Chapter 11: Épisode 11:
[Behind the Scenes of Other Teams]
The regional qualification tournament was fast approaching. Around the world, teams were training tirelessly, strengthening their cohesion, strategies, and skills. This was the first major step toward the Hyper Dash World Championship, and every team knew that only victory would grant them access to the elite.
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*** The Azure Phantoms
In a state-of-the-art gym in Tokyo, The Azure Phantoms, one of the most feared teams, were preparing for the big event. Their reputation preceded them: a team of tech-enhanced Dashers whose exoskeletons were equipped with the latest nanotechnology innovations. Their sponsor, Nexus-X, provided cutting-edge equipment, giving them a significant advantage over other teams.
Inside the training center, team captain Ryu Kazama, a strategist renowned for his cold and calculated analyses, gave precise instructions to his teammates.
Ryu: "We all know our opponents will be formidable. Underestimating anyone is not an option," he said in a grave voice, his eyes fixed on the holograms of the competing teams projected before him.
"The newcomers have potential, especially the Nexus Shards. Let's show them our superiority."
One of his teammates, Sora, a fast and agile Collector, replied:
Sora: "I can't wait to face them. As for the Nexus Shards, we just need to keep an eye on their Defender, Zane. He won't be easy to get past."
"And there's also Ren," added Kaito, another, more experienced Collector.
"I'm not underestimating the rookies, but if we can neutralize him early, we'll gain the upper hand."
Ryu nodded.
"Stay cautious. This tournament won't be a walk in the park. We've been watching them from afar, but now we have to face them up close. Every move must be executed with clinical precision. They'll make mistakes, and it's up to us to exploit them."
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*** The Vortex Specters
On the other side of the world, in a training facility in Los Angeles, an equally formidable team, The Vortex Specters, was preparing to face the toughest competitors. Known for their aggressiveness on the field and unpredictable tactics, the Specters' exoskeletons were enhanced with high-performance engines and short-range teleportation capabilities, making them nearly impossible to predict. Their sponsor, Omega Corp, provided them with unique gear.
"Listen up, everyone," said Talia Voss, the team's strategist, raising her voice to be heard over the noise.
"We know our opponents will be fierce this year, especially with the emergence of the Nexus Shards. The competition will be tougher, but we have what it takes to counter them. We have agility and cunning. We'll leave them in the dust in the arena."
Axel, the massive and ruthless Defender, chimed in:
"I'll handle protecting the Collector. Defense is crucial, but I'm ready to block anything. No matter how fast they are, our reflexes are sharper."
Talia smiled confidently.
"Axel's right. Every match will be a dance between speed and strategy. We have to dictate the rhythm. They'll all have to adapt to our chaos."
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*** The Electric Titans
In Berlin, a team as famous as it was feared, The Electric Titans, was finalizing their preparations. This team was a true powerhouse, made up of Dashers capable of smashing through obstacles with brute force rarely seen. Their exoskeletons were equipped with electromagnetic generators, allowing them to create temporary force fields and manipulate the environment to their advantage.
Team captain Lukas Weiss, a former world champion, was giving instructions to his teammates with unshakable confidence.
Lukas: "I won't lie to you," he said, his gaze determined.
"The qualifiers will be tough, but our brute strength will make the difference. We're going to impose our style of play. Let the others try to weave through the obstacles. They'll have to face us head-on. Against absolute power, nothing lasts."
"I'll destroy any attempt at an attack," declared Janna, a towering Defender with mechanized arms capable of creating electromagnetic shields to protect her team.
Lukas smiled.
"That's exactly what I want to hear. We attack hard and maintain that pressure until they crumble."
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*** The Fans' Forum
As the regional tournament approached, discussions on forums and social media intensified. Fans, eager to see the new teams clash, were fervently debating the teams' performances. Who would dominate? Could the Nexus Shards truly rival the biggest teams?
On HyperDashHub, a popular discussion site, comments flooded in.
FAN 1: "The Nexus Shards are the team to watch. Even though they're young, they have great synergy and are talented! Ren is a prodigy, and with Mira, Darren, and Zane, they make a solid team. Plus, with Lyra's support, they could shake up the big names!"
(The impressive move Ren made during a training match had been recorded on video, fueling the team's sudden popularity.)
FAN 2: "Honestly, I have my doubts. The Azure Phantoms are a team of machines. Their exoskeletons are ultra-advanced, and Ryu Kazama is a genius strategist. The Nexus Shards won't stand a chance against them."
FAN 3: "And what about the Vortex Specters? Their ability to teleport and destabilize opponents is incredibly impressive. Ren and his team won't even know what hit them."
Another user argued:
"Yeah, but the Electric Titans have that raw power that crushes everything in their path. Janna and Lukas aren't here to play strategy. They're going to bulldoze their way through everyone. You'll see, they'll wipe the floor with the competition."
The debates raged on, but the question remained the same: who was the real favorite? Fans were divided, some betting on the youth and agility of the Nexus Shards, others on the raw strength of the Electric Titans or the cunning of the Vortex Specters.
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Ren, sitting in his modest apartment in Paris, scrolled through the online discussions on his screen. He had seen the fans' comments, their expectations, and he knew many doubted him and his team. But he refused to succumb to the pressure. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking back to everything he had learned and endured to get here. The road was still long, but he was determined to prove that the Nexus Shards belonged among the best.
"We'll show them what we're made of," he murmured, clenching his fists.
"Right, buddy?" he said, glancing at his exoskeleton. (A small light discreetly blinked, but Ren didn't notice it.)
"The tournament is just the beginning."