Ryuga and Kenta had been traveling for weeks, their search for clues about the remaining Legendary Bladers taking them across continents. The trail, faint at first, had grown stronger as they reached Japan once more.
It was Kenta who first heard the rumors : a masked blader who had been dominating every tournament in the region, winning without showing any emotion and rarely speaking. They called her Selene—a shadow, almost, hiding behind a silver and black mask.
"She's unstoppable," Kenta had told Ryuga one evening, his voice excited but uncertain. "No one's even come close to defeating her. Do you think she could be a Legendary Blader too."
Ryuga didn't answer immediately. He didn't need to. The mere idea of someone powerful enough to challenge him was enough to keep his eyes forward, sharp and calculating.
"Let's find out," Ryuga finally said, his voice low but filled with determination.
« they say that no one ever had seen her face. She wears a mask during battles, her cover name is Selene », said kenta, stating what little information he gattered.
Ryuga smirked. « A masked blader ? Hmph. Hiding behind a mask shows fear. »
Kenta had frowned. « But what if it's more than that ? What if she's hiding her identity for a reason ? »
"Fear is a reason," Ryuga had said, eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "She's scared to face someone like me." His tone was sharp, confident. He didn't believe anyone could challenge him, especially not someone too afraid to show their real face. But he had also become curious. If this mysterious blader really was that powerful, there was only one way to find out.
The next day, Ryuga found his way to the tournament's inner circle, seeking a way to challenge Selene. He didn't have to wait long—his reputation as the Dragon Emperor had already spread, and it wasn't long before the organizers approached him.
Kenta remaied close, observing and planning. Ryuga remained silent, but his eyes were sharp as ever. His presence alone was enough to draw attention—people were already whispering, staring at the dragon-emblazoned artifacts he adoned. It didn't matter. He only had one goal in mind.
He easily defeated all his opponents in block A, and decided to use what little time he had left to watch the semi finals in block B.
"She's here," Kenta breathed, eyes wide. "That's Selene !"
Ryuga watched her with narrowed eyes, his smirk returning. "So, the masked blader finally shows herself. Let's see if she's worth the rumors."
Selene's opponent stepped forward, clearly nervous but trying to maintain composure. His Beyblade—a defense-type with a sturdy build—was well known for withstanding heavy attacks. He smirked, perhaps confident that his Beyblade could handle whatever Selene threw at him.
The referee raised his hand. "Three… Two… One… Go shoot !"
The two Beyblades clashed in the center of the stadium with a metallic screech, sparks flying. The opponent's Beyblade anchored itself, its defensive strategy apparent from the get-go. It stood firm, waiting for an attack.But Selene did not rush. She simply watched, calculating, her Beyblade, which appearsto be a certain « Flame Artemis », circling smoothly, gathering speed.
Ryuga narrowed his eyes, intrigued by her patience. "Interesting… She's not just blindly attacking."Kenta, scribbling notes on a small pad, leaned in again.
"I've heard she's tactical. She studies her opponents before going in for the win."
Selene's Beyblade danced around her opponent's, keeping its distance as if testing the waters. Her ice-blue eyes never left the battlefield. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Flame Artemis closed the gap, smashing into the opposing Beyblade with precision.
The impact was sharp, but not overwhelming—more like a probing strike than a full-force attack.The defense-type Beyblade barely budged, its user smirking.
"Is that all you've got ?" he shouted, confidence growing. But Selene didn't react. Her body was still, her expression hidden behind her mask. Then, with a subtle flick of her wrist, Flame Artemis shifted its trajectory, moving into a crescent-shaped path around the stadium.
Ryuga's eyes flickered with interest. "She's setting something up."
Kenta nodded. "I think that's her strategy. She waits, analyzes, and then strikes when the opponent's open."
Selene's Beyblade sped up, tracing that crescent path, and suddenly, the spirit of Artemis—the huntress—appeared above the arena. The crowd gasped as Artemis drew her bow, the outline of her figure glowing with a pale blue light.
"Special move—Crescent Moon Snare !" Selene's voice rang out for the first time in the match, cold and focused. The crescent-shaped arrow shot forth from Artemis' bow, creating an ethereal trap on the arena floor. The opposing Beyblade was pulled into its grasp, its movements sluggish and restricted.
"What ?!" the opponent gasped, struggling to regain control of his Beyblade.
