The legend returns

Chapter 20

"What are two bladers like you doing in a creepy place like this?" Aiger asked. "I was forced against my will to come here by Hearts. I've been here since before the Battleship cruise. I also wanted to meet you." Sora answered. "I came here to free Sora. I also came here to meet you." Shu replied. "Why's that?" Aiger asked. "I saw what happened during your match with Valt. The way you acted during that match reminded me of how Shu and I were two years ago." Sora replied. "What did Ashtem promise you?" Shu asked. "Nothing! I'm perfectly fine! Why don't you mind your own business?" Aiger yelled. "Aiger!" Fubuki yelled as he ran into the room and stood beside Sora. "Fubuki? What are you doing here?" Aiger asked. Ranjiro ran from the hallway behind Aiger and stood beside the maroon haired blader. "Aiger, don't run off and leave me in a creepy place like this." Ranjiro said before he realized who was standing in front of him. "Fubuki. And you're Shu Kurenai! And you're Sora Hagane!" Ranjiro said. "You're Rantaro's brother." Shu said, smiling a little. "So, you're Honcho's little brother. I can definitely see the resemblance." Sora said. "It's an honor to meet you two!" Ranjiro said, bowing a little before standing straight. "Aiger, listen. Shu and Sora came here because they were real worried about you when they saw you were taken down by Hearts." Fubuki said. "Oh. Well why didn't you just say so? You've got nothing to worry about. I've grown a lot since that last match. I'm stronger than ever!" Aiger said. "You are sadly mistaken. You may not know it, but you're being controlled. The only one getting stronger is Ashtem." Shu said. "That can't be right. There is something that takes control sometimes when I battle. But it looks just like me, except with purple eyes." Aiger said. "That's Ashtem. He did the same thing to us two years ago." Sora said. "He's using you because of your strong desire to win. You're willingly letting him control you aren't you?" Shu asked. "That is totally not true!" Aiger yelled. "Every time Ashtem takes over, you're trapped in your own mind. You can't do anything but watch what he does." Sora said. "True, but he's helping me get stronger! He's the reason I had the title!" Aiger yelled. Sora narrowed her eyes at the maroon haired blader. "You're dead wrong. Ashtem may seem like he's helping you, but in reality he's using you for his own purposes. Do you not understand that?" Shu asked. "You're the ones who don't understand! Why don't you ask him yourself! Come on Shu, Sora, I'll prove it with a battle!" Aiger yelled. "Did you completely miss the point? They're not here to battle you!" Fubuki yelled. "I accept." Shu and Sora said in unison. The two bladers stared at each other when they realized what had happened. "You can go first Shu. I'll watch." Sora said quickly. "Wait, really?" Fubuki asked. "If we want Aiger to understand, it's our only choice." Shu said as he reached into his trench coat and pulled out Cho-Z Spryzen. "This is my bey, now meet Cho-Z Spryzen." He said as he held out the red, gold, and black bey for Aiger to see. "Woah, that thing looks intense." Aiger said. "Aiger, lets get started!" Shu said. The bladers walked to the stadium, Shu standing on one side while Aiger stood on the other. Sora stood to the side, a few feet from Shu's right side, Ranjiro stood a few feet from Aiger's left side, while Fubuki was the referee. Aiger switched to tip of his bey to attack mode, while Shu switched his launcher to right spin. "Aiger, from what I remember, Spryzen can spin both clockwise and counter-clockwise. If that's still the case then you better stay on your toes." Ranjiro warned. "Try telling me something I don't know." Aiger said. "No, you don't understand, it can switch between Attack, Stamina, and Defence modes. It's unbelievable!" Ranjiro said. "You're not helping right now! Just let me concentrate!" Aiger snapped, turning to face Ranjiro with and angered expression. Ranjiro took a small step back from Aiger. Aiger turned back to face the stadium and glared at Shu. "First battle!" Fubuki yelled. Shu and Aiger got into their