Before the sun had a chance to peek over the horizon, Lionel roused Jax, Felix, and Kiyoshi from their slumber. "We should get an early start on practice," he suggested. Groggy nods and mumbled words of agreement filled the room as everyone began stretching - arm twists, back rotations, jumping jacks, and spot jogging.

Soon they found themselves at their usual training spot, a hill scattered with boulders. This time they each chose the largest boulder available. In perfect synchronization, they sprinted down the hillside, trailing a string attached to their chosen boulders. Their speed was such that they crossed the finish line before their boulders had even reached halfway down the slope.

Exhausted but satisfied, all four took a break on a cliff overlooking the beach. They watched as sunrise painted hues of gold across the ocean's surface while waiting for Sensei Yuichi's arrival and instructions for their final test.

Suddenly they felt a tap on their backs; it was Sensei Yuichi’s sand arm beckoning them to follow it deeper into the woods. Upon reaching their destination, they found themselves standing before an arena made entirely of sand – Sensei Yuichi’s creation from months ago.

Standing atop this sandy platform was Sensei Yuichi himself who announced: "This is your final test; you must defeat me in combat using everything you've learned during training."

Lionel clenched his fists in anticipation while Kiyoshi questioned whether an old sensei could fairly compete against four young fighters. His question was met with sharp rebukes from both Jax and Sensei Yuichi who warned him about overconfidence blinding him in future battles.

As Sensei Yuichi removed his mask revealing seafoam-colored eyes and long ash-brown hair tied into a ponytail, Lionel noticed something else: The wyvern symbol on his gi. "Guys, be careful. We're up against a Wyvern user," Lionel warned.

They all jumped onto the hard sand of the arena, their feet sinking slightly into its grainy surface, and bowed to Sensei Yuichi who returned the gesture. As soon as they straightened from their bows, they adopted fighting stances.

Kiyoshi asked for a plan and Jax suggested rushing Sensei Yuichi all at once. Despite feeling uneasy about this tactic, Lionel went along with it. Their attack was swift but ineffective; Sensei Yuichi dodged their punches and retaliated with his own - a sand wyvern claw kick that sent them toppling over each other in a tangled heap of bodies and chains.

As they struggled to free themselves from their binds, Sensei Yuichi launched another series of attacks: gut punches, head strikes, kicks – each one landing with precision and force. They tried to counterattack but were hampered by the chains entangling them.

"Here's a tip: you're not using your training to your advantage," Sensei Yuichi advised them after pushing Jax back with a powerful thump on his forehead.

Taking Sensei Yuichi’s advice to heart, they worked together to untangle themselves while Lionel blinded their sensei momentarily with his special move: Neon Flash! Seizing this opportunity, they landed successful hits on Sensei Yuichi who praised their teamwork before challenging them again - this time as Jivix, the Sand Wyvern.

Watching Sensei transform into a half-human half-Wyvern entity was daunting. "We are going to need a new plan," Felix stated anxiously. Kiyoshi wondered if they could also transform while Jax pointed out that they hadn't trained using their spirit guardians at all. "We have to try something," Felix insisted as Lionel pondered over what could possibly be their only option for victory.

Lionel suggested Felix to deploy one of his moon typhoons. “Good idea,” replied Felix. “Special Move: Moon Typhoon!” He bellowed. A blue orb materialized in Felix’s hand, glowing an intense azure before he hurled it towards Sensei Yuichi. However, the moon typhoon passed right through Sensei Yuichi as if he were made of sand. “Special moves are ineffective against me in my spirit guardian form; that is my unique ability,” declared Sensei Yuichi. “Darn it,” muttered Felix. Lionel proposed a new strategy, “We'll have to engage him physically, working together.” In unison, Felix, Jax, and Kiyoshi echoed their agreement.

The quartet charged at Sensei Yuichi and swung their fists at him simultaneously but the punches phased through him, resulting in them hitting each other instead and falling hard on the ground. Sensing an opportunity, Sensei Yuichi swiftly moved towards Kiyoshi who was nearest to him and delivered a powerful kick to his gut causing blood to splatter from Kiyoshi’s mouth.

Jax quickly regained his footing and launched a lightning punch at Sensei Yuichi who easily blocked it with a sandy claw strike which left Jax tumbling back onto the ground with blood spilling out of his mouth. Felix stood up next and attempted a moonlight punch-kick combo but Sensei Yuichi expertly dodged it and retaliated with a sandy claw slash across Felix’s chest causing blood to seep out from the wound.

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Sensei Yuichi then turned his attention towards Lionel who stood ready for attack when suddenly his eyes glowed pink and he vanished just as Sensei Yuichi lunged at him with a punch. "What?" exclaimed Sensei Yuichi in surprise as Lionel reappeared behind him breaking free from the chain restraints and landed a neon punch on him, sending him crashing onto the sandy floor. “Hey, Lionel managed to break free from the chain!” observed Jax as he slowly got back up.

