Chapter 12: Pride, Union & Darkness:

After being in a coma for nearly the entire Africa, Japan series, Tsubasa finally begins to show signs of consciousness and begins his attempt at waking up in the hospital. But his wake up call wasn't what he was hoping for.

Inside The Dark World:

Tsubasa runs and runs like his life depends on it. He runs away like he's been disgraced and will never pick up a BeyBlade ever again. Inside this world, there was nothing but purple and black darkness on the horizon.

But there was also a small glimpse of hope and and small chance to escape.

Tsusbasa ran and ran desperately with the hope to escape his inner demons. He desperately ran out of breath in his escape attempts. Just when all seemed to work...he tripped.

Tripped at a time where no mistakes could be afforded. Tripped at a time where he was losing an ongoing war for his sanity against that evil darkness.

The dark side of himself stood tall over him. It was almost as if it were gigantic. With its prey in his sights, the darkness begins to take him in...until.

Tsubasa suddenly wakes up...with no darkness in sight...

Instead, the Eagle Blader woke up surrounded by hundreds of pieces of fan mail sent in from fans and to the rest of GanGan Galaxy as well as Madoka, Kenta and Hikaru. There was no lingering evil in sight. Just a well deserved moment of peace and joy.

"Ohh, thank goodness you're awake." Said Madoka who look very concerned.

Yu follows her up. "You know, for a while we didn't know what would happen."

Tsubasa takes a breath of fresh air. Then he follows up with a small relaxed smile. "What matters most is that you guys beat Wildfang, isn't that right?" Judging by the smiles from everyone in the room, mainly Masamune and Gingka, Tsubasa knew that this obviously was the case. He was slightly relieved that his injury didn't prevent the team from fighting until the very end.

Once the surprise settled in and Tsubasa was beginning to understand everything, Masamune chimes in with more details about every aspect of the battle following the Eagle Blader's collapse from his rampage.

"Yeah." Said an excited Masamune. "It was all thanks to my skills and guts."

"Wait, what?" Gingka was dumbfounded.

Masamune just chuckled. "Just kidding, it was all thanks to you and Yu earning us the chance in the first place. Because of that, it allowed me and Gingka to clean up against Kyoya and Nile." Masamune held his hand out for a high five, to which Gingka returned it.

For a moment Tsubasa kept the small smile he had since he had woken up. This was an effort that should be celebrated by everyone involved. GanGan Galaxy was going on to the final round of the A-Block. But something inside was keeping him from truly feeling like a winner. Instead, seeing the team celebrating just made him feel more empty and sadder on the inside.

Suddenly Tsubasa said. "I'm sorry everyone," Cutting the brief celebration to a screeching halt, "I'm apologize dearly for missing such an important part of our team's history you guys."

Gingka and everyone looked at the Eagle Blader as if he had something wrong. "Don't worry about it. Just take all the time you have before the finals to get some rest. Don't worry about it right now." The happiness on Gingka soon turned to seriousness. "You're okay now, right?"

Hikaru, whom was quietly in the corner of room cutting off an Apple's skin became suddenly interested in the conversation. GanGan Galaxy all lied in wait for an answer from Tsubasa. But they weren't in a rush. Tsubasa arguably fought the hardest out of everyone being that he ended up hospitalized while everyone else managed to go on and fight.

Tsubasa himself wasn't even sure if he was okay. He didn't even know if or when he'd be able to get back on his feet and reach one hundred percent. Truth be told, Tsubasa would've rather tell them the truth than to lie to them about his health. But the team was currently on a roll and he didn't want that good track record to collapse because of him.

So he chose to lie to them. "Yes, I'm fine."

"So we'll all go to the finals together." Gingka was already getting pumped up and excited about the end of the A-Block.

But there was just one more thing that Tsubasa needed to know before things could progress. "So has our opponent for the A-Block been decided?" Truth be told, none of the GanGan Galaxy members knew who their opponents would be, but they were hoping it would be their friends.

Everyone decided to let Madoka break it down for Tsubasa. "Well not yet, but we're all excited and we're all hoping that our next opponent will be Wang-Hu-Zhong."

Everyone was smiling once again, Tsubasa included. This got the team talking about what it would be like when they face their old friends and rivals once again.

Gingka had gone on about how he and Dashan had a score to settle. Masamune went on about how he and Chao-Xin needed to have another rematch with one another. Mei-Mei had even crossed his mind during the conversation. Tsubasa had even thought about the score he had to settle with Chi-Yun, being that he had lost to him during their match back in China.

Everyone seemed convinced. All accept Yu. See, while he would love to get a shot at Wang-Hu-Zhong, everyone seemed be forgetting about the one main roadblock to that goal.

Excalibur...

The Libra Blader knew that, Konzern, Sophie and Wales weren't gonna just lie down and roll over. These guys were no joke, especially Konzern. "I don't know you'd guys." Everyone turned to Yu. "Do you really think they'll be able to win against Excalibur?"

