*Athena walked through the halls of the Cruise Ship, a few days had past since the first few matches of the 1st Stage and the Cruise Ship was entering the Japanese Port to refuel and head back out, the Cruise would stay in the middle of the Pacific Ocean right above the Mariana Trench. Once refueling was finished and fuel canisters were brought on board, the Sparking Legend Tour was back on.*

*Athena stopped at a nearby training room and heard Aiga training inside, she goes in and was in absolute shock at what she saw. Aiga was dripping in sweat and his hair and clothes were soaked*

Athena: Aiga!!

*Aiga looked over towards her as his eyes were glowing a red aura

Athena: Aiga are you alright?

Aiga: What do you want?

Athena: A-Aiga.. i am just concerned about you, you don't really look so good right now.

Aiga: I've been training for the past 3 hours non stop, i have to defeat Lane no matter what! I need to get in all the training i can before my match!

Athena: Aiga, your match isn't until tomorrow evening. You have plenty of time to train!

Aiga: You just don't get it do you?!

Athena: H-Huh?

Aiga: I cannot under any circumstance let Lane defeat me like he did before.. i will not let him destroy Achilles and i'll do whatever it takes to make sure that does not happen!

Athena: Aiga..

Aiga: That said, i don't want to see you or any other member of your family for a while.. i need to win this alone and alone i will win!

Athena: Aiga! Don't say that!!

Aiga: It just occurred to me but you are the reason Achilles was destroyed! Because of you, you gave him more opportunities to get stronger and even more dangerous! In fact, you've had Adeona destroyed by him twice well now you know the pain everyone else felt when they lost their beys to him.

Athena: Aiga.. i..-

Aiga: Just go. i don't want to talk to you right now.

*Athena looked down at the ground for a moment and looked up back at Aiga who turned back towards the stadium*

Athena: You know i may have responsible behind Lanes surge in power and unintentionally gave him more resolve to get stronger but the one you should shout at is him instead, i never destroyed Achilles and i never had the intention to so why i'm being the one shouted at is beyond me. 

*Athena turned and started to leave but she stopped at the door*

Athena: You know if you don't want to see or talk to me then you made the mistake of becoming friends with me. I was a good friend and i really thought you would hold up your end of the bargain but it seems i was wrong.

*Aiga straightened as his eyes widened a bit and he heard the door close, Athena had left*

---

*Athena walked through the halls of the Cruise Ship and she saw the spreadsheet for the next matches for the day, the sun was already starting to set so the battles would begin shortly! The battles were Drum VS Free and Xhaka VS Sisco. The following matches for the next day were Phi VS Daina and Aiga VS Lane. The bladers partaking in the Stage 2 Battle Royale so far were Athena, Valt, Shu and Zac, the final 4 were yet to be revealed and they were to be decided with the coming battles*

Athena: Drum and Frees match is today and so is Xhaka and Sisco. Should be pretty interesting, Phi and Daina are battling tommorow and Aiga is facing Lane, sucks for him i guess..

---

*The battles were starting as Drum and Free headed on up to the stadium. when they both got ready at the stadium, Drum was overheating hard as he turned a beet red*

Drum: Free!!! I'll be the one who takes you down with my Tempest Dragon!!!

*Free looked over at the boy with a bored expression and he held up his Mirage Fafnir*

Free: Is that so? Well let's see how those words hold up, bring it on.

Referee: First Battle!!

*Both bladers take their positions and the battle started now*

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium and Fafnir took the center immediately and Dragon comes charging in*

Drum: Let's go! Dragon!!

Free: Bring it on!

*Both beys collide and clash with full force as both were trying to push each other back*

Drum: Push them even harder! Bound Wing!!

*Using its Bound Wings, Dragon was able to send Fafnir flying*

Drum: Yes!!

Free: Fafnir hang on!!

*Fafnir hits the wall and manages to recover but its spin had drastically fallen*

Drum: Now finish it!

*Dragon comes charging in and collides into Fafnir once again but it drains its spin instead*

Free: Mirage Spin!!

*Fafnir drains away most of Dragons stamina! Dragon disengages and its stamina was nearly out*

Drum: Dragon!!

*Dragon uses the rim of the stadium to gain a bit of speed and it then comes rushing in towards Fafnir for the next blow as Fafnir was continuing to spin at a pretty slow pace*

Drum: Time to get serious!!

Free: Fafnir!!

*Dragon slams into Fafnir with full force and bursts immediately from a Slo-Mo burst*

Drum: N-No way!!!

