//------------------------------// // Ep 37: Strength and Speed, All or Nothing // Story: Beyblade EQG // by MechaTomX //------------------------------// The sun began to rise. In Spike's room, an alarm clock started to go off. The spikey green haired boy woke up from his long sleep to turn it off. "Usually I hate mornings," Spike said, "But for some reason, I feel great today." Later, he looked at a calendar that he had on his wall, which had a specific day marked with a circle, and there you could read the following: GRAND FINAL OF THE TOURNAMENT. Spike smiled when he read it, today was the big day, the one that would define the absolute winner, he spent these last 2 weeks training with his friends. Flashback “EMERALD FLAME, USE THE OVERDRIVE,” Spike yelled as his bey went straight for Flash Sentry's bey. BURST Flash Heart had Burst while Emerald Flame was spinning with all its energy. "That's 3 wins in a row," Rarity said, "And they've all been with a Burst Finish, he's not holding anything back." "If he wants to win, then he has to think about ending every battle with a Burst," Applejack said. "Who next?" Spike asked as he turned to the girls and Flash, "This little dragon will prove he's not that weak." “Wow,” Flash Sentry said, rearming his beyblade. Twilight Sparkle smiled, she had never seen her little brother with such energy, "I will be your next opponent." Spike smiled, "Thank you sis, remember I won't hold back at all." "I'd be offended if you did," Twilight replied. "This will be fun," Rainbow Dash said. “It's only been a week since Twi got her bey, but it seems like it's been longer because she's mastered it to perfection,” added Sunset Shimmer. "Alright guys, fun time," Pinkie Pie said, "Ready?" Spike nodded with a smile as he placed Emerald Flame on his launcher. Twilight nodded with a smile as she placed Harmony Unicorn in a new launcher Spike had given her, it was similar to the one Spike had, only it had stars instead of flames. And the countdown begins. 3 2 1 LET IT RIP. The siblings launched their beys about to have another great battle. End of Flashback At that moment, Spike picked up Emerald Flame at his desk and spoke to him, "We're going to do our best today, buddy, and no matter what happens, we'll always give 100%." A few minutes later, Spike had left his room and headed to the dining room where his family was waiting for him. “There is the future champion,” Night Light told him. "Hehe, thanks for the emotional support, dad," Spike said with a hand on the back of his neck, "But it's too early to celebrate, my friends are just as strong." "But you don't plan to lose right?" Twilight Velvet asked smiling. "Thats right," Spike answered with a smile, "I know my friends are strong, but that doesn't mean they beat me, because in the end, I managed to change for the better, I know I sound arrogant, but it's what my heart feels." Twilight Sparkle smiled upon hearing it. "Oh, Spike," Velvet said with tears in her eyes, then went to hug Spike, "I wish your big brother could see you, you really changed, that's why I'm proud of you." "Yes, Shinning will be surprised when we tell him," Twilight Sparkle added, joining the hug. “Dad… help… I can't…. Breathe,” Spike complained as he gasped for air from his mother and sister choking him, to which Night Light laughed. At Rumble's house. He was getting ready, he took his beyblade while looking at the window. After a long time, he had come this far, against opponents who surpassed him in age and strength. "Those battles, do you know what it means, Cloud Slayer?" There was a moment of silence. “They were great experiences, experiences that got me where I am,” Rumble said and jumped out the window. "And now it's time for the finals, let's go all out, Slayer," Rumble was about to head to the school when he was interrupted by a voice. "Rumble, you forgot to eat your breakfast." Rumble turned around and saw a tall woman with the same skin and hair color but with a more formal hairstyle. "Oh, sorry mom," Rumble apologized as his stomach growled. His brother Thunderlane had seen the show, "Hehe, never change lil bro." At Button Mash's house. Button Mash was having breakfast with his mother and brother Gibson. As they ate breakfast, Button moved his arm discreetly under the table. Well, it wasn't that discreet since his brother noticed. "And now what the hell are you doing?" His mother had noticed that her youngest son moved his arm very strangely. “Special training,” Button answered, still waving his arm, “This way I can control Digital Debug's movements more smoothly, which will increase my chances in future battles.” "Oh," his brother was surprised at such a firm response from Button, he knew he changed a lot in a good way, so he just smiled and continued eating breakfast. While his mother smiled hearing him so determined, "I'm sure you'll do very well, Button." “Thanks