Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Special move: Here's Hades Gate!"

Golden chains erupted from the mirage of a gate and restrained the whining mirage of the winged horse. Though the stallion struggled, it was all in vain. A bright light engulfed the stadium and the only thing that Gingka could to feel at that moment was fear.

Fear because he had already seen what the immediate aftermath of that move can cause. He had seen how Julian was after that move. He was afraid it would happen to him too.

Fear because he was aware of what made that move so powerful and overwhelming - The so called 'arrangement system' they talked about earlier.

Fear because as the light engulfed Gingka, he was blinded.

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He opened his eyes and took a sharp inhale.

Scared as he might have been for that split second, he now found himself floating quietly in the air, and so fear turned to mild confusion.

"Huh?"

As he looked around he saw his beloved horse chained up by the three-headed dog of hell and immediately remembered the moments prior to this one.

"Pegasus! No way... That didn't affect Kerbecs at all?!"

Surprise turned to desperation as it occurred to him that his fears might come true. "The special move created by Mine and Pegasus' hearts becoming one failed...!"

Distant chuckles could be heard in the distance.

"This is the difference..." The voice exclaimed. Gingka knew what was about to come out of his opponent’s mouth, and a surprised "-Ahh..!" escaped his lips.

"Between those who have received arrangements and those who have not! In other words, the difference between those who are chosen and those who are not chosen!"

Damian's words were quite the hard-to-take information. After all, the move he had just used was the strongest in his arsenal, devised to combat the toughest opponents through their combined will force, and yet... It was stopped so easily by Damian. Treated as a mild inconvenience. Kicked like some pebble on a sidewalk. Yet despite this, he couldn’t show fear like that in front of his enemy so he kept his facade going.

A rattling golden chain appeared from the void, aiming for Gingka.

Gingka was in a state of disbelief. 'The move that combined our spirit into one was this weak against him...' He narrowly avoided it letting out a groan as he dodged.

"The fact is that in the face of science the bey spirit is powerless!"

Gingka couldn't help the part of him that silently agreed, the part that thinks in logic. Yet the emotional part of hime refused to cave in to logic, denying Damian's statements. "It's not true! The bey spirit isn't powerless!" An inaudible whisper left his mouth as well. 'I'm not powerless...'

"Powerless, in the face of me, who has gone through the highest level of arrangement!"

The chains were coming at an increasingly rapid rate, as the master of Kerbecs continued his monologue.

"Hahahaha! What's your problem?! You won't be able to reach your precious Pegasus like that now will you?! Nevermind."

Chains were now appearing en masse becoming impossible to dodge.

"Even if you somehow could reach it, you wouldn't be able to do anything!"

Again Gingka found himself unable to refute that claim or come up with a comment to retaliate. And as one of the chains finally caught his wrist, he could only panic. More and more chains were now binding him, preying on that moment he let his guard down and fully seizing that opportunity to chain him up, completely solidifying the rational-Damian's ever approaching victory over him.

His voice could no longer hold his fear behind a dry throat as he let out a pathetic whine, widening his oppressor's grin.

"See?" He mocked.

Against his better judgment, Gingka kept maintaining his quickly expiring facade. "Stop this! What do you think you'll gain from all of this?! What's the point?! Why fight like this anyway?!"

"A battle is something to be won, right? What other reason do I need than that?" 

"W-With the power and a bey that aren't yours! They were given to you by someone else, this really isn't your bey battle a-at all!" He meekly asked.

"What do you mean my bey battle? If I am the one using the bey doesn't it mean that it's mine? Not to mention it was made specifically for me! Modeled after me! Tailored to perfection by top notch scientists who worked hard to ensure it will be just as perfect as I am! Besides, I'm standing right in front of you aren't I?! Me and no one else! You can't possibly think that because other people helped me then the fact that I won doesn't count, because if you really do think that's true, there's no bigger hypocrite on earth than you! Ahahaha!" Gingka grit his teeth in frustration. The chains started lowering him down to the ground.