Referee: Mirage Fafnir with a burst finish! Free De La Hoya wins with a score of 2-0!!

*Free turns and walks off the stage and left Drum completely shocked at the result of the battle*

Drum: That's incredible.. Fafnir is so strong..!

---A Little While Later---

*Aiga stood in the same training room and he looked down at Achilles with a look of sadness*

Aiga: Achilles.. we need to become even stronger if we are to beat Lane but Athena... should i have really blamed her, i guess i shouldn't have trusted the safety of Achilles in her hands in the first place...

*The world around Aiga went black and white and Achilles was the only thing that kept its color, Aiga looked forward and Athena materialized in front of him and held up her Sovereign Adeona and it gave off a low pitched ringing sound*

Aiga: No matter what, she's always been there and cheered me on.. she goes above and beyond just for one person and that is something that nobody could ever have time for..

*the vision of Athena disappeared and the atmosphere returned to normal and Aiga looked up from his bey and ran out of the training room and went to find his friend*

Aiga: I owe her a big apology..!

---

*The second match had begun and both Xhaka and Sisco had stepped up to the stadium*

Sisco: Well look who it is, the big guy i defeated at the God Bladers Cup all those years ago.

Xhaka: Sisco Karlisle, you managed to defeat Free De La Hoya but let's see if you can defeat my Zone Xcalibur!

*Sisco stared up at Xhaka intensely as he held up his Curse Satan*

Sisco: I won't be holding back no matter what, i didn't hold back then and i definitely won't hold back now.

Xhaka: I wouldn't want it any other way! Bring it on!!

Referee: First Battle!!

*Both bladers take their positions and the battle started*

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium and Satan immediately took the center as Xcalibur raced around the slope of the stadium*

Sisco: Looks like the center is ours!

Xhaka: Only because i let you have it! Go Xcalibur!!

*Xcalibur comes charging in and lands a gnarly attack on Satan using its metal sword and sent it flying*

Sisco: Satan!!

*Xcalibur comes charging back in for another strike*

Xhaka: Triple Impact!!

*Xcalibur lands another vicious blow and pinned Satan to the center and began to lay into it with a fierce barrage of ruthless strikes*

Sisco: Come on Satan, fend them off!!

Xhaka: It's no use!!

*Xcalibur enters its aligned state and it races up the slope of the stadium*

Xhaka: X-Saber!!

*Xcalibur comes rushing in and uses the combined power of the Chip, Ring, Chassis and Disk to send Satan flying out of the stadium with one blow*

Sisco: Tch.. impossible!

Referee: Zone Xcalibur with an over finish! Xhaka earns 1 point!!

*Sisco reaches down and picks up his bey and looked back up at Xhaka who started to laugh*

Xhaka: Is that all you can do? If so, this battle is already over!

*Sisco pushes up his glasses and simply smiles with incredible confidence*

Sisco: You may have the power of your Xcaliburs metal sword but you won't be able to defeat my resolve.

Xhaka: Your resolve huh? Well then, let's see how that works out for you!

Referee: Second Battle!!

*Both bladers take their positions once again*

Sisco: I won't lose to Xhaka, not now and not ever!

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium once again and Satan took the center once again and held it down as Xcalibur came charging in once again*

Xhaka: Send it flying!!

Sisco: Repel them, Roller Defense!

*Xcalibur and Satan clashed with full force as sparks flew off of their clash and strong winds erupted from the stadium*

Xhaka: Push it back! Xcalibur!!

*Satan was sent flying but it hits the wall and manages to recover and return to the center immediately*

Sisco: Is that all you've got!

Xhaka: Cut them to pieces! Triple Saber!!

Sisco: Triple Twister!!

*Satan manages to block Xcaliburs attack with ease and sent it reeling from the incredible defense*

Xhaka: We're not done yet!!

*Xcalibur climbed onto the 4th Level and raced down the slope with full speed and races toward Satan with its sword glowing*

Xhaka: X-Saber!!

Sisco: We're not gonna let it end here! Satan!!

Xhaka: Xcalibur!!

*Both bey collide and a massive explosion rings out and both beys go flying and return for another clash*

Sisco: Universe Drift!!

Xhaka: Once again! X-Saber!!

*Both beys collide and Satan glitches again*

Xhaka: W-What was that?!

*Satan pushes through and bursts Xcalibur with full force and its parts flew in front of Xhakas face*

Xhaka: No way.. that's impossible!

