— This chapter is based off Beyblade Metal Fusion: Episode 13. ~ Zee

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Good thing Doji gave me access to the rooftop or else I would've gone crazy.

Zukira made her way to the rooftop with swift, but quiet movements. While Ryuga was preparing for that awaited battle of his, Zukira escorted to the rooftop and sat down, gazing at the sky full of stars. They seemed like little, white grains scattered across a silk blanket. Zukira hugged her knees as her eyes went from one star to another, attempting to make out a constellation from them.

It's so strange how Blazer doesn't fit into any of the constellations. I wonder how it came to being. She took out Blazer from her pocket (which she got from Ryuga before she went up) and looked at lovingly. A sigh escaped her lips as she looked back up, but her mind was lingering somewhere else. She shook her head and massaged her forehead. How did I end up here again?

She had her eyes closed and she felt a cool gust of wind stung her face, but she didn't care. She opened her eyes. She recalled the moment, the moment when she saw it for the first time.

*

"Dark move: DRAGON EMPEROR SOARING BITE STRIKE!"

*

Zukira felt chills go down her spine and flinched. She felt a throb in her forehead and sat up straight. She covered her face with her hands and hugged her knees while letting out a long sigh. She rocked sideways and tapped her fingers restlessly. As she did so, she felt herself begin to calm down and the heaviness of her heart fading away. Phew. She let out a more relaxed sigh.

"Now, lets actually relax before-"

Zukira was just about to get used to the peaceful silence when she realised the wind picked up its pace and flew aggressively. She got up and took a look around: now what? She rolled her eyes and groaned. Just when she thought she could get some peace, something always happens.

A flash of lighting shook the night sky, followed by a trail of maniacal laughter. Zukira's eyes shot open like a bullet. It has already begun. Zukira raced to the place from where she heard the laughter and hid behind the wall. She saw Ryuga standing above and below him was another teenage guy with spiky brown hair and a blue bandana on his head. That must be Gingka Hagane! The owner of Storm Pegasus.

She hid behind the wall once again and quickly put on her mask. She took in a deep breath and clutched her heart as it thumped against her chest. She could feel the anxiety welling up in her stomach and sweat forming on the back of her neck. Here goes nothing. She stepped forward as her long, black coat flew with the wind. She took big steps, walking past the group of people and was right by Doji's side.

"Ah, you're just in time for Master Ryuga's moment of glory, my dear friend." Doji welcomed her with open arms as he stretched out an arm towards Ryuga who was holding L-Drago.

Zukira nodded and looked at the unfamiliar people. Wait, she eyed the green-haired teenager, that's Kyoya and - she couldn't figure out who the rest of the people were. I don't know who those people are...

"Is that what I think it is?" said the boy with the yellow shirt and teal hair.

"Correct." Doji stood in front of those people, but Zukira stood at her spot, "L-Drago; it is the Forbidden Bey, my friend."

"THAT'S THE FORBIDDEN BEY?!" exclaimed the big guy with purple hair.

"Yes, it's strange," Doji looked at Ryuga, "I am surprised Ryuga has recovered quickly enough to fully master L-Drago."

Zukira kept silent and listened. She, too, looked at Ryuga with curiosity and noticed the
flame-y purple aura around him.

"Wait, I've seen you before! Don't tell me that's another one of your Bladers, Doji!" Kyoya pointed a finger in Zukira's direction and took a step forward.

"Kyoya!" The girl with the goggles exclaimed, reaching her hand out to stop him from heading towards Zukira.

Zukira didn't react and looked back at Gingka who had his launcher pointing at Ryuga.

"I will defeat you. All my training and practice has prepared me for this moment! Make no mistake, I'm taking you down and taking back L-Drago!"

A blue flame-y aura surrounded Gingka too, just like Ryuga.

The gears in Zukira's began to work and all of a sudden, the dots connected. Koma village, the Forbidden Bey, Doji, and Gingka. She understood the rivalry between Ryuga and Gingka better. No wonder why Gingka was so fired up and he was keeping his composure so perfectly. Well, at least for now.

She, too, was also told about the truth related to Beyblading. She turned towards Doji.

"There is a tremendous power hidden within beys." He pushed his glasses up his nose, "Since ancient times, the existence of beys can be found moments throughout history. The power of beys have been used to change the course of rivers and nations. They have been used to defeat many armies and create huge empires. And one person is even said to have used that power to control the Earth and bring on natural disaster."

Zukira balled her hands into fist as she felt the rage rising in her chest once again, but she didn't say anything, for she knew that her words would cause destruction.

"That's right. Those who wield the tremendous power hidden within a bey, they control the very world itself." Doji continued.

"That's impossible, I can't believe it!" said the girl with the goggles, namely Madoka.

"There's that much power inside our beys?" said Kyoya, clearly surprised by Doji's little speech.

