//------------------------------// // Prologue, Part Three - Masamune's Promise // Story: Beyblade: Metal Masters - New Harmony // by Mkchief34 //------------------------------// As the WBBA SUV came to a stop, and Masamune, Ryo, and Hikaru disembarked, Masamune looked over at their destination, then at Ryo with a look of confusion.They had stopped in front of a warehouse near the city harbor district. "So...this new team you want me to help...they're in here?" Masamune asked, quite confused. "Why wouldn't they practice at a Bey Gym if they're just starting out?" "You'll see why once we get inside." Ryo replied. "The WBBA wants to keep all things related to them quiet for the moment." "I suppose that makes sense." Masamune shrugged. "Anyway, let's go!" As Ryo scanned an ID badge and unlocked the door, Masamune's heart sped up from excitement at hearing the clashing of metal from Beys in the midst of battle. As he turned the corner with Ryo and Hikaru behind him, he jumped at seeing a Bey fly past his face at breakneck speed and smash through the wall with ease. "Woah! That was great!" said the Blader who had launched it, a girl of about sixteen with shocking rainbow-colored hair who wore jeans, a track jacket and shirt, and sneakers. "Oh, sorry I almost hit you!" "It's fine!" Masamune replied, taking a laid-back pose. "I'm Masamune Kadoya." "Rainbow Dash." the girl replied, shaking hands with him. "That's Twilight and her brother Shining Armor, Fluttershy, and Applejack." The aforementioned Equestrians waved, with Masamune returning the gesture. "So, these are the Bladers you want me to help train?" Masamune asked Ryo as he and Hikaru came in. "Yes. They're the Representative Team for the realm of Equestria, Team New Harmony." Ryo replied, turning to Masamune. "They've just begun their training for the World Championships, and seeing as you seem like quite the Blader, Masamune...until you can battle my son, would you mind helping them learn to battle?" "Sure! Let's get started!" Masamune replied, taking out his Bey, Ray Striker, and his Launcher. "I'll show them the power of a Number-One Blader! Who wants to go first?" "You're on!" Rainbow replied, as she readied Sonic Raptor from her position at the arena, while Masamune prepared Ray Striker with a smirk.  "You know what to say when we start a Bey Battle?" Masamune asked.  "Yep!" Rainbow replied. "You ready, Masamune?" "Always!" As the two Bladers took ready stances, they began to count down, preparing to launch.  "3!" "2!" "1!"  "Let it rip!" they both cried as they launched their Beys and began their battle. As Twilight, Shining, Applejack, and Fluttershy came over to stand with Ryo and Hikaru to watch, Twilight watched closely as Ray Striker easily maneuvered around Raptor's speed, as it attempted to land an attack several times before finally succeeding.  Sparks could be seen, clear as day, as the two Beys ground against each other, with Raptor's Sonic Fusion Wheel and its Talons clutched onto Striker's Ray Fusion Wheel, increasing the damage to Striker. The sound of the two Beys attacking each other and their Fusion Wheels colliding reminded Twilight of swords clashing, every sharp blow a note in a spirited symphony of blades. It was clear only a few moments in that Masamune was an exceptional Blader. It seemed that he and his Bey were seamlessly anticipating what Rainbow would do as Striker rolled and weaved around Raptor's volley of blows like a seamless rolling wave. "Striker may not be as fast as Raptor, but it's certainly more agile and controlled." she mused before she turned to her friends. "Why is that?" "I believe it's the CS Performance Tip that Ray Striker has." Fluttershy chimed in, looking at her newly acquired laptop and Bey scanner's holographic readout of the Bey in question. "It's a sharp spike coated in rubber that provides exceptional speed, control and attack power." "Interesting." Masamune smirked as Raptor executed a barrage attack, landing several rapid yet strong hits that sent Striker reeling. "Your Bey might be just as fast and tough as Striker!" "Might be?" Rainbow replied incredulously. "Why's that?" "This!" Masamune replied proudly as Striker drew back from Raptor, startling Rainbow. "You haven't mastered your Bey yet! Striker, it's time for our Special Move!" "Special Move?" Twilight said, surprised, her teammates also showing curiosity and astonishment. "What's he doing, Mr. Ryo?" "You'll see." Ryo replied. "Watch closely, you don't want to miss this." "Go now, Striker!" Masamune called out. "Lightning Sword Flash!" Then, to the sheer shock and surprise of the Equestrians, the almost holographic image of a pale green unicorn with a spiraling horn appeared above Striker, a manifestation of the Bey's Spirit Beast. Then, bolts of purple energy coalesced around the horn as it charged, focusing its power into a single precise point, one aimed directly at Sonic Raptor. Rainbow Dash barely had time to gasp or exclaim in shock when Striker's Special Move connected, and sent Raptor flying out of the stadium and into the wall of the storehouse, cracking the concrete and brick masonry with an audible explosion and blast of air mixed with dust and debris.  "What...was...that…?" Rainbow Dash gaped openly as Striker spun back into Masamune's hand, coming to a stop in his grip. "That was my Lightning Sword Flash!" Masamune boasted. "Ray Striker's Special Move!" As Rainbow turned around and retrieved Raptor from its indentation in the wall of the storehouse, Ryo gave a reassuring nod to the Equestrian at seeing her now glum expression, Rainbow realizing her first ever match was a loss. "It's okay, it's just a training match. You'll get better, that's for sure." Masamune said as he came over, one hand on the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry that I went so all-out. I haven't battled in a while, so I kinda got carried away." "It's fine." Rainbow replied, handing Raptor to Fluttershy for repairs before she smiled brightly. "That was really fun, Masamune! Next time will be different, though." "I look forward to it." he nodded as they shook hands again. At that moment, Ryo looked at his phone and smiled, before asking for everyone's attention. "I just got word from Madoka that Gingka has found his new Bey, and is heading back here." Ryo said. "Let's go meet them at the train station, shall we?" "Right!" Masamune and the others cheered, Masamune cheering a little louder than usual. As they headed out into the sunshine and entered the waiting SUV, the clouds began to clear overhead while the wind blew a gust through the trees.