With every word, Gingka was losing all hope. He was slowly starting to realize that Damian has a point.

"And as for whether or not this is my power, isn't it obvious that the answer is yes?! I'm the chosen one! By nature I'm fated to receive this power! Only the few who are chosen deserve to stand at the top! That is a law of nature! As long as you haven't gotten an arrangement, whatever hidden talent you might have is useless, because you still haven't answered fate's calling to become a chosen one! Ahh, what a shame though. If only you would've considered things a bit more objectively you would've ditched those stupid myths and face reality." He grinned maliciously, before floating down to the ground, bringing Gingka to a hopeless kneeling position.

"But since I'm nice I'm going to give you a chance. A chance to admit you're weak. There's nothing wrong with saying it. It only means you know your place. So come on now, say it!" Gingka couldn't resist. If he tried putting up a fight he would just lose. It was so tempting to just say those sweet 3 words and just be free from the weight of expectations and responsibilities.

"I... I am..." He began, He wanted to say it so badly yet some part of his mind, the one that kept rationalizing the existence of his bey spirit, was still opposed.

"You are...? What exactly...?" Damian taunted, approaching him.

"I..." He once again began. 'Why am I not saying it?!' Gingka was growing ever-frustrated with himself. 'I can't believe I'm that weak! I can't even admit it!' Tears were forming in Gingka's eyes. Images of bladers much stronger than him were flashing before him. 'I couldn't even defeat Ryuga without half of Japan! I lost to Julian in the team battles, I lost pathetically against Masamune and a rubble pile, hell, even Yu won against me before I learned his tactics! Damian, he... he's right!' 

'When will I ever be able to beat anyone on my own? Without losing to them first? I... wish I just had more power. Enough power to win easily. Effortlessly even. Like Damian. If only...' He continued descending the dark spiral that was his thoughts.

'If only I was a chosen one, like him-!' He fully sank down into despair, right where Damian wanted him all along. 'But in the end I'm just...'

"I am weak...!" He finally admitted.

"That's what I thought! Ahahaha! To think you even made it this far when you act like this as soon as someone is too strong for you?! Pathetic, wouldn't you say? Hahaha! Do you finally see it? Do you finally see what you are?! Say it again for me will you?!" He taunted further, ever so ecstatic when it comes to crushing people's hopes.

Against his better judgment, Gingka did as he was told, once again voicing out his state of being. 

"I am weak!" Tears began pouring down his face yet despite this, not a single sob escaped.

"Oh that's just wonderful! Well then, I suppose that's enough playing around for today." He turned around, only to have his cape grabbed by the still bound yet heavily straining Gingka.

A look of annoyance came over Damian, and as inconvenient as it may have seemed to him, he spoke once more. 

"What do you want now? I thought you had enough already." 

Gingka wouldn't have spoken to him normally. But it was in fact because his pride had already been demolished that he was even able to speak up after being so thoroughly broken.

"Wait…" He pleaded.

"Why should I though? You've already wasted enough of my time."

"I-I..." Gingka swallowed. "I want to become stronger..."

"And? Are you expecting me to help you? That's really amusing! Now let go of me ple-."

"-No! I won't until you personally agree to help me! I... I realized that maybe if I become a chosen one I'll be as strong as you!"

"How rude of you to interrupt me like that. Do you really think that's how it works? You have to be chosen by fate to become a chosen one, it's pretty self explanatory don't you agree~?" Damian was suddenly enjoying this interaction again, all of a sudden remembering some remark from Dr. Ziggurat.

"That's why- That's why I asked! I want to at least get a chance! I want to take an arrangement too!"

"What's in it for me though? You can't possibly think that I'll just let you into our prestigious HQ when you have nothing to offer?"

"I-... I-I'll offer you my pride!"

"I thought I left you with none~!" He smirked. "Going once!"

