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"We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes" 

- John F. Kennedy - 

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It would've been easier for Shu if he knew what to expect from Dylan. But that gang was different, and they were almost a whole separate group who had nothing to do with him except for bullying him of course. The team for the tournaments was chosen by matches among each other and the last three to survive ended up being in the team. As he heard, most of the time Raging Bulls recruited five bladers to the team but this time everyone was quite surprised to find out that it was only three. Shu stretched his arms walking to the main stadium where the tournaments would take place. He thought about Lucas's information about the two new members, and as Shu guessed most probably the two missing members are those anonymous missing parts of the team. He was drawn away from his thoughts from a friendly slap on the back. Shu turned around to see Lucas, grinning at him. "Yo!"

Shu smiled at him. It was good to have someone by his side even after once in a while, and besides when Lucas was here Shu knew Dylan would not try to pull off something funny. He had called Valt, Honcho and Daigo that morning wishing them luck on the European League battle. As he heard, the first battle is going to be between Top Wand and AS Gallus. Valt, as usual, was overly enthusiastic to participate in the battles while Honcho was backing him up as always. He heard about the match between Sunbat United and BC Sol earlier that week and apparently Wakiya had recruited the team himself and played the role of the owner. Quite the surprise it might've been, Shu thought when Valt went ranting about their achievements and how he and Honcho was able to grab their spots in the team tournaments. Truthfully, he was happy that he would be able to see them soon again, even as rivals their bond would still stand strong. "So, ready for the big day?" Lucas asked.

Shu smiled, "You bet I am"

Lucas ruffled his hair, looking around at the groups who were practicing together while Shu stood alone in the corner, alone. "Aren't you going to practice?" He asked, looking at the boy who was shifting from one leg to the other, impatient and obviously nervous even though he hid it pretty well.

Shu shrugged, "I already did"

Their conversation went on forever until a voice spoke, "It seems like you two have gotten closer in the past few days"

They both turned to be met up with Theodore Glass, the manager of Raging Bulls. Shu instantly stiffened while Lucas looked annoyed. After that weird confrontation with those mysterious figures Shu kept himself away from Theodore's office as much as possible. Even though he really didn't care much about those people, a part of his mind nagged with curiosity. Just what were those people doing inside the Raging Bulls. He dismissed the thought focusing on the present. Lucas rolled his eyes at Theodore. "When your best friends forget about you, god send us someone else to snatch away the loneliness"

Theodore raised his arms in surrender, "I am guilty about that, but you know I'm a busy man Lucas"

Lucas sighed, crossing his arms. "It was better when both of us were just members at this time. Good old times"

"I agree" Theodore breathed, turning his gaze to Shu. "I heard from the coach that you're a promising young blader. Keep up the good work"

Shu nodded, "I will, Sir"

"Don't respect him that much kid. Just called that brat Ted or something" Lucas said, with a smug grin covering his face.

Shu blinked, unsure how to react about his comment. Theodore just smiled. His teal gaze fixating on him, a rare gentleness washing over them. For a moment, Shu thought Theodore was going to say something to him but instead he turned to the others who were watching them intently. "Everyone gather around, we're going to start the tournament."

Shu walked toward his age group, standing far more behind in the group, detaching himself from it. Dylan and his gang were standing in the front, sure about their victory. Shu just took a deep breath, wishing everything will be just fine. Honcho and Valt, also Daigo, were stepping up their games and have already achieved their spots in their tournaments and finally, it was his chance.

Each and every battle was heated and was fought with full passion and determination. Even though Dylan can be a pain in the butt most of the time his skill was real and his love for beyblade is something to admire. The first few opponents Shu faced were easy opponents and he burst them with a clean and smooth hit. Everyone was advancing from step to step. And by noon, half of the bladers were eliminated and there were only ten of them left. The ones who were eliminated looked majorly disappointed but they stayed back to cheer for their friends.

After lunch, the battles continued again and they were down to six. The last battles fought among the pairs and with that the members would be chosen. The first battle was between Ethan and someone he didn't know. Ethan had come this far with quite ease, and everyone knew him as the legend of Raging Bulls, and Shu instantly recognized Ethan to be a blader with passion and strength. The two loaded their beys to their launchers, taking their stance. Ethan was holding his launcher from his right hand, holding the handle of the code with his left. Shu blinked, realizing that he didn't notice that little detail before. Ethan was left handed. Shu inspected his bey as he launched it to the stadium. The bey disk was an elegant, velvety black with three silver streaks in a triangular shape. The middle was designed in gold, shaping it to a head of a roaring lion. The rest of the bey was black and the tip had a silver streak with gold edges. Inspecting the way it moved, Shu concluded it to be an attack type bey. Ethan pumped his fist, gliding it through the air, yelling. "Winged Sphinx, now! Double Counter attack!"

