Chapter 31 [Crunch Time]
[Natsumi's Perspective]
With our training out of the way, I guess it's time to return to the gym. We'll need to get ready before we go against Otori-sensei. I'm betting that he's gonna do something crazy here, considering what he did back in his prime. I can hope Azariya-san and I can pull through.
Both Bladers would enter the gymnasium, where Tsukasa and Ryujiki were there. Peter and Alastair would then follow suit.
Peter: So, it's just us here?
Natsumi: Yeah, for now. Yumiya and Tategami-san practiced on the rooftop.
Peter: Uh-huh, okay.
What's up with that response? Also, that thing in the center... is that the stadium?
Tsubasa: In 30 minutes, we'll start. How was practice for you though?
Ryujiki: We had a battle and broke a stadium.
Pink: A couple of thugs went to us and we taught them a lesson.
So... Tsukasa's partner destroyed a stadium? Wait, what, he destroyed a stadium? Uh... okay?
The group from the rooftop would arrive later on.
Marina: Yo, we're here!
So, they're here now. How did their battle go though? I didn't see the rest of their battle.
Natsumi: So uh... how did the battle go?
Marina: Fuuka went a bit wild, but Akari-san dealt with it!
Okay... wait what? She went wild!?
Natsumi: Huh?! Hold on, you better explain this to me.
Peter: She's gone wild again?
Fuuka would interrupt them, seemingly annoyed.
Fuuka: Don't worry, it's fine now.
I still have doubts, and I think Kadoya-san has some too.
Tsubasa: I suppose everyone's here now. Let's begin, who wants to go first?
Akari would walk forward, signalling to Marina to come forward.
Akari: We'll do it!
Marina: Mhm.
Tsubasa: Alright then, let's begin.
Tsubasa would pull the cover off the stadium, revealing the stadium Fuuka and Natsumi battled on, albeit larger and with modifiied ramps. Akari would get up close, looking in amazement.
Akari: Woah! This is cool!
Marina: I think I've seen this before...
Marina would look towards Natsumi.
Marina: I believe you battled in this stadium before right, Sumi-chan?
How'd she know that? Was she watching?
Tsubasa: We'll follow the standard format for this battle. And also, let's say that this will be your 'pre-test' for this class, understood?
Everyone would say yes before the three Bladers would get into position.
I have a feeling something bad will go down... Either that, or we'll all get a badass battle between them. Let's just see.
The crowd would begin counting down from three, save for Tsukasa, Ryujiki, and Pink.
Three!
Two!
One!
(
In unison): Go shoot!
All three Beys would land on the stadium, with Aquila producing great gusts of wind as it was launched, to everyone's surprise.
I knew that Otori-sensei would still be strong but, holy hell! That looks powerful!
Upon landing, Melusine would immediately take the center while Amaterios would circle the stadium. Aquila was incredibly fast for a Balance-type though, and it'd strike Amaterios first with great force.
Akari: Ah! Amaterios!
Amaterios would land and pause for a moment, before regaining its balance. But this left enough time for Aquila to come running towards Melusine.
Marina: Melusine, Enchanted Spin!
Melusine would glow purple with some gold glittering from it as it spun faster. Aquila would attack it, but it'd be to no avail. Aquila would wind up again while Amaterios would approach Aquila to attack it.
Akari: You're not attacking Marina-nee, Sensei!
Marina-nee? When did she begin calling her that?
Aquila would do a feint, and narrowly miss Melusine as it was aiming for the ramps. This would result in Amaterios hitting Melusine on accident and canceling out its Enchanted Spin move for a moment before regaining it.
Akari: Sorry!
Marina: It's fine- look out!
Akari: Huh?!
Aquila was lunging at Amaterios from the air while it was producing a lavender aura.
Where did Aquila come from?! Hold on, I see now! Each ramp's exit and entrance is sloped like a slide, so Otori-sensei used the banking on the ramps. No wonder why he was able to pull that off. Sensei's still got some piss and vinegar in him, eh?
Tsubasa: Levin Smash!
Aquila would hit Amaterios from above, smashing it down to the ground and Bursting it in the process.
Akari: Amaterios, no!
