun battling." Salime felt like tearing up, remembering the memories she shared with her friends, showing young future bladers the true methods of battling. She could picture herself with Sean during that one time, teaching a young boy to battle and enjoying a wonderful time, before things reached this way.
"Salima!"
[For now and all eternity!]
Salima couldn't hear the worry in Rei's voice. She doesn't know. All she knew that sounds caused her pain. "Byakko!" she's really losing it but she is trying so hard to maintain control. "Die!"
[I've paid my dues and
I've earned my kicks,]
"S—Salima..." Rei was hurt seeing the lass growing through this horrible torment.
[I'm taking the stage,]
Then, Salima began to scream once again, clutching onto her head. She collapsed to her knees and cried out in pain.
[Spotlight shining on me!]
Rei tiled his head, eyes softened. "Salima, you..."
Rei was cut off by Salima as she turned her head over her shoulder to glance at Rei. She tried to reach her hand out to him, while having her other palm covering half of her face. "I tried to meet you that night. With one of the digital Beyblades."
Rei gasped. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What?"
By this point, Salima's eyes had softened, almost returning to her sane self. "But I couldn't go..." trying to catch her breath, she continued, "Back then, I tried to escape..." she paused, remembering being caught by Kane and Sean and all the more made her feel guilt for leaving Rei hanging. "But they stopped me..."
"So that's why..." Rei said.
[I got your number,
IM THE UNDERDOG!]
Salima nodded. "Before I knew it, I was drawn in by the digital Sacred Beast..." she closed her eyes, before snapping them wide-open, growing mad. "Go, Cyber Driger!"
[Gonna stand your ground,]
Takao couldn't bare to watch this. Growling, he dashed towards Salima's digital Sacred Beast, and Ashley tried to reach for him, "T—Takao!"
[Turn your head around,]
"You son of a—!" before Takao could even have the chance to curse and tried to pounce at the creature, Cyber Driger threw off some force, causing Takao to fly back, landing on his back.
[I'm gonna take you down cos]
[IM THE UNDERDOG!]
Ashley left Kai's side and quickly made her by her brother's side. "Big brother? Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
Groaning, Takao batted his eyes, gazing at his sister. "Yeah but— what just happened?"
Relief washed over Ashley and she smiled. At least Tyson was alright. She helped her brother up, both focusing the match.
"Salima. The thing is, I was worried about the same thing that night! I didn't see the point of battling just to win!" Rei's expression only soften. "But I... in my heart, I decided to fight my own way!"
[You think your hip,]
Salima's slowly lifted her face from her palms, her eyes glistening, softening once she saw Rei. "When you fight your hardest and can communicate without the need for words... I must have wanted something like that, Rei..." perharps power wasn't everything after all.
[But you're going down for a trip,]
Shaking his head. Salima did had a point. Rei has been there. He can understand the desire to gain more power. But, then again, what good can come from it? Power was nice but, it wasn't worth if it's only hurting yourself. "We might be similar. If we hadn't met like this, we could have understand each other!"
[So you better get over it!]
Salima felt rejected. Did Rei not understand what she was trying to interpreted? Did he took it the wrong way? Salima swallowed. A rage of energy flowed through her, the evil glint in her eyes returning. "You're finished, Rei!"
[Take a ride,
Shake up your head high,]
Cyber Driger tried to use its paws to smash Driger but he kept on dodging from its attacks.
[Don't go wasting my time cos
You're mine!]
"Salima! I will beat you!" Rei said with determination, gazing right through Salima's eyes, his main goal to try and aid her and wake her up. "While you've regained control!"
[I've paid my dues and
I've earned my kick,]
Salima was really trying to gain her ground but it felt impossible for her.
[I'm taking the stage,]
"Watch! This is how I battle! Go, Driger!" Rei cried out.
[Spotlight shining on me!]
Driger pounced on Cyber Driger's back and bit down on its back, causing the mechanical tiger to roar in agony.
[Coming up from under,]
Salima's digital Sacred Beast roared out the same force that pushed Takao back from before, but that didn't do much.
[I got your number,]
[IM THE UNDERDOG!]
Furthermore, a huge explosion emitted from the two tigers, causing a white light to flood over everyone's sight.
[Gonna stand your ground,]
It was hard to see for a moment, dust was everywhere. The small particles slowly evaporate and Rei's vision became more clearer.
[Turn your head around,]
Rei didn't see Cyber Driger in sight. He started to wonder what happened. He tried to scan for any sign of Cyber Driger. His ear caught a sound. A sound he was very presumptuous of.
[I'm gonna take you down cos]
Golden hues followed the trail his ears could pick up, finally spotting a beyblade behind a silhouette of the smoke. Once clear, Rei sees a beyblade motionless.
[IM THE UNDERDOG!]
Heart thumping so loud, as if playing a marching band, Rei's eyes flickered to the beyblade next to the motionless one. His eyes widen. He couldn't believe it. Driger was left spinning.
Rei won.
...
Back in the main room, on the screen, the Doctor gape, seeing smore conceiling the entire display. "Impossible!"
"Cyber Draciel exploded..." said Jim, overwhelmed.
Kane and Sean gaped at the screen. More or so, Sean's eyes glistened onto the screen, eyes widening. "Salima..." he whispered.
...
"Driger made it!" Max yelled.
"He did it! He won!" Takao cheered.
