//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - The Finals Begin, Part Two // Story: Beyblade: Metal Masters - New Harmony // by Mkchief34 //------------------------------// Both Beys impacted against each other in only a few seconds after launch, striking dead-center in the stadium. Sparks flew wildly as Rock Leone and Earth Eagle clashed, grinding against each other. "Send him flying now, Leone!" Kyoya called, swiping his hand through the air. "Eagle, keep flying high!" Tsubasa countered, and Eagle did so, skillfully dodging Leone's initial attack. The attendees, who had already been on the edge of their seats before, jumped up with a resounding roar. "The Stadium's going crazy, as both Leone and Eagle trade attack after attack!" the DJ proclaimed. "What a great start to this match!" "Hmm…" Chi-Yun mused, drawing the attention of both Madoka and Twilight. "A Wide Defense performance tip, coupled with the Earth Fusion Wheel…Eagle is certainly a Balance-Type to be reckoned with…" "However, Leone, as a Defense-Type using the Wide Ball Performance Tip, could certainly wear Eagle down over time…" Mei-Mei added quietly. "The opening exchange shows both Tsubasa's skill and technique, and Kyoya's great power. It's uncertain who will win this based on the Beys alone." "You can analyze A Bey's performance just by looking at it?" Twilight asked, astounded. "That's really impressive, I guess four thousand years of training and teaching has had quite an effect on you, Chi-Yun.' "To put it lightly, yes." Chi-Yun responded, and he was about to say something else, when a roar from Kyoya drew everyone's attention back to the battle at hand. Eagle had managed to lure Leone to the edge of the stadium using kiting attacks, and was on the verge of sending the opposing Bey into a Stadium-Out. "Not bad, Tsubasa, but I'm far better! Lion Gale Force Wall!" Kyoya bellowed, and a raging tornado sprung to life, powered by Leone's Wide Ball Performance Tip. Eagle was launched backwards to the stadium edge, striking hard before recovering with ease. "A tornado wall?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, as everyone shielded themselves from the raging winds. "That's a really cool move!" "That's just one of Leone's specialties!" Benkei snapped back. "He's got this in the bag!" "I wouldn't be so sure!" Yu retorted. "I'd bet Tsubasa's got a plan already formed to win this!" Tsubasa, even through the raging roar of the tornado, smirked at hearing his friend's words. As a matter of fact, Tsubasa did have a plan already in mind. "Cut through the wind, Eagle!" Tsubasa ordered, and his Bey began to skillfully navigate through the tornado wall. With relative ease, Eagle slipped under the wall and struck hard. The tornado wall dissipated, and Kyoya growled, realizing Tsubasa had played him. "Not bad at all." Kyoya said begrudgingly. "But don't get ahead of yourself! Leone!" Leone rushed forward and smashed into Eagle, driving it through the stadium wall, sending concrete splinters and rubble everywhere. Tsubasa called for Eagle to break free, and using its Wide Defense tip, Eagle slid underneath once again and dodged Leone's attacks. "Nice try, Tsubasa, I'm not letting you get away!" Kyoya snarled. "Lion 100 Fang Fury, do it!" As another tornado wall formed, the debris from Leone's rampage spun up into the vortex and then outwards like a barrage of bullets. "Do you think that's possible in Equestria?" Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash, who weakly said "Probably, but it wouldn't be my style…" in response.  "Their exchange of moves shows both the power of one and the skill of the other." Shining Armor said in disbelief. "There's no telling who'll win this." "Go, Kyoya!" Benkei called, with Yu summarily responding with a cry of support for Tsubasa. "Dodge it, Eagle!" Tsubasa called. "Break through that wall!" "Not gonna happen!" Kyoya roared again. As concrete shards flew through the air, just like some kind of dancer, Eagle dodged again and again as it closed in on Leone. However, Kyoya gave a wide smirk as Eagle approached. Tsubasa's eyes widened, realizing that Leone was luring Eagle in for his next attack, and Tsubasa had fallen for the ruse. The crowd watched with bated breath, their attention solidly focused on the Beys as they charged towards each other, "This match is decided." Chi-Yun murmured coldly, drawing the attention of both the Equestrians and Gingka's team. Twilight and Team New Harmony looked at her in a quite puzzled manner, as she and Mei_Mei stood up. "No one's lost yet, Chi-Yun." Shining Armor noted. "Why do you feel the need to leave?" "Because I've seen all I need to." Chi-Yun responded. "Mei-Mei, with me." As Mei-Mei hastily bid the Equestrians, Gingka, Masamune, Madoka, Benkei, and Yu goodbye, as she and Chi-Yun headed for the exits, the Equestrians looked back at the stadium, realizing something big was going to happen. "Eagle, fly now!" Tsubasa ordered, just as Kyoya called "Special move, King Lion