Kenta whom was quiet most of the time criticized Yu's doubts. "Oh there you go again, Yu."

The Libra Blader was firm in his claims. "Look Ken-Chi, I'm just being honest."

While Kenta and Madoka got into a light argument with Yu about the Excalibur Vs Wang-Hu-Zhong matchups, Tsubasa suddenly felt his heartbeat pound louder. His eyes widened in fear and realization.

Only Gingka caught on to this. "Hey Tsubasa? What's wrong?"

The Eagle Blader ignored him and continued to look around his hospital room, absolutely paranoid beyond belief. What in the world was happening to him? Why is this happening now at a time where he should be celebrating his team's victory against Wildfang. Was he meant to suffer like this forever?

"Where are you looking?!" An evil voice that only he heard before asked.

This just made Tsubasa more terrified. More paranoid. More helpless.

"I'm over here!" Said the maniacal voice.

Tsubasa finally looked over at the window and saw the reflection of his dark side. His personal tormenter. The demon he could not escape no matter how hard he tried, standing there and smiling maliciously in the window's reflection.

"Do you really think that you can go to the finals along with the others, Tsubasa? Hrrr!"

Tsubasa's heartbeat got louder and he felt that sharp pain in his chest that he's been feeling since the start of this whole issue. This got everyone's attention. Everyone in the room from his teammates to Kenta and Hikaru surrounded him as it looked like he was in the middle of a very painful heart attack. Hikaru immediately ran out of the room telling everyone that she would go get the doctor while everyone else tried to get Tsubasa to breath and calm down.

Suddenly the Eagle Blader began sweating horribly and feeling his body temperature increase. "It's...it's...hot." He struggled to get out three words, making everyone even more worried for his wellbeing. "My chest!...feels like I'm burning!"

"Tsubasa! Tsubasa!" Everyone screamed.

All they could do was helplessly watch him shake rabidly like a sick or dying animal. GanGan Galaxy and Kenta desperately tried to figure out what was happening to their friend, but to no avail.

As the pain kept getting worse, Tsubasa looked and saw his dark side in the window yet again.

"You are what you see my friend. Just accept it and come to me."

Tsubasa, despite being in the worst condition imaginable did not give In. "No! I won't!"

"Surrender yourself to me. If you do, you'll feel so much better."

Tsubasa watched as he heard the Dark Power inside him laugh at him maniacally. It was almost like it were taunting him and baiting him. The Eagle Blader would not give in. "Stop!" He yelled and suddenly jumped out of his hospital bed, grabbing a nearby chair. Shocking everyone, Tsubasa ran like a psychopath towards the windows and began smashing where he had saw his darker side. "Stop it! Get out of my head RIGHT NOOOWWW!"

Tsubasa was so crazed, that Gingka and Masamune darted over the bed and had to physically restrain him from doing anything else that that crazy. "Tsubasa!"

"Get a grip dude!" Said Gingka.

"Pull yourself together man!" Said Masamune.

Tsubasa was ignoring them and continuously struggled with them over until he could free himself. This site left Kenta, Yu and Madoka absolutely jaw dropped. "I won't let him winnn!" Tsubasa was sound more maniacal by the minute. Just what was happening to the Japanese Blader.

About thirty seconds or so later, Hikaru returned, and this time with two more doctors, with needles in their hands. They wasted no time in running over to Tsubasa and both giving him a dose of tranquilizers. For the first two minutes or so, it seemed to have no effect as Gingka and Masamune were nearly thrown off of the strong Blader.

Since a physical approach didn't seem to work, Gingka, Masamune and the two other doctors had no choice but to try a verbal approach so he wouldn't be able to burn through the sedative.

"Tsubasa." Gingka calmly says. "We need you to calm down right now, the doctors are here to help you feel better, please. We're begging you."

Now it was Masamune's turn. "Please dude, relax and chill out. We don't want you to do anything that you'll regret later. Just calm down and relax. It's just me, Gingka and the rest of the gang. You have nothing to be afraid of, my friend." The Striker Blader motioned for the two doctors to back away to make sure not only weren't they at risk, but to make sure Tsubasa was more at ease.

Gingka and Masamune both took at step back to see what Tsubasa's next course of action would be. He still held the small chair in his hands, shaking as fast as a spinning BeyBlade.

"Gingka...Masamune...?"

Everyone waited for his next move.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...The chair dropped to the floor, and Tsubasa did as well, falling unconscious as the sedative were finally kicking in. Gingka and Masamune fell sighed in relief, and fell back in complete exhaustion, while everyone else still seemed to be struggling to grasp how serious this situation seemed to appear beforehand.