Selene's Flame Artemis took advantage of the moment, launching a barrage of rapid attacks, each one hitting with more force than the last. The defense-type Beyblade, now unable to dodge or reposition, took hit after hit, its balance wavering.With a final, crushing blow, Flame Artemis sent the opponent's Beyblade flying out of the stadium.
"Ring out ! the ever graceful huntress Selene is the winner !" the announcer cried, and the crowd erupted in applause.
The match was over in seconds.
The crowd erupted, but Selene merely turned, her face unreadable behind the mask. She gave a small, almost imperceptible bow to her defeated opponent before walking off the stage.
The entire arena seemed captivated by her presence—silent, mysterious, and undefeated.
"She's good," Kenta murmured, awe in his voice. "Really good."
Ryuga's smirk grew wider. "Good ? That was nothing."
The finals approached quickly, and Ryuga, having already obliterated his competition in Block A, stood waiting on the opposite side of the stadium. Selene, the victor of Block B, stood at the ready, her masked visage as emotionless as ever.
Kenta, sitting in the crowd, fidgeted nervously. He had managed to gather some information about Selene's Beyblade from her previous matches, but none of it seemed enough to ease his worries. He had seen Ryuga tear through his opponents with merciless power before—this wouldn't be an easy battle for anyone.
Ryuga smirked, gripping L-Drago Destroy in his hand. "I don't care who you are. When I win, that mask will mean nothing."
Selene, as always, remained silent. But in her icy gaze, Ryuga saw no fear—only determination.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the battle. « Bladers ready ! Three… two… one… GO SHOOT ! »
The Beyblades shot into the arena with a burst of energy. L-Drago Destroy roared to life, its raw power immediately evident as it surged forward like a dragon on the hunt. Flame Artemis, in contrast, moved gracefully, circling the stadium with calculated precision.
Ryuga smirked, already mocking her. « Running away already ? Is that all you're good for, hiding behind a mask and now running ? » His voice was laced with disdain.
Selene remained silent, her eyes focused. She wasn't going to let his words rattle her. She knew what she had to do—L-Drago was too powerful to confront head-on. One blow from Ryuga's Beyblade would crush Flame Artemis. Her strategy was clear : avoid his attacks, bide her time, and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
L-Drago Destroy charged again, its metallic body gleaming in the arena lights as it closed in on Flame Artemis. But Selene was prepared. With a swift flick of her wrist, Flame Artemis veered sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding L-Drago's assault.
Ryuga's smirk faded into a scowl. « Tch, running away won't save you for long, » he growled.
For several minutes, the battle followed the same pattern : L-Drago Destroy would lunge at Flame Artemis, and Selene would dodge with impeccable timing, her Beyblade gliding smoothly across the stadium floor. The crowd watched in awe, their eyes glued to the intense back-and-forth, but Ryuga was growing impatient.
« You're just wasting my time, » Ryuga spat, his voice dripping with contempt. « Is this your idea of a Beybattle ? Hiding and dodging like a coward ? »
Selene didn't respond, her focus unbroken. She was waiting—waiting for the moment when Ryuga would get tired of chasing her, waiting for him to unleash his real power.
Kenta, watching from the stands, was growing anxious. "She's doing well, but how long can she keep dodging ? L-Drago Destroy is getting faster," he muttered to himself.
Ryuga's eyes narrowed, his patience finally snapping. "Fine, if you won't fight me, I'll just end this now."
He raised his arm, summoning the full power of L-Drago . A crimson aura surrounded his Beyblade, the air in the arena growing heavy as Ryuga prepared to unleash his signature move.
"Special move—Dragon Emperor Life Destructor !" Ryuga roared, his voice echoing through the stadium.
The power of L-Drago surged, and the Beyblade rocketed toward Flame Artemis with devastating force, leaving a trail of destructive energy in its wake. The very air seemed to crackle with the raw power of the attack.
But Selene was ready. This was the moment she had been waiting for.
With a swift motion, she called out her own move. "Special move—Moonlight Piercing Shot !"
The spirit of Artemis appeared above the stadium, her bow drawn and glowing with a pale blue light. As Flame Artemis moved into position, Artemis released her arrow, aiming directly at L-Drago Destroyer.
