Standing beside Brown Eye, Theodore circled him like a shark as they both stood in the forest. Valtryek collided into more boulders, crushing each of them all with a single hit and moving onto the next.

"There's resonance in places that you have never thought of Brown Eye. For instance when traveling, strong bladers always leave power behind like a trail and that power can be used if they leave behind enough. For your next level of training I want you to think of places where you draw power from. Not just from Valtryek but from the environment and people around you. But first..."

Catching Valtryek in mid air Theodore barely flinched at the impact.

"We have your test to prepare for..."

For the last few days Theodore had spent preparing both Brown Eye and the Snake Pits newest bladers.

Many of the bladers at BC Sol had been brought in by his army and had immediately been separated and corrupted per Theodore's command.

But at the same time Theodore had also seen this as a great opportunity for testing Brown Eye.

The first test had proven Brown Eye was able to manipulate other bladers' resonance by sending him to the basement. While the second was to see if he was willing and able to break a bey.

All bladers could manipulate each other's resonance if they really trained and some could even break beys if they had the power. But this would really decide and while all those tests of were important now was the time to truly test Brown Eyes' loyalty to Theodore and to see if he could really wield Phi's power of corruption.

After returning back to the Snake Pit Theodore found himself walking down the hallway overlooking the training down below. But instead he was more focused on what he was walking towards.

"You will often find Brown Eye, that the people who don't want to be corrupted bladers often make the best corrupted bladers..."

Meanwhile Brown Eyes' mind was elsewhere and was barely listening to Theodore at this point.

Over the past couple of days he realized never should have tried to fix his corruption. If he had just embraced the fact he was going to turn evil, he could've saved himself all of that pain.

He could've saved everyone else from worrying about him, for caring about him but instead Theodore was taking care of them leaving him alone to train and be with his thoughts.

"...war is coming, Brown Eye, and we must prepare for when Shu and Free come. But we can't just prepare ourselves, we must also prepare our new bladers."

Gesturing to the training and bladers below they both stopped to overlook everything.

There were hundreds of Snake Pit bladers all in crisp black uniforms marching in perfect lines. Each blader had their own respected colors of course but in the sea of black Brown Eye could barely even tell the difference between bladers.

"It doesn't matter who they used to be, what matters now is what they'll do to build the new future of beyblade. And now they'll all be corrupted. Corruption will make them stronger, corruption is the new hyper flux, and corruption is the new good."

Turning over Brown Eye Theodore's expression darkened as he looked down at Brown Eye.

"Every blader has a choice: join or suffer and it isn't enough that they join. They must excel at controlling the dark power. And with you as the face of the next generation, the face of the future, a new world awaits us, a world where we're in charge of the blading world."

Turning back to the hallway Theodore continued walking and opened a door leading to various cells. Most were occupied while others were empty.

But stopping at the end of the hallway two figures were sitting in the darkness chained to the wall.

"And here I was thinking you couldn't get any worse." A voice answered back.

Standing up, the chains rattled with age and sound as Rantaro revealed himself in the light of the hallway.

Behind him stood Cuza keeping his distance away from Theodore with a frightened expression.

"Three days and you're still defiant on joining. If you weren't so hot headed and arrogant I'd be impressed."

Opening the cell door Theodore walked in mildly amused by Cuza and Rantaros fear.

Then closing the door behind the group Brown Eye stepped out of the shadows.

"Oh no," Rantaro said softly.

"What did he do to you..."he finished.

"Valt, please you have to let us go we..."

Holding out his hand Cuza tensed up and silenced. Theodores expression darkened as a smile crept along his face.

"Brown Eye you have been through many tests and while they were important at the time this one will define your place in the Snake Pit. However it will not be your final test of power."

Letting go of Cuza, his shoulders relaxing, gaining control back from Theodore. Tears were barely visible causing Rantaro to shoot Theodore a dirty look.

"For today's test I want you to corrupt one them." He said numbly.

Cuzas eyes widened in fear and Rantaro softly said: "What?"

"Since you have never had the chance to practice with Phi's power I will demonstrate and then you'll go.."

Holding out his hand Cuza tightened up. Theodore's resonance surrounded him, making his eyes glow their respected teal. He smiled even more as his resonance took over Cuzas turning purple.

The whole time Rantaro made sure he was by Cuzas side, holding his hand trying to support and comfort Cuza in those last moments of freedom.

Eventually he closed his eyes unable to take the pain and eventually his body relaxed and Theodore's power subsided and the room darkened.

Two of the Snake Pit bladers took Cuza away leaving Rantaro ally-less and alone as he watched in complete silence.

Meanwhile beads of sweat had formed on Theodore's brow and his hands were shaking, doubling over as he was exhausted and spent.

"For today all I'll ask of you is to corrupt Rantaro. And after you leave for today you will corrupt every one of those BC Sol bladers left." His voice was dead serious. "Or I'll know what side you're really on." he said as he watched Brown Eye close in Rantaro.