The stadium was still in an uproar after Ash's rightful victory in the Battle Bladers first round. The crowd could not stop talking about Storm Greninja's strength and his wild playing style. Under all the celebration, though, a larger storm was brewing.
Ash observed the present match on the giant screen as Kenta and Madoka remained in the waiting area. Nonetheless, everything around him went silent once the next pairing was called out by the announcer.
"Next match: Travis of Spiral Valley against Kyoya Tategami!"
"Kyoya? Kenta exclaimed.
Ash's eyes widened. "He's back, then."
He was filled with mixed emotions at the mere utterance of the name. There was no force as Kyoya. Ash recalled his brute force, his intimidating demeanor, and how he used to annihilate weaker opponents. But Kyoya was also a rival who tread the path of improvement and who sought strength in determination and not cruelty.
"Isn't this Travis whom you beat in the first round?" Madoka asked.
"Yes," Ash said. "So, we'll be able to see how much Kyoya has changed since we last saw him."
Kyoya strode confidently into the arena as the massive stadium doors swung open. His face was calm but determined, and his long green hair flowed behind him. Cheers erupted from the crowd. Kyoya was famous. He was a battle beast, not an ordinary Blader.
Despite his nervous appearance, Travis launched his Bey. "Allow it to tear!"
Kyoya muttered, "Let it rip."
Savage Fang Leone, Kyoya's new Beyblade, roared into the stadium with a fierce motion. Like a lion recently released from its cage, it spun with wild aggression.
Ash's eyes squinted. "That isn't his original Leone."
"Nope," Madoka replied, frantically typing. "While more insulting than Rock Leone itself, this iteration has progressed while not sacrificing its balance core. Kyoya's visual has changed."
In a desperate try to match its defensive pull magnetism play, Travis's Spiral Python fixed the center and pulled Leone in. Kyoya didn't back away.
"Fang Claw Assault!"
Dazzling with a green glow, Leone surged ahead. Unlike its wild assault last time, this attack was crisp and precise. It quickly slashing at Python, unbalancing the heavier Bey with upper-cutting power.
"Go, Python!" Travis shouted. "Stay steady!"
Kyoya remained cold and focused instead. "Fang Cyclone Slash!"
Leone fired off a circular blast of air that sent Python flying off the ground with a sweep of its motion. Before it crashed outside the stadium, it spun for a moment in the air.
"Get out of the stadium! Kyoya Tategami is the victor!"
Ash stood in silence as the crowd erupted.
Kenta turned. "Did you see that? His Leone is now quicker and more strategic than mere brute power!"
Madoka nodded. "He has changed."
Ash stepped back towards the screen. "That means I have to change as well."
Earlier that day, Ash found himself in a practice room outside of the stadium, throwing Greninja into practice games over and over again. Walls echoed with staccato rattling of Beys crashing. He was hot, but completely in the zone.
He grumbled, "I won't be able to stay the same if Kyoya has become that powerful.Better timing, better offense, and better control, Storm Greninja."
A voice he recognized shouted as he was rehearsing a series of precise attacks.
"Just going through the motions will not be enough to get past Kyoya."
Ash spun around.
He was there. Kyoya, standing with his arms crossed and oozing the same threatening vibe.
"Did you come to watch me exercise?" Shocked, Ash asked.
Kyoya explained matter-of-factly, "I came to see if the Ash I had seen in Battle Bladers was the same one from earlier. You have improved. but not enough."
Ash smiled. "You're going to lecture me now?"
Kyoya stepped forward. "No. I'm here to show you our differences."
Kyoya tossed Fang Leone into the arena without a word further. Ash simply grinned and tossed Greninja.
"Let it rip!"
There was a huge crash as the two Beys slammed into each other. Claws out, Leone held the center as it flowed around. Greninja attacked with speed and water-pressure spins as she zipped through brief arcs.
"Torrent Spiral!" shouted Ash.
With its whirling speed, Greninja spun inwards, surrounding Leone in a whirlpool. But Leone wasn't knocked off balance this time.
Kyoya's eyes grew narrow. "Fang Counter!"
Leone sliced through the whirlpool and delivered a clawed strike that sent Greninja flying as she spun into her spiral head-on.
Ash emitted a gasp. "Greninja, don't give up!"
The Bey landed swaying after bouncing off the stadium wall.
Kyoya said, "You have strength, but you're still reacting too much. I strike intentionally. You fight on instinct."
Ash chewed on his lip. "You're saying I'm not thinking ahead enough?"
"You don't fight to overpower, I mean. You fight to win. That is the difference."
Ash's fists grew tight. "That will be different."
Kyoya smiled wryly. "Okay. Because I won't hold anything back when we fight next."
Ash was left to himself with his thoughts as he turned and departed.
Ash sat in the team room that night with Madoka and Kenta, staring at Storm Greninja.
"Kyoya is right. Unlike him, I have been battling in the heat of the moment instead of planning."
Madoka placed her hand on his shoulder. "Yet, you have always battled with your heart. No one else can copy that."
Kenta nodded. "And you'll get stronger now that you've seen what Kyoya's new Leone can do. That's how rivals work!"
Ash smiled. "Okay. Then we just keep training because Storm Greninja still has the potential that I haven't yet tapped into. And I'll show Kyoya how much I've improved when we meet next."
The stars twinkled in the night sky outside.
There was going to be another fight.
Ash would also be ready.