The sun started to sink as the wind rolled in. Gingka plopped to the ground after battling the children. "You guys are great!" He said. "I've never had a battle like that in a while!"

"But you still won." Chikara pouted.

"But it took everything I had. You should be proud!" Gingka stood up and picked up Pegasus. "Let's go. We have an important dinner to get ready for."

"Does this mean we have to wear ties and junk?" Msaka asked.

Gingka laughed. "No way! It's not that important. It's just between us and a few friends...and some reporters. No big deal. Besides, you don't have any of that stuff."

"Good."

"Let's go then." Chikara crossed her arms. "The faster we do this, the faster we can sleep. I haven't had a good night's sleep since we got to this country."

"Sleep does sound good right about now." Gingka said with a yawn.

"Gingka, you're so old." Msaka laughed.

Gingka and Chikara laughed too. "Oh, is that so?" Gingka asked in an old man's voice and hunching over. "Well, sonny, go and get my cane!"

When they got inside, Madoka was sitting quietly in the lobby. "Gingka." She motioned towards herself. Gingka saw her and let the kids go to their rooms on their own. "You're pretty good with those kids." She said. "Ever wish you had some?"

He shrugged, thinking about what he said to Masamune when they were drunk in his office. "I don't really have time for kids."

"That's the problem." Madoka spoke up. "We let this war get in between us. Time's running out. Yours isn't but mine is."

"Madoka..."

"Parker was all I had. We didn't even have a chance."

"What are you saying?"

Madoka faced him, opening her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, she stood up and headed for the elevator. There were tears in her eyes, threatening to fall.

"Madoka, wait..." Gingka followed her. He got in with her, and neither said a word. As the doors closed, they remained silent. They were alone.

"I want a chance." She said. "I'm getting desperate. I'm...sorry."

"Don't be." He said. It was all he said.

The doors opened when they got to their floor. The two didn't say anything as they parted into their separate rooms. Gingka bit his lip and ran a hand through his hair as Madoka turned towards him. "Just forget I said anything." She said. "Please."

Gingka nodded and went on. But she knew what she said would stick with her.

The rest of them were scrambling to get themselves ready with the exception of Tsubasa and Shou. Shou was asleep while Tsubasa sat at his side. No one knew Shou left. Even he questioned if what happened was real. Did he really see Kyoya?

Tsubasa stroked his hair in smooth motions when Yu came in. "Aren't you getting ready?" He asked softly to not wake the child.

Tsubasa slowly turned towards him and shook his head. "No." He said. "I'll just stay here."

"Is it Mamo or Shou holding you back?" He asked.

Tsubasa didn't answer. "What am I doing wrong?" He asked. "I did this to myself. I feel terrible. I did a terrible thing, and...I'm sorry. I really am."

"It's okay."

"I always say to act with caution and here I am being reckless. I let the power get to me and I could've gotten Gingka and myself hurt." He said. "And for what? My son is still gone. Who knows what they're doing to him? They could be torturing him for answers. What am I supposed to do?"

"I...don't understand. Did you and Ging-ki try to find Mamo? You know where he is?"

"Not exactly." He sighed. "Aquila, help me with your brothers."

Shou sputtered a cough and fluttered his eyes. "Dad...?"

"It's okay, Shou. I'm here." He felt his forehead and cheeks. "You're still a little warm, but your fever has gone down a good deal. That's good."

"There was...a man..." The boy said.

Tsubasa gave him a quizzical look. "What man?"

"Who's he talking about?" Yu asked.

"It was...Kyoya Tategami." He said. "He was here..." He coughed again.

"Save your strength." Tsubasa told him. "Just rest, okay?"

"But Dad, he's out there. He could help…"

Tsubasa looked at Yu. "He might be there." Yu said.

Tsubasa nodded. "You're right. Tell Gingka and the others. I'll be here."

"But, Tsubasa..."

"I'm not going. Even if I did go, what use am I?"

Yu took a step back, seeing the serious look on his face. Being his friend, Yu knew he wasn't just talking about eating dinner. Tsubasa had given up. "Okay." He said, making his way to the door. "I'm...speechless, Tsubasa."

There was a crowd of paparazzi, news reporters, and cameras waiting for them. They were asking so many questions at once: What will happen next? What's your strategy? What are you having for dinner? Where's Tsubasa?

Gingka guided his group away and into their tables. Meeting them there was Yuuko and Chao Xin. "Yuuko, where have you been?" Gingka asked.

