As the helicopter made a smooth landing, Zukira hopped out of the door. She noticed how Doji and Ryuga were standing across her. Was it to show appreciation for her contributions to the Organisation? Or was it to honour her safe return from her first mission?

Zukira walked and noticed Tsubasa and Yu standing by the entrance. Yu gasped, his eyes widening in excitement. He grabbed Tsubasa's leg and waved at Zukira with a big smile.

The brunette waved back at him and noticed Doji standing in her way, his arms crossed and a proud smile on his face. Behind Doji, Ryuga leaned against the wall with a smug smile and arms crossed.

"Zukira, my dear friend," Doji welcomed with open arms, "we are ever so delighted to see you again! We hope you returned with something valuable."

"Quite so," She nodded, folding her arms behind her back.

She observed Ryuga emerge from the shadows and head towards the helicopter but stopped when he neared her.

As Ryuga stopped by Zukira, she could feel his ember eyes piercing through her soul. He always had that proud and arrogant smile on his face.

"Hmph, I wasn't expecting you to return so soon," Ryuga said in a mocking tone, "I believed that you must've run away by now."

Zukira sighed, "Ryuga, whether I decide to run or not is none of your business."

Even though she still had her mask on, she couldn't help but stare at his face, wondering how he became the person he was now.

Ryuga let out a 'Tsk' and walked towards the copter, with Yu and Tsubasa following from behind.

The brunette twirled around as she saw the 3 Bladers go into the copter.

"Where are they going?" She asked with a slight tinge of annoyance in her tone.

"They're heading for a Battle Royal, dear friend. Did you want to go as well?" Doji's smile widened.

Zukira shrugged, "If only I was part of Battle Bladers, I wouldn't have to sit around here and rot."

"My, my. I understand how you feel," Doji gave a slight bow, "however, there's still much to do. So please follow me into my office."

Doji turned around and began walking. Zukira groaned and trudged her way to his office.

§

- This part is based on Beyblade Metal Fusion: Episode 35.

The sounds of the WBBA helicopter swept through the air, the dark cloud occupying the blue canvas once again. Up above the rocky canyon, many Bladers stood around a bey stadium, their spirits fired up and determined to win.

"Hey there, fans! Today's challenge match is brought to you from the Gyaran Highlands! A total of 100 Bladers will battle at the same time. It's a battle royal with 1500 points for the winner!" Blader DJ announced.

"Hmm, 1500 points for just one battle. You gotta love that!" Benkei commented, taking out his launcher and attaching Dark Bill to it, "This is the perfect battle for me. I'm gonna clean up! I was in a 100 Bey Battle one time. I have this win, it's in the bag!"

Blader DJ looked over the Bladers through his binoculars while pressing down on a counter, "97...98...99...erm...where is the last one?"

Just when Blader DJ said that blue lightning flashed in the sky, scaring Blader DJ.

A Dark Nebuka helicopter flew up, revealing Ryuga who stood in the middle of the doorway while Tsubasa and Yu stood on the sides.

"Wh-who's that?!" Benkei lowered his launcher.

Ryuga's appearance caused surprised reactions from the Bladers while Ryuga stared down at them as if they were little ants. His lips curled into a smirk.

"It's Ryuga!" Benkei exclaimed.

"Um...there's only one spot left," Blader DJ raised a finger, "which of you will-"

"Oh, oh, it's him of course! Right?" Yu looked at Ryuga with an excited look on his face.

Of course, this caused a boost in Ryuga's ego which was as high as his drive for power, "Let's begin!" He raised his gauntlet arm.

"Yikes! Well then..." Blader DJ backed off with a frightened look.

"Huh, L-Drago's not so tough. I, Benkei will defeat Ryuga right here, right now!"

After eyeing Benkei, the other Bladers prepared themselves and aimed their launchers.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"LET IT RIP!"

"GO! DARK BULL!"

Dark Bull raced towards L-Drago, with the other 100 hundred beys behind Dark Bull.

"Come on, crush him! Dark Bull: RED HORN UPPERCUT!"

Right when Benkei called his special move, the 3 purple dragons emerged from L-Drago, earning a shocked scream from Benkei and the other Bladers. Then, a big, purple beam shot out from the stadium and reached for the sky. This sent out all the other Bladers, including Benkei, flying as Ryuga's maniacal laughter sounded again.

Only one bey remained standing: L-Drago.

The other Bladers groaned in pain as their beys landed in front of them one by one.

Blader DJ fell to the ground and held one arm up as though he was shielding himself.

"Huh....huh...Yeah uh...the winner is...uh...Ryuga!" He announced, the fear visible in his tone.