"Wahoo! Rei! You go boy!" Hilary grinned with her arm raised.
"I can hardly believe it!" Kyoujyu also cheered and congratulated.
Intertwining her finger together, Ashley smiled. She was glad Rei had overcome his troubles and won. She was so proud. Ashley and Kai both exchanged glances, and Kai sent Ashley a small smile, as she returned a smile of her own.
The BBA team walked over to Rei, but his attention was on Salima, who was still on her knees. A moment later, she stood up. Then, the entrance where Salima once entered, slid open. She exhaled through her nose. She started to take a few steps but Rei reached out to her. "Salima, where are you going?"
Stopping in her tracks, Salima looked over her shoulder, her eyes glistened with sorrow. "Back to my team."
"Wait! Who's fault do you think this is?" Hilary asked.
"Yeah! You don't have to go back to them!" Takao said.
"And now you know how terrifying it is to be under the power of a digital Sacred Beast, right?" asked Kenny.
Averting her eyes to the ground, Salima still managed to smile, but it was weak. "They're waiting for me." with that, she walked away but before she left, she said a few words to Rei." Rei, thank you. I'm glad I could battle you." she turned and began to tear up again, not having the courage to face Rei no longer with the way she was now.
"Salima..."
But it was already too late, Salima had already left, as the entrance slid closed from behind her, her presence gone in the room.
With silence filled in the atmosphere, Ashley had to ask her teammate. "Rei, are you alright?"
"I guess." Rei responded. In all honesty, he didn't know what he felt. Right now, Rei feels conflicted.
"Hey don't feel so bad, she's one tough cookie. Besides, you took down our first digital Sacred Beast." Takao mentioned as in a way to cheer Rei up.
"You got payback!" Max added, grinning.
It was reluctant, to say the least. Ashley narrowed her eyes, averting her vision to the ground. "I can't I still can't believe they would do that to their own teammate." she spoken in a soft whisper.
"But now we definitely can't forgive Pyskick." said Kenny.
"Yeah! We have to beat them!" Hilary said, "Right, Ashley, Kai, Takao?"
Everyone else nodded and agreed with her.
"Yeah! Leave it to us!" Takao looked over to Ashley and Kai, grinning. "Right you two?"
Ashley didn't know what to say. She wasn't so sure if she was ready for her turn to come. She really did not want to deal with any more hardships. But, she had to brace herself.
"Absolutely." Kai said, sounding determined than ever to take down Psykick. "They won't get away with this."
Biting her lower lip, Ashley's eyes suddenly lit up, eyes shining, she was determined to stay by her team's side. "They'll never know what's coming."
"Yeah!" Takao grinned.
"We will defeat them—" Ashley started,
"— And make sure our Sacred Beasts are safe." Kai finished.
Ashley, Kai, and Takao were the only ones left, however, who will battle next? And, who will win?
[Ending: What's the answer?]
A beyblade was spinning with its center glowing.
[Let's get up, get up and stand up,
tsuyogaru koto wa nai move up
kokoro wo yurashite so step up,
mitsumeru ashita no go up]
[moshi kotoba wo erabenakute, koe ga karetete mo hanarete]
Max's pose was his thumb pointing to himself, smiling as Genbu's spirit was behind him.
[omoi dake ga sora ni magire
ato ni nokoru kuukyo wa naze?]
Rei's left eye could be seen as his right eye was masked with Byakko's spirit next to him.
[arienai gendou de tomadowasete]
The BBA team all turned to punching bags (?) springing around as a white beyblade was spinning in a non-motion way.
[ate no nai tsuyogari wa yowaku miseru]
The BBA team were out fishing by a pond. Takao managed to fish out a dragoon look-alike and the rest of the Holy Beasts as the BBA team were awed. Kai sat in the back leaning to a rock, Ashley standing by him, smiling and giggling at her friends.
[demo hitotsu dake kokoro ni kimete!]
All the BBA members spun around on top of their signature beyblade as they were huge! Takao, Max and Rei struggling as Max was on his knees. Ashley having her leg slightly up and smiling while Kai sat crossed legged on his beyblade. Hilary and Kenny watching the BBA with grins.
[ashita kimi no uta wo, kotae ni kaki soete]
Kai was smiling while looking to his side, Suzaku right above him, close.
[sugita hibi ni iro wo tsuketai, merodii (melody) wa boku ga ageru]
The twins were shown. Ashley and Takao standing side by side, Ashley on the left and Takao on the right. Kitsune and Seiryu behind them.
[Getting the vibe from the other side]
The beyblade from the beginning was starting to lose its spin.
[All day every day it's the same,]
The beyblade lost its spin, the center finally showing Dragoon.
[What's the answer?]
So Rei won against Salima's digital Sacred Beast? Who didnt't see that coming? yeah sure we all didi woopeee-dooooo! the dub kinda made the pairing sound romantic but i made it realistic here lolololololol nothing going on between them here. anyways... who do u think will be battling next? Ashley? Kai? or even Takao maybe? Who knows, I did switched things up hereeee. you'll just have to wait and see! okay im still playing ultra sun and gosh am I having fun! may take a while for me to finish editing the next chap. also, in my other story it actually gives away a MAJOR hint when Ashley's battle will be. You'll just have to find out if ur eager to know. anyways, feel free to review and give feedbacks! - obeliskprima