The girl smiled and kicked her feet underneath her chair. "I was at the hotel, studying with Shou." She answered. "I helped Izumi too!"

"I found her in the lobby." Chao Xin told him. "She was just running around with her beyblade spinning out of control."

She nodded. "I was trying to come up with a special move!"

Gingka sat down next to her. "Yuuko, are you serious about battling? It can be dangerous."

She nodded. "I want to fight with my dad."

"But we don't know where he is."

"I know but..." Before she could finish, a woman who was the coordinator of the event got Gingka's attention.

"Mr. Hagane, we are ready to begin." She said.

Gingka nodded and stood up. "I'll be right back." He told them.

"Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming out tonight." The coordinator of the event said. "Tonight, we have an important speaker. Give a warm welcome to the head of the WBBA, Gingka Hagane!" Everyone began to clap.

Gingka stood at the podium, looking prestigious as the head of the WBBA should be. As soon as he put his beyblade on the surface, everyone grew silent. The man cleared his throat and adjusted the microphone. He tapped it a few times to make sure it was working.

"Fellow bladers," He started, "we have come a long way. We're here after a week of heavy training, leaving everything behind. We have nothing left to lose. We're not only fighting for our lives. We're fighting for our loved ones, for our safety, for our future. This battle will determine how we live for either the rest of our lives or until we rise again. If we don't win tomorrow, we will rise again. But that shouldn't be an issue because we will win. This war ends tomorrow.

"For those of you who have a loved one who has been captured and held for ransom by Tetsuya Watarigani or any of the Dark Nebula, I'll tell you that we are working on getting them back. We don't know exactly why this is happening, but we're getting to the bottom of it. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, make sure you're on the lookout for any suspicious behavior. Don't go out alone.

"Now, I would like to move on..." As Gingka continued his speech, Masamune got a tap on the shoulder from one of the servants.

"Excuse me, sir, you have a phone call." He whispered.

"Do you know from whom?" Masamune whispered back.

"He told me he was your father-in-law."

Masamune swallowed before getting up. He saw that Gingka noticed and gave him a smile and nod so he wouldn't worry. As Gingka continued, Masamune slipped into the front desk. "Hello?"

"Masamune?"

"Si, hola, Papi."

"Guess where I'm calling from!" The man said with a thick accent.

Masamune took a breath. "You aren't calling from the hospital, are you?"

"I am!" He said. "Be excited! ¡You're going to be un papi! ¡Tienes suerte!"

"Si, si. I know I'm lucky, pero..." He said. "I'm still in Tunisia. The fight isn't until tomorrow. I can't be there for…"

"Do not worry. Luz is fine. She's not labor yet."

"Well, then, what's going on?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing important." He said. "Just a checkup. Luz has been feeling some cramps, so we're checking it out."

"Good."

"We wanted to call you before your big fight. We cheer for you! Defend your familia one last time."

Masamune smiled. "Gracias, Papi." He said. "Adiós. Y… tell Luz I said hi and that I send my love." After he hung up, Masamune took in a deep breath. Even though he was squeezing his fist, he handed the phone back with a smile. "Thank you." He told him.

But before he went back into the dining room, something caught his eye. It was a man on a tight leash controlled by a bigger man. There were also two other guys beside them. Masamune could hardly make out who it was or where the leash held the man. All he could see were shadows coming his way. Finally, they came close enough to make out who they were.

"Where's Gingka?"

"He's in there." Masamune pointed. "He's doing a speech."

Gingka was concluding the speech when the group barged in. "And together we'll..." Gingka stopped when he saw them and gasped. Everyone turned around and saw who it was: Kyoya Tategami holding Tetsuya Watarigani by a leash with Mamoru and Yuki standing by his side. "Kyoya..." Gingka said.

The man smiled and held up the rope. "I believe we have a criminal here." He said.

"C...c...crab...!" Tetsuya sputtered. "Crabbyyyy! You wouldn't hit someone who's m...mentally ill, w...would you?" He asked matter-of-factly.

Gingka raised a brow in confusion before getting back on the mic. "Together we'll defeat the enemy. Please, enjoy your meal." He said quickly before jumping off. He rushed off the stage and made his way towards them. "What happened? Where did you come from?" Gingka asked. "Please, sit with us."

"But what do we do about Tetsuya?" Masamune asked.

"Please…spare me! I just wanted the ransom money so I can pay my medical bills. I'm trying to get help, you see, my cr…my friends."