launching positions. "3...2...1...LET IT RIP!" They yelled in unison. Shu twisted around to where his launcher was on his left side, facing the stadium before launching himself toward the stadium and untwisting himself and pulling the ripcord at the last moment. "Turbo Crux Boost!" Shu yelled. Cho-Z Spryzen activated its Cho-z wings and settled in the center of the stadium in Stamina mode. Aiger looked confused as he stared at Spryzen. "Like my Cho-Z wings?" Shu asked. Aiger looked even more confused at those words. Sora managed to hold back a laugh as she looked at Aiger's confused expression. "It's in clockwise spinning Stamina mode." Ranjiro said. "Lets go! Turbo launch!" Aiger yelled. Not gonna work Aiger. Sora thought. Achilles collided with Spryzen, it was repelled the first time but it knocked Spryzen from the center the second time. You're done for. Sora thought. "Turbo Counter Break!" Shu yelled. Spryzen suddenly changed direction and head back towards the center and collided with Achillies, bursting it instantly. Aiger's eyes widened in shock as the pieces to Achilles landed at his feet. "Cho-Z Spryzen with a burst finish. Shu is the winner." Fubuki said. Shu picked up his bey before looking at Aiger. "Aiger!" Ranjiro was ignored by the maroon haired blader. "I just messed up. Next time we'll win for sure! Battle me again Shu!" Aiger said. Sora rolled her eyes in annoyance. He really doesn't get it does he? She thought. "You've got to accept when you've lost Aiger!" Fubuki said. "I know I can beat this guy! So, you gonna give me another chance?" Aiger asked. "Alright. Call a second match Fubuki." Shu said. "But Shu he-" Fubuki was interrupted by Sora. "Just let Aiger learn his lesson the hard way." She said. "You'll learn that no matter what happens, you'll never defeat me. Not with Ashtem's help." Shu said. "You might say that now but I'm gonna take you down!" Aiger yelled. The two got into their launching positions again. Shu switched his launcher to left spin. "Second battle!" Fubuki said. "3...2...1...LET IT RIP!" They yelled in unison. Shu twisted around to where his launcher was on his left side, facing the stadium before launching himself toward the stadium and untwisting himself and pulling the ripcord at the last moment. Cho-Z Spryzen activated its Cho-z wings and spun around the stadium in left spin Defence mode, barely missing Achilles. "Now it's in counter-clockwise Defence mode." Ranjiro said. "Turbo Upper Launch!" Shu yelled. Spryzen suddenly changed direction and began moving towards Achillies at a high speed. The two collided and Achillies was knocked back. "That was nothing!" Aiger yelled. Achilles hit Spryzen with a barrage of attacks, bringing Spryzen closer to bursting. "Now for the final blow! Turbo Whip!" Aiger yelled. Achilles hit Spryzen, sending it into the air. "Alright!" Aiger cheered as he watched the red and gold bey, expecting it to burst. Spryzen landed back in the stadium and continued spinning around the stadium. "What the?!" Aiger said, his voice filled with shock. It's because Spryzen is in it's Turbo awakening state." Fubuki said. "Again! Turbo Whip!" Aiger yelled. Achilles hit Spryzen, sending it into the air once more. "That's what's up!" Aiger cheered, once again expecting the bey to burst. Spryzen hit the edge stadium and used it to change its tip to Attack mode before landing back in the stadium and rocketing forward. Spryzen clipped Achilles as they passed each other, sending the red bey off balance. "That was wonderful!" A voice yelled. Sora turned to see Count Night standing on the wall. She turned back to the stadium and watched the battle. The two beys collided in the center. Sora heard Aiger growling, she turned and saw that his eyes were now purple. I was wondering when that would happen. Sora thought. Spryzen and Achilles were sent backwards. Aiger's hair turned a bright but evil crimson color and it broke free from his hair band. "Look closely Aiger, this is true strength! Turbo Spryzen Whip!" Shu said. The two beys collided and Achillies was sent into the air and burst. The collision was so strong that everyone but Shu and Sora was blown