Robin nearly screamed when she got up. Everything hurt so badly that actual fireworks exploded behind her eyes. She toppled off the bed and crashed onto the floor. "Oww..."

Andi groaned and stirred. "Why are you so loud?"

Robin lifted her head. "Ouch..."

She smirked suddenly. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you sore?" Yes. It hurt like hell, and every time she tried to move, her chest clenched.

"Of course not!" she protested. "What time is it?"

"Six in the morning," Andi mumbled. She started laughing. "Geez, you look terrible. Did you sleep in your clothes from yesterday?"

Yes.

"That doesn't matter," she complained. "How do I get up?"

Andi stood up in an extremely short nightgown. Pink lace floated down her arms and around her neck. She moved forward and actually picked up Robin and threw her over her shoulder. She yelped as her muscles clenched around Andi's shoulder. "Gaah!"

"Don't be a baby," she snapped. Andi marched out the door, then paused and looked back. Robin's legs banged against the doorway, and she swore. "Wait. Where's Free?"

The bed was completely empty.

"Should I go find Trad?" Robin asked. Her body was starting to not hurt as much. "I mean, he'd probably know where Free is."

Andi snickered. "Oh, I know he does."

"I don't understand," she said, accidentally betraying her little innocence left.

Before she could open her mouth, Trad stepped out from behind a corner. His red jacket was, as usual, zipped up tight. "What were you saying about me?"

His golden eyes glowed. "Well?" he demanded. "And why are you wearing that nightgown outside? That's wholly inappropriate!"

"You're one to talk," Andi said. "What about Free?"

"Would you please put me down?" Robin pleaded. Andi's shoulder dug into her stomach, and it was hurting a lot.

Trad zeroed in on her, and she flinched. "And what are you doing?"

She did not get a chance to respond, as Robin was brutally dumped on the floor. "Oowww." She stood up, then stumbled and crashed into a wall. "Shit."

"Language," a lazy voice hummed. "Do you kiss your mom with that mouth?" Free stepped out, head tipped to the side. "Good morning, sis."

Trad faced her. "Breakfast starts in two minutes. I would suggest you go to the cafeteria, Robin. I need to talk with Andi."

She left slowly, leaning heavily on the wall. When Robin turned the corner, she hid and listened.

Trad was speaking. "I told you to keep this a secret."

"Oh, please, everyone else already knows. Only the newbies don't."

Free spoke. "It's fine, Trad. I don't mind."

"Telling everyone that we're lovers? Are you joking!"

Robin covered her mouth. Lovers? Free and Trad? No way... I guess it makes sense.

"Whatever you want," he said. "Also, tell Robin eavesdropping is rude."

She ran for her life.

---

Wakiya scowled as Wyvron veered towards the walls and crashed down on the ground. Again.

"Dammit!" He scooped up the bey and launched again.

Wakiya frowned. He was getting the defense bey under control, but the match of Sunbat United was in a week. He had to perform flawlessly.

Tempest Wyvron took the center, spinning so fast it was a blur. On command, no more than a snap of his fingers, it veered to the edge, gently bumped the wall, and screamed back down, slingshotting back and forth across the center. Anything there would probably take some serious damage.

Or better yet, burst on contact.

"Well, someone's excited for a little bit of nothing," Silas interrupted, approaching from the side so he could see him. Silas knew how bad it was to sneak up on Wakiya.

"I wouldn't call it nothing," He replied, catching his bey and smirking. "Valt Aoi's participating in this match. If I remember right, he beat you with a burst finish?"

Silas glared, triangular glasses flashing. "Only after I shattered the top of his bey!"

"Oh, sure." Wakiya refocused on the stadium. "Instead of being grumpy, why don't you practice with me?"

"Fine," Silas muttered.

"Let it... rip!"

His bey bursts on contact, and he gasped excitedly. "Atari! This bey is the best!"

"You just got lucky!"

---

Robin arrived in the cafeteria as soon as Kris did. Ange quickly gave her food as she called BC Sol's attention.

"We have our three participating members!"

That got everyone's attention.

"Free De La Hoya."

Naturally.

Valt and Honcho crosses their fingers and looked at each other hopefully. Robin crossed her fingers, looking at the ground and hoping to not be chosen.

"Rantaro Kiyama."

There was a lot of muttering, and several outraged cries. Robin got it. It wasn't fair to choose someone new over seniors. Someone must have had a hand in this. Honcho jumped up and threw his hands in the air. "YEAH!"

Valt grinned. "Nice job, buddy!"

"And Robin Kurenai."

She gasped. "What?"

Andi have an exclamation. "No way!"

Kris shrugged. "Apart from Free, this wasn't my choice."

Valt paused in his cheering. "Wait, where's my name?"

"There's only three people," Kris explained.

Robin couldn't hear the rest of the sentence. Her mind was flashing with images.