mom,” Button Mash replied with a smile. At Scootaloo's house. She was checking her bey so that it didn't have any flaws. After several minutes, she put it back together, "Very good Xtreme Raptor, today is the grand finale and we will open the first battle, and our opponent is none other than Rumble, which could be the toughest battle we will have." Scootaloo was in high spirits and at that moment she heard a knock on her bedroom door. “It's open,” Scootaloo said. The door opened, her older sister, Rainbow Dash, entered. "Hey, how are you feeling, squirt?" Rainbow Dash asked, "I hope you're not nervous about your battle with Rumble." Scootaloo smiled with a confident expression, "Not at all, Rumble is a very strong boy, but I'm not going to lose to him, at the same time I respect him and he respects me as an equal." "Are you sure you just respect him, because I think there's something more than just respect between you," Rainbow Dash told her making Scootaloo blush. "I don't know what you're talking about," Scootaloo looked away to avoid Rainbow Dash seeing her blush. Rainbow laughed at her little sister's reaction. "Changing the subject, I think you should surprise him in your battle," Rainbow Dash told her drawing his attention, "He knows your bey, so I suggest a change in your strategy." “Rainbow, I appreciate your advice,” Scootaloo said as she looked at her beyblade, “But I'm not going to fight without Xtreme Raptor.” “I know, that's why I want to lend you this,” Rainbow replied as she handed Scootaloo something. “Rainbow is that….” Scootaloo replied surprised to receive the object that her sister gave her. Spike was walking through the streets of Canterlot on his way to school, Twilight had offered him a ride with Flash Sentry, but Spike turned him down as he thought walking would do him good. "Spike," came a voice, and Spike turned to see Rumble approaching. "Rumble, good morning," Spike greeted him. “I assume you're ready for the tournament,” Rumble told him. Spike was going to nod but at that moment, another voice interrupted him. “He better be ready, because he will face me.” Spike and Rumble turned to see Button Mash approaching. “And of course I am,” Spike said as he fist bumped Button Mash. “I will tell you that I am going to be impartial in your battle, I am not going to encourage anyone,” Rumble told them, “Don't take this the wrong way, but in the end it doesn't matter who wins, I will beat them in the end.” The 3 of them smiled and headed to Canterlot High. The 3 were so excited they had so much to say along the way, but there were no words to express how they felt, participating in the final stage with their best friends was something they had only seen in stories from a shonen anime. After several minutes, the 3 had arrived at Canterlot High without having said a word on their way. But at that moment, they saw the Crusaders approaching. “Scootaloo,” Rumble said breaking the silence. “Rumble,” Scootaloo greeted. Their friends didn't say anything so as not to ruin the moment between the two of them. “We opened the first battle,” Scootaloo told him. “I know, honestly, I couldn't be more excited,” Rumble replied. "And just so you know, I intend to defeat you," Scootaloo told him with a determined look, "I think it will be the best way to thank you for the help you have given me." Rumble smiled, "I don't need you to thank me, just having this battle with you makes me happy." “Huh, that sounds pretentious,” Scootaloo said, “Do you think you can beat me?” "I don't think so," Rumble replied with a determined look, "I know." Scootaloo smiled. “Gosh, you could break this tension and kiss once and for all,” Sweetie Belle yelled at them. That made Rumble and Scootaloo blush. “Umm, well, I guess I'll see you at the gym,” Scootaloo said with a blush. As she walked away with her friends, they could see that Scootaloo was hitting Sweetie Belle on the head. "Hehe," Rumble laughed nervously, "I think we should go too." Spike and Button smirked. The 3 headed to the gym. In the gym. The last remaining bladers were the only ones sitting on the bench this time, the others were sitting in the stands, ready to cheer them on from there. "Hey Spike," Apple Bloom spoke up from the stands, "Aren't those your parents?" Spike looked where Apple Bloom was pointing and noticed that his parents were sitting next to Twilight Sparkle. "Oh, yes," Spike answered, "I wouldn't know they were coming." “And it's not just your parents, look,” Button Mash pointed out. Spike, Rumble, Button Mash, and Scootaloo noticed the families of the remaining bladers sitting in the stands. Near his brother Thunderlane, Rumble saw his mother sitting. Button Mash watched his mother and brother in the stands as well. While Scootaloo saw her parents Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles sitting next to Rainbow Dash, what stood out the most was