"I'll give you m-my loyalty-!" He stuttered.

"That's a given though, so I don't know where you're getting at? Anyways, going twice! Ahahaha!" 

Gingka began racking his brain for anything he can offer Damian.

“I-I… I don’t have anything else to offer…!” He whispered.

“Oh, come on now! Think of the setting! You're surrounded by the literal landscapes of Hades!” He remarked.

‘Hades…?’ He paused to think.

“M-my soul…?”

“Bingo! Now you’re talking! Although I can’t actually take your soul… I guess servitude will be good enough. So here I’ll cut you the deal; You become my servant, and I’ll make sure you’re strong enough to boot.” He said, before immediately going to his internal fantasies, now racing with excitement.

“How about it?! Accept and I promise to make you strong enough to become like me!”

‘Does he really mean that-?’ Gingka was conflicted, but then again, he has already made up his mind, after all he wouldn’t have asked if he wasn't ready to lose something in return. 

“I…” He paused before firmly replying. “I accept!”

“Wonderful! Wow, are you pitiful ahahaha! But a deal is a deal.” He snapped his fingers and Gingka was unbound, still kneeling. “Now comes the part where you pledge yourself to me!” Damian stood proudly and menacingly over him.

Gingka was thankful for Damian, although still very much conflicted, with some part of him even regretting his decision. But Gingka refused to listen to that part and pushed any thoughts opposing his decision to the back of his mind. Right now he has to ensure his future.

“...I, Gingka, swear upon my name, to serve Damian,“ He paused to think of a fitting phrasing. ”And… Hereby pledge my utmost allegiance and willingness to serve his will and word.”

“...Wow, to think you actually went along with it…” Damian whispered, mostly to himself. ‘And he’s damn good at improvising!’ He cleared his throat.

“Very well then Gingka. I accept your pledge! Now listen well, this is how things are going to look. I’m going to win and complete my job, and we’ll rendezvous at the championship afterparty tomorrow. We'll probably just take you to Hades Inc. directly, but I’ll tell you what to do then, alrighty? Good!” He replied before Gingka could even open his mouth.

“Now then! Kerbecs!” He commanded. Kerbecs tightened its chains around Pegasus while Gingka couldn’t do anything besides watch from the sidelines as his beloved partner was humiliated like that. He kept reminding himslf that ‘this is for a good cause’.

Pegasus' struggle was becoming evermore meek. Before long, it had stopped moving and its wings fell limp beside him. The subspace flashed bright white again and faded back into the arena. Only Damian and Gingka were to keep the memory of the events that transpired within that realm.

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After a brief moment in which both the commentators and the audience recovered from the flash they could finally see the results of this match. In the center of the thoroughly destroyed arena, sat a cracked, unmoving Pegasus, whilst a flaming hot golden bey was spinning as fast as ever.

"Pegasus has stopped moving! The winner of this battle is Kerbecs, still spinning strong! Which means dear audience, The winners of the beyblade world championships are our very own team Starbreaker!"

Gingka collapsed to his knees. Finally back to the real world, all the stress built up from within the gates seemingly gone. It was one of the oddest experiences Gingka had ever had, like a vivid nightmare which simply fades as you wake up yet you can still feel the terror.

Damian shot Gingka a glare that said ‘Remember your promise’ before retrieving Kerbecs and turning to leave the stadium. 

Gingka shook himself from his daze, retrieving his Pegasus and walking out silently and without sparing the crowd, or anyone really, a single glance. Yet for some reason, he was excited. He couldn't wait for what his fate holds for him.

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Later that day, the blue-haired kid of hell waltzed into the HD Academy control room to meet a certain Dr. Ziggurat and announce to him his recent achievements, in particular, the one which couldn’t be seen during the battle.