off of their feet. Shu picked up Spryzen once more and watched as Ranjiro and Fubuki ran over to Aiger. Sora walked over to Shu and shook her head. "You think he's gonna listen now?" Sora asked. "I don't know." Shu replied. "You good down there?" Ranjiro asked as he and Fubuki kneeled beside Aiger, who was still lying on the ground. "Yeah, I'm fine. Did I just loose?" Aiger asked. "You mean you don't remember?" Ranjiro asked. "It was a burst finish." Fubuki said. "Here." Ranjiro said as he held out Achilles all in one piece. Aiger held out his hand and Ranjiro put the red bey in his hand. "A burst finish huh? I see." Aiger said. Sora and Shu walked over to the three bladers and stood behind Aiger. The three rose to their feet and Aiger turned to face Shu. "Fubuki, Ranjiro, we'd like some time alone with Aiger." Shu said. "Ok." Ranjiro said. "Sure thing, go ahead." Fubuki said. The two walked away, leaving Sora, Shu, and Aiger alone. There was a long period of silence. "Aiger, I have some-" Shu was interrupted by the maroon haired blader. "There's no way my attack didn't burst Spryzen. But somehow you won. Why is that? Go on, explain it." Aiger growled, his voice filled with anger towards the red eyed blader. "It didn't work because Spryzen was is it's Turbo Awakened state." Shu answered calmly. "Ok, and that is?" Aiger asked, his voice not changing. "When I'm able to pull off the optimal launch, its Cho-Z wings activate. This is known as Turbo Awakening. When the Cho-Z wings activate, Spryzen's power skyrockets to an epic level. And they also serve to protect the bey. That way it can't be burst." Shu explained. "No way. Hold on, are you serious?" Aiger asked, his eyes slightly wide with shock. "Is he for real?" Ranjiro asked. "Spryzen isn't the only bey that has this ability. Cho-Z Draco can do the same thing." Sora said. "However, take it from me that entering the Turbo Awakening state is no easy task. That's where training and determination comes in." Shu said. "That and having good friends and rivals. Also the bey has to have the ability to do it." Sora said. "And what? You're saying that I'm not determined enough? That I'm not training enough? That I don't have any friends or rivals?" Aiger growled. Shu was taken aback by Aiger's words while Sora narrowed her eyes at the maroon haired blader. "Give me a break! That's a load of turbo garbage! And I'll show you by taking out the trash!" Aiger yelled. Sora was prepared to block an attack from the turquoise eyed blader but Ranjiro ran up behind him and restrained him. "That's enough!" Ranjiro yelled. "Let me go! Battle me again Shu!" Aiger growled. "I'll battle you." Sora said calmly. Ranjiro let go of Aiger and took a few steps back. "Shu, if you don't mind, would you call the match?" Sora asked. "Sure." Shu replied. Sora and Aiger walked to opposite sides of the stadium. Shu stood beside the stadium, between the two bladers. Aiger changed his tip to Attack mode while Sora changed her launcher to right spin. "Aiger, Draco used to be able to spin in both directions just like Spryzen." Ranjiro warned. "Let me guess, it switches modes too." Aiger said. "Uh, I don't know." Ranjiro replied. Sora twisted herself around to where her launcher was on her left side facing the stadium and crouched down, ready to leap into the air. Aiger copied Valt's launching position. "3...2...1...LET IT RIP!" Sora and Aiger yelled in unison. Sora leapt into the air and untwisted herself before pulling the ripcord as hard as she could. Cho-Z Draco activated its Cho-z wings and spun around the stadium in left spin. "I'm not wasting any time! Turbo Whip!" Aiger yelled. "Not gonna work." Sora said calmly. The beys collided and Draco was sent backwards before it continued to spin around the stadium. "Is that all you've got?" Sora asked. "I'm not done yet! Again, Turbo Whip!" Aiger yelled. Achilles hit Draco and knocked it back once more. "Ok, I'm done with this. Dragon Slash!" Sora said. Draco spun towards Achilles, the two collided and Draco used it's Cho-Z wings and burst Achilles on contact. "Cho-Z Draco with a burst finish. Sora is the winner." Shu said. Sora picked up