Also I just want to say real fast that the book covers are very important to the story. Maybe not the first two but this one and the next one will be definitely also enjoy!

"...And why should I trust you? You've taken my family, my friends, and now you just expect me to forgive you?"

"I don't expect you to forgive me, I expect you to trust me. I know all about Phi's power and how it works. I even know how to break his hold on your friends. Phi has gone too far and the longer he stays in power the further gone he'll be..."

Shu's words from earlier echoed in his head: "there's no fixing someone like Phi."

******

Meanwhile, Toko and Shu were surrounded by the corrupted bladers. Cutting through the crowd Phi stood with a malicious grin.

Looking upstairs Theodore opened the door for Valt.

What is he doing? This wasn't part of the plan!

"Let us go Phi." Turning back to the boys, Phi had expected Shu but instead Toko stood before him.

"No, in fact I have a better idea."

Holding out his hand most of the bladers went back to what they were doing but only one remained: Fubuki.

"I could turn you all into my puppets but that wouldn't be fun for you? Now would it?"

Even though Phi was talking to Shu and Toko, Shu had a feeling it wasn't just them he was talking about.

"Instead I'll make you guys a deal."

Phi stood over a stadium while Fubuki was on his right.

"If you win you can have Fubuki, but it won't make much of a difference..."

Walking over to Fubuki, Phi held his chin.

"He may have beaten me once but I doubt he's still in there. Out of everyone he's had more exposure to my power. It'd be a shame if something were to happen to him."

Phi's eyes flashed black and his tightened his grip a little causing Shu to step towards him.

"Don't hurt him Phi."

Phi's eyes were still glowing black a little but he let go.

"But if I win...I'm pretty sure you'll know what will happen."

Phi held out his hand.

Pain was everywhere and Shu's nerves felt like they were on fire. Phi's hold on them felt like iron and Shu tried to pull away but he couldn't.

"And to make this more interesting this will only be a three point battle."

Looking over at Toko he was on his hands and knees crying.

"Please make it stop."

Wincing in pain Shu stood up forgotten that he fell in the first place.

"That's enough Phi." Shu's eyes glowed red and an amused smile spread across Phi's face.

Phi let go and Toko let out a relieved breath.

"In fact since I'm feeling so generous, I'll let you and him talk it over."

Phi kicked Toko.

"That's enough Phi."

"But is it though? It was never enough back when you were Red Eye."

Shu's eyes widened at the mention of his past alter ego.

"You know I was there for the whole thing, I watched the whole tournament from afar of course but I saw your power. So I'll give you a chance."

As Toko stood up Shu's eyes were locked on Phi's.

"Join me Shu, and think of what we could do together.."

Phi walked over to Shu circling him like a shark.

"I've seen how you battle, and I know you still use some of Red Eyes techniques."

Stopping Phi put his hand on Shu's shoulder.

Leaning down next to Shu's ear he whispered:

"Even if you don't join me, I'll personally let you witness me consume all the light left in Valt and when there's nothing left of him you're next."

Turning around Phi wasn't behind him anymore and instead on the other side of the stadium.

"How did you..."

"It doesn't matter, now then what do you say? Are we going to battle or will you become my next puppet." Phi's eyes flashed black with power.

And Shu could feel Phi's dark power pulse inside him.

Turning away from Phi, Shu looked over at Toko.

"Don't do it Shu, you know what he can do. If he gets the chance he'll easily just turn you whenever he wants. Aigers beaten him before we could just talk to him."

"True, but we need all the help we can get, to Phi this is just a game and we're his entertainment. Besides he wouldn't just let us have Fubuki."

"But even if you do win Phi could still just turn you to his side."

"I'm willing to take that risk, Fubuki's the only other person who's defeated Phi before and he may know something about Phi that we don't."

Turning back to Phi, Shu nodded his head.

"I accept."

Getting into his launching stance Phi did the same.

"3...2...1, Let it Rip!"

"Turbo Crux Boost!"

Phoenix took the center while Spryzen started attacking.

Meanwhile Phi stood on the other side watching everything. His eyes were locked on the battle watching everything in the stadium.

As Spryzen attacked again, Phoenix brushed off the attack sending Spryzen flying.

Hitting the side of the stadium Spryzen recovered building speed for another attack.

"Turbo Spryzen Whip!"

Both beys collided and Phoenix's armor came flying off.

As Phoenix neared the armor Spryzen got in the way defending off Phoenix's attacks.

"Spryzen now!"

Spryzen rose swinging his axe while Phi did the same. Phoenix let out an inhumane cry and it's eyes glowed golden.