Without saying anything, Kyoya wrapped the leash around him so he wouldn't break free. "Take him outside and let the police deal with it." He said, handing him to a random server.

"Right away, sir."

"You can't do this to me!" Tetsuya said as he was being dragged away. Suddenly, he broke free. "Scuttle away!" He bolted off before anyone can catch him.

"That's one crazy man." Gingka rolled his eyes. Then to the others, he said "Please, sit! There's plenty of room."

Kyoya nodded as Yuki and Mamoru greeted their families. Mamoru sat next to Chieko who had tears of joy. Yuuko kept her arms around her father as he sat down. Kyoya saw Msaka. His first intention was to sit down, but his son was staring daggers at him, protecting the seat. Kyoya stared back. Eventually, the boy's expression softened.

"Son." Kyoya nodded in a greeting.

"Dad..." Kyoya knelt down beside him. "You've been gone for so long."

"I have." He said.

"But why?"

"For you." He said. "Have you been training?"

He nodded. "I have. It was the hardest I've ever worked."

"Was it enough?"

He shook his head as tears filled his eyes. "No."

"Do you understand then?"

"Yes." He swallowed, trying to keep the tears in. But one escaped.

"Why are you crying? You're going soft." Kyoya sat down next to him.

Msaka kept his head low. He was embarrassed for opening up too much in front of his father. At the moment, he felt his face getting red as he tried to contain himself. But then he felt Kyoya's hand on his neck, massaging it.

"I asked you a question, Msaka. What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

Msaka looked up at his father's eyes to find truth. It was there as well as regret and love. Kyoya lowered his hand onto his son's back. Awkwardly, the two pulled each other closer and finally into an embrace. The two held the loving position for a while before breaking apart.

Meanwhile, Masamune sat down very shakily. "Are you okay?" Gingka asked.

"They're in the hospital." He told them. "I don't think I can do this."

"No, Masamune, you'll be okay. Don't think like that."

"I can't. I'm... I'm freaking out... I can't."

Madoka wasn't happy to see Masamune in such distress while Kyoya reunites with his son as well as Yuki and Mamoru. It reminded her of how alone she was and how she'll never know how it would be like to be in anyone's shoes. "Excuse me." She stood up and left.

"Madoka..." Gingka was about to follow her but Masamune continued.

"She'll be in so much pain while I'm on the other side of the world." He said. "I can't let her go through that alone."

Kenta came back from the bar on the other side of the room and sat down. He had a drink in hand and sipped it slowly. "What's going on?" He asked. "Is everything falling to Hell?"

Gingka didn't answer. Masamune was steadily rocking while Madoka was crying somewhere, Kyoya and Msaka weren't saying anything, and Yu was the only one eating until he began to have another paranoia episode. He threw the chicken dinner to the ground along with his drink. Gingka turned back to Kenta and gave him a smile. "Yes. I think so."

"Talk to me, Kenta." Gingka said. "Just tell me something that will lift all of our spirits."

"It'll end tomorrow." He said, taking a gulp of the drink he got from the bar. "After tomorrow, we don't have to worry about...this sorta thing. We'll be free to make our own decisions like the adults we are."

"I can't." He said. "I'm still in charge of the WBBA." Gingka smiled involuntarily. "It's hard, you know. It's very hard. I can't hold on to everyone without doubting myself. Tsubasa was smart to leave when he did."

"He's hurting. Physically and mentally." Kenta said. "If he were to continue, he'd be a wreck. He can barely handle life as it is, so he trusts you with this. He believes you can do it, Gingka."

"And look where that's gotten us. I let this war happen. I let us all go to Hell. I let beyblade go to Hell." Gingka stopped at the elevator and pressed the up button.

"Do you hear yourself?" Kenta asked. "Are you drunk?"

"I'm not drunk."

"Then maybe you can remember something." The elevator doors opened and they got inside. "Remember around when we first met. You fought against the Face Hunters, one hundred to one. The odds were against you, but you still came out on top."

"I did."

"It's the same with this. There are so many things against us, but I know we'll be victorious. But we can't if our leader is bringing us down." Gingka didn't say anything, so he continued. "We're all hurting right now. And we'll keep hurting until this is all over."

That last sentence replayed in Gingka's mind. Even after he told Kenta that he was right and excused himself into his room, he kept thinking about it. He thought about it when he got ready for bed and until he fell asleep. He thought about it when he woke up the next day. His friends were in trouble and Gingka had to help.