A/N before we begin I like to start off with this: The last story was originally supposed to be when Aiger was battling Kyle but then the complication of Free battling Valt came up so I pushed the story a bit forward which messed with the timeline. Any who the point is this was supposed to be before the Dread Tower and it still is but it's going to be in this order because this is the way I wrote it.

Free De La Hoya stood in the center of Times Square sticking out like a sore thumb. All around him people were walking and some were even jogging to where they needed to get. New York was always a busy city, in fact Free couldn't remember a time when it wasn't. All around him large TV's showed off their ads. For Free he didn't really mind all the noise and people he just wanted to get to the Empire State Building.

In a way New York was kind of a concrete prison or jungle to Free. The sun set somewhere around 3pm and in winters it gets cold. But luckily it was a beautiful morning for a jog to the Empire State Building. If only Free could figure out the map.

A while back, when going on his first training adventure Kris had given some maps and a compass. Whenever they weren't busy Kris would show Free how to use them in order to figure out where he wanted to go.

It took a little bit but Free finally figured out where he needed to go. Looking at the map Free noticed that Top of the Rock was nearby the Empire State Building. Doing the math Free decided to use the bus between buildings to get there. Thankfully Times Square wasn't that far away either. Folding up his map Free was off on his adventure.

Luckily for Free, Top of the Rock was about .6 miles away so that should give him plenty of time. The walk wasn't that long actually Free didn't walk he jogged. Dodging people Free jogged at a normal pace. The good thing about this much people and noise is that it helped Free learn how to block out distractions not that he needed help.

As he jogged he couldn't help but think about the times he had spent here when he was on the Bulls Team. Most of the memories weren't the best but if there was one thing Free liked about New York it was the training opportunities.

Sure Free could run around BC Sol dorms or in the forest but New York had beautiful sights.

Free remembered the first day he meant Shu, he was so quick to judge Free but he didn't care. Shu could assume whatever he wanted because it was not like his opinion would affect Free at the time.

The Bulls were also good at leaving Free alone. Most of the time Trad would focus on Joshua and Theodore would work with Shu.

But Free did miss Kris while he was there especially her sweet smile.

Theodore had expectations but he wasn't the same as Kris. Instead he just thought of Free as his ticket to victory. That's why Free liked Kris better; she wouldn't see him for what his talents proved she saw him as a person, and more importantly as a friend.

Joshua had also been a distraction, while training sometimes Joshua would bring in an entourage of cameras. At times it felt like they were invading the Bulls or something.

Free didn't mind, he always enjoyed training on his own schedule. Sometimes all of the concerte and people became too much for Free.

Joshua had always been interesting to Free. Not the Valt Aoi or Lui Shirosagi interesting but there was something funny or entertaining about Joshua. To Free, Joshua was good, he wasn't really good but he wasn't bad he was just good.

Free stopped in front of the building. Above it were three signs two said Top of the Rock and the middle one said observation deck.

Going inside Free went through the standard New York security. It took a while, going up elevators, walking around, picture advertisements, but once he made it to the 68th floor it was worth it.

The view was breathtaking, people were everywhere taking photos or enjoying the view. A part of Free wanted to take a picture but he had plenty.

Finding an escalator Free rode it up to the next floor. Unlike the last floor this one was completely open air. It was a little windy but to Free that only made it better.

The top of the building wasn't complet open air, the only thing that stood between Free and impending death was a translucent wall. They were so high up that Free could see Central Park out in the distance. Free took in the view enjoying the open air and the clean air.

Free had been there many times when he was with the Bulls, places like these Free enjoyed. They had many walking/ training purposes but they also served as a beautiful reminder of the city life.

Free didn't mind the city but he preferred the country or nature. But if he had to live in the city he would do it.

Eventually he got bored and left. On his way to the Bulls HQ he enjoyed the view of New York. It didn't take that long til he made it The Empire State Building.

Standing outside bladers were hanging out outside with their friends. Free went inside despite all of the jaw dropping looks they gave him.

Somehow Free still remembered his way around. Walking past the training equipment he made his way up the stairs by skipping a step. Unlike downstairs the upstairs had plenty of stadiums.

Making his way through the surprised bladers he finally made it to Shu Kurenai's office. He stepped inside opening both of the doors. Shu was at his desk talking to a blonde haired boy with red eyes and a black shirt.

"Oh Free, I didn't hear you come in."

"We need to talk, is now good?"

"Sure, Fubuki can you please step out of the room for a second."

Fubuki walked over to where Free was standing and was about to walk through the door frame.

"It's fine Shu he needs to hear what I'm about to say as much as you do."

Fubuki closed the doors and went back over to Shu.

"What is it?"

"Aiger Akabane, he came to BC Sol and we battled. There's something about that kid, that worries me Shu. It's his resonance it's corrupted. He reminds me of you when you were Red Eye. Anyways I came here to do some training, know any good places?"

"I've heard the Statue of Liberty is good for leg workouts if you go to the very top."

"Noted." Free turned around and was about to leave.

"Is there anything else we should know about Aiger." Fubuki worried.

Free stopped not daring to face a worried Fubuki or a concerned Shu.

"He's dangerous." Free said simply. He walked out of the office leaving Shu and Fubuki behind.

As soon as Free left, Shu asked Fubuki:

"Where have you seen Aiger lately?"

"He said something about the Dread Tower last I checked."

"Good then that's where we're going."