A dim light hung over Valt as he slowly regained consciousness. He could barely see but he instantly knew someone else was in the room with him.

Trying to stand up Valt realized he was chained up to the wall. Struggling in the chains he tried to weasel his way out of them but couldn't.

Stepping out of the shadows, Theodore stood smiling. To Theodore he had done this some many times that now it was almost routine but unlike the others this definitely wouldn't be the same.

"It's cute you think you can get out of those chains."

"Theodore, let me go!"

Valt struggled on the table trying to weasel his way out of the straps, but it was no use they were too tight. Unlike Valt, Theodore had done this a million times and he knew

Theodore only laughed as Valt's golden power started building up.

"What do you want Theodore?"

"The same thing you want. Power. To be the strongest.."

"I'm not afraid of you!"

"You know it's rude to yell at your elders Valt, but even lessons learned the hard way are lessons learned now tell me Valt are you afraid?"

Valt was silent but his eyes told Theodore everything.

"No."

Smiling Theodore stepped away from Valt knowing the real answer.

"You should be scared Valt, in fact I would've been more surprised if you weren't but that's how it always goes. First you resist, then you surrender and finally you volunteer. It's not that hard Valt, but just like all the rest of them you'd be nothing without Valtryek..."

Valt's power calmed down only making it easier for Theodore. Holding out his hand he lifted Valt off his feet.

"Why are you doing this?"

"You may be the strongest blader Valt but I can make you even stronger, Kris may have saved you last time but no one is here to save you now."

And with that Valt's body relaxed and his head dropped. Theodore set him down and when Valt looked back at him his golden energy was gone and replaced with a cold expression.

"Come along now Brown Eye we have tests to run."

******

Sitting up from bed, Valt began getting ready realizing he had slept in again.

Over the past couple of nights Valt had been having nightmares ranging from Theodore, Red Eye, Brown Eye, Phi and the Snake Pit. Each night it had been something different, one night it was Phi and the dark realm and another it was Red Eye. But out of all the nights this one had been the worst because deep down Valt knew that unlike Red Eye and Phi, Theodore was still out there even if he was in jail.

Getting dressed Valt sprinted down to the mess hall.

Unlike the last times Valt was glad Rantaro or Kit weren't around to ask him about his dreams, so instead this morning he kept the sound of Theodore's haunting laughter all to himself.

Since Valt had slept in, the mess hall was quiet this time of day with only Valt getting breakfast by himself. Even Ange who was normally behind the counter had laid out breakfast already for Valt with a little note.

But sleeping in wasn't the only reason why the place was so empty. Most bladers were on vacation this year like Cuza or Rickson while others were locked up doing homework.

Rantaro, Sasha and most of the newbies were out on a camping trip and those who were left were forced to fend for themselves. Which included Free, Valt and a couple of others who weren't busy.

Those who weren't busy usually trained together or by themselves unless Kris had something better for them to do.

But Valt didn't mind training by himself, in fact he needed to do more than anything now that the rain was gone but right as he was leaving the gym Rantaro and his camp stopped Valt in his tracks.

Camping gear ranging from pots, pans, sleeping bags, matches and other gear was spread out all over the place. Bladers were all spread out with Rantaro and Sasha leading them on stretches.

"And then now we're gonna do some....Oh Valt!" Stopping mid way in her stretch everyone else looked up to see Valt.

Sasha was at the front of the group while Rantaro was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey Sasha, where's Rantaro?"

"He had to go get some more pots and pans from Ange. Hey why don't we have a battle before we leave it'll be awhile again before I see you."

"Sasha I don't think..."

Just then all the newbies including Drum started chanting for Sasha and Valt to battle. Even a few of them wanted to battle themselves against Valt.

"Well I was going to go train but okay!"

Going over to one of the stadiums everyone gathered cheering for their favorite blader.

Everyone but Delta, cutting his way through the crowd his marched over to the stadium.

"I'll be the referee."

"Works for me." Sasha said with a smile.

Delta didn't return it but instead watched Valt.

To Delta, Valt had seemed like a very powerful blader. Almost like a force of nature to him but the blader standing across from Sasha wasn't the same.

"Let it Rip!"

Sasha's bey took the center while Valtryek went on the offensive speeding around on the outside.

"Finish this Valtryek!"

Going towards the center Valtryek collided with Gaianon for a few seconds until it bursted.

"Wow."

Everyone was stunned while Valt just picked up Valtryek like it was no big deal.

But just as he was going to walk off all the new bladers surrounded him wanting to battle.

Meanwhile on the other side of the gym Shu stood leaning against the wall watching everything.

The next battle had started with Valt easily winning again. But with each battle Valt's opponent somehow managed to last a bit longer before losing.

Between Delta and Valt, Shu knew something was up with those two. But what didn't make sense was why Valt wasn't more open about whatever was bothering him.

With each battle Valt grew more impatient racing through each bey. Shu watched with concern as Valt's resonance was starting to change.

Valt wasn't just fighting his own opponent, it was almost like he was fighting someone else...

As Shu was about to investigate a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

Looking up, Kris stood with her eyes locked on the battle.

"You're worried about him aren't you?"

Looking back at the battle Shu sighed and his shoulders relaxed. But his hard glare was still locked on the battle.

"Yes, there's something he's not telling us. But the way he's battling, he's not even giving people a chance. It's almost like he's fighting something else other than his opponent."

Kris was quiet taking all this in.

"C'mon Shu, I think it's time we got some answers."

Walking away from the battle, Shu followed Kris down the hallway. Even though she hadn't said where they were going Shu knew exactly what she meant.

"And what about Valt?" He asked.

"I've already got that taken care of." She said with a smile.

Glancing one more time at Valt, Shu narrowed his eyes following Kris down the long hallway.