The two doctors picked up the body of the unconscious, battered and mentally destroyed Blader. "Get a stretcher In here, right now." Soon after, two more doctors, a male and a female came in with a stretcher. Tsubasa was placed on it, and was now being taken away to be examined once again. GanGan Galaxy, Madoka, Kenta and Hikaru were absolutely terrified.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Yu hopelessly asked, but was ignored as he watched the doctors disappear around the corner with the stretcher bound Tsubasa.

A few more minutes pass by and everyone is still silent, still not believing what had just happened. Words could not describe what they had just saw. Soon the heard footprints behind where they waited. Everyone looked at the man who was before them.

WBBA Director,as well as Gingka's father, Ryo Hagane...

"Hey Dad? What's up?"

"Director?" Hikaru questioned.

Ryo looked almost as miserable and disheartened as everyone else. That obviously meant that that there was more bad news coming. Ryo sighed softly. "Everyone, please come with me right away. There is something all of you must see."

Ryo after that just strolled down the hallway that Tsubasa's body was taken to. Everyone, perplexed, simply had no choice but to follow Gingka's father.


Outside of the examination room, while Tsubasa was thoroughly examined and monitored by the medical team, Ryo, Hikaru, Kenta, Madoka and the rest of GanGan Galaxy look on helplessly through the glass screen. There was a nearby computer setup where Ryo walked over and took a seat. "Everyone, first I need you all to take a look at this." All eyes were on The Director. GanGan Galaxy, Kenta, Madoka and Hikaru saw Gingka's dad hook up a drive to the computer.

When the computer turned on, everyone saw footage of Gingka and Ryuga's battle at the finale of Battle Bladers.

"It's Gingky and Ryuga's battle at the Battle Bladers finale." Yu pointed out.

Ryo spoke. "Yes, it was a very dark time. Ryuga was being controlled by the dark power of the Bey, Lightning L-Drago." Gingka and everyone kept looking as they saw Ryuga being transformed into that hideous monster that the Dark Power had done multiple times in the past. Madoka, Kenta and especially Hikaru winced being that they had seen the fearsome power of Ryuga and his L-Drago up close on numerous occasions. In fact, Ryuga is the sole reason for her current retirement as a Blader. She was almost horrified by his presence and he wasn't even there. Ryo then played more footage. "And this is Tsubasa's battle just from the other day."

"Do Not Cross Me!"

Gingka almost couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Tsubasa." Was all he managed to mutter.

Ryo then placed both the footage of Tsubasa from the Wildfang series and Ryuga from Battle Bladers side by side. "Everyone pay close attention. You need to take a look at this."

Everyone's jaws hit the floor. It couldn't be. Tsubasa and Ryuga look almost identical. Like psychotic twin brothers taken over by darkness.

"It...it can't be." Hikaru barley manages to get out. "How is that possible?"

"What gives?" Asked Masamune, "They look nearly identical. What does this mean?"

Gingka was absolutely awed. He didn't want to believe it, but it was the reality. "Dad...are you saying...tha-"

"Yes my son, Tsubasa is infected with The Dark Power. It's living inside of him." Everyone was now more shocked than ever before. This whole time one of their own had the Dark Power buried inside of him. Gingka more so than the others. He thought he had vanquished the last of it and had freed Ryuga during their Battle Bladers fight. But it turns out that it was still living inside of Tsubasa this whole time. So many things raced through everybody's minds.

Would Tsubasa be okay? Was Tsubasa just as destructive or slightly less destructive than Ryuga was under the influence of the Dark Powe? Did Ryuga somehow manage to infect Tsubasa with it through L-Drago, there were so many questions that just needed answering right away.

Ryo continued to explain to the kids. "But remember you guys, Gingka wasn't the only one to take on Ryuga during Battle Bladers. Yes, i remember that dark time very clearly." Ryo reluctantly thought back to the time Tsubasa went head to head with Ryuga. Based upon the look on his face, the thought wasn't very pleasant and Gingka knew this firsthand.

It wasn't a pleasant time for Gingka either. Seeing all of his friends mercilessly destroyed and bowing down to the Dragon Emperor. Hikaru, Tsubasa and Kyoya. Each thought back to those battles made Gingka absolutely sick on the inside.

...

"King Lion Furious Blast Shot!...Come On! Shatter him! Let's use everything that we've got left!"

"It's no use! Ah, Dark Move! Dragon Emperor Soaring Destruction!"

...

"As a reward for not running away at the sight of me, I'm gonna finish you with my Dark Move."

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

"Hikaru!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

...

"My...Eagle!"

"HUHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

...

After Gingka's unpleasant trip down memory lane concluded, his father spoke up once again. "At that very moment my friends, Tsubasa was infected with the Dark Power."

Gingka looked at Tsubasa, whom was still being examined by the doctors and other members of the medical team. He gritted his teeth at the thought of an evil presence he thought he once defeated was running freely inside one of his treasured friends.

"L-Drago's...power." Hikaru couldn't help but shudder due to her own trauma at the hands of that monstrous Bey, and it's master. "It just freaks me out."

