Of Love and Death.

The Future Chapter 12: The Masked Blader is my Favorite Character Pt. 1

Memories of possession and two people pull a Red Eye and Spryzen Requiem, except not evil urged on by a strange project. Mild apprehension at being back at a place with bad memories. A demonic clown that can stare into your soul. Being forced to battle in what may or may not be technically considered kidnapping. 

     Shu had a flash of memories overwhelm him as he stepped outside into the desert air. It wasn't hot. Not like the last time he'd been here. But it was still just as dry and arid as he vividly remembered. Every detail of his last trip was etched in the corners of his mind. Even if, once he died, he forgot it all, he'd still remember in the back of his head. Just like all other things that had happened to him, the red-eyed blader never really forgot.

     Unconsciously, Shu reached for Valt's hand. He wasn't exactly upset or scared being back here, but it wasn't pleasant either. So, he wanted his husband's support. And Shu got it. Without a question, the mind-reader took his hand. Turning to Valt, Shu received a small smile, and managed to force one back.

     The city was alive. It was fairly late in the day, 5 o'clock local time, but it was bustling. Shu was beginning to understand why Las Vegas was called the city that never sleeps. He hadn't spent enough time here back during the International Bladers Cup, heading to the hotel and stadium after barely a day, to understand that then. There had also been the whole matter of not-exactly-being himself, that may have blinded his eyes to exploring about.

     Actually, the most of the city that Shu had ever explored was the underground blader area. The one that he'd stormed and absolutely demolished. I wonder what they're up to now, he mused. A little while back, he'd heard a rumor that they'd stopped trying to steal beys. Hopefully that was true. Shu shuddered to think of all of the kids who could be separated from their closest friend and partner. He couldn't imagine what would have happened to him if he was permanently ripped away from Spryzen.

     Then, Shu gently had his eardrums murdered, ruining his contemplativeness and handholding. Because the only way he was preserving the bit of his hearing that hadn't been destroyed by Valt and Bel was by covering his ears. "OH MY WORD THIS PLACE IS SO COOL!" a certain pink-haired teenager shouted at the top of his lungs.

      It was cool. Shu had to give Bel that much. The airport opened up into what was basically an amusement park. There were palm trees on the sides of the road and ferris wheels above the skyline. There was even one mildly demonic clown that seemed to be staring down at the group and straight into Shu's soul. Well, he hoped the clown liked fire then. Because that was what his soul was made of.

     This was the sight of the finals of the Roar Tournament. The Grand Arena. It had been a stage to many an infamous battle, and now Shu's team was going to be blading there. It was hard to describe how it felt being back. On the one hand, it was interesting. Maybe he'd finally be able to actually appreciate the scenery instead of just standing dramatically on a cliff. On the other hand, it definitely brought back old memories.

      Memories of not being himself. Memories of being trapped inside his own body, unable to do anything but watch as he was controlled by Spryzen. But also memories of Valt making pasta with peanut butter in it as he hopelessly tried his best and then failed to make something edible. Memories of his husband reaching out and bringing Shu back.

     Certainly hadn't hurt that the former world champion had magic mind powers that helped him block Spryzen from possessing Shu, and give the former a chance to fight back. Yes, great times, the bey in question sarcastically remarked.

      A sort of half-smile formed in Shu's mouth at the joke. Alright then. With a glance at Valt, the two walked up to their group and looked out across them. A good chunk of the Snake Pit had turned out for this, all spread out in a haphazard mess in front of the airport doors. Obviously, Bel, Gabe, Den, and Bashara were here. But also Jamie, Lily, Payne, Ranzo, Hanna, Honcho, and a few of the adults. Including the one that Gabe had battled to get his mask.

     There was anticipation among them. A combination of joy and curiosity at being in a new place, especially for Bel. Shu's son was practically glowing with excitement. As a matter of fact, the bey trainer wouldn't have been surprised if Bel did start glowing. It had happened before. Like the day Bel and Jamie officially joined the Snake Pit as junior bladers.

     Yet the bladers also seemed excited for the battles as well as the scenery. Shu could see Lily, Jamie, and Gabe with their heads together, leaning over an ipad. Planning diabolical plans most likely. Honestly, Jamie was basically the team's strategist at this point. Her genius was being put to use. Shu was happy about it too. Although she was technically a blader, Jamie hadn't ever really shown much interest in the sport. While he'd never force it on her, he was glad to see his daughter had at least some passion for the thing he loved.

      While excited, everyone was nervous. Really, really nervous. Even those who weren't blading seemed tense. Bashara was almost as green as his outfit, and Payne... Payne always seemed nervous. The snake's newest member just had this quietness about him. Maybe it just came from a natural introversion, but Shu couldn't shake the feeling that he was a bit too jumpy. Like he was constantly scared. He'd almost brought it up on multiple occasions, but had been interrupted before he could speak with the kid. Either by some disaster in the Pit, about five hundred pounds of fluff in the form of his rabbit, or anything else.

      After bringing it up with Valt, Shu's husband had been hesitant to call Payne into his office. He didn't want to spook the kid. Plus whatever was up with Payne could actually just be nothing to worry about. Or not. Perhaps the answer would be revealed during this trip, but Shu knew that was unlikely without directly asking the kid.

     There was a pause in the world as Shu felt his hand get squeezed by Valt's. Turning to the leader of the Snake Pit, Shu smiled a small smile. Nodding, the blue-haired blader let go of Shu's hand and clapped. Loudly. As a matter of fact, he most likely did not know how to do anything not loudly. Which was fine with Shu, barring the hearing loss he was surely beginning to suffer. "Alright everyone!" Valt called out in a desperate and doomed attempt to get the Snake Pit's attention.

      It didn't work.

     So, Valt tried again. "Everyone, can I please have your attention? We need to get food, and then head to the hotel-Man I sound exactly like Kris." Apparently, that last sentence was what got people. Because everyone laughed, even Shu and Valt themselves. Now that the team was together, and looking up, Valt kept speaking. "You all have two and a half hours to eat and look around. Afterwards, we're getting a shuttle and heading to the Grand Arena."

     At that sentence, quite a few people in the crowd began jumping up and down. Shu wasn't naming names, but one of them had a pink curly mohawk. Valt seemed to realize that he was losing his audience, so sped up. "Kids stay in groups of two or more if you leave the square. Adults, I don't care how you group up or where you go. Just don't be stupid or do anything illegal," the leader of the Snake Pit paused, half for dramatic affect, half to make sure that his message had sunk in. Once his brown eyes had surveyed everyone, he finished. "Alright, then, go out and eat good food!"

     Turning back to Shu, Valt smiled. "What do you want to do?" He asked. To which Shu only responded with a shrug. And, also, his stomach growling after having only eaten a few chips over the past large chunk of hours on a plane.