EPISODE 5: MENTAL PREPARTION

Tyson was working through his head every part of his match with Dark. The beybattle that haunted his nightmares as he saw his precious Blade that had won him the Championships last time getting shattered to pieces so easily. Dark had said that his mind was too clouded with pride… was that true? He guessed that he had been a bit overconfident in his abilities since he was the current Beyblade Champion. He wondered if Dark really was an Android… what a sad existence that must be. He remembered Zeo, who was an Android, and wondered what his old friend was doing now. He was waiting, a bit impatiently, for Kenny to come over with his new Blade. Kenny seemed pretty excited about it over the phone, saying he just needed to make a few minor adjustments before he came over. He wondered how the others were doing… and he wondered just what Dark was up to…

Kai was still furious about how he had lost so easily, despite all of his training. He knew he had to work harder than he had ever worked before if he was going to have a chance of beating Dark… and this time, he refused to lose to Tyson. He couldn't believe how someone as carefree as Tyson could manage to upstage him every time. He was not going to let that happen again. He looked at his Dranzher, smiling a bit. Dranzher had been with him through thick and thin… he had almost abandoned him once before, but he wasn't going to let that happen again. He felt that Dranzher certainly suited him… for like the phoenix, he would rise again!

Ray was on the plane, contemplating how he would play into all of this. Dark had targeted only Tyson and Kai out of the five of them… did Dark not consider them worthy enough? Or was it because they weren't part of his Mission? In that case, did Voltaire not consider them worthy enough? He let out a slightly audible chuckle. He guessed he would just have to prove to Voltaire that he was worthy of his attention. That Tyson and Kai weren't the only ones he should fear!

Daichi, who was sitting beside Ray, hadn't seen Dark fight yet. In fact, all the carefree Daichi was thinking of was all the great cuisine he'd get to eat once they arrived.

Max couldn't wait to see his mom again. A brilliant scientist that worked in America, he always enjoyed her company. Plus, he wondered if she and Emily could make him a better Blade to compete with at the upcoming World Championships. He saw Dark in action against Kai, and he knew he had to get better if he was going to make any sort of impact. He wondered who else would be at the Championships, and grinned happily in anticipation…

In Europe, the Majestics were looking forward to redeeming themselves after they lost to the Barthez Battalion during the preliminary rounds during the last Championship. They knew they were going to be going up against the newly named "Miguel's Battalion" again during the preliminaries. They lost last time since Barthez encouraged his team to cheat their way through. With Barthez fired, and after watching Miguel's team lose every match after they stopped cheating, they knew that they would have no trouble this year in making the Finals.

Julia and her twin brother Raul of F-Dynasty were disappointed after hearing that the next World Championships were going to be one on one, meaning that their ultimate teamwork strategy would not be able to apply this time. Still, they felt that they should still try to make it to the Finals again this year, thanks to the encouragement they got from their coach, Romero. They looked forward to the chance of proving themselves as solo Bladers as well as a powerful duo.

As Voltaire was making the final adjustments on Cyber-Tala, he smiled as he then awoke Tala from his slumber.

"Ah, Cyber-Tala… how are you feeling now?" Voltaire asked.

"Does not compute. I do not feel anything," Cyber-Tala said with no emotion on his face whatsoever.

"Perfect. It would seem the adjustments are complete. You are to compete at the upcoming World Championships, along with my other creation, Dark. You have no need for emotions or friends, Blading is what you live for. Do you understand?"

"Affirmative."

"Good, good! Boris, come in here!" Voltaire demanded.

Boris, who was wearing his goggles that looked like they could allow him to see in the dark, entered the lab, "You called?"

"Where has Dark gone off to?"

"I'm afraid he cannot be as easily controlled. He said he was going for a walk. I told him to stay, but he wouldn't listen," Boris said, a little nervous.

"…Very well. He will come back on his own, like the lost dog that he is," Voltaire said, not that impressed…

Back on the Tundra, Dark was walking aimlessly. Although he kept a cold exterior, rarely showing emotions, he was always fighting a deep inner battle. Thoughts of his past, before he was transformed into what he is, constantly haunted him. He pulled out his Shadow Lord and launched it, just to watch it spin. As he watched it, he questioned the reason for his existence. Voltaire always told him he existed only to Blade. Yet… he always felt so…

Suddenly, a Blade came out of nowhere and struck Shadow Lord hard, sending it flying, where it bounced a couple of times and stopped dead in its tracks. Dark looked surprised and turned to see who his assailant was.

"For someone who was created for the sole purpose of being the Ultimate Blader, you sure seem distracted. So distracted that you were pretty easy to defeat…" A man with blue hair and a mask covering his face, with white bands trailing behind him said.

"Just who are you?! You want a piece of me?!" Dark said dangerously, not used to being in this kind of situation.

"I'm known as Jin of the Gale… and I don't believe that will be necessary," Jin's Blade then returned to his hand, "I did a lot of research on you, once I heard you beat Tyson. I know all about your connection with Voltaire and the fact that you were genetically mutated. But you know how empty your existence has been… you are a powerful Blader, no doubt. Not many could compare with you. But without a purpose, you will never be able to grow stronger. Even if you win the World Championships, what then? What will you have to prove? You will be nothing more than Voltaire's tool. Maybe you should think more on that…" Jin then vanished in a torrent of leaves and wind, leaving Dark to ponder what had just happened.

"My reason… for existence… bah! What does that sorry excuse for a ninja know about me?!" Dark said angrily, as he picked up his Blade and started to head back to BIOVOLT headquarters…

As Jin watched Dark leave from a distance, Jin removed his mask, "Little brother… I look forward to seeing you grow even stronger," Hiro, Jin's true identity and Tyson's older brother said to himself…..