"Hah, that was awesome!" Yu said while looking at the defeated Bladers, "That's Ryuga for ya, so cool!"

Ryuga retrieved L-Drago, still smirking, "Amateurs,"

"Booyah!" Yu punched the air. "Let's go to the next match!"

Ryuga turned around into the copter and took a seat.

That's the left rotating bey, Lightning L-Drago. Tsubasa thought.

The door of the helicopter closed, and it flew out of sight.

§

"Hmm, I wonder what went wrong during the battle between the twins and Kenta. I missed it!"

Zukira was in her room, watching the battle on the television. Even she found it fascinating that Gemios had merged its power into one. A Beyblade which had 12 blades on its fusion wheel possessed the power of both fire and ice. It was also a Beyblade perfect for the twins, Dan and Reiki.

The brunette sipped on some soda, but she became excited when the twins began arguing amongst themselves, "Huh, typical sibling behaviour," she smiled, "perhaps this was the turning point for those two. Oh well,"

She threw the can in the bin and watched as Kenta made his final move, earning himself sweet victory. She saw Gingka and the others rush over to him and observed them, spotting Hikaru in the process, "Well, well, well - looks like Ms.Aquario," she joked.

She then switched to another battle. It was the Battle Royal between Gingka, Kyoya, Hyoma, Kenta, Tsubasa and Yu. While Zukira was rooting for Tsubasa and Yu, her spirit was crushed when Kyoya took victory for himself, "Ugh, Kyoya...I don't like that guy,"

She closed the television and let out a long sigh. She stared at Blazer as it spun around a potted flower, tipping itself inwards and outwards as though it was scanning the flower.

I want to be part of these heated battles, but knowing the twisted truth behind them, I'm thankful that I didn't take part. Yu and Tsubasa however...Zukira gulped, if...they fail to fulfil their tasks, what will happen to them? And most of all...

What will happen to me?

She raised her hand in the air and retrieved Blazer. She looked at it with a somewhat anxious and sympathetic look.

And I know for a fact that Doji's going to try and sniff out as much information about Blazer as he can so that he can use that information in favour of Ryuga and L-Drago.

Suddenly, the television switched on and showed a static screen for a few moments before Doji's face appeared.

Zukira yelped in alarm and quickly grabbed her mask and put it on.

"Hello, dear friend," Doji greeted, "I hope I'm not bothering you or anything,"

He could've just- called me to his office, dang it!

"Aha...no worries at all. Do enlighten me, why did you decide to contact me through a television?" Zukira raised a brow.

"I suppose it was the quickest way to contact you without wasting any time," Doji replied with a smirk.

"Without wasting time? What do you mean?"

"Ryuga wants to see you at the Battle Royal, Zukira."

And so Zukira shot out her soda and coughed.

"Oh, give me a break," She groaned, "Ryuga wants me there? But- I just returned from my mission, Mr.Doji! And besides, I'm not even a participant!"

"I understand you, but, this is strictly Ryuga's order. You don't want to upset him now, do you?"

Zukira nodded.

"Very good. Even if you're not a participant, you will be spectating the match in my place, understood?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever,"

Doji gave a mischievous smile and disappeared.

Zukira gripped her hair and let out a loud groan, slamming her head against the wall.

COULDN'T RYUGA JUST- TAKE ME WITH HIM?!

🏟️

As she entered the stadium with a long face, Zukira observed the excited crowd and the 4 stadiums placed at a distance from each other. Battles were going on all of them, but that didn't make Zukira happy. She was just annoyed. Annoyed about the fact that she had to take another trip back here just because Ryuga called her there.

Zukira went ahead to get a closer look, but she stopped when she saw Ryuga battling in one of the stadiums. She looked around and spotted her two besties sitting amongst the crowds.

She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders drooping. She made her way to the two Bladers and sat beside them. Yu heard a rustling sound and jolted, but let out a surprised gasp when he saw Zukira.

"ZUKI!" Yu exclaimed and threw his arms around her tightly, "I didn't know you were coming! What made you change your mind?"

Zukira ruffled his hair, "Oh, I figured that my friend Yu would be here, so I decided to join him." She replied with a bit of forced enthusiasm in her tone.

"ALRIGHT! Now YOU can also see Ryuga take the victory!"

§

- This part is based on Beyblade Metal Fusion: Episode 36.

"Those two are pretty good, aren't they?" Tsubasa commented, his eyes glued onto Tobio and Ryutaro.

"Yeah, but they're no match for Ryuga," Yu sipped on his drink.

Zukira watched as Ryuga defeated a Blader with one swift move, claiming victory as his. After all, he was the strongest Blader out there.

