Erica: Azure, what's with leaving us in the dark about something like this?

Azure was laying on the couch, with Erica standing in front of him. Two days had passed since their trip to HD Academy, and he hadn't spoken a word about it. Another fact was that teams began to gather in the City as well.

Azure: I told you, if it's anything important, Ryu and I will tell both you and Karma. If it's not, it won't matter anyway.

Erica: Come on! Stallion, help me out here!

Stallion: Uhhhh-

Azure: Don't even.

Stallion: Sorry Erica, hands are tied. Metaphorically of course, I only have legs.

Lucifer: Partner, just let it go. You know Azure can go an entire day without speaking to anyone, why bother?

Erica crouched down looking face to face with Azure with a pout.

Erica: We've come this far as a team, why keep secrets?

Azure: We don't know for sure if it's something we should even concern you guys about. You're gonna have some kind of answer by the time we get back.

Erica still had a pout on her face, as Azure turned around.

Azure: It'll take us like one or two hours, three tops.

Erica: *Sigh* Fine.

She sat down on a chair, before turning on the TV. Unknown to Erica, Azure had the slightest blush on his face.

Azure: '..-_-.. Stallion, not a single thought.'

Stallion: 'What? It's not like I couldn't tell already.'

Ryu came down, with kiss mark on his cheek. Azure sat up ready to go, while also briefly looking at Ryu's cheek.

Erica: ... Do I even wanna know?

Ryu: Get your minds out of the gutter. I said I'd buy Karma one of the snacks she wanted to try and... Well this happened.

Erica: Huh.

Ryu: We shouldn't be gone too long.

Azure got up as they walked outside, heading to the caffe nearby.

Azure: So, what do you think this is gonna be about?

Ryu: To be honest, we won't know until we get there.

Dracian: I feel like that kinda shows how deep this might be.

Stallion: You're not the only one.

They continued to walk, as Ryu couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. They kept walking, as soon they stopped at a convenience store, with Ryu grabbing a bag of snacks, walking out. They continued walking again, finally arriving at the cafe Kira wanted them to meet at. Before walking in, Ryu felt a tap on his shoulder. He quickly turned around, seeing Kira.

Ryu: WOAH! And here I thought I was a ninja.

Kira: Sorry, had to keep hidden.

Azure: So I guess this really might be serious.

Kira: Let's talk inside.

They went inside the cafe, before getting a table and ordering and paying first.

Ryu: Well Kira, this is as good of a time as any to start.

Kira: Yeah, I know you both have questions that I can answer. I'll start with this: HD Academy hasn't done anything illegal yet, so authorities wouldn't be able to anything about what's going on.

Azure: Yeah I figured.

Ryu: Well, then let me ask you this. How in the world did you get a Blader like Zeo, who was bellow average at best, to be able to contend with me for a short period of time? No amount of what he calls training could boost him up that far in such a short time.

Kira: *Sigh* I'm not proud to say I've contributed to it as much as I have. Dr Ziggurat is a neuroscientist that uses Beyblade to further his research. As you both know, Bey's poses a hidden power, one so great that it can be used to dominate the world. To be able to utilize it though, you need a Blader with unimaginable skill and power, that can draw out the power of that Bey.

A waiter came, placing their orders in front of them, as they soon started to eat.

Ryu: We know. Hell if you really want to draw it out better, you and the Bey need to be compatible.

Kira: And you two have managed to do that on your own with intense training, and years of battle. However, the doctor has found a way to accelerate that process.

Ryu: Accelerate it?

Kira: What I'm about to show you two will be disturbing. I still cringe at it sometimes.

Kira placed a tablet in front of the boys, with there being an odd pod in the middle of a room.

Azure: What's this?

Kira: This is one of the various machines that are used to bring out the hidden power within a Blader by force. It's called an Arrangement.

Ryu and Azure were shocked hearing this.

Ryu: Y-You're telling me that Ziggurat is using science to bring out the true power of a Blader?!

Kira: Just keep watching.

They saw someone get inside of it, with the process starting. For a moment things were fine, but then all of a sudden the Blader began to scream in agony.

Dracian: H-He's in pain...

Ryu clenched his fist angrily.

Ryu: What the hell is that guy thinking?

Azure: What's happening to him?

Kira: By tapping into the part of someone's brain, this Arrangement System. However, only a select few can handle such an extreme process. Zeo is one of the few that can withstand levels of it.

Ryu: Z-Zeo...

Kira: Those who can't handle the Arrangement can experience many bad side affects. Physical injuries that can end a Blader's career, and worse of all the psychological trauma. Someone could become an entirely different person.