that Windy Whistles had pom-poms in her hands as if to cheer her on like a cheerleader. “Our parents are here,” Scootaloo said. “I think they came to see us fight in the finals,” added Rumble. From the stands. "I didn't imagine the whole school would be involved," said Night Light. "Remember what Spike said, it's more than just a game," Velvet reminded him, "While I'm also surprised there were so many people, I wish I'd brought the camera to record this." “Don't worry, I came prepared,” they heard a voice approach, they turned and saw Button Mash's mother with a video camera. "Hello Cream Heart," Velvet greeted, "I see you did come prepared." “Well, Button Mash has been working really hard for this, I want to let him know how proud I am of him, that's why I'm not going to stop filming,” replied Cream Heart as she began to calibrate her camera. "Excuse me," they heard another voice approaching and saw a woman very similar to Rumble. "Hi, what do you need?" greeting Night Light. "Are you by any chance Spike's parents and Button Mash's mother?" asked the woman. The 3 nodded, to which the woman smiled, "My name is Caring Hearts, I am the mother of Rumble, who has told me a lot about his friends, Spike and Button." “Oh, it's nice to meet you,” Velvet said as the others introduced themselves. “I imagine you came to cheer your son up, too,” Cream Heart told him. “Of course, I know he can win,” replied Caring Hearts, “But I also wanted to let you know how grateful I am to your children.” "Huh?" they wondered at the same time. “Before he came here, Rumble had no friends, he was always alone,” Caring Hearts told them but then smiled, “But that all changed after he met Spike and Button Mash, because every day he comes home, he does. with a smile." “We also have Rumble to thank,” Velvet said. “Yes, our children have brought out the best in them because Rumble was there to encourage them,” said Cream Heart. Night Light smiled, “Those 3 seem to complement each other.” Caring Hearts smiled, "That's good to know." "You say what you want," Bow Hotfooh and Windy Whistles approached, "But the winner will be our daughter." “I see you haven't changed, Windy,” Caring Hearts said, smiling. “Do you two know each other?” Cream Heart asked. “Caring and I were cheerleaders at Crystal Prep,” replied Windy Whistles as she held up her pom-poms, “Although I was always the best cheerleader.” Caring Hearts didn't say anything just smiled. “That's why we know Scootaloo will win,” said Bow Hothoof ripping off his shirt revealing that he had another shirt with Scootaloo's name on it. "Do you always wear that thing?" asked Night Light. “Actually, its laundry day,” Bow replied sheepishly, “But it's still pretty cool.” The principals arrived at the gym. Celestia: Before we begin. Luna: Let's give a round of applause to the other bladers who couldn't make it this far. Celestia: They were important in their battles standing in the way of these 4 remaining bladers. The camera zoomed in on Spike, Rumble, Button Mash and Scootaloo who just waved nervously as they listened to the applause from the other students. Luna: Since this tournament started, we have seen great battles. Celestia: But we remind you that there can only be one winner. Luna: And he or she is standing in this gym, right now, please come closer. Spike, Rumble, Button Mash and Scootaloo approached the center of the gym, Spike and Button Mash were nervous while Rumble and Scootaloo only walked forward with a smile. Celestia: And now introducing the bladers who gave their all to get here. Luna: We have the dragon boy, Spike, and his beyblade, Emerald Flame. Celestia: The powerful and agile, Rumble, and his beyblade, Cloud Slayer. Luna: The game master, Button Mash, and his beyblade, Digital Debug. Celestia: And last but not least, the fierce skater, Scootaloo, and her beyblade, Xtreme Raptor. The entire gymnasium was filled with applause from the other students and their families. "Yeah Spike," shouted Night Light and Twilight Velvet. “Come on Rumble,” Caring Hearts yelled. “You can win Button,” Cream Heart yelled. But the ones who cheered much more, were Scootaloo's parents who did not stop shouting her name, at the same time that Windy Whistles waved their pom-poms, "SCOOTALOO, SCOOTALOO, SCOOTALOO." Celestia: We like to see your excitement, now it's time to explain the rules. Luna: Since it's the finals, the rules will change a bit. That made many students doubtful as well as excited about the changes that would be implemented in this final. Celestia: First of all, the winner will be decided when he gets 3 points instead of 2. "3 points," Flash Sentry said, "That will make things more intense." “It also means that even if a Burst Finish is achieved in the first battle, the match will continue,” Twilight Sparkle added. Luna: And the second rule will be the most exciting. At that moment, Luna pressed