Zukira took out Blazer, without anyone noticing and looked at it for a split second before shoving it back in her pocket.

"Yes, Kyoya. Out of all the beys there are in existence, the one that holds the fiercest, most overwhelming power of all is that of the bey L-Drago." Doji faced Ryuga with a prideful smile.

"It is the one chosen by L-Drago. I am the strongest Blader in the world! Right, Kira?" The Dragon Emperor glanced at her.

"Huh?!" Zukira snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Ryuga, trying to ignore the stares of Kyoya and the others who were taken aback. "Yes, you're right, Ryuga." She gulped and rubbed her wrist.

"Just think you're the strongest, buddy! Don't make me laugh." Gingka shot back.

Zukira stared in utmost admiration. He was the first Blader whom she saw standing up to him with such courageousness. She was speechless.

"Let's see who's laughing in a minute then, shall we? MERCI!"

"Ouie, yes, Master!"

All of a sudden, the water body next to the Organisation began to rise, revealing a bey stadium from its watery drape. Amazing. Zukira watched as Ryuga jumped from the rooftop to the bey stadium.

"Come on Gingka, let's go! Time for me to show you the power of a true champion." Ryuga called out.

"Bring it on!" Gingka ran towards the stadium and stood on the other side.

Ryuga noticed Zukira standing with Doji and cackled.

"Hmph, as expected. Why don't you come down here as well? Weren't you so eager to know about L-Drago's power as well? Hurry up then!"

"For the love of Beyblades..." Zukira rolled her eyes (which wasn't visible since she had her mask on) and nodded. With quick movements, Zukira made her to the bey stadium and stood across Kyoya and the others.

"Even though you have just awoken from a very long sleep, the power of L-Drago is already strong within you. Demonstrate the full extent of that power." Doji announced.

"I won't let you use L-Drago to fulfil your plan!" Gingka shot back, his expression hardening.

"Oh yeah? Watch me! You're gonna start this or what?"  Ryuga took out his launcher and attached L-Drago to it.

" 3! 2! 1! LET IT RIP!" Both Bladers yelled in unison.

And so the battle began with both Bladers striking each other with full force, but L-Drago nearly sent Pegasus flying out of the stadium twice. Another move which shocked everybody was when L-Drago struck Pegasus and went the opposite direction.

Zukira noticed Madoka taking out her laptop and showing something to the others. She was also talking, but Zukira couldn't hear her over the sound of her own heart drumming in her ears and the clashing of the beys in the background. She watched as L-Drago struck into Pegasus mercilessly, tossing it around like some toy. She saw Gingka fall on his back and nearly let out a gasp, but felt relieved when he got back up.

"PEGASUS!" Gingka swung his arm and Pegasus picked up its speed, heading towards L-Drago.

Zukira looked over to Ryuga and noticed how that maniacal smile of his was plastered since the beginning of the match.

"Bad move! You're gonna run to your own defeat."

"I don't think so! I'll take any attack you throw at me!"

L-Drago then proceeded to clash into Pegasus and throw it in the air.

"If you think so, then prove it!" Ryuga said.

"Now, Pegasus! Gingka pointed towards the sky, "Special move: Pegasus Star Blast Attack!"

A blue Pegasus arose and sprouted its wings, heading down towards L-Drago. An aerial attack. Zukira watched as Pegasus clashed onto L-Drago headfirst, but even she knew it. It was of no use.

L-Drago paid no heed and aimed for the sky, with the purple dragon capturing Pegasus in its teeth. Zukira noticed the colour of everyone else's drain from their faces. She looked over to Doji who was watching the match in utmost amusement.

"So, how are you liking the battle so far, Zukira?" Doji asked in a loud voice just enough for Zukira to hear.

Zukira was unsure about what Doji had did exactly and gulped, "It's...marvellous!" she replied back, "L-Drago is quite a ruthless bey!"

"WHY YOU- how can you work with a guy like him?!"Kyoya stomped forward, but was held back by the big guy.

Zukira took down her mask just enough for her eyes to be uncovered and shot him a death glare. Kyoya stood there stunned, and took a step back. Zukira put her mask back on and resumed watching the battle when Ryuga began to talk.

"You see, Gingka. At the moment of impact with a bey, L-Drago uses its secret - dark power to absorb its opponent's strength. Right, Kira? You knew that, didn't you?"

"The name is ZUKIRA, NOT Kira! And yes! I knew that!" Zukira called out while covering her 'mouth' with her hands and rolled her eyes. This guy, I SWEAR!

"So that means..." The little guy with the teal hair trailed off.

"That's correct. Gingka attempted to use L-Drago's power to increase the power of Pegasus, but the opposite happened. Every time Pegasus didn't battle with L-Drago, it lost some of its own power. How unfortunate." Doji explained with his hand behind his back.