Referee: Curse Satan with a burst finish! Sisco Karlisle wins with a score of 2-1!!

Sisco: Yes!!!

*And with that, the matches were over for the day and the cruise ship sailed into the sunset*

---Later That Night---

*Aiga eventually found Athena who was training alone in one of the other training rooms*

Aiga: Athena..

*Athena didn't look away from the stadium she was training at*

Athena: Thought you said you didn't want to talk to me.

Aiga: I was wrong, i really shouldn't have blamed you for Lanes actions over the past few months.

Athena: So why did you in the first place?

Aiga: I don't know. You both are similar in your own ways, there is bound to be a few similarities between you two. I know for a fact you haven't gone a day without thinking about destruction and chaos.

*Athena finally turned and looked him in the eyes*

Athena: I have.

*Aiga just stared at her in bewilderment*

Athena: This entire journey has made me want to pull every strand of my hair out of my head because i sometimes go insane from all the stress and suffering that i have to endure and i have at times thought about destruction!

Aiga: Athena..

Athena: But you know what, i choose not to show that side of me. Because that's not who i am, it's not who any of you are. I know the real you and you know the real me. I should never had to be blamed for whatever chaos Lane causes because that's not my fault regardless if i am blood related, i'm still the kind and super genuine girl you've always known.

*Aiga nods and he held up his Infinite Achilles and Athena looked at him in a bit of awe*

Aiga: I'm sorry.

*Athena simply smiles and held up her bey as well*

Athena: I guess i forgive you.

Aiga: But we need to remember, this tournament is the real deal. We need to take this thing a bit more seriously, if you want to get to Lane so badly then you can't lose once the 3rd Stage starts because if you lose, you're out.

Athena: I know, and i promise you i will not lose. And since we're in the same block, we can make it to the Semi-Finals together.

Aiga: The Semi-Finals?

Athena: Yeah, it'll be just like the Legend League back then. Me and you fighting fiercely in an all-out clash in the Semi-Finals.

*Aiga just looks at her and smiled*

Aiga: Alright then, to the Semi-Finals it is then.

*Aiga pulled out his launcher and his eyes began to glow intensely like the did earlier*

Athena: So he wants to battle.. alright then, i'm down.

*Athena and Aiga get ready in their positions and their auras began to glow around them as a white void began to envelope them*

Athena: Aiga, you and the legends are the only few who make me feel like someone who really belongs. I can't thank you guys enough, you all are absolutely incredible.

Aiga: Athena, you have been one of the most genuine people i've ever met. I always supported you and i will continue to do so even when we're apart. I'm super glad i get to call you my friend and my greatest rival.

*The white void disappears and the battle started*

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium and Achilles and Adeona charge around the stadium with full speed*

Athena: Adeona!!

Aiga: Achilles!!

*Both beys pass each other in the stadium and they climb the slope of the stadium with full speed and come charging in for the blow*

Athena: Show no mercy!

Aiga: Blow them away!

*Adeona and Achilles collide with incredible force and get blown back immediately and Achilles starts to ride the slope of the 4th Level and race back down*

Aiga: End this!!

Athena: Sovereign Symphony!!

*Adeona knocks Achilles away and it goes flying into the air*

Aiga: Achilles!!

*Achilles hits the wall and recovers from the attack and it comes rushing in for the blow*

Aiga: Let's go!

Athena: Counter now!!

*Both beys collide with incredible force as bolts of red and purple shoot out of the stadium and gusts of strong wind follow along.*

Aiga: Infinite Sword!!

*The clash continues and a high pitched ringing emits from Achilles as it glitches out a bit*

Athena: W-What was that..?!

*Achilles forces Adeonas burst stopper to push back in and Adeona was launched into the air and burst almost immediately*

Athena: N-No way.. that's impossible..!!

Aiga: Yes!!!

*Athena stood in shock at the ringing she had heard during the battle, it may have not sounded like much but Athena knew something was happening.*

Athena: I don't know what happened there but that's... worrying..!

---The Next Day---

*The next day had come and Phi and Daina's battle was already on*

Daina: Deathscyther!!

Phi: Go Phoenix!!

*Deathscyther and the armorless Phoenix collide with full force and Deathscythers scythe began to glow*

Daina: Hollow Strike!!

*Deathscyther slashes across Phoenix using its Scythe and it bursts instantly*

Phi: N-No way.. impossible!

Referee: Hollow Deathscyther, Burst Finish! Daina Kurogami is the winner with a score of 2-1!!

