*It was the next day and Wakiya had arranged for some Single Battles to be held in the place of the dropped Tag Battle format for the 1st Stage of the tournament. Athena and the Legends stood in the arena as they waited for Wakiya, they all knew only 4 battles were gonna be held that day with 2 Battle Royales held the day after and the Single Elimination Tournament would be held about 3-4 days afterwards.*

Athena: Wakiya sure is taking his sweet time.

Valt: I'm sure he'll be along shortly.

Phi: Well it's been at least 15 Minutes now, is it too much for him just to be on time?

*After about another 10 minutes, Wakiya finally showed up and he had the spreadsheet for the days exhibition battles*

Wakiya: Terribly sorry for the wait but we just finalized the matches for todays battles, anyway we have 4 matches in total. They are Lane Valhalla vs Phi, Aiga Akaba VS Valt Aoi, Free De La Hoya VS Sisco Karlisle and Delta Akane VS Drum Koryu. 

*Athena perked up with a bit of concern which started to boil down into disappointment and sadness, She wasn't apart of the battles*

Wakiya: Well with that said, good luck. First match will start shortly so Lane and Phi, just stay out here.

*Wakiya walked off stage and Athena chased after him*

Athena: Wait!

Wakiya: Athena? What is it?

Athena: There has to be a mistake. Why am i not battling?

Wakiya: It was randomized out of 16 and there are only 4 Matches we are doing until tommorrow.

Athena: But i really wanted to battle.

Wakiya: I know you did but like i said, there are 16 of you guys out there and it was randomized completely. You just happened to be one of the few that didn't make it for the exhibition matches but if it makes you feel any better, you're actually up first in the 3rd and Final Stage of the tournament so that's a plus. Just so you know, you're up against Daina and his spooky Hollow Deathscyther.

*Athena kinda just looked down and nodded*

Athena: Alright..

---Meanwhile---

*Phi took some time to train before his match with Lane Valhalla and he began to think*

Phi: Lane Valhalla.. an interesting subject indeed. He's the brother of Athena Valhalla as expected and his bey is the infamous Lucifer, a Defense Type just like my Phoenix..

*Phi's Eternal Phoenix spun in the center of the stadium and Phi just smiles as his aura began to glow. Phoenix began to emit an orange and yellow light as it released a high pitched ringing sound. Phi heard his name being called and that was his cue to head on up to his match. He walked through the halls and thoughts went through his head*

Phi: Dark Matter Lucifer, it has Burst Stoppers in its layer and its driver allows it to not be easily knocked out or pushed back by an opposing bey. I'll have to go all out in this battle and maybe reawaken a long lost power..

*Phi's eyes narrow as the sclera of them turned black for a split second. The bladers head up the lift to the battle. when they reach the arena, they walk up to the stadium and Lane just smiled*

Lane: Phi, God Of Destruction they used to call you.. oh how the mighty god has fallen.

*Phi just looks down at Lane unamused*

Phi: You really think taunting me over my past is going to get under my skin, you're gonna have to try a lot harder than that. I may not go by the title of God Of Destruction anymore but i'm still Phi and i'm just as strong as i was then.

Lane: I guess we'll see about that soon enough.

Referee: First Battle!

*Phi looked down at his Phoenix and looked up towards Aiga in the crowd, Aiga who knew exactly what Phi was planning on doing simply nodded and Phi proceeded with his plan. Phi felt his heart beat loudly and he could feel the power surging through his veins! the sclera of his eyes began to turn pitch black with only the red and blue eye color remaining and his voice becoming a bit more deeper pitched*

Athena: Is that..?!

Aiga: It is, Phi really wants to win this battle no matter the cost even if he has revert back to his old ways just for one match.. Either way, i believe Phi won't truly go to the God Of Destruction and that he has controlled the darkness for good.

---

Dark Powered Phi: Well Lane Valhalla, are you ready?

Lane: I'll admit, i didn't see that coming but whether or not it'll do you any good remains to be seen and either way, i'll be the one who wins this match.

