#funnily enough i know there's a similar storyline in s2 of mfb where artificially enhanced bladers dominate the competition

[marukrawler]

some additional thoughts that i had about this point in my rewrite is that the rivalry between mira and spectra could've been used in conjunction with one of the central conflicts of season 2, namely how organic bakugan were experimented on, and even deemed obsolete, in order to create mechanical bakugan. even if spectra wasn't using mechanical bakugan like the rest of the vexos, he was still relying on a shortcut (forbidden cards) to make his bakugan stronger instead of making them evolve naturally through battles.

the old keith used to chastise mira for her impatience because it would make her predictable in battle, emphasizing the importance of never letting your opponent know your next move. the current keith clearly seems to forego this way of thinking in favor of dominating his opponent through sheer power and strength.

spectra and mira's parallel journeys could've been tied in with the aforementioned conflict and highlighted the importance of growing stronger the right way. mira and wilda would constantly improve through training, losing and growing from those experiences, whereas spectra would remain stagnant in his growth as a battler because he relies so much on artificially enhancing his bakugan that power ends up taking priority over adaptability and strategy.