Your POV 

I trained for the rest of the day. 

At least, I had planned too. 

Group A had just finished battling. Upsettingly, Cuza had lost as well to a blader known as Norman Tarver. There was something off about this tournament, I was too busy training to pay attention to the battles. I couldn't let myself freeze up again on the stage. I needed to win. 

I exhaled tiredly, collapsing on the blue bench. Closing my eyes, I held a wet towel up to my head, drying to sweat beads off when I heard a shout. Immediately, I jumped up and scurried to the window. It was tinted, so the people outside couldn't see me. But I could see them.

Kurtz's little freak gang was clogging up the hallway, Shu right in the middle of them looking bored as hell. Apparently the clowns didn't like that, given that they began to shout at him, claiming that Kurtz will dominate the world. 

'Just you wait!' cried the ringleader angrily, spit flying everywhere. 'Soon you will be demolished under the Emperor's wrath! Your little girlfriend is already crushed. '

Shu's reaction was so small none of the clowns noticed. His scarlet hues darted to the window where I was standing for a second, and in the second all the hate disappeared. But the moment passed and his eyes flickered back and disappeared between the hatred again. The pang of pain shook me so bad I didn't realized the Emperor towering over everyone outside. 

'I wouldn't be so sure about that,' said Shu impassively, staring directly into Kurtz's eyes. 

The owner of Boom Khalzar snorted. 'Try all you want to intimidate me. It won't work.'

The tension reached climax, and I could almost see electricity crackling around the group outside. It was so thick even a knife couldn't cut through it. 

'Shu!' 

The intense atmosphere was broken by a small blunette charging unknowingly into the scene, yelling the name of Spriggan's owner happily. Several pairs of eyes focused on the Valtryek owner who was hugging Shu, all confused. His face broke into a grin as he let go of the red-eyed male whose eyes were still clouded with hatred. Something was going to go wrong.

'Hey Shu,' smiled Valt. When the albino didn't respond, the smile immediately vanished from Valt. 'Shu?'

'He doesn't want to talk to you,' sneered Kurtz. 'He doesn't need you. Next time someone is engaged in a conversation, try not to interrupt like an irritating pest, even if you are one.'

'Watch it!' Valt's voice increased in volume and anger as he stepped towards Kurtz, growling. 'I am not a pest.'

The two began arguing loudly, and soon enough both Kurtz's and Valt's crew had gotten involved, all bickering angrily. The only person besides me who didn't argue was Shu. He acted as if the argument wasn't even happening, walking to the elevator calmly. I watched his bored expression as the metal panels began sliding in. Just before they closed, his eyes flickered to meet mine, filled with pain and anguish. 

That confused me. 

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I had laid all night thinking about Shu, and what was going on with his eyes. It felt like they were a window to his heart, hatred constantly taking control. Yet...I knew the real Shu was still in there somewhere. Hidden away. But I had pushed all thoughts of the albino aside this morning.  After all, I had an important match to win today. And it wasn't against some nobody. I was going against Cuza, one of the top bladers on my team.

I exhaled shakily, trying to get rid of the nerves. I couldn't afford another loss. Not now. At least one person from BC Sol would gain a win. I could hear my name being announced, thousands of fans screaming, cameras clicking and lights flashing brightly. 

Cuza's jaw was firmly set, showcasing the fact that he truly was determined to win. But so was I. Clenching my hands, I walked confidently up to the stadium, swinging my launcher out. 

Ready to win this. 

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I hummed softly in happiness about Valt and I's victory today. A calming wind blew through the rooftop Bey park, swaying the lush green trees and trimmed grass. The bey stadium shone in the golden light emitted from the sun, which was slowly disappearing behind the horizon. The first white dots of the night began to appear in the dappled sky, scattered. Deep in thought, my hand moved subconsciously, using a cloth to wipe the face of Xcalius. The sound of laughter could faintly be heard from below, in the lit building that housed BC Sol. 

Sighing, I closed my eyes as my hands lowered their selves to the floor, the work of gravity. Stress began to cloud my mind, taking over my thoughts. So many things were going on. This tournament was getting increasingly dangerous, dotted with Snake Pit members. I was beginning to connect the dots. Boa, Shu and Norman all had to be associated with Snake Pit members. Someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Which meant Ashtem, the snakiest snake of Snake Pit had to be here, watching from the crowds.

The pressure to win was enlarging rapidly, almost crushing me. I had to win and fulfill my dream. But more importantly, I had to win and snap Shu out of the trance. The real Shu was still in there, fighting to break free. Honcho and Valt may not believe it, but I still have hope. The weird look he had given me earlier today proved it. 

I exhaled slowly again. It seemed so ridiculous, that a twelve-year-old had all of this on her hands, everything depending on her. But I knew it wasn't just me. Xcalius was supporting me as well, going through everything I am going through.

Xcalius. 

As if by magic, a bright flash made my eyelids snap open again. A warm feeling erupted from the object in my hand, but it wasn't boiling hot. I stood up, alarmed as the light grew brighter and whiter, almost blinding me. 

'(y/n).'

The low grumbling voice that I had heard once before rumbled throughout the valley. It was a miracle nobody came up here to check what was going on.

'Don't be alarmed,' soothed Xcalius. The monster emerged from the ground, towering over me. I felt my eyes glaze over with awe and admiration. 

'I'm not,' I began, taking a step closer to the magnificent beast. 'But why are you here?'

'Get ready,' warned Xcalius, it's armor and sword glinting. Xcalius itself radiated a powerful glow, and everything seemed brighter on him, as if he was a super-large lightbulb. 

'For what?' I asked inquisitively, curiosity overwhelming me. 

'For my evolution.'

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yikes, that was short. 

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Word count: 1139