"Next is the match of the semi-finals. Who will face Ryuga in the final battle?!" Blader DJ announced, "Will it be Tobio or perhaps, Ryutaro?! No matter what, this is sure to be a great Battle! The winner will be under pressure to stop the L-Drago!"

"Sorry, but I'm gonna decide this with one shot!" Tobio boasted.

"Ahahaha! That's ridiculous!" Ryutaro spat back.

"Wait,"

Their attention was diverted towards Ryuga who was coming towards their stadium.

Zukira felt the little hairs on her neck stick up as a shiver went down her spine. She clutched her thighs and watched as Ryuga entered the scene. All of a sudden...

He spotted her.

Amongst the dozens of people, he was able to find her. His ember eyes stared into her soul and smirked. Ryuga looked ahead and stopped in front of the two Bladers.

"I don't want to wait for you two to finish your boring battle. I'll take both of you on at the same time," Ryuga added with a confident smirk.

"Huh?" Tsubasa said.

"Cool!" Yu smiled a lot, his eyes widened in excitement upon seeing Ryuga.

Zukira, however, felt her stomach be tied into knots and began to grow cold after Ryuga's intense stare.

"Hold the phone. Ryuga has just requested a three-way final battle, check it!" Blader DJ added in the background.

"Hey, pal, are you saying one opponent isn't enough for ya?!" Tobio remarked.

"Your pride may be your downfall. You are overconfident, you will regret it." Ryutaro commented.

Ryutaro, he's a fortune teller...Zukira's eyes trailed from Ryutaro and then to Ryuga. Hmmm...

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"LET IT RIP!"

The battle began with the hopping Capricorn and swift Pisces coming from one side, L-Drago racing towards them from the other. Both of them beys moved away when L-Drago made its way between them.

"AH! That was close!" Tobio exclaimed.

"The first strike leads to victory! SPECIAL MOVE: DISTORTION DRIVE!"

Zukira watched as Ryutaro took the first step and called his special move. She could feel it. She could feel the intensity of the battle weighing down on her.

But the special move alone was no match for Ryuga.

A bright, purple beam shot out of the stadium and went towards the sky, resulting in Ryutaro and Pisces getting a stadium out.

"I got this. Go, Capricorn!" Tobio hollered.

Capricorn went into the sky and dived down towards L-Drago.

"Dark move: DRAGON EMPEROR SOARING BITE STRIKE!"

Once again, the 3 purple dragons emerged from L-Drago, taking Tobio by surprise as a fearful expression washed over his face. The 3 dragons pushed back Capricorn and slammed it into the stadium, resulting in another stadium out.

Zukira stared at the two defeated Bladers and then looked at Ryuga. Such immense power. How? He's unstoppable.

"He's way too strong! The winner is Ryuga!" Blader DJ announced with a somewhat bewildered Look on his face.

Just then, Ryuga approached the two Bladers and stared down at them as though they were roaches.

Zukira gulped and got up as she took a leap from her place and stood beside Ryuga. She crossed her arms and looked at the two Bladers who were more shocked than before.

"Wh-who is that you have with you?!" Ryutaro stammered at Zukira's sudden appearance.

Ryuga peered over his shoulder, saw Zukira and turned back to them.

"And what do you want?" Ryutaro gulped.

"We've already lost, okay?" Tobio added.

"I want you two to join me. You show promise!"

Ryuga turned around and began walking with that smug look of his, "It's good to see you again,"

Zukira was cut off from her thoughts when Ryuga stood in front of her. She gulped and stood stiff. She felt her heart leap to her throat when Ryuga took off her mask with one hand, causing the brunette to squint her eyes at the sudden light. She felt her entire face go cold as she noticed him staring at her.

Was it her face? Was it her hair? Did she do something wrong? All those questions made Zukira's stomach go queasy and upset. Then, Ryuga gave her a pat on the shoulder, a pat on the shoulder and left. The brunette stood there, her eyes as wide as saucers as she remained glued to the spot.

"At least I'm safe," Tobio said with his eyes shut.

"So, could this be fate as well?" Ryutaro lowered his head.

Zukira shook her head and peered over her shoulder. She watched as Ryuga slowly disappeared into the dark hallway. Meanwhile, Yu and Tsubasa had also gotten up. Now Zukira was confused as to whom she should follow.

"Oye, Kira!" She heard Ryuga's voice And turned towards the hallway, "Are you just going to stand there? I don't have all day! Get moving!"

Zukira rolled her eyes and shook her head. She went into the dark hallway and joined Ryuga.

I don't understand this guy at all.