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*The 2 beys land in the stadium and both beys were going straight for the center, both beys collide and both of them were locked in an all out clash for the center*

Lane: Don't think you'll be able to move my Lucifer so easily!

Dark Phi: Nice try but Phoenix is the true defense type!!

*Both beys continue their clash and Phoenix was beginning to glow with a familiar black aura*

Dark Phi: Phoenix.. it's time...

*Phoenix began to turn from a Orange, Red and Yellow to a Black and Red color scheme as it managed to knock Lucifer away and claim the center*

Lane: Dark Matter Dropper!!

*the ring on Lucifers driver drops down and it rushes back in towards the center and blows off Phoenixs armor as it hit the wall and rested on the stadium floor*

Dark Phi: You're only falling into my trap!

*Phoenix sped around the stadium and was headed straight for its own armor*

Dark Phi: Now, Eternal Stinger!!

*Phoenix uses the rubber on its Friction driver and launches the Armor straight towards Lucifer*

Lane: Wait what?!

*The armor slams into Lucifer and threw it off balance and caused its lock to advance all the way up to the Burst Stoppers*

Lane: Tch.. 

Dark Phi: Very good.

*Phoenix launches its Armor into the wall and it headed straight for Lucifer again and this time, Phoenix was attacking too*

Lane: Tch.. what's it doing?!

Dark Phi: Eternal Stinger Press!!

*Phoenix and its armor slam into Lucifer with full force and the stadium was filled with a ball of flames and everyone had to shield their face from the explosion. Much to everyones surprise, Lucifer had survived the attack*

Dark Phi: What the?!

Lane: You didn't forget my Lucifer couldn't burst? Your attack had little to no effect at all!!

---

Athena: What happened out there?!

Aiga: Because of its burst stoppers, Phoenix's attack couldn't burst it. That's what Phi was after all along but because of Lucifers overwhelming abilities, a burst is near impossible.

*Athena gasped as she finally came to a realization*

Athena: I think i get it now!!

Aiga: What is it?

Athena: It's those wings! Lucifer has 2 wings that are connected to its burst stoppers and that's how Valt was able to burst Lucifer yesterday. He pushed in those wings and-

Aiga: Lucifer burst.. if those wings are pushed back in where they came from then Lucifer is vulnerable to bursts again.

Athena: Exactly, the secret has finally been revealed..!

---

Lane: Lucifer!!

*Lucifer reclaimed the center as Phoenix was starting to speed up*

Dark Phi: Phoenix!!

Dark Phi: This battle belongs to me, Phoenix Break!!!

Lane: Dark Matter Slash!!

*Both beys collide and a massive explosion erupts from the stadium and Phoenix flew up and burst from the impact*

Dark Phi: W-Wha-?!

Referee: Dark Matter Lucifer with a burst finish! Lane Valhalla is the winner with a score of 2-0!!

*Phi's eyes returned to normal as he stared down at his bey in shock*

Phi: That's impossible..

---

Athena: Phi... lost..?!

Aiga: That guy.. i'll blow that guy away!

*They watched as Lane Valhalla turned and walked away*

Aiga: Can anything be done to stop this guy..?!

---A little while later---

*it was almost time for the 2nd Exhibition Match and it was Aiga VS Valt, the last time Valt and Aiga had faced one on one was 2 years ago and now they would face each other once again. Both bladers head to the stadium and both of them stare at one another*

Valt: Aiga, it's been some time since we've last battled.

Aiga: Yeah, but it'll end the same way! I'm gonna finish this with a burst!

*Athena watched the crowd with her eyes lit up with excitement, she got to watch Valt and Aiga battle in person once again*

Referee: First Battle!! 

*Aiga switched to his Infinite Sword and set his Dimension' Driver in the High Attack Mode. Both bladers took their positions and the battle started*

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium with powerful launches and Valkyrie and Achilles race around the stadium at full speed*

Aiga: Let's go Achilles full force!

Valt: Valkyrie let's do this!!

*Both beys dodge each other and come back around and collide in the center with a powerful attack from both sides*

Aiga: Push them back! Achilles!!

Valt: We won't let you!!