Aquila's move would cause it to hit the ground and rebound into the air.
Marina: What the? Melusine, Enchanted Storm!
Melusine would spin even faster, causing a large whirlwind to surround it. Luckily, the walls of the tornado would catch Aquila which results in it being thrown down to the floor instead of hitting Melusine head-on.
Tsubasa: You've gotten stronger since we last met, Marina-san. Kenta has really taught you well.
Marina: Don't flatter me now, Sensei.
The tornado on Melusine would become smaller and using the spin speed Melusine gathered earlier, it'd charge at Aquila with great speed.
When did... when did Marina learn how to bring that tornado with her? I guess she's known that move for a long time since she's the most experienced between the three of us.
Marina: Enchanted Wind!
Melusine would hit Aquila with great force, sending it towards the center of the stadium with great force and destabilizing it for a moment as well. Melusine would then send a barrage of powerful attacks towards Aquila, who was now vulnerable for the time being.
Akari: Alright, way to go Marina-nee!
Marina: We're not done yet! Melusine!
Melusine would get faster with each hit, but it seemed like Aquila had regained its balanced and doesn't seem to be damaged by whatever Melusine was throwing at it.
Tsubasa: I'm not done as well, Aquila!
Aquila would evade the next attack swiftly and precisely, then it'd run for the pockets where it'd gain speed and after getting off the pockets, it'd grind the stadium floor with its ring then it'd dash towards Melusine like a bolt of lightning.
Tsubasa: Levin Bolt!
Aquila would hit Melusine twice in rapid succession, sending it flying up into the air, but Melusine would control its descent like it had a parachute.
Marina: Just like that, Melusine!
Tsubasa: Don't get too complacent, Marina.
Marina: I know that, sensei.
Marina's lips would curl into a little smirk, then as Melusine was close to landing it spun even faster. When it landed, it moved aggressively as if it was an Attack-type and headed for the ramps and Aquila would follow suit.
Marina: Full throttle, Melusine!
Tsubasa: You're not running away Marina. Fly free Aquila!
Melusine would take the inner line while Aquila would jump on the ramps' banking, sending it mid-air and lunging into Melusine.
There it is! Watch out, Marina!
Marina was smiling despite this move.
Marina: Let's go now, Melusine!
Melusine would dodge Aquila's aerial attack, causing Aquila to land on its Driver's ring and having it grind the floor. This results in Aquila dashing towards the edge of the stadium to pick up speed then it'd charge at Melusine with more speed, but it'd just scrape it. The same thing would repeat several times until Aquila would head for the ramps where it'd gain speed.
Marina: Again? It won't work on me, sensei!
Tsubasa: As I said earlier, don't get too complacent.
Aquila would enter the outside line of the ramp then as it went to the middle, it would reach its apex then would exit from the outside line, making Aquila exit even faster than it did earlier.
That's a racing line there!
Tsubasa: Levin Claw!
Marina: Melusine! Stand strong!
Aquila would hit Melusine with great force, causing its spring-loaded Ring to compress.
Marina: Enchanted Bound!
Aquila would bounce off of Melusine and into the stadium walls, depleting its stamina all at once.
That was a close call, luckily Yumiya-san had that spring-loaded Ring on her Bey.
Tsubasa: You've truly grown, Marina.
Marina would scratch her head, smiling.
Marina: Yeah, dad really helped with my training.
Akari would slap Marina's back, but it didn't really hurt.
Akari: That was cool, Marina-nee!
Marina: Thanks! But I think we need to focus on the next round Akari-san. Got it?
Marina would give Akari a little smile, before focusing on Tsubasa.
Akari: Roger that!
Tsubasa: Are you two ready? If so, then let's begin.
The two would nod, then the countdown would start again from the same people who counted down earlier.
Three!
Two!
One!
(
In unison): Go shoot!
All three Beys would land on the stadium, with Melusine circling on the outer ring, with Aquila and Amaterios in the inner ring. Amaterios was seemingly faster than earlier as well, and Aquila would follow behind it, using Amaterios' slipstream.
Tsubasa: Take the center, Aquila.
Aquila would take the center with great speed, while also maintaining a lot of spin.
