Chapter 7: Merci's Trap! Kyoya's Return!

The mysterious individual, shrouded in darkness, meticulously observed the data on Storm Pegasis 105RF displayed on his large screen.

"Pegasis has indeed grown more powerful," he muttered to himself.

Simultaneously, his eyes shifted to another screen displaying Spiral Phoenix D125CS.

"And Phoenix... it has endured many battles, significantly increasing its power as well."

He then turned his attention to a hologram battle where Kyoya Tategami was pitted against a simulated Gingka.

Kyoya's Beyblade, Rock Leone, clashed fiercely with the holographic Pegasis.

With a final, powerful strike, Leone obliterated the hologram.

The mysterious individual smirked, "Excellent, Kyoya. Thanks to you, we are three days ahead of schedule." He pressed a button on his console. "Merci, commence collecting Gingka's data."

A robotic voice responded, "Understood Master. Data collection initiated." ...

At the B-pit Madoka and Kenta were busy repairing Benkei's Beyblade, Dark Bull, giving it a much-needed tune-up, which beneki was opposed to but ultimately agreed on.

"There you go, Benkei. All set," Madoka said, handing the Beyblade back to him.

Benkei, who had been hanging around the B-pit since being kicked out of the Face Hunters, took it and grumbled, "Thanks. But remember, we're still enemies. I'll defeat Gingka and Haruka once and for all."

Madoka, trying to lighten the mood, handed him a steak. "Oh then you probably won’t want this."

Benkei looked on eyes gleaming, as Madoka questioned, "What? You don't like steak." She asked teasing.

Benkei's eyes widened, "My favorite... but—"

At that moment, Gingka and Haruka walked in.

Gingka grinned, "Well, it's no point—"

"—in letting it get cold now, is it?" Haruka finished, each twin grabbing a fork and diving into the steak.

Benkei stood there in shock, anime-style tears forming in his eyes. "My steak..."

The twins savored the steak, smiling. "Yummy~"

Haruka turned to Benkei, "So, Benkei, why are you so intent on beating us?"

Gingka added, "Yeah, you're not even a Face Hunter anymore."

Benkei was about to retort, "Don't rub it in."

Haruka asked, "Kyoya's orders, I assume?"

Benkei frowned, "No, it's not! Kyoya isn't in town right now."

Haruka raised an eyebrow, "No?"

Benkei sighed, "He lost a battle to a weird guy who then took him away."

Gingka and Haruka perked up.

Gingka asked, "What weird guy?"

Benkei explained, "The guy told me if I wanted to save Kyoya, I have to defeat you two."

Gingka frowned, "Defeat us?"

Haruka asked, "Why'd he do that?"

Suddenly, Kenta’s friend arrive learning about Kenta’s training and new special move as they request Benkei to train them as well with anime style sparkling eyes.

As Kenta and Madoka urge him to Benkei embarrassed and hesitant, but still agreed.

Gingka and Haruka stood silent through the whole ordeal, only exchanging glances wondering about the mysterious man Benkei mentioned, wondering who he might be. ...

Later on as Benkei trained the three in his own way Kenta and Madoka watched sweat dropping wondering if it would even work.

Meanwhile, Gingka and Haruka sat in silence, both lost in thought. The mention of the mysterious man and someone who had actually defeated Kyoya weighed heavily on their minds. Who was this person? …

In a helicopter high above the ground, Kyoya and the mysterious man discussed Kyoya's improvements. The mysterious man tells him that in order to beat Gingka, he needs the "Fangs of the Heart."

The man instructs Kyoya to go to Wolf's Canyon and climb it in order to beat Gingka.

Kyoya agrees, stating he'll do anything to beat Gingka and skydives off the helicopter and into Wolf's Canyon. …

Benkei was putting Kenta’s friends through the wringer, shouting commands and making them run laps around the riverside.

Kenta, Madoka, Gingka, and Haruka watched from a distance, sweat-dropping at Benkei's intense training regimen.

"He's really pushing them hard ” Madoka said.

“For sure.” Kenta added.

Gingka, and Haruka however, seemed distracted. Kenta noticed and was about to ask. Gingka got up, breaking Haruka out of her trance, as he excused himself, "I need to use the bathroom." Madoka and Kenta chuckled, Haruka  remained silent lightly smiling....