The bey gracefully glided through the stadium, racing toward the vulnerable bey, spinning in the middle of the stadium. Sphinx's attacked ruthlessly proving that offence is the best defence. Soon, the other blader was on one knee, clutching to his bey which was now in three pieces while Sphinx spun around with it's splendid grace just as before. Shu stared at him, awed and impressed. A loud cheer echoed just when Theodore announced Ethan's position of the team was decided. His friends clustered around him, slapping his back and congratulating him, but quite surprisingly there was not a single hint of joy in those azure eyes. Just the frightening coldness, the icy coldness.

The next one to earn his spot in the team was, as everyone expected, Dylan Summers. He flashed Shu a smug grin, joyously accepting all the wishes that came his way. He was the opposite of Ethan, Shu thought as he heard his name being called. Everyone grew silent again, anticipating another decisive battle. Shu glanced around, catching Ethan's eyes for a second when he realized that it was the first time Ethan would be seeing him blading, and that dark judgmental gaze made the blader shiver. He was not at all happy with the attention that he was receiving at the moment. Shu took his stance while the other blader followed his suit and after the countdown, both of them launched their beys into the stadium, wanting to grab the last place of the team, to fight with the other teams in the nationals.

Shu always loved the fluttering feeling inside him whenever he felt that he was closer to the win. He loved the feeling he got whenever he launched his bey and saw it gliding through the bey dish with that glowing crimson surrounding it. Shu felt warm inside whenever he saw Spryzen obeying his commands. Launching strike over strike to his opponent. His hand moved his eyes to the long stripe of bang covering his scar as he heard the snap of the other bey and when he saw it lying in front of him,in three pieces Shu swept away his hair ,exposing his scar. A habit he had grown into, something he unconsciously did whenever he won the battle. Theodore spread his arms, announcing "The last spot will be taken by Shu Kurenai. Congratulations!"

There were half hearted cheers all across the arena. Shu winced when he realized how lonely he was, inside this club he had absolutely no friends, no one to call him up, congratulate him for his achievements. Shu bent down and picked up his bey. Spryzen glinted red, shining against the lights as if to congratulate him. Shu smiled, Spryzen had always been a more of a friend for him after all. His thoughts were momentarily broken by someone's hand clasping him on the back with a loud cheerful, congratulations. Shu turned around to see Lucas, "Thanks!"

Lucas grinned, "I knew you would get chosen to the team anyway. You're a talented brat"

Shu huffed, "You had to add the brat in the end"

"Of course! Let's go to my place. Dinner's on me today"

Shu smiled, nodding along. "Sounds like a treat to me!"

He heard Dylan clicking his tongue, annoyed that Shu had company and his company being one of the most well known and powerful figures in the club. Ethan had already left the stadium to who knows where. Shu shrugged everything off and followed Lucas who was mimicking his battle movements enthusiastically without even feeling Theodore's eyes fixated on him as he exited.

Theodore stared at the white haired boy. He knew that Lucas and Shu had a close relationship with one another and he remembered about Lucas's statement about Shu Kurenai. He is talented, Theodore thought. He always recognized raw talent right off the bat and Shu had a long way to go, so much space to evolve and get stronger. His passion, and his intelligence was outstanding. Theodore turned around, swiftly making his exit as he thought, Shu Kurenai is a rare gem that needs to be shaped, if he succeeded in doing so, he would make a dangerous weapon.

                                                                                              ---

Valt was certainly enthusiastic about the first battle in the European League. After meeting Cuza, he had been looking forward to the battle more than before. As he heard from everyone Top Wand is a strong team which represented Germany but Valt being Valt was already ready for a new battle, new challenge and a new victory. The team walked toward the stadiums. Free already yawning out of boredom. In other's eyes, BC Sol was a weird team. Sure, they had the top blader in the whole world, Free De La Hoya who fit in with that weirdness perfectly. Honcho was looking around in awe and Sisco (who ditched Wakiya's team after the battle in Sunbat United) was walking beside them with an annoyed look. The main lobby of the building was filled with many types of teams flocked together in various places, talking with each other and making various strategies to win the day. "Yo Valt!" A cheery voice said, grabbing the attention of Brunette. The white Cockatoo echoed the word, "Valt Valt!"

Valt grinned as he watched Top Wand, the team from Germany reaching them. Cuza was already waving at him with a big smile on his face. Most of them identified Cuza and Valt to be identical figures. Their cheerful optimistic aura gave energy to those who were around them. "Hey!" Valt greeted, fist bumping with the other.

The rest of the team just watched their friendly conversation. It was not everyday you see rival teams going happy go lucky on each other after all. "We are enemies in today's match," Honcho reminded Valt with a sigh.

Valt scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Honchoooo, we're rivals and we can be friends too!"

Free muttered something under his breath and excused himself of the group while Cuza watched him, shifting from leg to leg. "That Free guy is quite weird, isn't he?"

"Nah" Valt replied, walking toward the training areas with the rest of their teams following the two. "He's always like that"

The conversation seemed to go forever until they spotted a familiar raven haired figure near a bey dish with several guys crowded around watching the beys clash together. Honcho's eyes widened, immediately recognizing the figure. "Daigo?"

