Hi, Readers
Finally, my semester exams are over, and I'm a contented individual now. I honestly do want to thank you for your encouragement and patience during this break. I'm excited to start writing again because I've also missed writing. I'll pick up where we left off with regular updates from here onwards. As the journey goes on, get prepared for turns and surprises, close battles, and touching moments.
With that said, let's go back to our heroes' universe....
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Ash Ketchum wasn't looking at the stars, despite them twinkling above Metal City. His gaze was on Storm Greninja, his Beyblade, which lay calmly in his palm. In the moonlight, its navy-blue color glowed, a quiet reminder of the many battles they had already engaged in.
"I know you have more to show me, Storm Greninja," Ash spoke softly.
The last battle with Dark Nebula's Sami had been the wake-up call. It hadn't been easy, though he had won. Ash could tell that something in his Bey had not been fully tapped out, and Greninja had battled against the evil power of Serpent.
His arms crossed and the corner of his mouth curled up into a smile, Gingka appeared behind him. "Aren't you overthinking again?"
Ash smiled bashfully as he gazed up. "Is it really that obvious?"
Gingka sat beside him and said, "You're not the first Blader to stare at his Bey searching for answers." "When I was your age, I did the same with Pegasus. You know what I mean, even though I'm still your age."
Ash chuckled. "In battles, I sense that Greninja is trying to tell me something. Like we're lacking something."
Gingka nodded. "Then there probably is. Beys are not merely spinning tops. They are teammates. When something is holding them back, the Blader must also adjust."
More resolute than ever, Ash looked down at Greninja again. "Then I should figure out what it needs from me."
Ash saw Madoka and Kenta the next morning at the training grounds nearby. The area was perfect for practicing new skills since it was filled with practice stadiums, rocky areas, and even water hazards.
Madoka showed Ash a holographic blue print on her computer and stated, "I've studied Storm Greninja's information. Its evasion is nearly unmatched, and its speed is amazing. But when traveling at high velocities, its attacks are unstable."
"Unstable?" Ash repeated it.
"It means Greninja's attacks sometimes lose strength due to how quickly it moves," Kenta explained. "As if it's rushing in before unleashing all of its energy."
Ash's fist tightened. "I then have to learn how to balance that speed with control."
Madoka nodded. "Also, I think there is an unused mode in Greninja's performance tip. It could potentially use a "whirlpool" technique, where it would channel its momentum into a spiraling strike."
Ash's eyes lit up. "A spiraling attack. That would be perfect!"
They began training with new energy. Ash tried different force and angle when throwing Greninja. They tried terrain resistance, mimicking battle uncertainty with water surfaces, metal ramps, and sand pits.
Hours passed. Greninja traveled fast and smoothly around the stadium, but they were still not able to make the breakthrough.
Ash collapsed to his knees, gasping in frustration. "What have I been missing?"
He was offered water by Kenta. "Maybe it's something more than power or velocity. Maybe the solution is trust."
Ash blinked. "Trust?"
Kenta smiled. "You and Greninja are connected, aren't you? Then let go trying to control it. Get to work battling it."
Ash's eye broadened. Kenta was right. He had been trying to force Greninja to accept a strategy, but his Bey relied on motion, flow, and improvisation. Greninja never charged straight up like a ninja would. At the proper moment, it struck, moving around the opponent in a dance.
With his launcher ready, Ash stood up. "Alright, Greninja. I won't lead you this time. We will move together."
"Let's unleash your real potential," he breathed as he charged the Bey and focused.
"3. 2. 1. Let it rip!"
Having hit the stadium with a bolt of blue lightning, Storm Greninja at once curled itself into a tighter, faster, and smoother spiral trajectory.
Ash's eyes sparkled. "Torrent Cyclone, now!"
Water particles swirled around the body of Greninja, whirling in a vortex-like dance. The arena was turned into a whirlwind storm by sheer power of spinning, which resulted in a wind and mist cyclone.
"Geez!" Madoka took a gasp. "Energy output just doubled!"
Kenta covered his eyes from the whirlwind. "That's. wild!"
Ash focused intensely, keeping his mind in sync with Greninja's movements. Stormy ninja-like, the Bey glided through the arena, hitting every marker Madoka had set with power and precision.
Greninja concluded with one last spin, keeping itself standing and stable, effective, and powerful.
Ash smiled as he knelt next to it. "We made it. You were holding out for that move.
When Gingka returned to the group that evening, they executed the new move.
Greninja was propelled by Ash, and the blue Bey spun itself into the novel spiral movement again. It became faster and faster, and with Ash calling up Torrent Cyclone, the effect was even greater than last time. The dummy was shot outside the stadium when a powerful whirlpool burst.
Gingka's eyes widened. "That is an extraordinary technique."
Madoka smiled. "We call it 'Torrent Cyclone Mode.' Greninja appears to concentrate its speed into a controlled tempest."
Ash nodded. "Speeding alone isn't sufficient. It's about making conscious movements."
Gingka approached Ash and put his hand on his shoulder. "You've officially begun the journey toward being a true Blader."
Greninja was held towards the waning sun by Ash, who smiled. "This is just the beginning. There is still so much to find out. But I'm ready."
As golden light lit the training ground, Ash felt something in Greninja—not a voice, but a feeling—a connection strengthened by trust, forged in battle, and now fully established.
The storm was only just beginning.