As they collided time seemed to stop and a cloud of destruction and force clouded the battle. Phi and Shu stood watching and waiting to see who was the winner.

When the cloud dissipated the pieces of Phoenix were laying in the center while Spryzen stopped spinning.

Phi's eyes widened while Toko high fived Shu.

"That was awesome Shu!"

Picking up the pieces of Phoenix, Phi stood looking at Phoenix.

Narrowing his eyes, his power started building around him and his eyes glowed black.

"My turn."

Phi stood in his launching stance ready while Shu did the same.

"3...2...1, Let it Rip!"

The second battle started just like the first with Spryzen attacking and Phoenix in the center.

But this time Spryzen wasn't attacking, instead it was trying to push it out of the center.

"You're holding back aren't you? I can tell you're afraid."

Knocking it out of the center Phoenix started attacking while Spryzen was flown across the stadium.

"I can tell you're holding back, it's a shame though. But I know why you're doing it because you're afraid of my power. You're afraid of what you'll become if you dig too deep."

"Spryzen now!"

"I don't think so."

As Spryzen came in for the attack Phoenix knocked it out of the stadium.

Picking up Phoenix out of the stadium Phi held it out to Shu while he picked up Spryzen.

Shu narrowed his eyes while Phi only smiled.

"3...2...1, Let it Rip!"

This time both beys were attacking each other right from the start.

The attacks were fast with both beys moving around the stadium.

This is all futile...

"Phoenix!"

Just as they were both about to collide, Shu dodged the attack at the last minute causing Phoenix to hit the wall with its armor flying into the center.

"Spryzen now! You know what to do!"

Going to the center Spryzen knocked the armor out of the stadium but while Shu was distracted Phoenix came in trapping it against the wall.

"I knew you were going to do that."

Phoenix pushed in even harder.

"Get out of there!" Toko called out.

"Show me your power Shu, defeat me and prove you're stronger than my power. Do it for your friends, do it for Valt, do it for yourself. Prove to them you're not Red Eye anymore."

At the mention of Red Eye Spryzen flew into the air bursting.

As the pieces landed by Shu's feet Phi was angry.

As Shu picked up the pieces he looked up at Phi.

Phi was shaking and tightening his fists his eyes were glowing black and his jaw was clenched.

Then instead Phi took a breath and stepped away from the stadium.

"Hmph, that's what I thought. Our battle is still premature and as much fun as it would be to turn you I won't. You may leave with Toko, Valt and Fubuki but know this:"

Phi's eyes started glowing black and his dark resonance began to form. A large and ghostly Phoenix began to form.

"I'm saving you for last Mr. Kurenai, along with Valt. When the time comes I won't hesitate to destroy you. No, in fact this is only the beginning. When the time is right on the third day we will battle. And everything you know will be gone. And when everyone falls so will you. But until then, the next time you come down here I'll make sure you don't get out."

Turning to Fubuki, Phi took off his mask and crushed it with his hand.

"Besides having Fubuki won't make a difference anyways."

Phi turned away walking back into the shadows.

The corrupted bladers started closing in surrounding them. Taking Fubuki and Toko'a hands, Shu led them upstairs to Theodore's office.

Knocking on the door, it opened to reveal Valt and Theodore.

"We need to go now."

"Shu? And Fubuki? What's going on?"

"There's no time to explain." Toko answered

Running out of the office Shu followed Toko with Fubuki while Theodore and Valt were at the end.

"There's the door!"

Taking out his keyring Theodore went through his keys trying each one.

"Why is Theodore here?" Shu asked.

"I could ask the same about you freeing Fubuki." Valt replied.

As Theodore opened the door he went in first along with Toko, Fubuki, Shu and then Valt. But as Valt was about to leave something grabbed his hand.

Free De La Hoya stood alone holding Valt's hand.

He wasn't really pulling but instead he just stood there.

"Let go Free!"

The corrupted bladers came closer as Valt struggled.

"What's the hold up?" Shu asked from behind.

"It's Free he's got me!"

Everyone behind Valt started pulling and finally Free let go and the door slammed. And Shu locked it.

"What happened?" Fubuki asked.

"I'd like to know the same thing." Shu said looking over at Theodore.

As everyone started arguing but no one had noticed Valt. Still sitting on the stairs he was rubbing his wrist.

Thinking back to when Free had him he had felt something. It wasn't Phi but it also wasn't Free either.

"Valt are you coming?"

Turning around everyone stood on the stairs looking down on him.

"Yeah, I'm coming."