a button on the stage where they were standing, that made the center of the gym open and from it, a new beystadium emerged. The remaining 4 bladers were shocked to see that. When the beystadium emerged, it could already be seen completely, it was slightly larger than the previous one, it was dark blue, but what made it stand out from the other beystadium was that it had a huge red circle in the flat area where the beys rotate and it had 3 holes located in the corners. Celestia: I bet you were surprised. The 4 nodded without saying anything. Luna: This is the Ultimate Max Japanese Beystadium, one that will increase the difficulty of the fight to another level. Celestia: See those holes? They are traps, if a bey falls into a trap, it doesn't matter if it keeps spinning, it will count as an automatic defeat, giving your opponent a point. Spike swallowed hard, his bey was the most likely to be pushed into one of those damn traps. Rumble and Scootaloo showed concern due to how fast their beys were that in the worst case, they would fall into a trap. But Button Mash didn't even flinch because he had full control in Digital Debug, plus he could always make it jump. Luna: And one last thing, that red zone is dangerous. Luna took out a remote control and pressed a button, the red area began to rotate counterclockwise. "It can't be," Rumble and Scootaloo said at the same time. Celestia: You better be careful how you throw your beyblades, the red zone can be your worst enemy, but if you play your cards right, it could also be your greatest ally. Luna: That's all about the new rules, the first battle will be in 15 minutes, Rumble VS Scootaloo. Celestia: We wish them the best of luck. Celestia and Luna withdrew. Rumble and Scootaloo stared at each other, there was a lot of excitement in the air. Meanwhile, in the lair of the Dark Crystal Knight. “Hmppf, Cozy Glow, time to go,” the Dark Crystal Knight said as he stepped back. "Don't you plan to watch the finals from here?" asked Cozy Glow. "It's more comfortable, but I'd rather see it live," the Dark Crystal Knight replied, "Besides, we have to make our move." "Oh hehehe, I get it," Cozy laughed wickedly as she picked up her beyblade, Power Empress, "That cowgirl will know her place once for all." Back at Canterlot High. There were only a few minutes left before the battle began. But Rumble was nervous, "Usually this doesn't happen to me, but, I'm in the finals and my opponent is Scootaloo." “I knew this would happen,” said Button Mash. "What's happening here?" Scootaloo arrived at the place. Rumble didn't know what to say, he didn't want her to think he was nervous, but luckily, Spike came to the rescue, "Rumble was about to tell us an intellectual joke." "An intellectual joke?" asked Scootaloo. “Yeah, they're the funniest, come on Rumble, tell it,” Button Mash told him. “Um okay,” Rumble started to think it, luckily he found a joke to tell, “There's this farmer, and he has these chickens, but they won't lay any eggs, so, he calls a physicist to help, the physicist then does some calculations, and he says, um, I have a solution, but it only works with spherical chickens in a vacuum.” “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA,” Spike and Button Mash laugh almost loosing their air. But Scootaloo froze as if she didn't get the joke while Spike and Button continued to laugh. "Hehe, that was pretty good," Spike said. “Totally,” added Button Mash. After they finished laughing, they looked at Scootaloo. "Oh, sorry, I've just, I've heard it before," Scootaloo said as she retreated to the center of the gym. “Okay, it wasn't what I imagined, but I feel better now, im not nervious anymore,” Rumble said as he approached the center of the gym. "Glad to hear that," Spike said. And at that moment they heard the voice of Vice Principal Luna. Luna: The battle starts in 1 minute. Celestia: So we ask you to inspect your opponent's bey. “I don't think it's necessary,” Rumble said. “As a matter of fact, I think so,” Scootaloo told him, handing him her bey. Rumble saw that the disc he had under his attack ring had changed, it had the 7 colors of the rainbow, "Interesting, it seems that you changed the disc." “That's right,” Scootaloo replied as she handed him bey back to him. “But that won't be enough to beat me,” Rumble told her, handing her bey back to her. "We'll see." Luna: If all is well, then let the countdown begin. Scootaloo and Rumble placed their beys on their launchers and got ready, especially Rumble, who took a few steps back to make his special launch. Celestia: 3 Luna: 2 Both: 1 And suddenly, all the students shouted: LET IT RIP. When the bladers launched their beys into the beystadium, the two of them did something that caught their attention. “Ahhh, Let it Rip,” Rumble ran to the beystadium and jumped high. But what surprised everyone is that Scootaloo also made a jump. “Let