Ryo stood up out of his seat. "Take it easy, Hikaru, please don't despair." After being reassured by her boss, Hikaru stopped shuddering and nodded. "As each of you are probably aware of by now, the dark power contained inside L-Drago is something to be feared. And being infected by that power Tsubasa will allow the dark power to run wild again." Ryo almost looked like he was going to regret what he was about to say. And he was. "And therefor, effective immediately I am hereby removing Tsubasa from GanGan Galaxy as of today!"

Everybody gasped. Tsubasa was off of the team? They just didn't want to believe it. Everyone they've been through together with Tsubasa...was just over...just like that. Naturally, GanGan Galaxy weren't gonna go down without a fight.

"That's super unfair!" Gingka yelled, not phasing his father in the slightest. "Tsubasa shouldn't be removed from the team because of something L-Drago did!"

Ryo only sat back down at the computer desk. "Inside of Tsubasa, the dark power is growing larger and larger. As it right now, we have no idea when it could take control of Tsubasa completely and destroy him from within. The people around him could be put in danger."

Masamune stepped up, defending his teammate's honor. "But he's fought by our side the whole way up to this point."

"You can't just dump him now, dad." Gingka added. "Please, just let us battle together until the end."

Kenta, although he wasn't even on the team or competing in the world championships, stood up for his friends. "They're right sir. You can't let it end for him like this, not now not ever."

Ryo looked even more serious. Almost angry. "I'm telling you all, it won't work!" Then he turned his attention towards Yu. "Yu, listen, I need you to battle as a regular representative in replacement of Tsubasa."

The Libra Blader tensed up and almost looked baffled. What he said next surprised everyone. "I won't do it!" Everyone looked puzzled. "Don't get rid of Tsubasa, i don't what to take his place on the team, no not like this." He ran away towards the WBBA Director. "You gotta let him come with us! Please Mr Hagane, I'm begging you."

"I...I can't." Ryo Hagane almost looked saddened. He didn't want to do this, but as the director of the entire WBBA, he had no choice but to. He couldn't see the sadness in Yu's eyes. "Please I'm begging you."

Ryo stood firm on his decision. "It's no good."

Yu grabbed onto his suit's front side. "You just have to!"

The Director just pleaded with the young Blader to stop embarrassing himself. "Please stop this, Yu."

"Okay then...In that case...Im off the team too!"

"WHAT?!" The rest of the room exclaimed.

Masamune couldn't believe his ears. "Yu, what are you talking about?"

Yu formed his serious expression and began to make his point. "Yeah, well I don't want Tsubasa to be kicked off the team and leave me with two uncivilized Bladers like Masa-Mu-Mu and Gingky. So you can take me off GanGan Galaxy too, please and thank you."

"Who are you calling uncivilized?!" Both of the mentioned Bladers yelled at Yu.

Gingka then said something petty. "Says the guy who blindly followed and worshipped Ryuga!" This caused a massive argument to break out between Gingka and Yu. Madoka and Kenta tried pull the two bickering teammates away from each other, but it was to no avail. They were so bent at screaming at each other, they didn't realize all the practice at being a team, all that hard work was being broken apart right before their very eyes.

Madoka looked at the director and pleaded with him. "Please don't take away Yu to. He means the world to us."

Ryo actually looked saddened and disheartened by the whole situation between GanGan Galaxy. He didn't want this. He didn't want his country's young players injured and mentally broken. He didn't want the team to be fighting against one another. All he wanted to do was keep the young Bladers safe and make sure BeyBlading was a thing for everyone to come watch and or partake in. This was not what he wanted to see.

So he sighed, turned off the computer and stood up again. "You're all very bonded to each other."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Gingka's dad. "You're all bonded together very strongly by your Blader's spirits. Alright...we'll use all of the WBBA's resources to find a solution for Tsubasa."

This drastically changed the mood in the room. The toxic atmosphere was gone and replaced by a more positive and motivated environment. There was still a glimmer of hope for Tsubasa after all. It wasn't over just yet. "Oh yeah, dad!" Said the uplifted Gingk. "That's the stuff."

Ryo a hand on his chin. "However, the solution won't be that simple. We still know nothing about the Dark Power."

"Yes..." Yu continued. "The Dark Power..." That's when it hit him. "Ryuga!" Everyone looked at Yu. "If Tsubasa was contaminated by L-Drago, wouldn't it just make sense to track down Ryuga and examine L-Drago. Wouldn't that make sense you guys?"

"Examine L-Drago, huh?" Ryo was starting to come around. Small pieces of a plan started forming in his head. "I see what you mean. Alright you guys, I may have a plan on how to located Ryuga and L-Drago. I can't exactly explain it now. But all I can say is that there's still a glimmer of hope in these dark times. For now, all of you go and get some rest. Hikaru?"

"Yes, Director?"

