Opening the doors Kris, Sasha, and Shu quieted down.

Fubuki stood hunched over with leaves and twigs in his hair, out of breath. He looked like he had seen a ghost, the way he was trembling.

"Fubuki, what's wrong?" Shu asked.

"It's Valt, Shu. There's something wrong with him the way he's been snapping at everyone, off in his own little world it's Theodore. He's been corrupting him and it's getting worse. The way he looked at me..." Fubuki trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence.

The whole was silent processing the information.

"No..." Kris said looking away.

"But how?" Sasha asked.

Getting up from the couch Shu went over to look out the window.

"It's Theodore, Valt said something about internally battling him and he's draining his power or something..."

"But why didn't he tell us?" Kris asked.

"I know why," Shu said, turning away from the window.

"Theodore's been stalling, he wanted us distracted when we were visiting him so he could get to Valt."

Putting his hand over his face Shu sat back down on the couch with frustration and anger.

As the room erupted into worry chatter Shu slowly stood up causing everyone to quiet down again.

"Where did you see him last?"

"In the forest but he's probably gone by now."

"Kris alert BC Sol and put this place on lockdown and have as many bladers as you can looking for Valt."

Kris nodded her head and took off with Fubuki leaving Shu alone with Sasha.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Try calling him." He answered trying to sound calm but Sasha could tell Shu was having a hard time taking this in.

Pulling out her phone Sasha dialed Valt's number, for a minute she actually thought he would answer but instead the ringing only went on before she gave up.

It was strange to Sasha, Valt usually answered his phone and sure he had been busy lately and all but this wasn't like them.

A couple of minutes later Kris and Fubuki came back in with worried looks on their faces.

Putting her phone down the reality of the situation was starting to set in for her.

"Everyone's here but Ranjiros camp, Cuza, Free, Valt and Delta." Kris said with a serious look on her face.

"Why wouldn't Free and Delta not be here." Sasha asked aloud.

"I don't know." Shu said quietly.

"But there's more, the mask is also gone and with it so is Phi's power." Kris finished

"If that mask gets into Theodore's hands it's game over."

Sitting down on the couch and putting his hand over his face the room quieted down.

"This is my fault." He said quietly

"Shu, it's not your fault." Kris said sitting down with a smile.

"Yes it is! I wasn't supposed to tell you guys this but Snake Pits have been appearing all over the world. WBBA told us to keep it a secret but I've got a feeling Theodore has something to do with this."

"There's more Snake Pits?" Sasha said.

"Yes."

"How many?" Fubuki asked.

"We-"

"We don't know." Kris said, putting her hand on Shu's shoulder.

"Then what do we know?!" Sasha yelled frustrated.

The room quieted down and nobody said a word.

Getting up from the couch Shu opened the door and left heading into the direction of wherever Delta was.

******

With his bag packed Valt made his way towards the forest running across the lawn.

For Valt it felt like Theodore had an invisible hook wrapped around him, the hook attached to the rope disappeared into mystery and darkness but it was at this end that was attached to him. Almost like he was a fish on a hook.

Theodore still had his hook on him, playing with him, letting the line go slack thinking he was free. Then yanking it back hard making sure it was still attached to Valt wearing him out. Playing him.

Which was precisely why Valt was leaving, he needed to figure out how to get rid of Theodore's hold on him without anyone overreacting. Feeling the back of the bag he made sure he still did what he needed and continued walking until he reached the forest.

Looking back at BC Sol, a few lights were still on including the light in Kris's office but overall the place was eerie silent. Turning back to the forest Valt was just about to step in when Free walked out.

The deer behind him took off in the other direction once it saw Valt.

That's strange, I've been here a million times and not once have the animals acted like that...

"Free, what are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same question." he said monotone.

"It's not what it looks like Free..."

"I saw you earlier,"

"What?"

"In the forest, the way you yelled at Fubuki."

Valt opened his mouth but there was nothing to say, Free would take him back to Shu and Kris even though there was nothing they could do.

"Leaving isn't the answer, and only repressing your power will cause it to build up over time until it releases. If you leave now then you're giving up on a chance that Shu and Kris might be able to save you. I know you Valt, and I know you would never give up or stop smiling. And maybe we can't save you but I know you'll figure it out."

"Wait what?"

"Ever since summer started you've always been in here practicing, hiding, always frustrated when you get distracted from training. Now go before Shu and Kris get here."

Stepping aside Valt walked past him.

"And Valt,"

Stopping Valt turned back around to look Free in the eye.

"And remember to stay on your own path." he said with a smile.

Pausing Free's words echoed in Valt's head:"You don't get stronger by accepting how everyone else does things. You get stronger by finding your own path. That's how champions are made."

Running into Free, Valt gave him one last hug before venturing off into the forest.

It was still hard to believe how much had happened since then.

Meanwhile on the roof of BC Sol Delta or rather Theodore stood watching Valt leave from a distance.

Interrupting his thoughts the door to the roof opened and standing in the doorway was Shu with an unhappy expression.

"Theodore."

"What gave it away?"

Shu threw a replica of the mask from downstairs to the side.

"You wanted Kris and I distracted and by using Valt as a diversion you took over Delta and stole the mask leaving a replica behind thinking no one would notice. But you're not going to weasel your way out of this one Theodore, you're not going anywhere."