The two attacks collided in the center of the arena, a blinding flash of light erupting as the power of the Dragon Emperor met the moonlit arrow of Artemis. The stadium shook from the impact, and for a moment, it seemed as though Selene might hold her ground.
But the raw power of L-Drago was overwhelming. Ryuga's attack pushed through, shattering the moonlit arrow and slamming into Flame Artemis with unrelenting force.
The Beyblade was sent flying across the arena, crashing into the wall behind Selene with a deafening crack. The impact was so strong that it left a visible dent in the wall, and as Flame Artemis fell to the ground, a small crack appeared along its edge.
Selene stood still, her eyes wide behind the mask. She had known the risk of facing Ryuga, but seeing her beloved Beyblade damaged was a heavy blow. Still, she remained composed, even as the crowd murmured in shock.
Ryuga lowered his arm, clearly dissatisfied with the outcome. "Hmph. You're not one of them," he muttered, his voice filled with disdain. "What a waste of time."
He turned back on Selene, walking away as if the battle hadn't even been worth his effort. Kenta, from the stands, looked devastated. He had hoped Selene might be the one to challenge Ryuga, but even she had fallen to L-Drago overwhelming power.
Selene, still silent, knelt to pick up the cracked Artemis. Her heart ached seeing the damage, but she refused to show it. Not here. Not now.
As Ryuga disappeared from view, the crowd slowly began to disperse, murmurs of disappointment and awe filling the air. Selene stood, clutching her Beyblade tightly, her ice-blue eyes narrowing behind her mask.
Kenta glanced at Ryuga. And by the time he looked towards the masked blader, Selene darted out of the stadium, her footsteps echoing faintly in the empty corridors. The roar of the crowd faded behind her as she picked up her pace, her heart pounding beneath her calm exterior. She had to get away—away from the eyes, away from the whispers. She clutched Flame Artemis in her hand, the crack along its edge a stinging reminder of her defeat. But it wasn't the loss that bothered her most—it was the feeling of exposure.
Kenta, still recovering from the intense battle he had just witnessed, saw her slipping away. His curiosity piqued, he quickly followed, weaving through the crowds and slipping into the hallway. He was careful to keep his distance, not wanting to alert her. Selene seemed like the type who wanted to remain unseen, especially after what had just happened. But something about her made him want to reach out, to understand.
He trailed her until they reached a quiet area behind the stadium, a small, empty courtyard with trees and benches. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground. Kenta watched from a distance as Selene stopped in front of a tree, breathing heavily. Slowly, she reached up and began to unfasten her mask.
For a moment, Kenta hesitated. He felt like he was intruding, seeing something that wasn't meant for his eyes. But his feet refused to move.
When the mask came off, Kenta's eyes widened in surprise. Her face, previously hidden beneath the silver and black, was soft and feminine, a stark contrast to the cold, battle-hardened figure she presented in the arena. Her long midnight blue hair fell freely around her shoulders, and her ice-blue eyes now reflected vulnerability instead of the detached calm she had worn during the match.
Suddenly, Kenta's foot caught on a loose stone, making a small noise as it skittered across the pavement.
Selene's body tensed, and in an instant, she whirled around, her eyes wide with panic. She gripped her mask tightly, her face betraying the fear of being seen. Kenta, frozen in place, quickly raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture.
« I-I'm sorry ! I didn't mean to scare you ! » Kenta stammered. He could see the panic in her eyes, and the last thing he wanted was to make things worse.
She looked at him for a long moment, clearly debating whether to run or stay. Her breathing was shallow, and she clutched her mask tightly, as if putting it back on would somehow restore her control over the situation.
"I… I didn't mean to spy on you or anything," Kenta added, his voice softer now. "I just… I saw you leave after the battle, and I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Selene's eyes darted around, her thoughts racing. She had been so careful—so careful to keep her identity hidden, to stay as the masked blader everyone knew as Selene. And now, this boy had seen her. The real her.
"What do you want ?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. There was no trace of the confident, silent figure she had been in the stadium.
Kenta took a cautious step forward. "I don't want anything. I was just… well, I wanted to tell you that you did great back there. Against Ryuga ».
Selene's grip on her mask loosened slightly. "The dragon emperor…" she murmured, her voice distant. Her gaze shifted to the cracked Flame Artemis in her hand, her fingers tracing the damage.
