Chapter 2: The Persistent Challenger!

The group stood together at the edge of a rocky cliffside, as a sharp voice cut through the wind.

“I finally found you!” a voice came.

The group turned, surprised, to see a kid standing dramatically atop the cliff behind them. His stance was proud, his eyes locked straight on Gingka, and in his hand, he held out a Bey in declaration.

“The jig is up, Gingka! Now come battle with me!” Masamune shouted, his Bey glinting in the sun.

Gingka and the gang watched confused.

“Um… And you are?” Gingka asked in wonder.

“Who am I? My name is Masamune! Masamune Kadoya!” the boy declared, leaping down from the cliff and landing with a light thud in front of them, “The world’s strongest Blader! I’m number one, you hear me!”

Gingka blinked again. “Huh? Did you say you're the world's strongest Blader?”

“Yep. I’m number one, pal—” Masamune began, only to pause, noticing they all had huddled together, murmuring.

The group exchanged glances.

“Hey, have you guys heard of this Masamune Kadoya guy?” Gingka asked, turning to the others.

“No, never,” Madoka answered, shaking her head.

“I’ve never heard of him either,” Kenta added, equally puzzled.

“Well, since he’s calling himself the world’s strongest, he might be pretty good, right?” Hyoma reasoned.

“Seems full of himself if you ask me,” Haruka said nonchalantly. To her it was a matter of fact anyone could say that.

“Horse feathers,” Hokuto added agreeing. “Any joker can just call himself the strongest.”

“Hello—!” Masamune called again, clearly frustrated at being ignored.

Gingka stood, turning back toward the newcomer. “We think it’s kind of goofy for you to call yourself the world’s strongest Blader.”

“What?!” Masamune exclaimed, sweatdropping as he rushed forward, “Gingka!” getting right up in his face, “Battle with me now!”

“And just what makes you think I wanna battle you?!” Gingka shot back, clearly annoyed.

“Because you won the competition to decide the strongest Blader!” Masamune said causing Gingka to wobble. “Battle Bladers, didn’t you?! Why was there such an important tournament while I wasn’t around? It’s not fair, I tell you!”

“Oh,” Haruka raised an eyebrow.

“I see,” Kenta said, nodding slowly.

“Should have been there, I guess,” Madoka muttered dryly.

“That’s exactly right!” Masamune continued, completely unaware of their reactions. “If I had competed, I would’ve won for sure—hands down! But now, instead of me,” he said, pushing back Gingka’s scarf, “this goofy scarf-wearing guy is the champ!”

Haruka twitched. An anger mark💢 appeared on her forehead, her calm expression shifting. As someone who also wore a scarf, she took offense to that.

“Hey! Who are you calling a goofy scarf-wearing guy?!” Gingka asked angered.

“You! That’s who! The scarfy guy who cheated me out of my championship!” Masamune declared, pointing at him with full force.

“What?! Your championship?!” Gingka echoed, incredulous.

“Coo-coo…” Haruka muttered, along with the others huddled together, waving their hands.

“So hear me now, everyone! I am challenging you to a battle, Gingka!” Masamune declared, proudly pointing. “I will defeat you and prove I’m the stronger Blader! Do you hear me?!”

“All right, Masamune. I’ll accept your challenge,” Gingka said with a confident grin.

“Huh?” Masamune blinked.

“Really?” Haruka asked in surprise.

“Sure, why not? I’m actually looking forward to it. Let’s do it! I’ve been itching to battle with this Galaxy Pegasis ever since I got it!” Gingka said, holding out his new Bey. “Let’s battle, Masamune Kadoya!”

“Now you’re talking! Better tighten that scarf, Gingka!” Masamune grinned.

“Come on!” Gingka called out.…

The two Bladers stood on opposite ends of a wide crater littered with boulders, each ready with their launchers.

“3! 2! 1! Let it Rip!”

Their Beyblades shot into the crater.

“Okay, Galaxy Pegasis! Show me your power—show me what you can do now!” Gingka shouted.

“Good luck! Ray Striker and I won’t lose to anyone!” Masamune responded fiercely.

Striker sped across the crater floor and slammed into Pegasis with a flurry of strikes.

“What kind of Bey is that? Galaxy Pegasis is getting ragdolled!” Madoka exclaimed, surprised.

