"Theodore's what?"

"Yeah it's all over the news." Rantaro said.

Standing in the gym Valt stood staring up at the projector along with the rest of BC Sol.

"But why would someone steal Theodore's bey and break into the bey museum it doesn't make any sense..."Sasha said.

"Maybe he's planning something." Free mentioned dully.

"Has anyone heard from Shu and Kris?" Rantaro asked.

"Maybe he's already gotten to them." Sasha said quietly.

The room broke out in arguing over Theodore being back to him having a spy. Some bladers brought up the Snake pits closing and how there had been reports of bladers from there revolting against the closings.

Watching everyone argue Valt desperately wanted to say something or anything about Theodore but he just couldn't find the words or strength.

Backing away from the fight Valt sprinted out into the forest away from it all.

Meanwhile in the shadows of BC Sol Delta watched smiling as Valt raced into the forest.

"Okay that's enough guys! Remember why we're here this morning! We're going on a camping trip and not a debate."

With Rantaro leading the camp into the woods Valt watched from afar as they still continued to talk about what happened.

Talk of what Drum mentioned the other night also seemed to be a main subject.

But what surprised Valt the most was the subject of bladers who were corrupted and their dark power. 

Which led into the argument of the difference between bladers who were bad and good.

Eventually Valt got bored of listening to the group and wondered further into the forest.

If there was a line between good and bad bladers then what did that make him at the moment?

Valt knew which side he was on but...holding out his hand he could barely see Theodore's power taking over.

How long was he going to stay on that side?

Clenching his hand he let the power die down and refocused his attention back on the battle in front of him.

"Let it Rip!"

Launching, Valtryek sped gracefully around the stadium's edge but gracefully was not what Valt had intended.

Focusing on his power he felt a golden aura resonate through Valtryek and himself.

"Let's Go!"

Speeding up faster, Valtryek's silhouette could barely be seen through the golden light energy but just as Valt was achieving greatness Valtryek started going out of control and slammed into the stadium wall flying in the air.

Appearing out of nowhere Free caught Valtryek looking down at it.

"Free? Where did you come from?"

He said nothing, still looking down at Valtryek with a hardened expression.

Valtryek had potential and power Free would admit that but what it was lacking was the control to unlock that potential.

Tossing it back to Valt his relaxed nature came back as he sat down on the steps of the old stadium.

Breaking the silence Free asked: "Why are you launching like that?"

"Because if I don't then Valtryek will go out of control here watch."

Launching harder this time Valtryek bounced a couple of times uncontrollably before settling into the stadium speeding around the edges recklessly.

For a second Free was surprised but it went away as fast as the emotion had come.

Slamming into the stadium wall Valtryek flew out and this time Valt caught it.

"What you lack is control over that power." Free said looking back out at the forest.

"I don't get it, what do you mean? How am I supposed to control this?"

"I think you already know the answer Valt. You keep trying to ignore what's happening to you, but you and I both know what'll happen if you keep ignoring this. I know you want to believe everything's fine but the fact is you know it's not."

Sitting down on the stairs Free's comment had silenced Valt as he looked down at Valtryek.

"What do you think about all this?"

Looking over at Valt he had put Valtryek away.

"What do you think about the Bey Museum, the Snake Pits resurfacing, and the argument between good and bad bladers?"

Letting out a sigh Free looked back out at the forest, standing up he started walking further into the forest with Valt following behind him.

"Theodore is planning something Valt, he may be in jail but he's not done with us. Everything that's happened lately is proof of that and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Ducking under a tree branch Free led Valt further into the forest than Valt had ever been.

"Where are we going?"

Free didn't answer and instead pressed on despite the summer heat.

Wiping sweat off his head, Valt looked up at the sun, most of the tree branches covered the sun direct rays but it's heat still managed to escape, making him sweat.