Gingka wandered further away, looking for a secluded spot, but found himself near a moving truck.

Before he realized what was happening, the truck's doors closed behind him, and it started moving.

"Hey, what’s going on?" he yelled, banging on the doors.

A French-talking camera on a rail system descended from the ceiling. "Bonjour, Gingka Hagane! I am Merci, and you have just entered ‘Challenge Blader!’"

Gingka blinked in confusion. "Challenge Blader?"

Merci continued, "Oui! A series of challenges to determine if you are the best Blader. If you win, you will receive a prize!" …

Meanwhile, at Wolf's Canyon, Kyoya was struggling to climb its steep walls. He kept slipping and falling, his hands bruised and bloodied from the rough terrain.

"I have to do this," he muttered to himself.

With renewed determination, he pushed himself harder, finally reaching the top.

At the summit, he found three caves. From each cave emerged a wolf, growling menacingly.

Kyoya remembered the mysterious man's words about the "Fangs of the Heart."

He launched Rock Leone, using its special move to create a fierce tornado that scared the wolves away.

Panting heavily, Kyoya looked up at the sky and roared, "I will defeat you, Gingka Hagane!" …

Back in the truck, Gingka was put through a series of grueling challenges.

First, he had to defeat three other Beys in a rapid succession. He did so with ease, his Storm Pegasis spinning triumphantly.

Next, he was tasked with knocking over cones while trying to survive a treadmill lined with needles.

Gingka ran for his life, narrowly avoiding the sharp points and managing to knock down the cones just in time.

The final challenge was to beat a giant Stamina-Type Bey in under 60 seconds.

Gingka’s concentration was intense as he launched Pegasis, managing to destabilize the giant Bey and bring it to a stop right at the last second. …

After what felt like hours, Merci announced, "Congratulations, Gingka! You have completed Challenge Blader."

Gingka sighed in relief. "So, what's my prize?"

Merci's tone turned ominous. "Your prize is to face a powerful Blader who will use your collected data against you."

With that, the truck doors opened, and Gingka was unceremoniously pushed out, tumbling down to where Kenta, Haruka, and Madoka were waiting.

"Gingka!" Haruka ran over to him, followed by Kenta and Madoka.

Madoka knelt beside him, "Are you alright?"

Kenta added, "You were gone for a while."

Haruka, arms crossed, asked, "How far did you have to go for the bathroom?"

Gingka shook his head, trying to catch his breath as he got up. "Have you guys ever heard of a TV show called 'Challenge Blader'?"

Madoka frowned, "No, I haven't."

Kenta shook his head, "Don't know it."

Haruka tilted her head, "Never heard of it."

Gingka looked in the direction the truck had driven off. "That means that was…" …

Meanwhile, Merci reported back to the mysterious man. "I have collected Gingka’s data and also recovered Haruka’s data from previous battles. With this information, we can defeat them."

The mysterious man’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Excellent. Everything is proceeding according to plan." …

At the top of Wolf's Canyon, Kyoya stood, battered but victorious. He looked up at the sky, his determination unwavering.

Roaring through the canyon vowing to beat Gingka. ….

Meanwhile, at the face hunters warehouse, Tetsuya Watarigani stood atop a mountain of boxes, dramatically gesturing as he spun tales of his supposed heroics.

The Face Hunters listened half-heartedly, some rolling their eyes.

"And then, I saved the cat from the raging river with one hand, while teaching Benkei how to Beyblade with the other!" Tetsuya boasted.

Suddenly, the warehouse door creaked open, and a shadowy figure stood in the entrance.

Kyoya Tategami, cold and emotionless, walked in. His mere presence silenced the room.

The Face Hunters immediately abandoned Tetsuya, rushing to welcome their true leader.

Tetsuya, losing his balance, tumbled down the boxes with a yelp.

"Kyoya! You're back!" they cheered.

Kyoya remained indifferent, barely acknowledging their excitement. T

Tetsuya scrambled to his feet, attempting to regain some semblance of authority.

"Kyoya, let me tell you about Benkei. He's joined Gingka and Haruka's side!" Tetsuya said, hoping to incite anger in Kyoya.