Kenta took another step forward. "It's hard to face someone like him. L-Drago is… well, you saw what it can do."
She nodded slowly but still looked uneasy, unsure of what to say.
"I'm Kenta, by the way," he said with a small, friendly smile. "I've been traveling with Ryuga," he added with a nervous chuckle, trying to bridge the awkwardness.
She looked at him for a long moment before something in her expression softened. Slowly, she lowered the mask to her side. "My name is… Tsukiya," she said, her voice quiet, almost as if she wasn't sure she wanted to share the information. But something about Kenta's presence put her at ease.
Kenta blinked in surprise. "Tsukiya… that's a nice name. It suits you," he said earnestly.
Tsukiya's eyes widened, and a faint blush colored her pale cheeks. She wasn't used to compliments, especially not from strangers.
Kenta, noticing the change in her demeanor, smiled again. "You don't have to hide, you know. I mean, I get why you wear the mask, but… you don't need it. You're strong, even without it."
Tsukiya looked away, her fingers brushing her mask lightly. "I wear it because… it's easier. No one sees who I really am. They only see Selene."
Kenta nodded, understanding. "Selene is a great blader, but so are you—Tsukiya." He glanced at Flame Artemis in her hand. "You gave Ryuga a really hard time in there. Not many people can say that."
Tsukiya's expression darkened slightly. "He destroyed Artemis like it was nothing. I couldn't do anything against him…"
Kenta shook his head. "It's not that simple. Ryuga… he doesn't just battle for fun. He was trying to test you. He thought you might be… well, there's something you should know." He hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby.
Tsukiya looked at him curiously. "What is it ?"
Kenta took a deep breath. "You see… Ryuga suspected you might be a legendary blader. That's why he agreed to battle you. It's… kind of a long story, but only a few people know about it, Ryuga and me included ."
Tsukiya's eyes widened. "Legendary blader ?"
Kenta nodded. "There's this thing called the star fragment. Bladers with a piece of the star fragment become legendary bladers, and they have a special power that can change the course of battles… and, well, the world, really. Ryuga thought you might be one because of how strong you were. But when he realized you weren't, he got mad."
Tsukiya's expression was unreadable for a moment as she processed the information. "So that's why… he destroyed my Bey so cruelly," she murmured.
Kenta frowned. "He didn't mean to be cruel. That's just how he is. He doesn't take it easy on anyone. But… it doesn't mean you're weak."
Tsukiya remained silent, staring down at Flame Artemis in her hand. After a long pause, she finally spoke again. "I didn't challenge him because I thought I was a legendary blader. I did it because… I've never fought a left-spin Bey before." She looked up at Kenta, her ice-blue eyes determined. "And he was the first blader to ever defeat me."
Kenta's eyes widened. « Wait… no one's ever beaten you before ? »
Tsukiya shook her head. « Not until today. But fighting the infamous dragon emperor was worth the shot »
Kenta smiled softly. "That's pretty brave of you, you know. Most people wouldn't dare challenge someone like Ryuga, especially knowing how powerful L-Drago Destroyer is."
Tsukiya allowed herself a small smile, though it was fleeting. "I wanted to see how I'd measure up against him. But…" She trailed off, her gaze dropping back to her cracked Beyblade.
Kenta nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "You did better than most," he said quietly. "And next time, you'll be even stronger."
Kenta and Tsukiya stood in the quiet courtyard for a moment, the tension from their earlier exchange beginning to dissolve. The orange hue of the setting sun painted the space around them, casting long shadows on the ground. Tsukiya had started to relax, letting her guard down. She tilted her head slightly, examining the boy in front of her.
After a long silence, she finally asked the question that had been bothering her. "Kenta-kun… why are you following someone like the Dragon Emperor ?" Her voice was soft, but the curiosity in her ice-blue eyes was sharp. "You don't seem like someone who would be around someone so… ruthless."
Kenta blinked, caught off guard by the question. He scratched the back of his head, giving her a sheepish smile. "Yeah… I get that a lot," he admitted. "I guess I don't really seem like the type to be hanging out with someone like Ryuga, huh ?"
Tsukiya shook her head. "No… you're too kind. Too… sweet," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she searched his face for answers. "He's… well, he's not someone who seems to care about anyone but himself."