"Come with me back to headquarters, we have some work to do, and the rest of you, I'll see you all later." With a plan, or at the very least, a start being being finalized, Ryo and Hikaru bid farewell to GanGan Galaxy and proceeded to leave the hospital.

With Tsubasa being out from his nightmare fueled rampage earlier today, GanGan Galaxy and Kenta decided to leave as well, with them needing to do one more important thing before this mess was sorted out.


Later in the afternoon, GanGan Galaxy had decided to backtrack to the B-Pit. Things were looking up for the team with Tsubasa's position remaining as it is for right now, and everyone cooled down from the stressful day at the hospital. Now it was time for them to cheer on their friends in France, Wang-Hu-Zhong.

"It's almost time you guys." Madoka says. "Wang-Hu-Zhong Vs Excalibur. This should be an interesting matchup today."

"Definitely." Gingka adds. "This'll determine who we face in the A-Block finals. Neither one of these teams will be an easy opponent so let's make sure we're ready."

Masamune speaks. "Oh give me a break, Gingka. Wang-Hu-Zhong won't be brought down so easily at the hands of Konzern's two overconfident and arrogant lapdogs. And it's Mei-Mei's first battle in the World Championships, she won't let that end in a loss!"

Yu decides to make a joke on Masamune's expense. "Awwwww, Masa-Mu-Mu. You sure are awfully excited about Mei-Mei's battle."

Gingka, Madoka and Yu all look at Masamune with curiosity, but the Striker Blader quickly shuts down the Libra Owner's accusations. "What?! No, it's nothing like that! I just owe it to Mei-Mei to cheer her on, after all, she's part of the reason why I got my act together and me and Gingka managed to smash through Nile and Kyoya."

Madoka, being that she was the main reason for making that happen, decided to make a joke at Masamune's expense as well. "Are you sure it's not anything, Masamune? I don't know," She chuckles. "Seems to me that you kind of like her."

"No wonder, Masa-Mu-Mu is always so moody." Yu chuckles. "He's all lonely butt-onely.l

Yu, Gingka and Madoka all laugh at the Striker Blader, causing him to grow annoyed. "Ugh! Never mind, let's just watch the battle already!"


Meanwhile, all the way in France, colorful fireworks-style confetti is popping above the Bey Stadium with hundreds and hundreds of European fans cheering and roaring loudly.

The French DJ begins his commentary of the battle that will take place in a few short moments. "Bonjour! The third round in the BeyBlade World Championships will begin momentarily! The Team that is victorious will move onto the A-Block finals and face Japan's representatives, Team GanGan Galaxy and its leader, Gingka to determine the overall winners!"

On a big arena screen, a picture of Team GanGan Galaxy with Gingka front and center appear, while on the side were just a generic group of vacant spots in human form as the opponent hasn't been determined yet.

"And now! Here come the two teams that are fighting for a place in the finals! First, China's representatives, Team Wang-Hu-Zhong!"

Footage of Wang-Hu-Zhong being driven to the arena by a French Driver was shown to the crowd. Surprisingly, they had gotten a pretty good response from the European fans.

Dashan and Chi-Yun being the more serious ones of the team sat still focusing on the upcoming battle, while Mei-Mei, being that she had to rush all the way to France, was still clutching onto her giant Panda that Masamune had won for, while Chao-Xin was busy interacting with the fans as the drove by.

The French DJ described their entire run in the tournament thus far. "Originally, they lost to Japan's representatives, but with great determination, they fought their way through the constellation tournament to become the wildcard. Their four thousand year old power is the real deal! Here's their names! All so serious Dashan, the stoic Chi-Yun, the charming Chao-Xin, and bonjour, the lovely, the beautiful, with a heart made of gold, Mei-Mei!"

Surprisingly, Wang-Hu-Zhong got another positive response from the audience.

The French DJ then introduced the next team. "I know you'll really explode for this one ladies and gentlemen, next up is our own EU Representatives, Team Excalibur!" As expected the cheers and applause were far louder for Excalibur being that they were the home team.

Footage of Excalibur was played and it showed all three of them in the flesh on a speed boat. Sophie, Wales and the man himself, Julian.

The French DJ couldn't contain his excitement. "They are lead by the emperor himself, Julian Konzern! And bonjour, followed by his loyal descendants, Sophie and Wales! And wherever our dear old sub member Klaus is!"

The European audience went even more ballistic for Team Excalibur. They commanded respect by barley doing anything. Everyone knew they were the real deal. Shortly after their video package introductions, both Excalibur, and Wang-Hu-Zhong stepped onto their respective team's platforms preparing to go into battle.

"Without further ado, I mean we are French and all, the much anticipated first battle will be a Team Battle with our treasured heroes Wales and Sophie. Let's find out who will be competing against them on behalf of Wang-Hu-Zhong! Who will be facing this menacing Cetus duo?!"