her bey, stood up straight and watched as Aiger picked up the pieces to his before he stood up. "Battle me again! I'll show you what I can do!" Aiger yelled. "Listen up Aiger." Shu said calmly. "I'll listen after the battle!" Aiger yelled. "LISTEN!" Shu yelled, causing the maroon haired blader to freeze. "Ok, what is it?" Aiger asked. "There was a time in the past when we went by the name of Red Eye and Ember Eye." Sora said. "Ok, so what?" Aiger asked. "We wanted to become stronger, so we just tossed aside the Bladers Shu Kurenai and Sora Hagane." Shu began. "We had asked Ashtem for help and joined the Snake Pit. It proved to be a mistake. We had tried to leave, but we had no help and Ashtem forced us under his control. He made us destroy several beys. He almost forced us to kill Valt." Sora continued. "If we'd kept going like that, we're positive that we would've been completely ruined as Bladers. However, we were lucky enough to have a friend. A friend who helped us get free from Ashtem. He put every emotion he had right into his Bey, and he used every bit of that strength to break us free and show us... exactly what true strength was." Shu finished. "I've heard enough." Aiger said before turning to walk away. He was blocked by Ranjiro and Fubuki. "Hang on, where're you going man?" Ranjiro asked. "Just listen." Fubuki said. "I'm not Red Eye or Ember Eye if that's what you're saying. I'm still me! I'll prove you wrong just watch!" Aiger yelled before running away. Ranjiro grabbed Aiger and stopped him in his tracks. "Come on Aiger! Chill out!" Ranjiro yelled. "Let go of me Cap'n! You'll never be able to understand the way I feel!" Aiger yelled as he struggled in the blond's grip. "Yeah, I don't understand so why don't you explain it to me?" Ranjiro asked. Aiger pushed against Ranjiro and got free of his grip before turning around to face him. Sora's eyes narrowed as the notice Aiger's eyes were purple. "Why would I waste my time? Anything I say won't get through that hair!" Aiger growled. Sora began to walk towards the two bladers. "My hair may be big, but at least there's a brain behind it!" Ranjiro yelled. "Oh yeah? Well you could've fooled me broom head!" Aiger snapped. "That's exactly what we're talking about." Sora said as she pushed the two apart and stepped between them. "Nice try Ashtem but you can't fool us. Not again." Sora said, looking at Aiger. "But how are you going to free him? It's not like last time. Not even you two could fight against it." Evil Aiger growled. "We'll find a way Theodore. And after that, I'm coming after you." Sora growled. Fubuki and Ranjiro were taken aback by Sora's sudden aggression. Aiger's eyes returned to their normal turquoise color and he looked a bit shocked at the white and gold haired blader's anger towards his evil counterpart. Sora closed her eyes and let out a sigh before looking at Aiger. "Look, Ashtem isn't to be trusted. He doesn't have good intentions." She said calmly. She sound of rock scraping against rock caught everyone's attention. They turned to see a section of the wall opening like a door. "Who's here now?" Aiger wondered. The door opened to reveal the one and only, Valt Aoi. "It's Valt!" Aiger yelled, his eyes wide with shock. "The Valt Aoi? Why is he here?" Ranjiro asked. "What's up?" Valt said. "You're here!" Shu said excitedly as he and Sora ran down the stairs towards Valt. "I sure am! Long time no see huh? So, you got really worried about Aiger and came out here too?" Valt asked. "Yeah. How did you know?" Shu asked. "I see that you're free Sora! Aw man, I missed the fun part." Valt said. "I'm just glad you're here." Sora said. Fubuki, Aiger, and Ranjiro walked towards them. Valt seemed to notice and set his backpack on the ground before opening it. "I bet you guys are starving. I brought some Achilles bread that mom made for all of us. Hey, you like these right?" Valt said as he handed one to Aiger. "This looks tasty!" Aiger said before taking a bite out of the beybread. "You guys should eat up too." Valt said as he handed one to Fubuki and another to Ranjiro. "I hope you brought one for me. It's been a while since I've had one