Valt gasped,running toward the male with open arms. "Daigo!" He yelled at the top of his lungs making the raven haired male turn around in horror just when his two friends crashed into him tackling him into a big group hug.

Daigo groaned, untangling himself from the tight hug. "Guys, personal space please"

Honcho pulled away with a sly grin. "Man, it's good to see you again"

Daigo smiled softly, nodding along. "Can't say otherwise"

Valt's eyes were practically sparkling as he looked around to see the other members of the AS Gallus team. Jean raised his brow, "Do you know them cap?"

Valt frowned at the word, and after a few seconds, "Cap!? Daigo you don't say-"

Daigo nodded, "I am the leader of the AS Gallus tea, and these are my members. Jean, Ruck and Clio-" He trailed off, searching for the blader who was just there with them a few seconds ago. "Where did you go?"

Jean shrugged, "Probably outside scaring girls asking for their blood"

"B-Blood?" Cuza shrieked, looking around.

Daigo waved his hand dismissively. "Not real blood, that's an inside joke going on"

Soon, the three teams had to part away from the main arena. They wished each other good luck as they reached their private rooms to practice a bit more, and when the time came for the battle, naturally, Valt was practically bouncing on his knees.

Top Wand was not a team one should underestimate, and BC Sol never underestimated their opponents because Free always knew to give the same level to any blader he battles with. Naturally, the European League was a heated one, filled with young blood and passion burning through their veins. The whole audience was cheering loud enough to pump them up even more and Free knew, this excitement one feels in the stadium can be temporary, but it is one of the best feelings one could ever witness in their lives. The battle was heated and agitating from the start, but in the end BC Sol won the game making their once low ratings spike up majorly. Free blankly stared at the two new bladers: Honcho and Valt. They had the promising energy inside them to bring BC Sol to a better place. Just maybe, he thought looking over his shoulder to see the shadowy figure standing in the far corner, Theodore Glass. Just Maybe as Theodore said to him, leaving the team would give the others a chance to shine and Valt had the capability to take BC Sol to a different level. Unlike him, Valt knew the value of a team and Free being Free only wanted to go solo, just like he always did.

---

Daigo looked at the huge screen displaying in front of him, currently broadcasting a recap of the battle between BC Sol and the Top Wand. As he guessed before, the team game ain't going to be easy and Valt had obviously reached a whole other level with the help of Honcho. When those two are together they improve in a fast phase, Daigo knew. He turned back to the bey dish standing in front of him and launched Doomscizor to the stadium. The dark coloured bey landed swiftly gliding through the smooth material. "Nice launch Daigo" A ghostly voice said. In other circumstances he might've been afraid, but he knew Clio is the owner of that chilling voice.

"Thanks" He answered simply. "Where have you been?"

Clio flipped his cloak and sat on the metal chair standing in front of the stadium. A bottle of tomato juice in his hand. "I went to stroll around, and to see whether the darkness had conquered us as a whole"

Daigo raised his brow. "Darkness?"

Clio nodded, "This tournament feels weird somehow. The normal procedure of things has changed. You noticed that too, didn't you?"

"I did," He said, picking up his bey, tracing his thumb along the hard and bumpy surface. "We were supposed to battle with BC Sol first, and the Top Wand was with the team we are going to fight today..."

Clio just hummed, "They might've just changed the procedure but" He stood up, making a dramatic pose as he looked at Daigo creepily, grinning wildly. "Things will get exciting anyway"

Daigo shook his head. It was hard to get serious with Clio after all. "I hope it won't get too exciting"

"Boring" He muttered, walking out of the room. The boy looked over his shoulder one last time, "And Daigo, let's win this thing. It doesn't matter whether it changes or not"

Daigo smiled, "Yeah, let's do it"

---

Shu didn't miss any of the battles in the European league. He was impressed with the talent of the bladers and certainly Valt had grown impressively. A fond smile escaped his lips as he watched his best friend on the screen with his usual positive friendly smile but eyes burning with determination. He stretched his arms, stopping to grab some water. Even Though their team was put together several days ago, they still haven't started training together. All of them did their individual training and that was it. All of them were curious about those new members who would be coming soon enough. It had been so long since Shu practiced with a team and quite frankly he knew that the new team wouldn't be like the Bey club back at home. He would never find a group like them after all.

"BC Sol vs BK Nord" He heard one of them saying, "Gonna be a tough match"

"BC Sol is making quite the comeback" Another answered.

Shu broke away his focus from them and stood up to continue with his training when one of them gasped. "Holy- look! Free De La Hoya is not playing with them anymore"

Shu raised his brow in confusion, Free is not playing with the BC Sol? He thought silently, frowning. As far as he heard Free had been a BC Sol member for years and it was practically like home to him. He heard the members scrambling away from the training room, crowding by the door. Shu raised his brow at the sudden change of the atmosphere when Theodore Glass stepped in with another figure. It didn't take a genius to figure out where Free De La Hoya had gone. He was right there, standing in front of their training facilities, staring straight at him with his deep and dark mysterious eyes.