The curtains opened back up again to reveal "Theodore" announcing the International Tournament.

Free narrowed his eyes at the man, he certainly wasn't the real Theodore but he closely resembled him. Free also knew it wasn't Ethan either. This was someone else close to Theodore but he couldn't figure out who.

After the announcement the battles began in song form of course. Then after the song and dance routine that's when things got serious.

It was "Valt vs "Red Eye/Shu" and Fubuki looked terrifying. Fubuki was really good at playing Red Eye. The way he was just able to push away people easily was almost like he had done it before.

Lots of screaming and thrashing around erupted from Fubuki's training room. It was almost like something was pushed inside Fubuki that didn't belong there.

The more Free watched the more he noticed that Fubuki wasn't acting anymore.

Free looked over at the other bladers, Valt and Shu noticed it too. Meanwhile Lui was smiling, Free knew he liked a challenge and this boy was definitely proving that.

Then the day of the battle came. Both of them stood across from each other wearing serious expressions.

"This is bad." Valt mumbled.

Shu also looked tense.

While they were battling Fubuki looked like he had something on his mind. He was eerily quiet as Valtryek spun around the stadium at lighting speed. Knocking it out, Fubuki caught it.

This time instead of using the 3D printed copy of legend Spryzen Fubuki pulled out his own Bey: Emperor Forenous.

There was something off about it, a dark aura was surrounding it. But Fubuki looked like he was fighting it.

This isn't Fubuki's doing this is something else....

"Fine if that's how you want to play then bring it."

Toko brought out Treptune and showed it to Fubuki. He said nothing in response.

Then the second battle started off with Treptune doing well against Forenous. But then just as Toko thought he was doing well Fubuki summoned Forenous.

He yelled and screamed like there was something wrong with his power. Forenous's eyes flowed and the beast let out blood curdling cry. Forenous raced right through Treptune Bursting it into pieces.

Everyone was surprised including the actors onstage Free could tell this was not in the script. After the intense battle it was Lui and Free's turn. The boy who was playing Free did okay but Suoh did a better job playing Lui.

It was another intense battle but not as realistic as the last but Free did like watching himself.

Suoh easily knocked out Fafnir and the second battle began. "Free" looked bored while Suoh looked interested. The more Free watched the more he realized how opposite he and Lui were.

Then "Free" got serious and defeated Luinor but Suoh didn't mind he knew this was supposed to happen.

Then after a couple more battles and songs it was finally time.

"Valt and Shu." Stood up to the stadium once again. Except this time they both had their beys and not their characters. Fubuki had a dark aura and a venomous hatred in his eyes. While Toko was cool, calm and collected on the other side.

"I'm..going...to...destroy you." Fubuki managed to get out. Free could tell by Fubuki's tense stance and scratchy voice there was something off.

That's not Fubuki anymore talking

Fubuki let out another yelled but this time it didn't sound human instead it sounded like a growl. After settling down Fubuki got out his launcher and the battle began.

Forenous went straight for the center while Treptune went on the attack. Then by using Emperor Guard, Forenous knocked out Treptune and burst it. Toko didn't show any emotion other than determination.

The second battle began except this time Toko closed his eyes. Somehow he managed to launch perfectly into the stadium.

The battle started off like the first but this time there was something else going on. Instead of flying off of Forenous, Treptune was adapting and thriving. Free knew exactly what was going on because he too has done that move before too.

"Spiral Counter!"

Treptune revealed its true plan and it started stealing power from Forenous. Then Treptune started wobbling, just when Toko thought he was fine Fubuki used Emperor Drift.

They both collided in a tornado of wind and electricity. Free could tell Treptune was about to burst when something unexpected happened.

"Trident Slash!"

The wind was so bad Free was barely able to see but what he could see was a windstorm of electricity and unknown foreign energy.

Then it quieted down and the sound of a burst was heard. Forenous was laying at Fubuki's feet in pieces. Toko only smiled at Fubuki and nodded his head.

"You ready?" He asked.

For a split second Fubuki smiled and nodded back but then his darkness came back taking him over again.

As they both got into their launching stances Toko thought about all of his memories with Fubuki. Using that as momentum he launched Treptune.

In the beginning Treptune absorbed Forenous's energy but this time Fubuki had a plan.

"Emperor Crash."

"Trident Slash!"

By using Treptunes power against it they collided once again. But this time both beys flew up into the air. Nobody knew who won but as soon as they burst Fubuki fell and so did Toko. For the purpose of their play they called Toko the winner.

"Valt Aoi is the winner and world champion!"

Both boys laid there for a while until Fubuki pulled Toko up and told him good job.

After the tournament the play ended with "Valt" training the next generation of bladers at BC Sol. The curtains closed and the crowd started clapping. After the play Valt, Shu, and Free went over to congratulate the actors. But then after all the chatter and congrats. Free made his way out but before he did he overheard a conversation.

"Bye Toko see you Monday."

"Bye Fubuki, you did great tonight those special effects you did when you were Red Eye were great."

"Thanks Toko."

Then walking outside Fubuki bumped into Shu.

"Hey Shu, we need to talk."

"What's up Fubuki?" He replied.

"It's about tonight when Toko and I were battling. Those weren't special effects, there was something going on with me. Like there was this power inside of me that was forcing me."

"Are you sure it wasn't Forenous?"

"I don't know but I'm glad it stopped before I could do something I regretted. It's a good thing Toko won."

"Actually you won."

That silenced Fubuki.

"I wonder if I wouldn't have stopped..." Fubuki mumbled.

"Does anyone else know about this?" Shu asked concerned.

"No they all think it was special effects. Although I think Valt was suspicious and I don't know about Free or Lui."

"Don't worry about them, I'll talk to them. But for now let's just keep this between ourselves. Okay?"

"Ok."

Free had heard enough, exiting the school premises Free made his way out walking to wherever he pleased.

******

Little did everyone know but Phi had shown up that night for the play. Standing up on the catwalk he'd seen everything he needed to see. His plan had been a total success.

Whipping out his phone he called the same number from the Dread Tower.

"I saw everything I needed to see." Phi said into the speaker.

"Good Phi, now we can begin The Trials."

Dang that was a long chapter but I hope you guys enjoyed it! Have a good day.