After serving a feast of dinner and with Kana tucking Naru into bed Taiga gathered everyone into the barn.

"Thank you all for coming, as you all know Theodore has taken over the blading world corrupting and capturing bladers. He's managed to take almost everyone, making us the only ones left according to Tagia's math. We're all that's left standing between Theodore and the end of Beyblade as we know it. Ever since Valt battled for the title match he's been able to expand even more."

"And now with him tightening his control over Valt it'll be even harder to get him back which means it's going to take all of us to stop him. Our friends have already tried attacking but now the real battle begins. Because this time we're splitting up half of us will be with Free to take down Theodore and the other half will help me get to Valt so I can get through to him. Sasha told us that even though Valt is corrupted he isn't unreachable and we just have to isolate him from Theodore. The teams will be announced in the morning but for right now try to get some sleep."

The small crowd dispersed, going to tents and guest rooms all around Tagia's house.

Shu made his way outside and sat down on the Akabanes deck watching the sunset.

"We're all that's left standing between Theodore and the end of Beyblade as we know it."

His own words echoed through his head making him think of Valt.

He'd spent months at the Snake Pit just like Valt except Valt back then had an entire tournament to get through to him but Shu used to have months.

But now Shu only had this one moment to save Valt, an even more twisted and corrupted version of Valt he'd have to face, battle and beat than the wild one he'd encountered the last time a BC Sol.

Footsteps on the deck brought Shu back to reality as Free leaned on the deck railing right next to Shu.

After a few minutes of silence Shu finally spoke up.

"What was he like? Valt I mean."

"He was cold and distant, barely said anything as we battled but he was the reason we were able to get away. Without him we'd..." Free trailed off not knowing where he was going and not wanting to know the answer either.

"It was like he was a different person Shu, cold and detached, Theodore's teaching him to be like Phi."

"When we were there Theodore thought he could trust Brown Eye but now..."

The conversation fell into silence as the sky darkened even more.

"And Drum?"

"We don't know, but he's probably corrupted now but as he fell he kept smiling the entire time." Free said chuckling a little.

Shu smiled at the thought of Drum.

"How's Delta."

Free just shook his head and that was all Shu needed to know.

"They're in danger, if Theodore killed Phi then imagine what he could do to Valt or Drum or our friends. Imagine what he could do to us." Shu said, worried.

"He wouldn't do that, the only reason he killed Phi was because he betrayed him, he needs Valt and I didn't come out here to talk about Theodore."

Turning to look at Free the conversation had changed drastically.

"When you face Valt, what are you going to do to get him back?"

Shu didn't say anything for a very long time and they both sat in silence.

"I don't know," he finally said.

Free stood up, sighed.

"When you face him tomorrow, everything and everyone is counting on you and if you fail then we'll lose everything. So what are you going to change that Sasha couldn't? What are you going to learn from they did?"

Free walked away leaving Shu to his own thoughts and after a while the sun had set but before leaving Free's words echoed in his head.

Everything was riding on Shu and if he failed Valt would be lost forever, Theodore could take over everything, and Beyblade would never be the same. All of their friends would be lost to the dark resonance including himself and Valt would have control over everyone.

Which was why he needed to figure out a way to get through to Valt the same way he did the world championship tournament.

But how? That was the question everyone wanted to know. How was Valt able to free corrupted bladers and how was he able to save Shu.

And that's what Shu was determined to find out tonight. Taking out his phone he watched the battle between him and Valt over and over trying to gain any clue or advantage he could.

But it wasn't just their battle he watched through the night he watched countless others until finally the sun rose.