Felicity paced outside of Shu's apartment block, "Come on... you were supposed to be here half an hour ago! Where are you?" she muttered to herself. As if on cue, Shu came out from inside the building, his white hair soaking wet as though he had just come from the shower, "Sorry I'm late, you caught me in training."

Felicity shrugged, "No problem, are we gonna talk about the Daigo problem?"

Shu looked at her, "You mean when he used his launcher to blind Yugo? That was weird, but... aren't you overstating it? How about we just go and convince him to confess to the officials?"

Felicity shook her head, "I'm not overstating it. You don't know how bad it is. I felt some demonic resonance radiating off him in that fight."

Shu looked at her blankly, "Demonic... resonance?"

Felicity nodded, "Right, you wouldn't know. Resonance is basically when you and your bey's avatar are in sync. Once you're totally in sync, the avatar can give its strength to its blader. And vice versa."

Shu nodded, it made sense on some level, of course Felicity could tell the bond between blader and bey. "I think I follow, kind of. But isn't resonance good?"

Felicity tilted her head in that quirky bird-like way, "Ordinary resonance; yes. But demonic resonance is different. Usually, beys can tell if what they are doing is wrong or right, so if their resonating blader suddenly starts acting odd; pushing it to do things that it believes are wrong then there are two possible outcomes. One, the bey rejects the blader if its resolve in its morals is strong enough. Or two, the bey's resolve is broken and it allows the blader to act in however manner it seems fit. Beys like their bladers a lot, apparently, so most of the time their resolve breaks."

Shu nodded, "I think I get it... you think Daigo pushed Doomsizor to cheat; that sounds wrong. He's a good guy, I know it."

Felicity looked skyward, where a lone falcon was circling the area, "You're right, sometimes it's the opposite. The bey will push the blader into doing anything for power." her voice shook and her eyes had a haunted look in them.

Shu looked at her warily, "That shouldn't be possible, right? I mean a bey's connection with its blader is what allows it to gain sentience. Why would it throw that away?"

Felicity shrugged, "Most beys treasure the bond because that type of thing is rare. Only a very special blader is able to resonate with their bey. The aura of a blader is like a key and the aura of a bey can be called a lock. Only a very specific combination will allow the door to open for the resonance to flow through. Each bey and blader has a unique aura, and most beys usually don't have enough aura to resonate at all. Remember how I told you my powers were created?"

Shu nodded, "An experiment in Mexico, right? You were going through an unhealthy amount of training, and were working on a new type of beyblade. When you used it in a battle, you collapsed because of the strain, when you recovered, your aura developed into a physical manifestation."

Fliss grinned, "Right on all accounts, so what happened was that intense training strengthened my aura to an unfathomable amount. It couldn't be contained by me, so it started sprouting off of me. That bey I was working on? It was specifically engineered to have a stronger aura, because its spirit was based on the hopes and dreams of its blader, me. At that point my aura was like multiple keys; the experiments and the training making me able to resonate with multiple beys on a higher scale. The bey was misunderstood; corrupted by the surroundings, if it had been given more time to adjust to its sentience, maybe some good would have come off it, but the thing was quite unsettled and used its only knowledge to grasp onto the only person it really knew."

Shu processed all this in his head, if a bey avatar that could communicate with only one person and knew all the dreams and hopes and wishes of that person, what would it do in its desperation to keep that person close? The bey was obviously powerful... then it clicked, "It tempted you with power, didn't it?" he asked.

Fliss's cheeks turned a light shade of pink and she scuffed the ground with her boots, pouting, "It tried. But it didn't work."

Shu hummed, "So you think that's what's going on with Daigo?"

Fliss nodded, "I suppose, but Doomsizor really shouldn't have the aura to threaten Daigo's resolve, so... I'll just go ask it what the hell it's doing."

Shu looked at the sky, "Sounds like a plan. You don't want any lunch do you? 'Cause I was just about to start cooking."

Fliss tugged at her ponytail, "Sorry, I told Valt I would join him and possibly Daigo on the roof for practice. But before I go, there was this one other thing I wanted to ask you about."

Shu leaned back, "Shoot."

Fliss twiddled with her thumbs, "Y'know that weird dude with the purple-blue hair and a club on his cheek, Akiba Gorudo?"

Shu nodded, "Yeah, what about him?"

Fliss narrowed her eyes, "He was in the District Tournament, lost in the quarterfinals, against Orochi."

Shu raised his eyebrows, "So?"

Fliss shrugged, "It's impressive actually that he lost with a score of one to two. I didn't watch the match myself, so I didn't think about it. But that kid just moved to our school, and Falcon thinks he is some kind of bey whisperer. Like me, but slightly less intense powers."

Shu looked surprised, "That, is mildly interesting." he admitted.

Felicity took out her tablet and opened it, "It doesn't stop there. I watched the recording of his match when I found out he was in the Regionals, just in case. Turns out, he's a fortune-teller or something too. Take a look at this clip before the second match."

She held up her tablet; which now displayed a video of Orochi Ginba and Akiba Gorudo. DJ Blader was talking in the background, "What an outcome! Even Odax's Blast Beat couldn't cut through Aegis' iron defense!" Orochi was surveying Akiba with interest and mild awe. Akiba, however, was looking down at his pack of cards.