Stopping in a clearing, one of the tallest trees stuck out with a ladder leading up to a treehouse. An old stadium was in front of it with the gray, red and blue color scheme.

"Last time Theodore wanted me and Phi but this time I've got a feeling whatever he wants this time it will be harder for him to get. Which is why we need to train and be ready for when he comes."

Launching Fafnir, Free didn't hold back letting his power taking over, a ghostly Fafnir appeared except this time it was a bit more full of color and power.

That's why he's out here so much, he's still recovering from whatever Theodore did to him...

Slamming into the stadium wall, Free caught Fafnir.

"When the time comes Theodore won't know what hit him."

As Free launched again Valt watched not sure what to say.

"What was it like there Free?"

Picking up Fafnir, Free looked back at Valt who was looking out at the forest.

"What did Theodore do to you?"

Sighing Free sat down next to Valt.

"It's a place no blader should ever wind up at...."

Flashback

Sitting on the cold concrete floor Free De La Hoya hung his head catching his breath.

Opening the cell door Theodore stood with a calm expression, but Free knew better that Theodore was hiding his anger under that fake expression.

"I know what you did Free."

Free didn't answer.

Walking over to Free he held up his chin.

"You were always too smart for your own good."

Letting go of his chin Theodore began pacing around his cell.

"You are worthy I'll give you that..."

"You can't turn me Theodore, even if you wanted to, you already would've."

Theodore started laughing, silencing Free.

"Which is why I think you need some motivation."

"You see Free, your power protects you from Phi making you immune but not everyone is immune to what he can do."

Opening the cell door two masked bladers along with Phi brought in Diago.

"Since you can't do anything in this cell you've been freeing everyone behind my back to throw me off and your accomplice has been pretending to be one of them and has been helping you to try and escape!"

Covering his hand with his face Theodore began laughing.

"Do you remember my exact words when you left The Raging Bulls?"

Free said nothing as Theodore calmed down.

"I was never truly finished with you and the same is true now. Phi?"

Lifting Diago off the ground Phi began twisting his body until his scared expression was gone and was replaced with an emotionless stare.

"Now then, if you don't give in Free I'll be forced to bring in some who matters like... Kris or maybe even Valt."

Free's eyes widened causing Theodore to smile

Phi dropped Diago to the ground and the two masked bladers carried him away.

"I give in, you win Theodore but know this: Valt will stop you."

Getting close to Free, Theodore lifted his chin again and whispered: "But how can Valt stop me if he's too busy dealing with you?"

Dropping his chin Theodore turned and walked out of the cell.

"Do whatever you want with him Phi." Theodore said, waving his hand and closing the door.

Looking up at Phi, Free looked worried and maybe even a little scared which only made Phi enjoy this even more.

Not even leaving the hallway Theodore could hear Free's screams behind him echoing throughout the whole facility.

End of Flashback

"I learned something that day, you must never give in to despair. If you allow yourself to slip down that road and  surrender to your lowest instincts. It'll only make it easier for Theodore to win."

Valt was silent watching Free.

"Once I was forced to surrender to protect BC Sol it only made things easier for Theodore to turn other bladers with them now knowing I had fallen. And with everyone gone Phi and Thedore would often fight over who was truly in charge. Which is why Theodore made me and every other blader upgrade our beys into the thing we dreaded the most. In a way Phantom Fafnir was a ghostly version of what I had become at the time, deep down I was forced to watch everything like a ghost."

"Free, I'm sorry you had to go through all that, that must've been hard on you...."

"It doesn't matter what happened then, what matters more is what we do to stop him now, so no one has to go through that."

Getting up Free started launching again but this time Valt joined him on the other side.

"Which is why we need to be ready for whatever he throws at us."

Launching again Fafnir was faster this time speeding around the stadium. Free's golden power consumed his bey and himself.

Watching with a smile Valt launched Valtryek causing Free to crack a smile.

But on the inside Valt was struggling to fight back from Theodore's power taking over.