“How do you like that? It’s Striker’s Barrage Attack!” Masamune announced proudly.

Haruka watched intent, analyzing the attack closely, it felt familiar.

“Not bad,” Gingka smirked, “But Galaxy Pegasis has a few more tricks to show you. Go, Pegasis! Let him have it!”

On command, Pegasis roared to life, whipping a tremendous gust of wind that sent dust and rocks swirling. The others shielded their eyes from the violent whirlwind.

“What power?! That Bey is something else!” Haruka exclaimed, her hair whipping in the wind.

“Amazing! Amazing, Pegasis!” Gingka exclaimed, grinning.

“Keep going! Charge, Striker!” Masamune commanded.

Striker dashed towards Pegasis dodging the falling rocks.

“Hang in there!” Masamune called out as the two Beys clashed again—

But suddenly, Pegasis deviated away.

“Pegasis! Where are you going?” Gingka asked in confusion as the bey slammed into a random rock.

“Huh?” Masamune blinked.

“Hey?” Gingka watched as it knocked into yet another rock. “Stop it, Pegasis!”

One last rock tumbled on top of Pegasis, trapping it beneath.

“It’s trapped! Get it now, Striker!” Masamune shouted as Striker surged forward for the finishing blow—

Suddenly, a massive surge of blue aura erupted from Pegasis. The light was blinding. Everyone covered their eyes. The rock that trapped Pegasis crumbled into dust from the force.

The next moment, Striker was hit by Pegasis as it was sent flying, soaring high above the mountains and vanishing from sight.

“AH! Striker!” Masamune screamed, bolting after it with outstretched arms.

As the winds settled, Pegasis spun peacefully in the crater.

“Pegasis?” Gingka stepped forward, walking down to the stadium, kneeling to retrieve it.

“Hey, Gingka! That was awesome! Galaxy Pegasis’s first battle!” Kenta cheered.

“But you can’t call that a win now, can you?!” Gingka replied, glancing back with concern.

“Huh?” Everyone looked confused.

“Why do you say that, Gingka?” Haruka asked, stepping forward.

Gingka stared down at Pegasis in his palm. “I wasn’t able to control it at all. Pegasis ran wild on its own!”

“By itself?” Madoka repeated, concerned.

“I thought so,” Hokuto said with a sigh.

“Thought what, Hokuto?” Haruka asked.

“Even after going to such lengths to get a new Pegasis, if you can’t control it, you won’t be able to use it in battle,” Hokuto explained seriously.

Gingka’s expression shifted with the predicament as he looked down at his wild new partner....

Beyond the mountains, Striker laid immobilized in a flowing river. Masamune found it after a long search, exclaiming that it wasn’t over and he would come to challenge Gingka again, vowing to beat him no matter. …

The group stood at the station, preparing to head back to the city. The train was ready, as they said their goodbyes to their friend.

“Huh, you’re going to stay behind in Koma Village, Hyoma?” Kenta asked.

“I’m not exactly staying behind, you know,” Hyoma said with a calm smile. “I’m from Koma Village after all. Protecting the Beyblade Village from now on is my duty and I’m proud to do it. So, it’s a bit of a drag, but this is where we have to say goodbye.”

“You’re right. We understand,” Gingka said, shaking Hyoma’s hand.

“The best of luck to you, Gingka,” Hyoma replied warmly.

“Thanks. You too, Hyoma.”

“Take care. We’ll be looking for you if we ever need help, Hyoma,” Haruka added, shaking his hand with a smile.

“Sure thing. You can count on me,” he smiled back.

“Kenta, take it easy,” Hyoma added.

“Thank you! We’ll visit again,” Kenta promised.

“Okay, sure. Come whenever you like.” Hyoma added.

“Come visit us sometime,” Madoka added.

“Will do,” Hyoma said.

Then Hokuto stepped forward. “Gingka. Until now, Galaxy Pegasis rejected every single person who tried to claim it, so no one was able to take it from here. But you’ve accomplished that feat, my friend. Galaxy Pegasis recognized the fiery Bey Spirit that lives in you.”

“Do you think so?” Gingka asked.

Hokuto nodded. “There’s nothing to worry about. Galaxy Pegasis chose you and no one else. You’ll surely be able to master the wild horse that it is. Have confidence in yourself.”