The referee looked between the two of them, "Are we ready to start the next match?"

Orochi gave the affirmative, but Akiba looked up from the cards and stared at Orochi dead in the eyes, "I'm not meant to win right now. I mean, I could but I won't. Nothing good comes from messing with Fate."

Orochi smirked at the kid, "What, you scared? Gonna chicken out?" he taunted.

The boy gave him a disdainful look, "No way, I don't run and hide. If you insist, let's get this over with." The two took their stances. 3! 2! 1! Let it... Rip! The beys ran out into the stadium. Akiba's bey was white, gold and bronze, nearly circular with a monster's face in the middle. Eight dagger-like contact points stuck out from the circle. As far as Shu could see, that thing probably had better defense than Wyvron, which was saying something. But the launch was off, the landing of Aegis was shaky and far from the center. Odax caught up easily and landed a savage barrage attack. It burst almost a few seconds underneath the assualt. Shu blinked as Fliss put the tablet down, "That kid lost on purpose." he noted.

Fliss nodded, "Exactly. He's a weird kid, alright. But a powerful opponent, possibly with a lot of insight on everything going on in our heads. Keep an eye on him, he may try to use that intel to throw us off our game."

Shu nodded, "Thanks for telling me."

Fliss grinned before catching sight of the time on her tablet, "Oh god, I'm late for the Beyclub meeting. I'll catch you later, alright?"

Shu waved, "Yeah, see you."

Felicity sprinted up to the school roof, with Falcon on her tail. When she got there, only Valt was sitting there, looking kind of upset. She walked closer, "Hey, Valt, where's everyone?"

Valt looked up, and smiled, as though he was relieved that she had shown up, "Oh... Honcho said he wanted to train by himself and Daigo... he didn't show up."

Felicity sighed, if Daigo wasn't here, where was he? But she made herself smile, "Then how about we battle, Valt?"

Valt looked up, "Seriously?!"

Felicity nodded, "Sure, why not?"

Valt looked down, "It's just... you barely ever battle us. You just watch."

Felicity tilted her head, breaking into a small smile, "If there's no one to watch, what's the point?"

Valt rubbed the back of his head, "Well... you're right. Let's battle!"

The two took their stances, Ghost sat on the metal fence; spectating. 3! 2! 1! Let I-SCREEEEEEEECH! Ghost's startling cry echoed through the rooftop. Felicity turned towards the red and white bird of prey mid-launch and Valt flinched, his launcher hand shaking. The monochromatic bey soared over the stadium and the azure bey smashed into the stadium shakily. Valt glared at the bird, "What was that for?!" he yelled, rubbing his ears. Felicity, however, looked towards where Ghost was looking. The dark green and grey-clad figure of Akiba Gorudo was heading towards them.

She poked the shorter boy in the back, "Check it out, Valt. Another participant of the Regionals."

Valt stared at Akiba, "What's he doing there?" then as an afterthought, he yelled out, "HEY! WHAT'RE YOU DOING HERE?"

The boy walked up until he was within a reasonable distance, "I heard there was a beyclub in this school. I was hoping to join, but I can't find it."

Valt gave him a toothy smile, "Well, ya came to the right place! We're members of the beyclub!"

The kid scanned the area, "Oookay... where is the club then?"

Valt reddened, "Uh... Honcho's preparing for the next round by himself. Daigo... he's probably visiting his brother in the hospital and lost track of time."

The purple-blue haired boy smiled, his exposed eye crinkling shut, "Well, in that case, can I still join?"

Valt nodded, "Yeah, sure! I'll ask everyone else when I see them at the tournament. What's your name anyway?"

Akiba nodded, "Akiba Gorudo. As we're here, how about a battle?"

Valt grinned, "Sure thing! This is my partner, Victory Valtryek!" he cried, holding out the bey.

Akiba whipped out his bey in response. It was nearly circular, with eight contact points sticking out that kind of resembled snakes, which were connected to the image of a silhouetted face with glowing red eyes. The bey was mostly gold and white, while the monster face and the snakes were bronze, "Meet my bey, Astral Aegis!"

Valt's eyes seemed to nearly pop out of his head, "Woah! That's awesome! Come on, let's battle!"

Felicity surveyed the boy critically, he seemed harmless, but Falcon's words said otherwise. The two took their positions. 3! 2! 1! Let it... RIP! The beys launched with absolute precision. Aegis landed on the center point. Not just near it, nearly on top of it. That kind of technique needed aim, and skill he didn't have. At least, he shouldn't have. His launch had been too airy, and a kid who could pull off a launch like that with such casualness should be famous by now. Valtryek lost the minute Aegis took the center. That thing was like a tank, it deflected the Rush Launch easily, barely even moving. Either this kid had planned this, or he was just that good. She would find out soon enough. Valtryek finally spun to a stop, and Valt slouched, "Aw man! I can't believe I lost so easily. You're really strong!"

Akiba smiled back, "Thanks. You're not bad yourself!"