and honestly the food here sucks." Sora said. As if on cue her stomach growled causing Valt to chuckle a little. "I brought one for you too Sora." Valt said as he gave one to the gold eyed blader. Sora took the beybread and bit into it. As if she suddenly realized how hungry she actually was, she began to take several bites out of the beybread before finishing it in record time. "You're a lifesaver Valt." Sora said. "Wow. You were definitely starving. I hope you guys enjoy these. My mom makes the best bread in the whole wide world." Valt said as he stood up. "No kidding. I'm definitely paying her a visit next time I'm in Japan." Sora said. "Valt, the fact that your here must mean yours is finished too." Shu said. "You mean you've made one too?" Valt asked. "Yeah, ages ago." Shu said. "We made ours at the same time. I think Draco and Spryzen turned out pretty good." Sora said. "It looks like you're a step ahead of me again!" Valt said. Hearts laughter echoed through the room causing everyone to spin around to face one of the drones. "Hearts!" Aiger yelled. "The best performers around have graced the Dead Gran with their presence." Hearts voice spoke from the drone. The staircase in front of the group split in two, revealing a hallway. "Welcome Valt Aoi, Shu Kurenai and Sora Hagane. Come in and bring your friends!" Hearts voice continued. "Hey! You better not have forgotten about our match Hearts!" Aiger yelled. "Don't worry Aiger Akabane, you're going to be my opening act!" Hearts voice replied. "That's what I thought! Lets do this!" Aiger yelled before charging down the hallway. Ranjiro and Fubuki took off after him. "I have a feeling this isn't going to end well." Sora said. "That makes two of us." Valt said. "We better get going." Shu said. The three bladers walked down the hallway until it split in two different directions. "Guys, this way!" Fubuki's voice echoed from the hallway on the left. Sora, Shu, and Valt turned to the left and walked down the hallway, eventually catching up with Fubuki and Ranjiro. The group continued walking until the hallway opened up to reveal an arena. The group walked to the front row of the stands and sat down. "Hello my little trouble makers. I hope you're ready, because it's time for Mister Damian's play by play!" The commentator or Mister Damian's voice echoed around the arena. This guy already annoys me more than Hamami. And I'm ok with Hanami's commentary but this guy's just irritating. Sora thought. She spotted Aiger by the entrance to the arena. "As you can see, Aiger Akabane has finally made his way to the Grand Colosseum!" Damian continued. Flames shot up beside the walkway to the stadium, spooking Aiger and causing him to run to the stadium. "There's no escaping fate Aiger. It's your destiny to lose to Hearts." Damian said. Please shut up before I come and break that microphone. Sora thought as she glared at the commentator's box. A drone buzzed towards her, causing her to quickly turn her head and look at it. He's broadcasting this. Well, the mystery of where I am is solved. Sora thought. The drone moved on to buzz in front of Valt for a second and then Shu and Fubuki for a moment before Ranjiro grabbed it and pointed the camera at himself. "Don't forget about me!" Ranjiro said. The drone zapped Ranjiro causing him to let it go before it flew away to hover in front of the stadium. "You ok Ranjiro?" Sora asked. "I'm good. It just gave me a little shock." Ranjiro said. Hearts' yelling caused the group to snap their attention back to the stadium. Hearts ran from the entrance opposite from Aiger and towards the stadium. "Attention thousand ghouls! Here is your most gracious host, it's the Dark prince himself, Hearts!" Damian yelled. Hearts jumped in the air and did a few front flips before landing in front of the stadium and standing up straight to face Aiger. "Are you ready for this? I'll send you to a nightmare there's no waking from!" Hearts said. Sora watched as Aiger's eyes turned purpled once more. "You ready to get destroyed Hearts? Huh? I hope you are because losing to me is your destiny!" Aiger growled. This isn't going to end well... Sora thought.