“Right! I understand!” Gingka said, newfound resolve in his voice.

“Goodbye,” Hokuto said as the train doors closed and it began to move.

“You all take care!” Haruka waved.

“Take care, Hokuto! You too, Hyoma!” Gingka called out as the train rolled away.

“You all take care aswell!” Hyoma waved watching them go… then he suddenly froze.

“Huh?!” Hyoma blinked in disbelief.

There, inside the train, Masamune sat happily chomping away at a spicy bag of Takis, as if he’d always been there.…

Afterwards, as the team had returned from Koma Village. Inside the familiar walls of B-Pit, Madoka was already at work, excited to get a closer look at Gingka's new Bey. She gently placed Galaxy Pegasis into her scanner, fingers flying across the keyboard as she examined it.

“This Bey has quite a low center of gravity,” Madoka began, eyes focused on the screen as Galaxy Pegasis's image rotated in front of her. “And its most unique feature is in the Performance Tip.”

The screen zoomed in, highlighting the tip. Everyone leaned in to get a better look.

“See? Look, the spikes poke out in the opposite direction of the spin. When this spins, it should create an unbelievable amount of mobility into its strength. So, guys, are you following me?”

On the display, the rest of Galaxy Pegasis’s parts separated, rotating slowly on the holographic interface.

Gingka stood behind her, “So? What was it?”

“Huh? What was what?” Madoka asked, glancing back at him, blinking.

“Seems she forgot.” Haruka said with a small smile, amused.

“What do you mean what?” Gingka tilted his head, a brow raised. “Madoka, you're the one who said the reason it ran wild was probably because some parts are warped or damaged, so… you’d examine it, remember?”

Madoka gasped and immediately turned back to her computer. “Right! No problem, I’m on it, I’m on it!” she said, clearly flustered. Her fingers resumed their typing furiously.Moments later, she froze.

“Huh? No way…” she murmured. “This Bey is completely undamaged, there’s not a scratch on it!” she glanced back at him, “Is this really an ancient Bey, Gingka? I don’t believe it… it seems like a brand new one!”

“Well,” Haruka guessed thoughtfully, “I bet that Pegasis was protected by the rock it was buried in for so long.”

“Yeah,” Madoka nodded, eyes still on the screen. “At any rate, it wasn’t a defect in the Bey that made Pegasis run wild, that’s for sure.”

“So then…” Gingka looked thoughtful, a frown tugging at his face. “That means I haven’t been able to master it at all, hmm…”

“Hey, no need to worry, Gingka.” Haruka placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “It might take time, but you’ll get there.”

She paused, then brightened. “Alright, how about we have a battle now? This way, you’ll get more used to working with Galaxy Pegasis.”

“Yeah, that could work.” Kenta chimed in, nodding in agreement.

“Alright, then let’s do it!” Gingka said, fire returning to his eyes. “Let’s battle!”

But just then—

“Gingka!” A loud voice echoed from above.

“Huh?” The group looked toward the stairway entrance....

“I know you're in there! Quit dodging me and get out here!” Masamune stood at the entrance of B pit, waiting.

All four of them exchanged looks and made their way up the stairs.

“You’ve gotta be kidding.” Haruka groaned.

“Oh please.” Gingka muttered in annoyance.

“What’s his deal again?” Kenta wondered.

“The self-proclaimed number one Blader…” They all said in perfect unison, flatly.

Masamune flailed back in shock, nearly losing his balance. “What?! Don’t give me that self-proclaimed stuff!” he said straightening, “Today I’ll win and prove it to all of you, that I’m the world’s strongest! That I’m number one, you got it!”

“Sure…” Haruka replied, deadpan.

“So battle with me now, Gingka!” Masamune said, pointing right at him.…

Unnoticed by the group, a small shadowy figure watched silently from outside the shop as he turned and vanished.…

“Let it Rip!”

Gingka and Masamune were engaged in a battle. A sudden shockwave pulsed out—

BOOM!

Striker was sent flying into the sky.

“No! Striker!” Masamune called out, running after it. He turned back toward Gingka, “You got lucky! Don’t think this means you’ve won! I’ll beat you, mark my words, got it?!”