*Daina smirks and walked off stage and it was finally time for Lane and Aigas battle*

---

*Athena walks Aiga to the lift to his match*

Aiga: You seemed worried.

Athena: You're up against Lane, you know what could possibly happen.

Aiga: I will not let him destroy Achilles under any circumstance, i promise.

Athena: Still.. you know i worry about you, i don't want to relive what happened at New York when you battled him there. I can't stand to see that happen again.

Aiga: You don't have to worry, i'll be fine.

*Aiga starts to head on to the lift but Athena reaches out and touches his shoulder*

Athena: Show him, show me, show the world what the World Champion can really do. Blow him away.

*Aiga nods with a smile and the doors to the lift closed and it carried Aiga to his match*

---Both Aiga and Lane reach the top and they walk up to the stadium---

Lane: Well well well, look who it is.

*Aiga just stares at him*

Lane: I'm sure Athena has high hopes for you to win, after all you and her seem rather close.

Aiga: You can leave her out of this, she isn't apart of this battle.

Lane: Either way, it won't change the direction of this battle. Only i will decide Achilles' fate!

Referee: First Battle!!

Aiga: Valt was able to brute force his way through Lucifers burst stoppers and burst it a little while back, i'm going to do exactly that! I'll be going with Infinite Sword.

*Aiga placed Achilles into Infinite Sword and Dimension' into High Balance Mode, both bladers take their positions and the battle started*

Referee: Ready Set!!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Both beys land in the stadium and Lucifer claimed the center immediately as its burst stopper wings were exposed and Achilles came charging in*

Aiga: Let's go Achilles!!

*Achilles races around the stadium and it rings loudly and glitches again*

---

Athena: There it is again..

---

Lane: Was that..?

*Achilles comes rushing in and began to fire a fierce barrage of attacks and started to knock Lucifer around*

Lane: Send it flying!

*Lucifer repels the next attack and Achilles disengages as it climbs the slope of the stadium and comes back down*

Aiga: Let's show em! Infinite Shoot!!

Lane: Dark Matter Grinder!!

*Lucifer uses one of its trident like blades and sends a rough bolt of energy and vibration straight through Achilles and sent it flying once again*

Aiga: Tch..!

*The Dark Matter Plate on the Dropper Driver began to lower itself towards the stadium at a slow pace and began to increase its LAD*

Lane: Dark Matter Dropper!!

*The plate was almost touching the stadium floor but the ball was still exposed for maximum defense and stamina*

Aiga: We're not gonna let it end here!

Lane: You won't break our defenses!

*Both of their auras glowed and Athena was starting to get pumped*

---

Athena: Aiga! End this!!!

---

Aiga: Achilles! Infinite Sword!!

*Achilles comes charging in with its swords glowing brightly and a loud static noise emits from Achilles as it glitches even harder*

Lane: W-What the-?!

---

Athena: No way! That's-!!

---

*Achilles slams into Lucifer with incredible power and both beys go flying*

Lane: What's going on with Achilles?!

*Lucifer lands outside of the stadium first and Achilles lands a second or 2 after*

Referee: Infinite Achilles with an Over Finish! Aiga Akaba earns 1 point!!

---

*Athena watches at the stadium below as she couldn't believe what was happening, she felt like she was reliving New York all over again*

Athena: No.. this can't be happening again..!

---

*Aiga reaches down and retrieves his bey and he hears Lane laughing*

Lane: I don't know what's going with your Achilles but you've made a terrible mistake battling me with a pre-damaged bey.

Aiga: Damaged?

Lane: You didn't notice it? Achilles wasn't acting like its usual self, its attack wasn't as strong as it normally would be. Achilles has been damaged in some way and now you're gonna say goodbye to it because i will be the one who finishes the deed!!

*Aiga looks down at his Achilles and its shine was very faint*

Aiga: You must have gotten damaged from our battle with Athena yesterday... i guess it was foolish of me to have pushed you too hard then. However, i will not let this deter us. We're gonna win this battle even if we can't go full power!

*Aiga looks up at Lane with a fierce look on his face and his turquoise eyes began to glow*

Lane: Well you seem confident.

Aiga: I am. We're gonna show you what we can really do!

*Both bladers stare each other down as the 2nd Battle was about to begin.*

[TBC]

Next Chapter: Burning Rage! Dark Matter Gravity!!

Aiga and Lanes battle continues as the damage Achilles had received from Adeona starts taking its toll. During the battle, Lanes darkness finally awakens and the real battle starts!