Tearing Blast!" As Eagle managed to move away from Leone's path, three tornado walls formed in sync, with each of them more powerful than the original Lion Gale Force Wall. However, Eagle didn't escape in time, and was swept up by the vortex and sent flying into the air. "Eagle!" Tsubasa called out in worry. "Get out of there!" "Try slipping under this attack, Tsubasa!" Kyoya snarled. "It's over now!" "Not yet!" Tsubasa retorted. "You're forgetting something, Kyoya!" "Oh, what's that?" Kyoya asked jokingly. "An Eagle's true place is in the skies!" Tsubasa called. "Now, Eagle, Metal Wing Smash!" Chi-Yun and Mei-Mei, who were at the exit doors, hastily turned around to watch the final exchange of attacks. As Eagle oriented itself for its own special move, Kyoya could only snarl and call for Leone to get ready. Eagle dove downwards at breakneck speed , its Spirit Beast appearing with talons beared for impact.  "Leone, King Lion Furious Blast Shot!" Kyoya responded, calling on the Special Move that Leone had used in his match with Ryuga during Battle Bladers. Leone launched itself upwards and met Eagle's attack, stopping it cold. As both Beys returned to the ground, Tsubasa grimaced. "No, I can't lose this!" he murmured to himself, as his heat gave a singular, powerful beat that drowned out everything else. "This is my chance to soar into the skies of the world!" As power began to well up inside him, Tsubasa was just about to embrace it, feeling a great anger beginning to form inside of him…when a familiar call echoed from the air. Tsubasa looked up to see the eagle he had raised calling to him from above.  "Wait…No...this isn't me, this isn't who I am or how I battle!" Tsubasa mustered before calling out. "I will win this fair and square! Go now, Eagle!" The anger inside him slowly receded, and the world came back into balance. Tsubasa breathed before calling out for Eagle to stand fast, and it did so, taking center stage. "Heh, Leone, send that Bey flying right now!" Kyoya snarled, and Leone began a rampaging charge towards Eagle. Just as Tusbasa called for another Special Move, Counter-Stance, Leone impacted with the force of a battering ram. "Win this now, Leone!" Kyoya roared with the force of a King. There was an impact, the ensuing explosion, and a cloud of smoke obscured the arena. As the obscuring smoke cleared, Tsubasa's face fell as he saw Eagle had spun to a stop at the edge of the stadium. The victorious Leone launched itself back to Kyoya, who smirked as the crowd roared to life. "Eagle, sleep out! The winner is Kyoya!' the DJ proclaimed to much applause and cheers from all present. Gingka leapt over the spectator wall to congratulate his rival, much to Twilight's astonishment. Tsubasa knelt down and retrieved Eagle, but the main question on Tsubasa's mind wasn't that he had lost the battle, but concern over the anger he felt and the sudden surge of power he had barely managed to resist. As the applause quieted, Kyoya turned to face Gingka, who eagerly offered congratulations and a handshake. Kyoya simply turned on his heel and walked away. Even the DJ seemed surprised as Kyoya left, but not before he called out for all present to hear. "Gingka, you listen up and you listen well. I'm going to the World Championships, but not with you! The next time we meet, we'll be opponents, not teammates! Tsubasa can have my place on Team Japan. I'll find another way there, and once I do, Gingka, you had better not lose until we meet again, and when that happens, I will defeat you! Do you hear me!?" Gingka's jaw hit the ground as Kyoya walked away, much to the shock of all present. Even Ryo and Hikaru, who had been watching from a viewing booth above the spectators, were stupefied. Tsubasa slowly walked towards Gingka in concern. Gingka soon composed himself and headed back to his seat, as the DJ spoke once again. "In a shocking twist, Kyoya has won the battle, but refused the position as the third member of Team Japan! The last regular spot on Team Gan-Gan Galaxy will now go to the winner of a final match between Tsubasa and Yu, the final two contenders!" The entire stadium was silent at this, even when all the attendees filed out to leave. As the Equestrians followed Gingka, Masamune, and Madoka back to the Bey Pit, there was a general feeling of disbelief in the air. "Gingka, are you okay?" Twilight asked, and Gingka gave a deep sigh. "I'm not sure." Gingka replied. "I need some time to myself. I'll see you all tomorrow."  Before anyone could protest, Gingka ran off and was gone in moments. Masamune looked at Madoka, who simply shrugged. "Will he be alright?" Fluttershy asked. "He'll be fine, hopefully." Madoka said. "Come on, let's head back so I can get dinner going." As the Equestrians bid goodbye to Madoka and Masamune, the sun began to set over Metal Bey City. However, as Gingka ran through the city towards the waterfront, his usual place to find peace and quiet, a Blader with flame-styled hair looked over and moved to follow.