“Fat chance,” Kenta shot back. “No matter how many times you try; it’ll end the same way! Gingka won’t lose to a guy like you!” He tilted his head. “But I gotta give it to him, chasing Gingka all the way here…”

“He’s persistent, that’s for sure.” Haruka said, standing beside him.

Meanwhile, Gingka knelt down to pick up Pegasis. “It’s no good. I still wasn’t able to control it…” he muttered, eyes filled with frustration. “Why won’t you listen to a word I say, Pegasis?”

“Gingka, let’s battle now.” Haruka stepped forward with a confident smile.

“Huh?” Gingka looked up.

“She’s right, Gingka. Practice makes perfect.” Kenta nodded. “Just keep battling again and again to memorize the Bey’s habits and characteristics with your body and mind. If you do that, you’ll surely be able to master it.”

“You said it, Kenta right down to the last point.” Haruka added proudly.

“Kenta… Haruka…” Gingka’s frown softened. “Yes, you’re right! Just sitting around complaining about it won’t help, will it?” He stood tall again. “Alright, let’s do this Haruka!” He aimed his launcher forward. “I won’t go easy on you!”

“Oh yeah? Let’s see!” Haruka replied, grinning.

“Ready?” Kenta called, raising his hand.

“3! 2! 1! Let it Rip!”

The siblings launched their Beys in unison. Pegasis and Phoenix zipped forward, ready for an epic clash.…

Later in the day, as Gingka and Haruka were walking up a flight of stairs near a local park.

“It really is a wild horse, huh… just like Hokuto said.” Gingka said, thinking about his new bey, “It won’t be easy to master.”

“Yeah… but don’t lose hope. I know you can do it with a little more practice.” Haruka replied with quiet confidence.

“I know.” Gingka clenched a fist. “I’m not gonna give up that easily. I will master it, no matter what!”

“Gingka!” A voice rang from the top of the stairs.

The two looked up.

“Huh…?” Gingka groaned. “Give me a break…”

“Seriously…” Haruka said, blinking in disbelief.

Masamune stood there again, grinning wide. “Battle with me again! I’m not the same opponent that I was before, the number one Blader in the world is always evolving!”

“He’s sure determined; wouldn’t you say, Gingka?” Haruka said finding his persistent challenges driven by something greater.

“Yeah…” Gingka stared at Masamune, something shifting in his eyes.

“There’s something about this guy… he has that look in his eyes—never doubting that he’ll win. Those are the eyes of a true Blader.” He grinned. “Alright Masamune, I’ll give you a good battle if that’s what you want. Come on!”

Launchers raised. A split second later, another blast exploded in the distance.

“Striker!!” Masamune ran off chasing after his Bey once more.…

At Bey park, as Gingka walked out with Haruka and Kenta.

Masamune appeared, launcher up front, challenging him again, “Battle me now!”

Another blast. Striker was sent flying.

“Striker!” Masamune ran after it.….

At the local burger shop, Gingka held a burger mid-bite. “Come here, burger…”

Noticing a rustle, he looked at the window as Masamune appeared suddenly, launcher ready.

“Ah!” Gingka flinched.

Another battle. Another blast. Striker flew.

“No fair!” Masamune ran after it… again.…

Later, Gingka found himself yet again in another battle against Masamune, by the riverside.

“Good work Striker! Way to go buddy!” Masamune commanded.

Striker dashed around Pegasis, this time avoiding attacks.

“It looks like Pegasis’s attacks aren’t hitting the mark as much as before,” Kenta observed.

Then suddenly, Pegasis zigzagged forward and collided into Striker at high speed.

“Looks like… it is.” Haruka blinked surprised, wondering if Pegasis actually heard them, she thought amused.

Pegasis continued pushing Striker backward across the pavement.

“Striker!” Masamune shouted.

“Slow down Pegasis!” Gingka called out.

But it was too late. Pegasis rammed Striker into a hill, winning the battle again.

Gingka walked forward towards his Bey. “Pegasis… No matter how many times I battle, I can’t get control of you. Why—?”

Masamune rushed past him, snatching up his own Bey, “I’m still not giving up! Do you hear what I’m saying, Gingka?! You’re going down and that’s that!” He dashed off into the distance… again.