Over on Wang-Hu-Zhong's platform, Dashan captained his team. "Chao-Xin, Mei-Mei, you two are up."

Mei-Mei placed her panda down carefully on the ground. "Awesome! I finally get to battle in the World Championships. I'm gonna burn it up out there! So don't get too close to me!" This is my first battle in the world championships, I can't lose this. She mentally told herself. I'll get back for you Masamune.That i promise you.

"Atta girl Mei-Mei, that's the spirit! And Leave it to us, Dashan." Said Chao-Xin. Dashan only nodded in response.

Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin stepped up.

The French DJ was even more excited. "Yes! Bonjour, it will be Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin Vs Sophie and Wales, I cannot hold back my excitement anymore."

Wales and Sophie stepped up as well. Naturally the crowd went ballistic. Wales on the other hand point something out. "Did this girl seriously bring a giant panda to the World Championships?"

Sophie playfully reprimanded her partner for his comments. "Now now, Wales, there's no need to rude now, is there?" The Blue Cetus Blader only nodded and strugged in response.

At the same time, Chao-Xin comments about Excalibur, their beys and their capabilities. "Grand Cetus...able to repel any attack. Those two are well known as Konzern's Twin Jewels."

"Strong opponents." Mei-Mei says. "Hmph, so are we."

Chao-Xin directs his attention to Mei-Mei. "If we battle like a team, we won't lose here. Gingka and the others are waiting for us in the finals. And we also need to avenge our losses to Gingka and Masamune. Right?"

Mei-Mei was even more motivated. "Let's go get em!" The Beylin Temple Bladers readied their launchers and Beys.

"Well Sophie?" Wales asks. "The March begins here."

"Yes." She simply replies. "Down Julian's path to the throne." The two Cetus Bladers readied their launchers and beys as well.

The French DJ adds in more exciting commentary. "Now then! Go Bladers!"

"Three!..." The Beylin Temple Bladers count.

"Two!..." The Excalibur Bladers count.

"One!..." Everyone yells. "Let it rip!"

The four of them all launch their beys into the stadium. The beys waste no time in spinning and waiting for their respective orders from their owners.

The French DJ continues with his comments. "The starting pistol in this battle has been fired. Muy Bien!"

Mei-Mei makes the first move out of everyone in the battle. "Go now, Aquario!" Immediately, Aquario charges after Blue Cetus with Virgo not to far behind. Together the two Beys land an effective double attack on Blue Cetus that forcibly pushes it forward. It wobbles slightly before quickly getting back its balance.

Wales in response grits his teeth in frustration, drawing attention from Sophie. "What is it Wales?"

Meanwhile Chao-Xin and Mei-Mei nod and grin at each other. Their teamwork and their plan was working together perfectly. "Split up!" Mei-Mei orders Aquario.

"Circle around!" Chao-Xin orders Virgo.

On the orders of their masters. Aquario and Virgo both do what their masters told them and split with Aquario going in one direction, and Virgo going in the other. As a result of this great collaboration, Virgo and Aquario meet back up and land a successful double attack, this time on White Cetus, causing Sophie to grit her teeth in frustration.

As a result, Wales does a similar strategy to that of China's Bladers. "Split up for now, Sophie." As the two Cetus Beys attempt to escape and split up, they are instead followed by Virgo and Aquario. "Circle around to the rear!" Wales calls out.

But instead of that happening, Virgo and Aquario dart past White and Blue Cetus and then jump into the air.

"What's that?" Sophie and Wales both ask, clearly in shock and disbelief.

"They've been beautifully lifted into the air." French DJ calls out.

Virgo and Aquario come soaring back towards the stadium floor, landing direct hits on both White Cetus, and Blue Cetus.

"A truly beautiful sight!" Said the French DJ. "Their almost like jugglers! No acrobats!"

"One More Time!" Said Chao-Xin and Mei-Mei. In response to their orders, Aquario and Virgo once again leap into the air and attempt to strike down upon the two Cetus Beys.

"Cetus!"

Tighter, White Cetus and Blue Cetus move out of the way and avoid the Beylin Temple Bladers duo attack. They split up, as did Aquario and Virgo, with Mei-Mei's Aquario chasing Sophie's White Cetus, and Chao Xin's Virgo charging Wales' Blue Cetus. Eventually the two Cetus' manage to shake them off of their case momentarily as they race together at the edge of the stadium. Virgo and Aquario are right on their tail. Dashan and Chi-Yu were very impressed as all their hard work and devotion to their training was paying off.

"Amazing!" Said the French DJ, "Chao-Xin and Mei-Mei's teamwork is making mince meat out of Sophie and Wales! I guess that's what four thousand years of work and dedication gets you. Is it over for our dear old Twin Jewels?"

Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin give each other a look. Followed by a nod. It was time to end this and hand things over to Chi-Yun. It was special move time. "Aquario! Soaring Fire Burn!"