Kenta's smile faded, and for a moment, he looked down at the ground, his expression turning serious. "Ryuga… he's complicated," he began. "I know he seems ruthless, and… well, he can be. But there's more to him than that." He hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell her the truth. "The reason I'm following him isn't because I want to be like him or anything. It's because… we need him."
Tsukiya's brow furrowed. "Need him ? For what ?"
Kenta took a deep breath, knowing this wasn't going to be an easy conversation. He looked up, meeting her gaze. "Tsukiya-chan, there's something you need to know about what's happening in the world. Something big. It's about Nemesis and the Black Sun."
"Nemesis… ?" Tsukiya repeated, her voice barely a whisper. She had heard the name before in whispers, but she didn't know much beyond that.
Kenta nodded grimly. "A long time ago, the ancient civilization tried to seal away Nemesis, a dangerous bey. But now… there's a crisis. Nemesis is coming back, and if we don't stop it, the whole world could be destroyed."
Tsukiya's eyes widened in horror, her hand instinctively tightening around Flame Artemis. "The whole world… destroyed ?" she whispered, the weight of his words sinking in. For a moment, fear flickered in her usually calm eyes. "What… what can we do to stop something like that ?"
"That's the thing," Kenta said quietly. "We can't stop it alone. The only ones who can defeat Nemesis are the Legendary Bladers—the ones who have fragments of the Star that fell from the heavens. Gingka, Kyoya, Yuki, and some others… they're all part of that group. And so is Ryuga."
Tsukiya stepped back, her mind racing. "The Dragon Emperor… is a Legendary Blader ?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. But then again, she would expect nothing less from such a powerful blader.
Kenta nodded. "Yeah. That's why I'm following him. Gingka and the others need his power to defeat Nemesis. Without him, we don't stand a chance."
Tsukiya was silent for a long moment, the information overwhelming her. She stared down at the cracked Artemis, her thoughts swirling. The idea that such a destructive force was looming over the world—it was terrifying. And the fact that Ryuga, the blader who had crushed her, was one of the key people needed to stop it… She didn't know what to think.
"So… you're following him to convince him to join you ?" she asked, her voice quiet but steady.
Kenta nodded again. "Yeah. Ryuga doesn't really care about helping anyone. He's… well, he's Ryuga. But I think… deep down, he knows what's at stake. I just need to get him to realize that."
Tsukiya's expression softened as she looked at Kenta. She had underestimated him. This boy, who seemed so small and innocent, had such a heavy burden on his shoulders. He was chasing after the Dragon Emperor, trying to convince him to save the world. It was no wonder he had followed Ryuga, even when it seemed dangerous.
Kenta rubbed the back of his neck, his expression sheepish again. "I know it sounds crazy, but… I have to try. I have to get him to help. I don't want to lose the people I care about… or the world, for that matter."
Tsukiya took a deep breath, her own fear subsiding as a new determination took hold. She couldn't let Kenta carry this burden alone. She couldn't let the world fall into darkness without doing something to help. After all, she had her own reasons for fighting, for standing strong. Her grandmother's dream wasn't just for her to become a strong blader—it was to make a difference.
"Kenta-kun," Tsukiya said softly, stepping forward. "I… I want to help you."
Kenta blinked in surprise. "Huh ? Tsukiya-chan, you don't have to—"
"No," she interrupted, her voice firm. "I want to help. This isn't just your fight… or Gingka's or Ryuga's. If Nemesis is coming, it's everyone's fight. And… I owe it to my grandmother to keep fighting. I can't let everything she believed in be destroyed."
Kenta's eyes widened, touched by her words. "Tsukiya-chan… are you sure ?"
She nodded, her ice-blue eyes steady. "I'm sure. I don't know what I can do to help… but I'll do whatever I can. You're not in this alone, Kenta-kun."
A small, relieved smile spread across Kenta's face. "Thank you, Tsukiya-chan. I'm glad… I'm really glad you're with us."
For the first time since she had taken off her mask, Tsukiya smiled back at him. It was a small, tentative smile, but it was genuine. "Just… don't expect me to go easy on you if we ever battle ," she teased lightly, her earlier composure returning.
Kenta chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As the last rays of the setting sun dipped below the horizon, the two of them stood there in the quiet courtyard, united by a shared purpose. The weight of the coming battle against Nemesis loomed over them, but in that moment, they weren't alone. And Tsukiya made her mind.