Fubuki launched again, Forenous sped around the stadium. It was time to get serious.

Hades was in attack mode while Forenous was also attacking. Neither one of the bladers was backing down.

As Hades attacked Fubuki's mind started to drift.

Even though Hyde was a good choice Fubuki had been working hard to challenge Phi. A lot of people just wanted to defeat Hyde to be a hero but it was more to Fubuki than that. He wanted this to be fun again.

"Tsunami Crash!"

This time Forenous started attacking Hades in an attempt to burst it. Fubuki's resonance was growing and Hyde was getting interested. At this point Fubuki's eyes were glowing and the energy was surrounding him.

Hades dodged the attack sending Forenous back to the center.

"Dread Gravity!"

Hades began surrounding Forenous in a vortex of violet energy.

"Get out of there Forenous!"

Forenous was attacking Hades but it wasn't making a dent.

The aura around Fubuki began to grow along with his power.

"Ultra Tsunami Drift!"

Forenous collided in a clash of sparks with Hades. Sparks and electricity flew out of the stadium. The find was so fierce Fubuki could barely see.

Hitting Hades, Forenous sent Hades into the air bursting it. Hyde feel to his knees picking up the pieces of Hades. The shock quickly replaced with a smile and then laughter. Hyde burst out laughing.

"Huh ha! Not bad Fubuki. It seems you've gotten stronger."

Fubuki smiled back holding Forenous.

"If Valt or Aiger don't win this then beat Phi for us okay?"

The trap door gave out but Hyde was too smart for it.

"Nice try Phi but I'm too smart for your tricks."

Hyde walked offstage.

After the battle Valt and Aiger came backstage to congratulate Fubuki and for the night the group had a sleepover.

******

The next morning it was still raining but it wasn't as bad.

Now that Fubuki was in the semi finals along with Valerie things had been settling down. Valt, Aiger, Fubuki, Valerie, Joe, and Kit were all that remained. And today would decide who was moving onto the finals.

After breakfast the morning started off with Valt versus Joe.

Making his way through the bleachers Fubuki still couldn't help but wonder what had happened to those fallen bladers like Laban or Hae Jin Oh.

What was Phi's master plan or was it even his plan? Was it Theodores? The only time Fubuki had seen Theodore was when he was playing pool but other than that he hadn't seen him. But Fubuki suspected he was lurking somewhere in the shadows.

Valt easily won, bursting Joe but Joe did manage to put up a good fight. Like Hyde he managed to escape the trap door.

Another thing Fubuki was wondering about was the purpose of the trap door. Was it just meant to scare people? Or was it something else?

For the past couple of matches the bladers who had fallen into the shadowy depths hadn't been seen. Versus the other bladers who had avoided it all together like Vincent left.

The grumbling of Aigers stomach interrupted Fubuki's thoughts. 

After the battle the small group left the remaining bladers went to go grab lunch.

Again set up like a buffet people went through the line getting food.

Fubuki sat with Valt, Aiger and Kit but he also noticed Valerie.

Valerie had been quiet the past couple of battles and matches. She'd been sticking to the shadows not really interacting with anyone else.

Getting up Fubuki didn't know what he was doing maybe it was guilt or sadness but he did feel bad for Valerie.

He sat down across from Valerie.

"Hey Valerie, want to sit with us?"

"No."

Fubuki got up, Valerie seemed distant almost as if she was waiting for something.

She didn't seem evil she just seemed distant and more closed off. But Fubuki was done with her. She had chosen her side and he had chosen his.

Going back over to the table Valt, Aiger and Kit had been talking, he felt lost in the conversation and at this point he was just listening.

"Hey Kit I've got a question: What ever happened to Free?"

Everyone quieted down, Fubuki felt bad for bringing up the heavy topic but nobody had ever really told him. They all did the same thing: they would give him a sad smile and trail off.

"Free's gone." Kit said quietly.

"What happened to him?"

"Phi happened." Valt said.

His face was bent in anger and he wasn't looking at Fubuki.

"After Phi broke his bey he wandered off on another training mission and he never returned."

"Do you guys think he's gone?"

"No." Valt answered for them before Kit and Aiger could even open their mouths.

As the group moved on from the touchy subject Fubuki thought about Valt.

Fubuki felt for him, Shu went missing a while back and now Free was too. It seemed like everyone was disappearing these days.

After hanging out for another hour night began to fall and the sky darkened.

"Would Kit and Valt please report to the Dread Tower arena?"

Kit and Valt both stood up walking over to the Dread Tower arena. Everyone else followed from behind.

After being seated the battle began.

The first couple of battles ended in ties and it didn't take them until the 5th tie that they were ready.

Fubuki would admit Air Knight was a cool bey but Valt was smart and he knew how to beat Kit.

For the first battle Valt managed to burst Air Knight but the second battle Valt got tired which cost him two points.

But this battle they were serious.

Right off the bat they collided in a storm of energy and resonance.

Valtryek sent Air Knight flying into the air. It came down onto Valtryek again but this time Valt was ready.

Yelling out another move Valtryek bursted Air Knight.

Kit picked up Air Knight putting the pieces back together. The trap door gave out but Kit managed to hang on.

"I've got you Kit."

Valt ran over grabbing Kit's hand.

"Hang on."

Valt pulled but his hands were slipping from the sweat.

"Valt there's something evil down here I can see it. It's waiting for me to fall."

"Just a little more."

Valt was starting to lose his grip and Kit was slowly sliding down.

"Valt let go."

"What but Kit what about..."

His hand slipped but he managed to grab Kit again.

"Don't worry about me, just beat Phi and turn everything back to normal."

Kit let go falling down the trap door.

Valt pounded on the ground.

Another blader gone missing not a good way to end the day.