"Virgo!" Chao-Xin called out. "Blue Dragon Whirlwind Sword!"

Together both Virgo and Aquario merge their special moves and create an amazing yellow and blue energy blast. The blast was coming straight for the two Cetus Beys. It all seemed over for Excalibur.

"Push them back Cetus!" Wales orders his Bey.

Sophie calls upon her own move. "Whirlpool!" Together the two Cetus Beys make a brief shield out of a miniature whirlpool like energy that completely blocks Chao-Xin and Mei-Mei's attacks as well as nearly sending Virgo and Aquario flying as well.

"The Cetus Beys have repelled the Chinese attack!" French DJ calls out. "The name Julian's twin jewels is not just a cool nickname after all."

Chao-Xin was getting slightly worried. "They're so strong! They're defense is a good as we feared!"

Mei-Mei cuts off his daydreaming with a serious demand. "Chao-Xin, it's time for a combo move."

"Right!" Chao-Xin gets ready for it.

Mei-Mei kicks off the combo move first. "Here we go! Aquario!" The Beylin Temple girl puts her hands together. "Aquario, China's four thousand year old big wave!"

Suddenly a large tidal wave appears from Aquario and heads towards the Cetus beys. It comes crashing down upon them, completely 'drowning' them. When the water settles, the two Cetus beys are revealed to be wobbling heavily, signaling that Mei-Mei had just landed a massive direct hit.

It was now Chao-Xin's turn. "We've got you now! Virgo! Special move! Left Right Reverse Wheeling Forearm!" Virgo began moving at speeds so fast, it looked as if their were multiple copies of it. It looked as if it were a character performing a karate chop in a traditional cartoon. Virgo began delivering a great deal of barrage attacks, hitting both White and Blue Cetus respectively.

"Virgo delivers a beautiful stop your beys in its tracks attack! It just won't end folks! The Cetus Beys are in big trouble is this keeps up folks!"

On the Wang-Hu-Zhong platform, Dashan and Chi-Yun are very impressed with their teammates efforts and overall performance. "Looks good." Says Dashan.

"Yes it does." Said Chi-Yun in response. "We've got this one in the bag."

While Chi-Yun carefully examined the ongoing matchup, Dashan does something else; he locks eyes with Julian. He was far to relaxed for Dashan's liking. Julian? Why is he staying so calm?

Julian only stands up from his sheet with a devious smile on his face. He should not be this calm and relaxed, especially when his team was on the verge of losing the first match.

Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin decide to finish things up with one more big combo move. This would definitely decide the outcome.

"Aquario! Big Wave!"

"Let's go Virgo! Left Right Reverse Wheeling Forearm!"

While French DJ is constantly going on about the wellbeing of the two Cetus Beys, Konzern doesn't even seem to be worried about this in the slightest. He only has a serious expression on his face as he observes the battle.

He suddenly speaks up for the first time throughout the entire battle. "I thought that it wouldn't be enjoyable for the spectators if we ended this silly battle far too soon. But this...this is just getting plain boring. Play time ends now. Wales, Sophie."

The mentioned two merely look at their leader and nod, knowing exactly what Julian was asking them to too. Sophie turns and looks at Mei-Mei with a more battle consumed look than ever seen from her before. "Do it now Cetus. Compared to what we have in store for you, your wave is nothing more than a ripple!"

White Cetus suddenly began emitting a white energy like aura from itself and began shaking rapidly. Suddenly a whirlpool, far bigger than Mei-Mei's wave appeared, literally sucking up Mei-Mei's wave like an actual whirlpool would in the ocean. As a result of this, Virgo and Aquario were being drowned in Sophie's whirlpool, much to the dismay and shock of the Beylin Temple Bladers.

"My wave was eliminated?" Mei-Mei helplessly asked.

"Ah man! That stinks!" Yelled Chao-Xin, "Virgo! Hang in there!" Miraculously, Aquario and Virgo managed to escape Sophie's whirlpool. Or so they thought...

"Soar into the sky!" Wales commands. "Blue Cetus!" A blue energy appears in the middle of Sophie's whirlpool. The light is so bright, it makes everyone in the stadium appear as if they were actually the color blue. Chao-Xin and Mei-Mei could only helplessly watch on. "Special move! Cetus Grand Fleet!" The Whale Beast of Blue Cetus appears and rises from the whirlpool.

Now it was Sophie's turn. "Okay, Special move, Cetus Grand Victoire!" The Whale Beast of White Cetus appeared and rose from the whirlpool along with the Blue Whale Beast of Wales. The two Whale Beasts were high in the air.

But The Twin Jewels weren't done yet. "Joint Special Move! Cetus Grand Deucalion!"

The two whale Bey spirits dove head first at top speeds back down into the whirlpool, causing it to explode and rise upwards. As a result, Aquario and Virgo were thrown into the air as well. Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin could do nothing as they were subjected to the same fate as GanGan Galaxy at the Festival Of Warriors.