Ryu: Kira, how long has this been going on?!

Kira: It started around the time I joined. I've seen this happening for 3 years, and I've tried my best to dull the mentally changing side affects. Those who are able to withstand an arrangement move on to become members of the Representative Teams of America.

Ryu: A-Are you telling my that Star Breaker and Shadow Strike both can stand something like that?!

Kira: Shadow Strike... They're a much different case.

Ryu: How so?

Kira: All four of those kids are amazing prodigies in their own right. May, Neo, Jaune, and Keith don't undergo the ordinary Arrangement System. In fact, the principle is much different.

Azure: Just explain about them.

Kira: They're all insanely talented, nearly as much as you two I'd bet. Instead of simply drawing out their potential, we actually amplify it.

Azure: How's that different?

Kira: While a normal Arrangement draws out the hidden power of a Blader, the Arrangements that Shadow Strike have gone through actually enhance their abilities faster than training would.

Dracian: It's dangerous work HD Academy is doing Kira. Our powers shouldn't be brought out by just anyone.

Kira: I know. I saw what happened at Battle Bladers.

Azure: Ryuga was possessed by L-Drago then.

Kira: Which brings me to my next point.

Kira took a sip of her coffee, before placing it back down.

Kira: HD Academy has ties with the Dark Nebula.

The eyes of both of the boys widened, but no one was more surprised than Azure.

Azure: P-Please tell me you're lying.

Kira closed her eyes.

Kira: I'm sorry Azure, but it's worse than you think. The entire reason Doji went after you and Ryuga was because of Ziggurat. He's the reason our father died Ryu.

The two began to have flashbacks of the night everything changed for the two of them. Ryu remembered the face of Sol, as he clenched his fist tightly.

Azure: W-Why? Why would that guy do something so damn stupid?!

Kira: *Sigh* Even now, I still don't know it all. Ziggurat is keeping his master plan secret from most of the workers. However...

Kira looked up with a serious expression.

Kira: The one thing I do know, is that Dr Ziggurat is looking to create the most powerful Bey the world has ever seen. And to use that Bey, he needs a Blader that's capable of drawing out 100% of it's power.

Ryu looked up angered.

Ryu: I'm betting he's after exactly what Doji was. World domination.

Kira: I can't say for sure, but I definitely wouldn't rule it out. He's using this tournament as a stepping stone to find it. But more than anything, he's got grudges against both of you.

Azure: And why's that?

Kira: Azure, you betrayed the Dark Nebula after Battle Bladers. Ryu, you're a big reason why that's so, and more importantly, you defeated Ryuga as well. The organization fell apart, and HD Academy lost a valuable branch.

Ryu: Hmph, showed him.

Kira: Because of that, he knows you'll be trouble. Which is why he's set aside someone specific.

Ryu: Huh?

Kira: Out of all of HD Academy's Bladers, the best of them has been specifically trained to defeat you Ryu.

Ryu: And when you say best...

Kira: Keith Victor has been able to handle everything HD Academy has done. From the highest level of Arrangement, to new levels of Boosted Arrangement alongside honing his incredible talent.

Ryu: He was groomed to beat me huh?

???: That's right.

They looked to the side, seeing Jaune Arc sitting down at the table next to them.

Kira: Jaune.

Jaune: You three seriously need to pay more attention to your surroundings. I've been sitting here for like, 30 minutes.

Ryu: Oh you-

Kira: Ryu, calm down! Jaune is different!

Ryu: O_O?

Jaune: Look, I'm not exactly thrilled about what Ziggurat did to me or my team. None of the others are for the record either. However I'm actually the one Kira trusts enough to let know about Ziggurat's plans.

He sipped a glass of lemonade.

Azure: So~...

Jaune: Yeah if I was someone else that would've gone badly. Anyway, I've got some news.

Kira: What is it?

Jaune: The teams that are in the final tournament have been decided, and they've arrived in Hades City.

Jaune pulled up an image showing exactly which teams had made it.

1st Place: Team Shadow Strike
2nd Place: Team Rage
3rd Place: Team Star Breaker
4th Place: Team Excalibur
5th Place: Team Wild Fang
6th Place: Team Gan Gan Galaxy
7th Place: Team Whang Hu Zhong
8th Place: Team Garcia

Ryu: Oh come on we only got second place?!!

Jaune: We didn't exactly mess around much. But that's not the most important thing either. Damian's Arrangement has finished, and he's on the hunt for Ryuga.

Kira: Damnit, not good. Do you know where he's headed first?

Jaune: The sports arena.