it rip,” Scootaloo yelled as she did a standing backflip. “Come on Rumble,” Caring Hearts yelled. “You can do it, little brother,” Thunderlane yelled. “Come on Scootaloo,” Bow Hothoof yelled. “Attack him with everything,” Windy Whistles yelled as she waved her pom-poms. “Beat him and show him that you can be stronger than him,” Rainbow Dash yelled. The 2 beys fell into the beystadium. "Are you trying to copy my style?" asked Rumble. “There's nothing wrong with learning from the best, although I'm missing the parth when I run like a lunatic,” Scootaloo replied. “I'm not a lunatic, I'm…..” Rumble was going to reply but stopped when he saw the 2 beys having a hard time staying stable. “Whoa, watch out Xtreme Raptor,” Scootaloo was saying. The 2 beys rotated in a crazy way, this was due to the rotating area. “Damn this is harder than I thought,” Rumble said. But Scootaloo was the one with the most problems. Xtreme Raptor could not be controlled as well as before. "Oh no, it's because of the new disc," Scootaloo thought knowing that she hadn't tested the disc yet, and at that moment, her bey lost control and ended up falling into one of the holes, or rather, into a trap. Celestia: Its a Trap finish. Luna: Which means that Rumble is ahead with a score of 0 – 1 “Yes,” Spike and Button Mash said at the same time, happy for Rumble. “Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said at the same time, worried about Scootaloo. “Good start, Rumble knows what he's doing,” Caring Hearts said to Thunderlane, who nodded with a smile. "Scootaloo, I..." Rumble started to speak but Scootaloo cut him off. “Don't pity me, I'm not defeated yet,” she told him, smiling. Rumble smiled hearing that, he knew his friend was not going to give up. Scootaloo took her bey and she was a little nervous, but her nerves went away hearing her sister's words from the stands. "Scootaloo, believe in yourself and your bey more, you can do great things, you must keep that in mind," Rainbow Dash yelled at her. Scootaloo smiled and got ready for her next round. Celestia: Let's go with the second round, 3 Luna: 2 Both: 1 And suddenly, all the students shouted: LET IT RIP. And with all their might, Rumble and Scootaloo launched their beys into the beystadium. Since they already knew what to expect, they had better control of their beys. "Alright, I see you've got it down, but Cloud Slayer will show no mercy," Rumble said, then spoke to his bey, "Go get her." Cloud Slayer went straight towards Xtreme Raptor hitting it causing it to bounce. “Okay, you can do it,” Scootaloo told her bey as she took another hit. CLANKK. And after the last punch. CLANKK. Xtreme Raptor was blown away. “SCOOTALOO NOOO,” Sweetie Belle yelled in fear, while Apple Bloom covered her mouth. But Rainbow Dash didn't seem worried, "It's time, do your thing, squirt." "Alright," Scootaloo said with a smile, "We've got this round." "What?" asked Rumble surprised. “XTREME RAPTOR,” Scootaloo yelled as her bey fell into the beystadium and headed straight for Cloud Slayer, “SPECIAL MOVE, SONIC RAINBOOM.” “Sonic Rainboom?” Rumble asked. “Sonic Rainboom?” Spike, Button, Sweetie and Apple Bloom asked. “That's right,” Rainbow Dash replied, “Sonic Rainboom.” At that moment Xtreme Raptor left a rainbow mark on the beystadium as she approached Cloud Slayer at a devilish speed. Rumble was able to put the puzzle together in his mind, "The new disc, it's Rainbow Dash's beyblade disc, Rainbow Meteor." "That's right, Rainbow Dash was very kind to lend me her disc, plus now I feel like she's fighting by my side," Scootaloo replied. Rumble finished processing everything, but as he did, he heard Scootaloo again, "ATTACK." CLANKKKK. Cloud Slayer was hit so hard that it caused him to Burst. "Oh no," Rumble thought. Luna: Burst Finish. Celestia: That's 2 points for Scootaloo, who is closer to winning, 2 – 1 "Yay Scootaloo," said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "That's my sister," Rainbow said proudly. “Way to go, Scootaloo, Scootaloo,” her parents cheered her on. "Rumble, I know you're capable of getting out of this, focus," Thunderlane thought. Rumble picked up the pieces of his bey and put it back together, "If it hadn't been a 3-point fight, I would have already lost, I have to be careful, or else it could all be over for me." On the roof of the gym. The Dark Crystal Knight and Cozy Glow were watching the battle. “I was expecting a lot more from Rumble,” said Cozy Glow, “What a disappointment.” “He is not defeated yet,” the Dark Crystal Knight replied. “Oh please, I admit, that spherical chicken joke, that was hilarious, but it was straight downhill from there,” added Cozy Glow. "But that Scootaloo girl, she's impressive, very strong, too bad we can't investigate any more bladers, let's just wait for these battles to end, because they're in for a big surprise," the Dark Crystal Knight concluded.