Zukira stared at that man with absolute suspicion. What was he even up to? Why is he so absorbed into L-Drago? What was his motive? Zukira was lost into her own well of thoughts that she forgot what was happening around her until she heard something which snapped her eyes open.

"Hmph, you're not even a threat." Ryuga taunted, "why don't you get a better Bey from your Daddy, why don't cha? You know, I always knew that your old man and his bey were second rate you know."

"RYUGA!" Zukira lost it and yelled. All the tension and anxiety flowing through her body broke out with that one yell, even if it meant her getting fired the next day. Kyoya and the others stared at her. Zukira could feel their stares, but she didn't budge.

She noticed the change in Gingka's behaviour and how he was becoming angry, very angry.

"If the parent isn't tough enough, then what do you think the son will be like?"

And so, Gingka broke his calm character and erupted in rage, the same energy radiating by Pegasus as it headed for L-Drago. I knew it, Ryuga made him mad on purpose since L-Drago feeds on negative energy! Zukira looked at Gingka and shook her head.

The wind returned, stronger than ever, and Zukira held onto her coat for dear life. Even she feared that she would be knocked out of the stadium any second.

"I'll end this now."

Zukira took a few steps back, and had her eyes glued to the stadium.

"Getting a better view, my dear friend?" Doji called out once again.

"Quite so...yes!" She replied and mentally facepalmed herself at the way she replied so cowardly.

Ryuga stretched out each arm and the orbs of purple energy formed once again.

"Dark Move."

Zukira prepared herself, mentally and physically. Despite the fact she had seen this move before, she couldn't help but feel the fiery anxiousness in her chest. She clutched her tie and watched the finale with great unease.

"DRAGON EMPEROR SOARING BITE STRIKE!"

The three dragon heads emerged once again and headed for Pegasus. They struck Pegasus towards the sky and then crashing into the stadium. A bright light shone and Zukira sat down, shielding herself with her long coat. The smoke then cleared and settled and it was decided: Pegasus had lost.

Gingka dropped to his knees as his friends stood there shocked. Ryuga retrieved L-Drago with his bare hand. Zukira adjusted her mask and advanced towards him, brushing the dust off of her sleeves.

"Well, that was fun, Gingka. Thanks so much for filling up L-Drago with your anger. The spirit of a Blader is his favourite meal!"

Zukira stood by his side and observed the smoke coming out of Ryuga's hand.

"So, how'd you like my practical implementation of L-Drago's dark move? It was pretty fun to watch someone crumble down like the little worm they are." Ryuga looked at her straight in the eyes.

Despite wearing a mask, Zukira couldn't help but think that Ryuga was not only looking into her eyes, but into her soul. His sadistic stare was so intense that Zukira felt the little hairs at the back of her neck stick up. Both of them then looked in Doji's direction with Zukira thanking Doji for once and lifting the weight off the shoulders.

"It seems that the one who helped Ryuga fully recover was you yourself. Once again, Irony plays a hand at our game. Allow me to offer you my thanks as well, Gingka."

Zukira couldn't handle the mockery in his tone. She was always reminded of a rat whenever she looked at Doji. Gingka was still on his knees, completely stunned by what had happened. Ryuga zoomed towards Doji with Zukira following from behind.

"Doji, let's go!" He furrowed his brows and looked at the man, "the time has come. Let's move forward with the preparations for Battle Bladers."

"Yes, Ryuga!"

Doji and Ryuga began to walk away. Zukira turned around and felt a pit of sympathy well in her stomach. Gingka brought his head up and looked at Zukira who reached her hand out.

"Hey, Kira! That counts you too! Get moving, why don't cha?" Ryuga called.

Zukira withdrew her hand and shook her head, turning around and running towards the Dragon Emperor who looked at her with a prideful smile.

"What was that little delay about? Don't tell me you chickened out and decided to turn your back on me." Ryuga's smiled faded as his voice became low and threatening.

"Chickened? Me?" Zukira took off her mask and rubbed the back of her ear, "Tsk," She gave a full teeth smile, "I was just offering my condolences for Gingka's embarrassing defeat."

Ryuga burst out into scornful laughter and Zukira quickly grasped on why he laughed so loud; to taunt Gingka.

He did it because he felt proud of her. "You're not so bad after all! You'll make a pretty good assest in our team." Ryuga eyed Blazer menacingly as Zukira held it side to side with L-Drago, comparing both of them with a studious look, "with that little bey of yours helping us out too."

Zukira balled her hand into a fist and glared at Ryuga while flaring her nostrils.

"Relax! Relax! It's not like I'm gonna steal your precious Bey like I did with L-Drago from a second rate village."

Ryuga howled his way back inside with Zukira following him from behind.

Battle Bladers, I wonder what's that all about.