*Valkyrie managed to break through the attack and send Achilles flying with a strong attack using its rubber*

Aiga: We're not done!!

*Achilles hits the wall and recovered and began to rush toward Valkyrie with full speed*

Valt: Let's go! Rush Shoot!!

Aiga: Beat them down! Infinite Buster!!

*Both beys collide and bolts of red and blue shoot out of the stadium and both beys get sent flying back, Valkyrie lands and speeds up thanks to its awakened Evolution' driver and speeds up greatly*

Valt: Brave Sword!!

*Valkyrie charges in as its rubber blades were glowing with a streak of golden light! Valkyrie slashes across Achilles and sent it flying into the air and it landed outside of the stadium*

Aiga: N-No way..!

Referee: Brave Valkyrie with an over finish! Valt Aoi is awarded 1 point!!

*Aiga reached down and retrieved his bey and looked back over at Valt as his eyes began to glow*

Aiga: This is getting fun, but we'll see how you do in the 2nd battle because we aren't gonna be holding back now!

Valt: Yeah, well we're not gonna be holding back either!

Referee: Second Battle!!

*Both bladers retook their positions, Aiga still was going with Infinite Sword!*

Referee: Ready Set!!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys landed in the stadium once again and Valkyrie and Achilles were wasting no time with the attacks as they collide in the center with full force*

Aiga: Achilles! Blow them away!!

Valt: Valkyrie! Knock them out of there!!

*Both beys disengage and both of them spin around the stadium with full speed as they return for another clash*

Aiga: Achilles! Infinite Shoot!!

Valt: Rush Shoot!!

*Achilles and Valkyrie were locked in a fierce back and forth clash and neither one was willing to back down*

Valt: Push them even harder!!

*Valkyrie knocks Achilles away and it speeds up to the 4th Level as it rode the slope*

Aiga: Infinite Dive!!

Valt: We're not going to let you!

*Valkyrie dodges the attack and Achilles slams into the stadium floor instead*

Aiga: Tch..

---

Athena: He dodged Infinite Dive..? Valt's a lot better than i thought...

---

Valt: Let's finish this Valkyrie!!

*Valkyrie touches the rim of the stadium and began to speed up greatly*

Valt: It's over! Brave Flash!!

Aiga: We're not going to let it end here! Achilles!!

Aiga: Infinite Buster!!

*Both beys race back to the center and collide with all their might! A massive explosion erupts from the stadium and both bladers were nearly thrown off of their feet, both beys flew up into the air and burst at almost the same time! Achilles was the one who burst last*

Referee: Infinite Achilles with a burst finish! Aiga Akaba is the winner!!

Aiga: Alright! We won!!

*Valt simply smiles as he picks up the pieces of his bey and looked at Aiga*

Valt: You've done pretty well, Achilles is as strong as always i see.

Aiga: Yeah, Me and Achilles will continue to the best in the entire world!!

---Later that day---

*It would be a little bit until Sisco and Frees matchup, Athena went into one of the training rooms and noticed Sisco Karlisle training alone*

Athena: Sisco!

*Sisco looked up from his training and looked at Athena*

Sisco: You again? What do you want now?

Athena: You're up against Free right? He really is a strong opponent.

Sisco: Indeed, which is why i have always strived to beat him.

Athena: What's your deal with Free anyway, i've never understood it.

Sisco: Me and Free have had a long going rivalry since the days of the World League and the God Bladers Cup. Every time i faced Free back then, he would always mop the floor with me and i would live with the sickening thought that i had just been defeated by Free De La Hoya. Even to this day, i still hold him to my rivalry no matter what and today will be the day that i finally knock that sleepyhead down a peg.

*Athena looked at Sisco with a bit of surprise but a bit of amazement too but her thoughts were immediately interrupted as Siscos name was called*

Sisco: Well that's my cue.

*Sisco left the training room and he walked the corridor and headed to the lift as he waited for it to come down*

Sisco: Free... just you wait, i'm coming for you.

*Sisco walked onto the lift and it carried him to the arena. When he got to the top, he saw his eternal rival on the other end*

Sisco: There he is..