Kyoya pondered Tetsuya's words, causing a wave of worry among the gang. Sensing an opportunity to solidify his self-appointed role, Tetsuya challenged Kyoya to a Beybattle for leadership. Kyoya was eemingly uninterested. But as Tetsuya kept pushing, Kyoya finally took out his launcher and Beyblade.

They counted down, but Tetsuya launched late on purpose, setting his Beyblade at a higher spin track mode.

Momentarily, Mad Gasher pushed Rock Leone back. Unfazed, Kyoya had Rock Leone spin at the center of the area, waiting.

Tetsuya fell into the trap, and as Mad Gasher returned to normal height and approached Rock Leone, Kyoya unleashed a powerful wind attack.

The force was so great that it sent Tetsuya and the Face Hunters flying, partially destroying the warehouse.

Standing victorious, Kyoya announced, "The Face Hunters are disbanded." As he walked out.

Shock rippled through the gang, but Tetsuya saw an opportunity. "Great, now the team is all mine!" he thought.

However, the others turned on him, furious at his betrayal.

"Get him!" someone yelled, and they chased Tetsuya around the city.

Benkei, noticing the commotion, intervened, helping to corner and tie up Tetsuya. …

Later, at the local park, Akira and Osamu were engaged in a heated Beybattle.

Gingka, Haruka, Kenta, and Takashi watched from the sidelines.

Osamu's Beyblade knocked Akira's out of the ring.

Akira slumped in disappointment. "I lost again..."

Gingka cheered, "You may have lost, pal, but your launch was great!"

Haruka smiled, adding, "Your timing was perfect. If you had managed to outlast him by a few more seconds, you might have won. Don't give up yet."

Akira's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Haruka nodded, "Yeah."

Meanwhile, Kenta noticed Benkei sitting alone, looking lost in thought.

Approaching him, Kenta suggested a battle, but Benkei remained unresponsive, his mind elsewhere.

He was replaying the scene when he helped the Face Hunters stop Tetsuya and learned from them that Kyoya had broken up the group.

The confusion and worry over Kyoya's decision clouded his thoughts.

Haruka, noticing Benkei's distraction, walked over and called out louder, "Benkei! Are you listening?"

Startled, Benkei fell off the bench. Getting up, he asked, "What's up?"

"That's what we'd like to know," Gingka said, joining Haruka.

Benkei brushed them off, muttering,

"Nothing," and walked away, leaving the others in confusion. ...

Benkei walked away, he couldn't shake off the sense of betrayal and uncertainty. Kyoya's actions had left him questioning everything. …

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the park, Kenta pursued his friend Benkei, who was deep in thought and initially unresponsive.

Determined to help, Kenta challenged Benkei to a Beybattle, betting that if he won, Benkei would reveal his troubles.

After Kenta’s Sagittario defeated Benkei’s Bull, Benkei reluctantly shared that Kyoya had disbanded the Face Hunters, leaving him confused and upset.

Kenta suggested that Benkei speak directly with Kyoya for clarity. Benkei agreed and prepared to follow that advice.   …

At the Bey Park, Gingka and Haruka cheered on the kids battling in the stadiums.

Surrounded by eager children asking for tips and battles, the twins did their best to accommodate everyone.

"One at a time, guys!" Gingka laughed.

Haruka smiled, giving pointers to a young Blader. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Hikaru watching them from a distance. As Hikaru turned to leave, Haruka followed her. …

By the riverside, Hikaru walked briskly, but Haruka caught up to her.

“Hey!”

"Hey, wait!" Haruka called.

Hikaru stopped, turning to see Haruka panting. "What do you want?"

Haruka smiled, "I just wanted to say your special move was amazing. The way your Bey multiplied was really cool."

"Oh, that’s nice, thanks." Hikaru looked not to much for discussion, but somewhat took the compliment, "If that's all you wanted to say than I’m out of here..."

Haruka held out Phoenix, "Wanna battle?"

Hikaru surprised turned around, "I can't. I lost to Kenta the other day. I can't battle until I beat him."

Haruka shrugged, "Who cares about that? I saw your battle with Kenta. It was awesome. I want a shot too."