This time, Kenta followed after, to learn more about this weirdo.…

Kenta trailed Masamune to an old warehouse and found him practicing with his bey, Ray Striker, by dodging swinging chunks of wood. Kenta's sudden entrance startled Masamune, leading to a tense exchange where Masamune demanded to know why he was there. After a heated argument, they agreed to cooperate.

Masamune offered Kenta some Takis, which turned out to be very spicy. While Masamune ate it casually, Kenta struggled to speak due to the burning sensation on his tongue and lips.

Kenta then questioned Masamune about being the number one Blader, Masamune explained about, not being the number one Blader yet, but with hard work he would achieve that one day. Kenta deep down found it quit surprising yet admirable.…

The construction site buzzed with energy, dust swirled lightly in the air as Gingka, Haruka, and Madoka arrived on scene. Moments later, Masamune came with Kenta at his side.

Masamune grinned confident. “I’m impressed you showed up, Gingka. I thought you’d be running for the hills!”

“Why would I bother running? I just turn around and you’d be tagging along behind me!” Gingka stated flatly.

“You know it!” Masamune admitted.

“We all know it…” Kenta muttered.

“Better get ready, Gingka! Today, you’re going home a loser!” Masamune declared boldly.

“Yeah, right. You say that every time! You’re a broken record!” Gingka grinned, unfazed.

Masamune smirked, undeterred. His spirit was fiery as ever.

Kenta glanced at him in silence. “What’s he thinking?”

Both Bladers took their positions at opposite ends of the crater. Madoka held her laptop, ready analyze the incoming data. Haruka crossed her arms, focused. Kenta leaned forward with interest.

Gingka and Masamune raised their launchers.

“Here we go! 3! 2! 1! Let it Rip!”

Both Bladers launched their Beys. Pegasis dashed around the stadium.

Masamune, however, was well-prepared for this challenge. He expertly maneuvered Striker, countering each of Pegasis’s attacks with swerves and swift teleporting movement.

Kenta watched, remembering Masamune’s training and how many times he challenged Gingka knowing he was a formidable Blader.

Meanwhile, Haruka watched the battle with interest, finding Striker’s moves impressive, realizing it was as she observed earlier.

Pegasis aimed to attack Striker, it suddenly vanished to Gingka’s shock and the other surprise except Haruka, who silently focused on.

Madoka’s voice rang out. “Gingka, behind you!”

“Ah! Where did he come from?!” Gingka yelped, spotting Striker tailing Pegasis closely.

Madoka pulled up the battle data. “At the moment Striker was attacked by Pegasis, it stopped suddenly and somehow dodged the attack!”

“But how did he do it?” Gingka asked gazing at the whirling Beys.

“The secret to how it's able to move like that must be in the performance tip,” Madoka explained, analyzing the bey. “Striker's performance tip has a sharp Point coated in rubber that gives it both mobility and stamina! This is what makes it possible for the bey to speed up and stop so suddenly!

Haruka stepped beside her. “So I guessed right then…”

“Huh?” Madoka glanced up.

“It’s just like what Phoenix can do,” Haruka mentioned, “Along with rapid counter attacks, it can move through the field at great speed,”

Madoka pulled up side-by-side schematics on the screen. “You’re right! Striker’s Spin Track is the same type as Spiral Phoenix—D125CS!”

“Ray Striker,” Madoka said with admiration, “What an amazing Bey!”...

Back in the stadium, the battle reached its peak. Striker launched a powerful blow from the side. Galaxy Pegasis was caught completely off guard and sent hurtling into a pile of rocks.

A cascade of gravel collapsed over Pegasis, partially burying it under the rubble. The dust swirled before settling in a still silence.

Masamune caught Ray Striker triumphantly, a wide grin on his face, “I did it! I won! I won!” He stood tall, the victor.

Haruka blinked. “Gingka was… defeated,” she said quietly, surprised.

Gingka stepped down into the crater, Madoka and Haruka following close behind.

“I can’t believe it,” Madoka said, looking at the scene in disbelief. “Pegasis… the legendary Bey actually lost?”

Gingka knelt down, picking Pegasis from the rubble. “Pegasis…” he murmured, his voice quieter.