Sophie and Wales coldly told them how it was. "You see little girl, from our Deucalion..."

Wales finished his partner's sentence. "There's no hope of escape."

In the stadium, Virgo and Aquario had obviously stopped spinning, leaving only White Cetus and Blue Cetus left.

"And the winners are..." French DJ tried to get a better look, as did Konzern, Dashan and Chi-Yun. "Fred Bien! The winners of the first match, are Excalibur's Wales and Sophie!" The European crowds erupted in cheers for their home town heroes.

Mei-Mei falls to her knees, with a broken heart, and tears in her eyes. Her first ever match in the World Championships were ruined, she failed at avenging Masamune and his team. I'm so sorry GanGan Galaxy. Im sorry, Masamune. She was unknowingly bowing down to Excalibur in the process as Chao-Xin attempted to comfort his fallen friend.

Wales and Sophie merely walked away, finishing their task at hand.

The camera panned on them and they made a firm statement.

Wales started it. "We will not allow anything to disrupt..."

And Sophie finished it. "...Julian's path to the throne."

Back on the Wang-Hu-Zhong platform, the loss was still reeling in on Dashan and Chi-Yun.

"We've lost." Said Dashan. "But it's not over yet. We will win again. Gingka and the others are waiting. But first, we must even the score for Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin." Dashan looked at Chi-Yun. "I'm counting on you Chi-Yun."

The Lacerta Blader looked up at his long time friend and made a promise. "Do not worry Dashan, I Chi-Yun will definitely win."

Suddenly, Konzern's voice was heard from afar. "Win you say?" Dashan and Chi-Yun look over at the Konzern family heir, who was smiling evilly. "Give up that ridiculous dream. Excalibur's victory is already assured. The Bey, has already been cast. And the Beylin Temple's funeral march has already begun..."


Meanwhile, back in Japan, at the B-Pit, GanGan Galaxy were in absolute shock over how quickly Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin were brought by the sheer might of Sophie and Wales. They couldn't believe it. The Pride of Beylin Temple had just lost.

"Unbelievable..." Gingka said, clearly shocked.

"I can't believe Mei-Mei's wave was just reduced to nothing." Said Madoka. "Just how powerful and Sophie's whirlpool and that joint special move?"

Yu, although he wasn't intending to be rude, wasn't as shocked as he had a good feeling from the start that Excalibur wasn't going to be a cake walk for Wang-Hu-Zhong. But out of respect for his Chinese friends and his teammates he decided to stay silent.

Masamune, on the other hand, was taking Wang-Hu-Zhong's loss, more specifically, Mei-Mei's loss, the hardest. "Grrr, those Excalibur slime balls!" Everyone looked at Masamune. "Who does that spoilt rich kid think he is, talking about the Beylin Temple like that?! And his two lapdogs making claims that he'll rule over BeyBlade! It makes me sick. Mark my words, Mei-Mei, I promise you, I'll avenge your loss to those bunch of clowns! And Chao-Xin to."

Madoka realized how angry and fired up Masamune was getting. "Wait, calm down Masamune. It's just one loss."

Gingka then added in another fact. "Yeah, chill out, they still have a chance to even things out. Chi-Yun just has to defeat their fourth member, and then Dashan will defeat Konzern. Don't count them out just yet."

While he was angry, he knew that everyone was right. Wang-Hu-Zhong still had one more chance and they weren't out of the fight just yet. Finally Masamune took a deep breath, sat down, and together the Team continued watching the rest of the series.


The French DJ had one more exciting announcement for the home town fans regarding the next match. "Well everyone the excitement just keeps coming! Now that Klaus is about to arrive and turn up the heat soon, let's get readdddyy!"


A/N: And we're through Chapter, gotta say, I'm okay with how this one turned out. One of my favorite things about writing FanFiction for my favorite Fandoms/Franchises is writing and imagining the dialogue of the characters and what'd they actually say on the shows, it was the case here and almost every other chapter posted thus far. Although the dialogue remains mostly the same as the original show, with slight tweaks or complete rewrites. But anyways you get my point.

I also like how the development of Mei-Mei & Masamune are progressing as well. Part of me felt sad that I had to write her being defeated by Sophie and Wales :( In case people worry, don't, I haven't forgotten about Sophie & Gingka to, I already have multiple scenes planned for them, they just are being placed in the plot at the right time ;)

Also if any of you Past, Current & Future readers are wondering, my two favorite Teams in Metal Masters outside of the main cast in GanGan Galaxy are Wang-Hu-Zhong & Excalibur. That just makes them much more fun to write for me as well. An honorary mention goes out to Team Wildfang as well! Also Metal Masters is my favorite season of the entire Metal Saga because of their introduction all the new characters which kept things interesting IMO. With that being said, Everybody have fun, stay safe and keep being good people :)