*Both bladers walk up to the stadium and Free cocked his head to the side a bit*

Free: Why the long face? Aren't you excited to battle?

Sisco: Today is the day Free, that i finally defeat you!

*Free simply smiles and pulls out his launcher*

Free: Well then, show me what you're capable of.

Referee: First Battle!!

*Both bladers take their positions and Siscos eyes began to glow with a purple aura*

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium and Fafnir was racing straight for the center as was Satan*

Free: Fafnir, take the center!!

Sisco: Oh no you don't!!

*Satan blocks Fafnir from taking the center and sent it flying back instead! The center now belonged to Satan*

Free: Oh?

Sisco: It's time! Triple Twister!!

*Satans defenses increased as 3 rings of energy began to surround Satan as Fafnir comes charging in for the attack*

Free: Fafnir, tear them apart.

*Fafnir attacks with all it has but it couldn't even get close to Satan thanks to its Triple Twister!*

Free: Tch..

Sisco: How's that? How do you like Satans defenses now?!

---

Athena: He's actually managing to fend off Fafnir!

Valt: Thanks to Satans free spin components, Fafnir can't even get close to it! So this was his plan to beat Free, he's going to try and out last it in a battle of Stamina..

---

Sisco: Time's running out Free! Fafnir can't spin forever!

*Fafnir was starting to lose stamina as was Satan*

Free: You really think Fafnir will lose in stamina battle? We've been over this a ton now.

Sisco: Keep watching..

*Satan made contact with Fafnir and absorbed a bit of its spin for its own, Free watched in shock at what he was trying to do.

Free: So you're playing that game again, interesting.

*Fafnirs stamina was starting to go out but Satan fell over first and Fafnirs stamina fizzled out at last*

Sisco: W-What?!

Referee: Mirage Fafnir with a Spin Finish! Free De La Hoya earns 1 point!

Sisco: Tch.. i thought i had him..!!

Free: Looks like you've got a bit ways to go before you defeat me.

*Sisco looked up at Free furiously as his aura began to glow to life*

Sisco: You're the one who's gonna have a ways to go because i am going to win!

Referee: 2nd Battle!!

*Both bladers take their positions once again and the battle started*

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium once again and Fafnir took the center immediately*

Sisco: Satan! Attack!!

Free: Come!

*Satan tilts on the ring of its Universe Driver and slams into Fafnir with all its might*

Sisco: We're not gonna lose today!

*Satan began to attack Fafnir with heavy blows and was even throwing it off balance a bit with each attack*

Free: Fafnir!

*Fafnir gets sent flying and its spin was starting to dwindle a bit! Satan slams into it and Fafnir absorbed a bit of its spin*

Sisco: We're not gonna let you!

*Satan clashes with Fafnir hard and sent it flying*

Free: Fafnir now!!

*Fafnir returned to the center with incredible stamina and Satan was speeding around the stadium with full speed*

Sisco: I won't let you ever look down on me again! Satan!!

*Satan knocks Fafnir out of the center and both beys come back in towards the center for the next blow*

Free: Mirage Claw!!

Sisco: Universe Drift!!

*Both beys slam into each other with devastating force as a fierce explosion bursts out as Sisco screamed out with full determination and power! Satan glitched and then it starts pushing Fafnir back and it slams against the wall and the friction from the rubber caused Fafnir to burst*

Free: W-What the-!?

*Sisco yells out with triumph as his yell echos in the arena*

Referee: Curse Satan with a burst finish, Sisco Karlisle is the winner with a score of 2-1!!

---

Athena: He.. really did it..!

Valt: Sisco.. i always believed you could win against him, great job.

---

*Free walked over to Sisco with a slight smile*

Sisco: Free.. i-

Free: I must give you my compliments, i never actually thought you would be able to beat me but here we are. You did well today, i could see how much you truly wanted to win and you used that to secure your victory.

Sisco: Free..

Free: In the meantime, i'll be getting much more stronger so don't relax yet.