Jax's legs crackled with electricity which melted the steel chains binding him and then he shifted into his Mitsukodorian mode. However, this time he didn't transform into Tethyus. “Blue lightning talons!” cried Jax as his hands lit up with electricity before charging at Sensei Yuichi and phasing through his body. Meanwhile, Felix regained consciousness and landed a moonlight punch on Sensei Yuichi’s jaw. Seeing an opportunity, Kiyoshi launched a shadow roar strike using both palms which connected with Sensei Yuichi's chest sending him sliding backwards.

“I think it's time we gave him a fair fight,” announced Kiyoshi as a purple aura enveloped him. “I am Kitaro, the Shadow Tiger!” He roared as he transformed into a half-human half-purple tiger hybrid.

“Wait for me,” said Felix as an ethereal blue aura surrounded him. “I am Mudar, the Moon Wolf!” He howled and transformed into a half-human half-moon blue wolf hybrid.

“You know it isn't a significant battle without Tethyus,” remarked Jax as his body was engulfed in a dark blue lightning aura. “I am Tethyus the Lightning Blue Hippogriff,” He screeched transforming into a half-human half-dark blue Hippogriff hybrid with brown and blue eyes.

“Last but certainly not least," Felix declared as his body radiated with hot pink energy. "I am Zebeon, the Neon Pink Penguin," Lionel announced wobbling slightly before transforming into a half-human half-hot pink penguin hybrid.

The group circled around Sensei Yuichi waiting for him to rise again. "Your teamwork has improved significantly over the past two months," Sensei Yuichi acknowledged with a smile. Once he was back on his feet, he conjured a sand tornado which created a sandstorm around the four making it difficult for them to see.

"Damn, I can't see anything," complained Felix just before being knocked down by an unseen punch. Lionel attempted to use a random flash but it had no effect. Suddenly, Sensei Yuichi delivered a straight kick sending Lionel flying off the platform. Jax and Kiyoshi wandered around until their backs touched each other. “Is that you I'm touching?" asked Jax. “Yes, it's me, Kiyoshi,” confirmed Kiyoshi.

They both noticed something approaching them quickly. Jax’s left arm ignited with lightning while Kiyoshi’s left arm was enveloped in dark shadow energy. “Ready to try something new?” proposed Jax. “You bet,” agreed Kiyoshi.

“Collaboration Move: Shadow Lightning Punch!” They shouted in unison causing Lionel who was getting up slowly with one eye open to exclaim in disbelief, "How is that possible?" "What?" Felix echoed as he struggled to stand up.

Jax and Kiyoshi's combined attack landed squarely on Sensei Yuichi’s face causing an explosion that sent him reeling backwards.

“Super Move: Neon Cyclone,” announced Lionel launching the cyclone at Sensei Yuichi which connected successfully followed by Felix’s Moon Typhoon which also hit its mark.

“It's time we showed him that our team is worthy of competing in the tournament,” declared Lionel as they all got into formation despite their exhaustion.

“Team Move: Mystical Force!” They all shouted in unison spinning in circle formation before releasing a beam of energy from the center aimed directly at Sensei Yuichi.

"Good luck in the tournament, boys!" said Sensei Yuichi as an explosion ensued causing everyone at the beach to turn and witness the incredible display of power emanating from the woods above them on the cliff.

Hoon observed that the team we just competed against would pose a significant challenge in the tournament. Another individual on the beach expressed their anticipation for the upcoming clash, while Tyson confidently asserted his team's superiority. After an arduous match against Sensei Yuichi's squad, Jax, Kiyoshi, Lionel, and Felix were all drained. Kiyoshi questioned whether they had won before he collapsed from exhaustion. "I believe so," responded Felix before he too lost consciousness. Lionel noted the absence of Sensei Yuichi's Spirit Guardian before succumbing to fatigue himself. Jax celebrated their victory before also fainting.

Minutes later, FJ and his team arrived to transport their four exhausted comrades to the infirmary. FJ informed his team about the source of the immense power they had sensed earlier. The male voice suggested that this beach classic tournament might be more challenging than anticipated, while a female voice dismissed their opponents as weak. A second male voice warned against overconfidence as anything could happen in such a tournament. FJ urged them to focus on getting their teammates to medical help.

Carrying one teammate each on their shoulders, they sprinted with incredible speed towards the academy's nursing suite. A few days later, Lionel was the final one to regain consciousness in the infirmary suite. He asked how they ended up there; a nurse explained that FJ and his team had carried them to safety during their fight with Sensei Yuichi.

"We owe them our gratitude," said Jax appreciatively. Lionel suggested expressing their thanks at the tournament but then remembered their formidable opponent: Sensei Yuichi.

"He passed away years ago," Felix revealed solemnly which left Lionel in shock since they had just fought him recently.

"We were equally surprised when we found out," Kiyoshi admitted as he sighed deeply.

Lionel leaned back recalling how intense their match was particularly impressed by the remarkable team move Jax and Kiyoshi had managed. The silence in the room was broken by Kiyoshi's stomach growling loudly.

"Does anyone know when lunch is? I'm really hungry," he said as he rubbed his belly. Everyone ignored him and returned to their rest. "Seriously, I'm famished!" Kiyoshi complained as his stomach continued to rumble.