Sunbat United, and Kris not having a choice. Only one person was good enough to do that, and only one person who would specifically request Honcho. It was Wakiya.

Pity. They gave this to her out of politeness from another person.

Robin had failed the last time she was under pressure. Lui Shirosagi, she failed to get her brother's revenge. Her composure had cracked a lot in the past few weeks, barely hanging on by a thread.

She couldn't risk screwing up. She couldn't do it, because Robin knew she wasn't strong enough yet. Possibly never.

"I forfeit my spot," Robin said.

Sasha threw her tray down on the table. "Are you crazy? Some of us would kill for a spot, and you're throwing it away?"

"I'm shit with pressure!" Robin growled. "You want someone who's not? Valt Aoi." She turned to Kris. "I'm really sorry."

She smiled. "No, it's fine. You don't have to if you don't feel ready. Valt, how would you feel about this?"

He jumped up so fast his head nearly hit the ceiling. "YEAH!!! OF COURSE!!"

Robin covered her ears, along with everyone else. "Oh, god. Valt, shut up, please, before my ears die."

Kris smiled cheerfully, still calm even after the Sonic Screech. "Great! We've got one week to practice, so everyone do your best!"

As she left, Trad gave everyone a warning look, especially Robin. She shuddered and looked down at her food.

"Someone scared?" Andi teased as he left too.

"Ya think?" she snapped back, standing up. "I'm going to go train."

The blonde shrugged. "Training starts in three minutes, anyways, so you could always wait." She smirked, and tilted her head to the right. "Well? You can train after if you want, I'll help. But running right now would be bad."

"I am going to kill you," Robin muttered, sitting back down. "But just remember, you owe me lunch."

---

Seven days later, everyone collected into the battle area. BC Sol fans and the new coming Sunbat United fans were lined up in the stadium, and Hanami was in the announcers box.

"WELCOME ALL FANS TO THE FRIENDLY MATCH BETWEEN BC SOL AND SUNBAT UNITED!"

For once, Free was on time, sitting on the sidelines while Valt and Honcho waved. Robin waved back, not being able to help a twinge of jealously. It could have been her down there, but no, she had to wimp out. That was so her.

Hey, Robin, you all good? Phoenix checked. You sound kinda grumpy.

I'm fine. But you can bet as soon as we win, I'm off to training.

You've been training nonstop since you got here! She protested. I'm exhausted, and I'm in the spirit realm! I can't imagine how tired you are!

In truth, Robin could barely keep herself from falling asleep. She had been foregoing rest in favor of more training. To her frustration, only her control of Phoenix had gotten better, and her nightly sessions with Andi only proved her power was wild and completely out of control. The overuse of power, spells, and overall training left her in a bad mood, not to mention ringing hearing and seeing double all day.

I'll be fine, she said eventually, watching her team cheer back at the three representing. Besides, I'm still not as strong as I should be. I need this, or how pathetic will I be then? Not wanting to hear Phoenix reassure her, she cut off communication and turned back to the match.

"And here's the captain of Sunbat United, Wakiya Murasaki!"

Her enemy walked in looking as confident as ever, but the moment he looked at the lineup, he was clearly in shock. "Where's Robin?"

She waved, and he glared.

"Hey! Didn't you miss me?" Honcho protested.

Wakiya's eyes said it all. "Maybe, maybe not," he replied evenly. Still so professional and arrogant. Basically nothing had changed.

"Hey Sasha." Robin turned in her seat. "Think you can take him?"

"With that attitude?" She laughed. "No problem."

"Next is Ataru Okinaki!" A really handsome redhead walked in, waving. His hair glowed like dying embers. Eyes that reminded her of the deep sea and crystal lakes met hers. He stared at her for a moment, then grinned and winked.

She stuck out her tongue. I've already got a boyfriend, you nerd.

We nerds gotta stick together!

Robin jolted back. What the-- did you just?

That had definitely been Ataru's voice, though she'd never heard it before. Yeah, I read your mind. Don't worry, I can only hear thoughts about me or people I know pretty well. I don't use it during battles for pretty obvious reasons. Anyways, don't diss nerds!

Why'd you wink at me? She questioned, already getting over her surprise.

Because you seemed to need some surprise. The honest answer left her confused. Anyways, I'l turn off my communication. Promise not to pick your brain. See ya~

I hate you so much right now, she thought.

There was no response, so he was gone.

"Next, the third and final member!"

Everyone leaned forward expectantly.

"Here he is now!"

A muscular figure strode through the door and Robin paled. She knew this person, from the green spiky hair to the triangular glasses hiding cruel eyes.

"Silas Karslie!"

He looked at her once, and smirked, pointed teeth baring. Robin felt a jolt of fear right between the ribs, like he had stabbed her.

Her instincts took over, and she ran.

----

I know this is crap, but it took me a while to do. Ill admit it, I had writers block. Still do. This part's difficult.

Byeee

Robin out!