*Free turned and walked away and Sisco simply just smiled as he started to walk off stage as well*

---A little while later---

*The final exhibition match was about to start and Drum Koryu was starting to get super stoked as his opponent was his long time friend and rival: Delta Akane*

Drum: Oh man i'm so pumped! My opponent is Delta and now i'm all sorts of excited!

*The lift to his match finally arrived and Drum hopped on and it brought him to the arena where Delta also was*

Drum: Delta!!!

*Delta watches Drum as he came running down and skidded to a stop in front of the stadium*

Drum: Let's make this a fun match!

*Delta nods and he held up his Death Diabolos*

Delta: Yeah. Now bring it on!

*The blue highlights in Drums hair began to glow with a blue streak of energy and Deltas left eye began to radiate with a red energy*

Referee: First Battle!!

*Both bladers take their positions and Drum smiled*

Drum: Delta, i'm gonna show you how serious me and Dragon can really get.

Delta: Drum, Show me how much you've improved.

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium with full force and Diabolos took the center as it went on the defensive and Dragon came charging in*

Drum: Let's go! Dragon!!

Delta: Diabolos!!

*Both beys clashed and Dragons wings began to spring back*

Drum: Double Bound!!

*Dragon sends Diabolos flying from the attack and it lands back in the stadium*

Delta: Go!

*Diabolos heads onto the 2nd Level and used the small slope to gain a bit of speed and it flew straight for Dragon*

Delta: Tear it apart!

Drum: Push through!

*Dragon and Diabolos collide with all their might and bolts of gold and red emit from the clash and both beys get sent flying and Dragon uses its bound wings to bounce off the wall and absorb the attack*

Delta: It managed to survive that!?

Drum: Me and Dragon are just getting warmed up, we're not backing down!

*Delta looks at Drum with a bit of surprise at his confidence*

Delta: So this is what Drum is really like..

*Deltas eye began to glow with a red flame as his aura began to glow*

Delta: Diabolos!!

*Diabolos comes charging in as its Gold Turbo began to glow and shine*

Delta: Death Upper!!

*Diabolos uses its upper blades to send Dragon flying into the air and it landed on the 4th Level and began to climb the slope*

Delta: W-What the-!?

Drum: Dragon!!

*Dragon slides down the slope with full speed as it races in back towards Diabolos and clashes into it with incredible force as its wings awakened*

Drum: Yes! Dragons awakened!!

*Dragon began to accelerate around the stadium as it entered Rainbow Turbo and the colors of the Rainbow trailed behind it*

Drum: Time to get serious!!

*Dragon immediately races ahead and collides with Diabolos and sent it flying into the air and it burst, an imprint of the letter D was left in the stadium from Dragon*

Delta: N-No way..!

Referee: Tempest Dragon with a burst finish! Drum Koryu wins by a score of 2-0!

---Later that evening---

*The Exhibition matches were over and the 1st Stage of the Sparking Legend Tour with the Single Battles was going to start tomorrow. Athena looked down at her Sovereign Adeona as she thought about all the battles from today*

Athena: Everyone is so strong now, even the losers of the matches did pretty well too but i'm more excited for my turn. Adeona, we're gonna win and we'll reach Lane no matter what it takes.

*Athena went back to her dorm room and she found a sheet of paper on the bedside table, it was a spreadsheet for the Single Battles for the 1st Stage. The 1st Stage matches were officially confirmed and ready for the next day*

The matches were

Valt Aoi VS Lui Shirasagijo

Athena Valhalla VS Rantaro Kiyama

Delta Akane VS Shu Kurenai

Gwyn Ronny VS Zac

Free De La Hoya VS Drum Koryu

Sisco Karlisle VS Xhakuenji Kaiza

Aiga Akaba VS Lane Valhalla

and 

Phi VS Daina Kurogami

---

*Athena looked at the Spreadsheet excitedly, the Sparking Legend Tour was finally starting with the 1st Stage and it was the single battles*

Athena: Watch out Honcho, we're coming for you!

[TBC]

Next Chapter: Take Off! The Grand Voyage!!

The Sparking Legend Tour Single Exhibition Matches have finally begun and the stakes are high as everyone fights for their pride and their glory!