Ryu: Alright, let's hope nothing-

Ryu's phone rung, confusing him. He looked seeing that it was Madoka, picking up.

Ryu: Madoka?

Madoka: Hey Ryu! Long time no talk!

Ryu: I know, good to hear you. I hear you guys made it and are in the city right now.

Madoka: We sure are! I just repaired Tsubasa and Yu's Beys, and we're planning to run a few test at the sports arena in the east.

Ryu: I'm sorry, what?!

Madoka: Yeah! Feel free to drop by for a battle once they're cleared!

Madoka hung up, leaving Ryu with a look of confusion, shock, and slight horror. Azure knowing him like a book realized what was going on.

Azure: ... Dear God they're at the sports arena aren't they?

Ryu: MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!

Ryu immediately got up, running out of the cafe, being followed by the others as they headed to the arena. An explosion went off, as Ryu could immediately tell a battle had started.

???: LIBRA!!!!

???2: NO EAGLE!!!!

He ran inside, seeing that Yu and Tsubasa were battling. Libra and Eagle were being knocked around hard by a single Bey, as the owner was short, pale skinned, and had light blue hair.

???: HA!!! You're the Japanese Team?! I can't believe you're both so weak!

A gold and black Bey spun between them.

???: NOW, HELL KERBECS!!!

Fang: Just letting everyone know I'm saying Hell because it fits better.

Kerbecs spun and was about attack the two Beys again.

Ryu: LET IT RIP!!!!

Ryu launched Dracian in, intercepting the attack.

???: Huh?

Ryu: So you're Damian huh?

Tsubasa and Yu were confused, before looking up.

Tsubasa: Ryu!!

Yu: Man are you a sight for sore eyes Ry Ry!!!

???: You made it just in time!!

Ryu looked back, seeing Kenta standing next to Madoka.

Ryu: Kenta? You're here too?

Damian: You're Ryu Kaizen?

Ryu looked back at Damian who smirked, as Kerbecs was slowly being pushed back by Dracian.

Damian: No wonder you're the leader of the Japanese All Star Team. You're on a completely different level from these chumps.

Ryu seemed slightly annoyed by that, as Dracian's Buster Wing flung Kerbecs back. Eagle and Libra stopped spinning, as great damage had been dealt.

Ryu: Bastard!! Their beys were healing, why the hell would you battle against them like that?!

Damian: You act like they feel thing's, they're just Beys after all.

Kenta: ...

Madoka: ...

Tsubasa: ...

Yu: ...

Dracian: ...!!!

Ryu: ... Oh you are getting crucified.

Dracian sped towards Kerbecs, as the Beys were about to clash again. Before they could, Stallion and another Bey intercepted them.

Azure: Ryu, not here!!

Damian: Raid Percival.

Damian looked to the side, seeing Jaune with his launcher out.

Jaune: That's enough Damian! Your orders weren't to test Kerbecs on random Bladers!

He grabbed Percival, as Madoka was surprised.

Madoka: He was able to close the distance so quickly!

Kira: You were instructed to find Ryuga, but you did damage to Bladers of an opposing team! If you're lucky, Star Breaker won't be disqualified!

Damian: Tch, man what a buzzkill.

Damian grabbed Kerbecs starting to walk off.

Damian: I'm outta here.

Ryu: DAMIAN!!!

Damian turned around, looking at Ryu who grabbed Dracian.

Ryu: Pray that we don't meet in the tournament!! I promise I'll take you down in a flash!!

Damian sneered at this.

Damian: I'd like to see you try.

He left the arena, while Ryu went to pick up the damaged Eagle and Libra.

Ryu: Sorry guys. This looks serious.

He placed the Beys in their hands.

Tsubasa: How are we supposed to battle like this?

Kira walked over inspecting the damage.

Kira: Repairing them would take a lot of time.

Yu: Uhhhh, who are you?

Kira: Don't worry about that for now.

She smiled.

Kira: If you let me, I can improve both Libra and Eagle.

Tsubasa: Are you serious?!

Ryu: Trust me, she can.

HD ACADEMY

Ziggurat was viewing the exchange between Ryu and Damian, seeing Dracian easily fending Kerbecs off.

Ziggurat: So it seems that Damian's abilities aren't enough to compare to Ryu's yet. No matter.

He turned around with a smile.

Ziggurat: Well my friend, it looks like I'll need your assistance.

The doctor faced someone inside of the shadows. He held a Bey in his hands.

???: Do you have my payment?

Ziggurat: Of course. I'm looking forward to seeing your skills.

The figure glared, with purple eyes.

CHAPTER END!!