Marina: Akari, stay cautious when you attack, alright?
Akari: Got it! Let's go, Amaterios!
Amaterios would head for the ramps and follow the same line Aquila did earlier in the first round, causing it to exit faster through the ramps. Amaterios exited quicker than Aquila earlier though, due to the rubber flat it had, giving it increased grip. Melusine would also get surrounded by wind as it charged towards Aquila.
Tsubasa: Evade them, Aquila!
Aquila would tilt to a certain angle, evading both Beys. Amaterios would smoothly charge towards the ramp where it'd gain speed again and Melusine would go up the stadium's banking and flying mid-air surrounded by a whirlwind. It would then go above Aquila, creating a whirlwind from above, trapping Aquila within a tornado.
Marina: Inverted Storm!
Aquila was trapped in the whirlwind, and it'd hit the walls several times trying to escape.
That's pretty clever. I don't know if this move will be successful though...
Tsubasa: Impressive, but you've still got a long way to go.
Marina: Hm?
Aquila would ride along the tornado's walls, rising up towards Melusine quickly and rising above.
Tsubasa: Levin Smash!
Aquila would drop down on Melusine from above, sending it crashing down with great force.
Marina: Melusine!
Akari: Don't worry, I got you!
Amaterios had gained enough speed to lunge at Aquila as it was crashing down on Melusine. The two Beys were close to hitting the floor, but Amaterios would hit Aquila into the banking, reducing the impact Melusine had taken from the fall.
Marina: That was close, nice save Akari!
Amaterios would repeatedly send many powerful attacks towards Aquila and in return, Aquila would attack it with great force. As both Beys clashed with great speed and power, Melusine was around the corner, lurking and waiting for its chance to attack while conserving stamina and building up strong winds around it.
Akari: Amaterios! Burn 'em down!
An orange aura would be produced by Amaterios as it was attacking Aquila, sending more powerful attacks and gradually overpowering Aquila. Melusine would join in the fray as well, sending a barrage of powerful attacks as well.
Marina: Let's do it Akari. Melusine!
Akari: Mhm, Amaterios!
Amaterios and Melusine would send a barrage of powerful attacks in perfect sync, leaving Aquila vulnerable. The last hit have would then run towards Aquila with a pincer attack.
(
In unison): Enchanted Daybreak!
Both Beys would crush Aquila with great force.
Tsubasa: You're impressive, but you're a bit too weak.
Huh? What does he mean- Aquila's spinning faster!
Aquila's blades would glow bright purple, then it'd spin faster and produce powerful winds as it spun faster.
Tsubasa: Metal Claw!
Both Beys that were surrounding him would get blown away with great force, and Bursting in the process. Melusine would Burst by hitting the floor whereas Amaterios Bursted mid-air.
How did he do that? Ah, those Venturi tunnels? I see.
Akari: Huh?! That's unfair!
Marina would pick up Melusine from the floor and smile.
Marina: That's just Blading, Akari. This was to be expected nonetheless.
Marina would pat Akari's head as she was pouting.
Tsubasa: You two did quite well. You understood each other well enough and both of you were close to Bursting Aquila.
Marina: Mhm, all we have to do is get stronger from this point on Sensei.
Tsubasa would smile and nod, both Bladers would fix their Beys then head for the crowd.
Natsumi: That was great Yumiya-san!
Marina: Mhm, it was a fun fight! I still wonder how Sensei broke free though...
Natsumi: Ah, it's the aerodynamics on the Bey. It's gonna be a little hard to explain.
Tsukasa and Ryujiki would then step forward.
Ryujiki: My turn!
He'd give a smile full of arrogance to Tsubasa, while Tsukasa would just stay silent with a serious expression on his face. Alastair and Peter would then walk beside them as well.
Rex: Sorry guys, but we're gonna go next.
Oh boy, this is gonna be one hell of a fight.
-
To Be Continued-
Chapter 31 is out!
"I lived with you for twenty years; how many deeds, events, and men went by! Today I remember them, each and everyone. I still have, for Alfa (Romeo), the tenderness of a first love. The pure affection of a child for his mother."
-Enzo Ferrari