Felicity steeped in between Valt and him, "Battle me next!" she demanded, fire burning in her green eyes. Akiba smiled, his grin was much brighter than Shu's ordinary smile, but dimmer than Valt's overzealous grin, "Sure. Sounds like fun."

The two took their stances. Felicity aimed for an Aerial Strike but made sure that in case it didn't work, she didn't go over the stadium. 3! 2! 1! Let it... RIP! The Aerial Strike missed. It was a close thing, but she miscalculated Aegis' speed. She smirked, ah, well, she had been hoping to use Aura Launch on Aegis and Akiba. "Now, Falcon!" she gave the signal, "Todo o nada! Aura Launch!" (all or nothing!) Falcon swung towards Aegis at incredible speeds. Akiba stared at her in curiosity, then with a flash of white aura, she was in the Aura Field. Akiba looked around the quietly tranquil space. It was like being in the center of a tornado. White emanated from the side which Felicity was in, gold from Akiba's. In the middle, the two colors clashed and mixed. Behind her, she could feel Falcon's presence. Behind Akiba, was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen. It was a monster with leathery skin dressed in a Greek chiton. It had the most hideous face she could imagine, it was covered in welts and scars, with gruesome fangs and drooling long strands of saliva, and this monstrous image was framed with hair that appeared to be made of snakes. With a jolt, she realized that was a shield she was staring at, not the face of a monster. The face was higher up, hidden under a war helmet. She repressed an urge to shiver, what a terrifying spirit. Akiba was looking around the place with mild interest, so Felicity blurted out the first thing she could think about, "So, can you talk to beys?"

Akiba looked mildly impressed she had deduced that, "Sometimes, yes," he admitted, "They whisper secrets to me. Some try to threaten me, they give away a lot. I use the information to mess with them, throw them off their game. I don't tell anyone, maybe they'll send me too the loony bin."

Felicity smiled, "That makes sense. How'd you start talking to beys?"

Akiba shrugged, "I just happened. They don't talk all that much, so I don't really care. They seem to talk a lot more with you. I bet there's a tragic story behind it."

Felicity's smile fell, "I guess they do talk to more, don't they? There's quite a story behind it too. Anyways, it was nice to meet you, Akiba Gorudo."

Akiba chuckled lightly, "I'll say the same to you. Felicity Comas."

The aura field faded away as Aegis' gold aura overtook Falcon's white. They returned to the real world, where Falcon was lying in pieces. Felicity cursed in Spanish; she should've gone for her Talon Strike. Then this would've been avoided, but then she wouldn't have gotten Akiba to fess up. So... silver linings she guessed. She picked up Falcon's pieces and put it back together, before turning to Valt, "There isn't any point in practicing if no one is here. I'll see you around." then she did an about turn and high-tailed it outta there.

It was weird, running into another bey whisperer, Felicity had to admit. Maybe that was why she ran away. It was too much of a coincidence that that guy was in Beigoma at this exact moment, right? Something fishy was probably going on, but she couldn't quite sniff it out. The next day of the tournament was okay. She was up first, fighting against some kid called Chōza or something. He had a Sagittarian, a rather rare collector's item for rich beyblade enthusiasts but in terms of defense, it just didn't cut it. She had to use a Talon Strike to defeat him, which was commendable, but he was still on the weak side. Valt and Rantaro's match, however, was kind of exciting. Valt got the first point, just as Felicity knew he would. Valtryek's aura rippled fiercely through the stadium at its victory, issuing a challenge to the other powerful bladers. Akiba definitely sense it, as he leaned forward through the barrier, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Zac probably could too, because his resonance immediately flared up considerably. Daigo had been avoiding them all day, Shu had been trying to talk to him privately, but it was kind of hard to for the second most powerful blader in Japan to sneak up anywhere, considering how many fans would stop him in the streets to get his autograph. Rantaro wasn't going down without a fight and he evened it out with another point. Valt was just slightly too powerful for him, ending the fight with a burst finish. Wakiya and Hoji's battle was more interesting. Hoji set up a launch that was painfully familiar, "I can't believe it!" she muttered.

Toko and Nika turned to look at her, "Huh? Whatcha mean?"

Shu looked at the stadium with narrowed eyes, "She's talking about Hoji's launch style, it's extremely similar to the stance Fliss uses for the Aerial Strike."

Xander blinked curiously, "That move she uses to burst beys in midair? He's trying to replicate it?"

Felicity shook her head, "That's not it. It's too unpredictable to try to foresee the effects of gravity. I think he's planning on striking when Wyvron has landed." 3! 2! 1! Let it... rip! The two friends launched, the beys spinning towards each other. Wakiya's eyes opened in a brief moment of panic, just before Wyvron burst through Horusood. There was a momentary shocked silence before DJ Blader yelled out, "Incredible! Not even Felicity Comas could've done it faster!" and applause rang out. Hoji slumped, before Wakiya grabbed his shoulder. The two talked but the group was too far away to hear what was being said. Felicity decided it was probably good, because Hoji's dampened fighting spirit flared up at Wakiya's words. She felt Falcon's aura surge in approval. No that was taken care of, she could deal with Daigo. Finally.