“What did I tell you? The reason you were able to beat me before was all thanks to that Bey’s power. But that’s not enough.” Masamune stated, confident. “The Blader and the Bey have to be a team. Striker and I work together, with one heart and mind, our power is unlimited! We won’t lose to anybody!”

Haruka looked at him in silent reflection. “He’s right. That’s the true spirit of Beyblading.” She turned to Gingka. “Maybe… that’s what you forgot,”

“One heart and mind…” Gingka echoed, still staring at Pegasis. “He’s right, Pegasis. You and I weren’t working together as a team.”

He remembered the moment they reunited, Pegasis returning to him from depth of the Galaxy.

“You chose me… but I’ve just been trying to control you… instead of trying to understand you.” His grip on the Bey tightened. “It’s true. Even though you sympathized with my spirit, I didn’t… I didn’t even try to feel your spirit, did I… my friend?” he said softly, holding Pegasis close. “I’m sorry, Pegasis...”

Haruka watched in wonder as she saw a blue glow begin to emanate from the Bey.

“So please… let me feel your spirit. The wild Galaxy Pegasis’s spirit…” Gingka said, rising to his feet.

Behind him, in the vastness of his mind, the spirit of Pegasis soared, its wings spread wide and brilliant, ready to take flight.

Gingka attached Pegasis to his launcher, “Here we go! Galaxy Pegasis!”

Madoka looked at her laptop. “What’s that?! What’s happening?!” she said taken aback. “Galaxy Pegasis’s power… it’s massive!”

A fierce blue aura surged around Gingka, “Let it Rip!”

Galaxy Pegasis emblem flashed as it whirled up a massive gust of air in the stadium causing everyone to shield themselves, “Go! Galaxy Pegasis!”

Pegasis dashed ahead in a blue hue, spinning around the stadium with incredible speed engulfing it in blue aura as the ethereal horse appeared, soaring high up in the sky.

“Special Move! Star Booster Attack!”

Pegasis rocketed into the air, glowing bright. It arced high above and descended like a meteor, slamming into the ground with an explosive impact. A massive gust of wind blew through the construction site. The dust settled.

Pegasis spun calmly, steadily, now perfectly synced with Gingka.

“Whoa! That was intense!” Masamune stared in awe, having been pushed off his feet along with Kenta.

“That was awesome Gingka!” Haruka called out with pride. “You and Pegasis are now finally one!”

“Yeah!” Gingka beamed, energized.

Kenta shouted from across the crater. “You did it, Gingka! You mastered it!”

Gingka caught Pegasis back smiling bright. “Yeah, Kenta! Thank you Masamune! It’s all thanks to you!”

“What?! What are you talking about?! You’re babbling down there! Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, WRONG!” Masamune yelled, running down into the arena, getting up in his face pointing at himself. “I beat you, so that makes me number one!”

Gingka scoffed. “What?! Wait a minute?! What about all the times I beat you?!”

“That doesn’t matter!” Masamune barked. “No matter how many times I lose, if I defeat you even once, I’m the new champ!”

“Well then, battle me once more! Right now!!” Gingka challenged.

“That’s no way to ask! You should say, ‘Please battle with me, Master!’” Masamune teased.

“You’re dreaming, pal!” Gingka retorted.

“No! You’re gonna beg me for a rematch!” Masamune declared, pointing at him.

The two 'horse wielders' clashed once more, this time in words....

Watching from the side, Haruka tilted her head. “Well technically… Pegasis was defeated by the gravel and not exactly Striker, right?”

“I guess… but will he accept that?” Madoka asked, holding her laptop.

“No way!” They both said at once, giggling.…

From high atop a construction crane, a lone figure stood, watching the group below.

“So that’s Gingka Hagane… the guy who won Battle Bladers.” His eyes narrowed behind the brim of his cap. “And that’s his sister, Haruka Hagane. She proved herself just as formidable in the same competition…”

He watched the group, still full of energy and drive. Something new awaited them all.

*************

Author's note: Hope you enjoyed.I plan on doing slight justice to Masamune this season as much as possible. Atleast the worst of it wanna fix(one specific arc) And also Yu. This little man(prodigy) needs some justice for this season.So I'll try my best to do so.✨

(What are your thoughts about the coverpage🌟)

Let me know your thoughts and review in the comments :>

Thanks.