Hikaru smiled, "Really?” Haruka nodded.

They both got ready.

"3! 2! 1! Let it rip!"

Both launched their Beyblades with a fierce determination.

The clash was intense, the sound of metal on metal ringing through the air.…

Later as Benkei goes to the warehouse in hopes of finding Kyoya.

At first, he does not appear to be in the building, but he eventually comes out of the shadows.

The two battle, Kyoya to prove that the Face Hunters are not worth his time any more, Benkei to try to get him back.

Kyoya is extremely maniacal though: he keeps laughing crazily at the display of the immense power he now possesses thanks to his training.

Benkei wonders what the mysterious man even did to cause Kyoya to act so cruel. Kenta, who had appeared just in time to save Benkei's Dark Bull from a vicious attack (almost being crushed by pieces of the ceiling himself) was not even able to defeat him and they soon lay on the floor, beaten.

Far from being back to a normal mentality, Kyoya advances to step onto their two fallen Beyblades saying he shows mercy to no one saying that the Face Hunters were weak and that he does not need friends, but Benkei rushes over and protects them with his arms and body.

This however does not stop Kyoya from bringing his foot down on him causing him pain. …

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the riverside as Haruka and Hikaru's battle raged on.

The clatter of metal echoed through the air as their Beyblades collided repeatedly.

Hikaru called out, "Aquario, attack!"

Her Beyblade multiplied, creating an illusion of numerous spinning tops.

Haruka grinned, watching closely as Phoenix was pushed back by the real Aquario hiding among the illusions.

"Can you figure out my special move?" Hikaru taunted.

Haruka's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'm working on it."

She knew Aquario's water attribute held an advantage over her fire-based Phoenix.

As she searched for the real Aquario, the sun's glint on her Beyblade gave her an idea.

She smirked. "I've got it."

Hikaru readied her final move, "Aquario, Infinite Assault!"

A rapid, enormous tsunami wave formed, and the multiplied Beyblades surged forward, threatening to engulf Phoenix.

Haruka kept her eyes sharp, focusing on the reflections.

Spotting the real Aquario, she grinned. "It's over now!"

Her Beyblade shot up the makeshift ramp and took to the sky. "Phoenix! Flaring Arrow Strike!"

The vermillion bird appeared, diving down with precision.

Phoenix tackled the real Aquario, sending it skidding back to Hikaru's feet.

The battle ended as Haruka retrieved Phoenix smiling.

Hikaru picked up Aquario, eyes wide with realization. "You used the sun's reflection to find my real Beyblade."

Haruka nodded. "Your special move was incredible. I felt my whole body shiver."

Hikaru turned, gratitude in her voice. "Thanks, Haruka. I have no regrets now."

Haruka's expression softened. "Hey, let's battle again sometime. Maybe next time you could face my brother. That would be a fun battle to watch."

Hikaru stopped, looking surprised. "What? But I lost to you."

Haruka's face was gentle as she replied, "So? It doesn't matter if you win or lose. The most important thing is to always have fun. Wasn't this battle fun too?"

Hikaru's eyes widened. "Fun?"

Haruka nodded. "Yeah, because I sure had fun."

Hikaru smiled, a new understanding dawning on her. "I guess I did have fun."

Haruka beamed. "See you later then." She turned to leave.

Hikaru watched her go, finding it fascinating that she could enjoy the battle despite losing.

It was a new perspective, and one she found herself appreciating. ...

Meanwhile, at the warehouse, the air was thick with dust and the scent of battle.

Benkei lay unconscious on the cold floor, bruised and battered from his fight with Kyoya.

Kenta knelt beside him, tears streaming down his face as he shook Benkei's shoulders.

"Benkei, wake up! Please, wake up!" Kenta's voice cracked with desperation.

On the outskirts of the city, Kyoya stood alone, gazing up at the night sky.

The stars twinkled above, indifferent to the turmoil below.

Kyoya's eyes were cold, a far cry from the passionate leader he once was.

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

Author's note: Hope you enjoyed.I possibly didn't find much difference in these two episodes of the anime, so I simply summarized them up, since I wanna get to the next chapter which will get things excited soon, can't wait🙂✨

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

Thanks.