“Dr. Ziggurat. I came to report that during my battle with Gingka, I convinced him to join Hades. He was keen on getting an arrangement after seeing its results. He also made a personal agreement with me that he would be my underling.” He reported, smugly proud of himself. He was still shivering with excitement, from his battle earlier, with the prospect of his chuunibyou fantasies coming true.

‘I always wanted a right hand man type of character! Jack didn’t really feel right, I mean he was a mystery of himself, and kinda out there, but maybe Gingka can be that instead, like a… servant of chaos! Oh, and I’ll make him be the hidden wild card trope and he’ll be powerful but hide it until I give the go and everything, and, oh two chosen ones relishing in the tears of their enemies just sounds too cool! Not to mention Dr. Ziggurat even remarked once that it would be nice to see how Gingka might handle arrangements… So I can score multiple points!’

Dr. Ziggurat smirked. “Very good Damian. I’m glad you informed me. And wonderful job as always. Hmm… Looks like we might have to delay the grand reveal for a while..." The last statement was said more so to himself but was nonetheless heard by Damian, who knew better than to pry.

"Nevermind. It might even be to our advantage. Tell the rest of Starbreaker to go take an arrangement for now. I’ll inform you of what to do tomorrow.”

“Understood Dr. Ziggurat.”

Chapter Text

At the afterparty of the world championship, taking place at the WBBA USA Branch, only 2 teams bothered to show up. Team Starbreaker as the winners of course, and team Gan Gan Galaxy, as the runner ups. And it went just about as well as you'd expect. Awkward silence with an air of animosity. Another one who showed up is, of course, American DJ who upon noticing the mood, made it his personal goal for the day to lighten it up.

"The fantastic world beyblade championship has come to a close! With a victory of The US of A's very own team; Starbreaker! The victory afterparty will be held right here at the WBBA's USA Branch H.Q.! We will be broadcasting it live worldwide via satellite! And the main man covering this event will of course be me! Today's Uncle Sam of America, the one and only American DJ! Allow me to introduce to you, THE beyblade world champions! Hailing from right here, our representatives, team Starbreaker!"

From the stage appeared 3 people standing proudly with a smirk ever present on 2 out of the 3's faces. They calmly stood there for a moment, giving a mocking gaze to where the Japanese team was, before looking into the camera.

"Well I guess that's just about what you'd expect from the ever polite japanese manners" The extravagant man amongst them flicked his beet-colored hair.

"The rest were too humiliated to even show up at the end." Said the blue-haired boy, shrugging,

"..."

The third one had mixed feelings about having won, but nonetheless was overwhelmingly happy Toby was going to get his treatment. As they walked off stage the 3 split up all to each their own. Zeo, as expected, opted to simply eat quietly at their team's table. Jack headed to forcefully start a conversation with Madoka and, and Damian headed for the loner in blue sitting separately from everyone.

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Damian and Gingka were sitting across from each other, idly staring at each other for a hot 2 minutes before Damian broke the silence.

"How are you doing, Gingka?" Damian asked smugly, before sitting across from him.

The Redhead said nothing in return. Causing Damian to frown. "Why so distant? I agreed to fulfill your wish didn't I? Where's my 'thank you'?" He smirked.

"...Thank you." He replied apathetically.

Damian sighed. "I guess that's just about all I can get for now. No matter though." He smirked to himself. "Soon You'll realize how big a favor I'm doing for you."

"It should arrive pretty soon though" murmured Damian. Gingka gave him a questioning look.

There was an awkward silence between them, with Damian not being bothered to start a conversation, and Gingka too wrapped in his own thoughts to care about social interactions.

Getting bored of the silence Damian decided that maybe he should be the one to strike up a conversation. “Say Gingka, what do you think of the arrangement system? You seemed to know what it does even before I even mentioned anything about it.”

Gingka was startled at the sudden question. “Oh…? Umm… We already heard about it from my father and Hikaru, who is my father’s assistant, who told us it’s “a way to draw out a human’s hidden talents with some weird twisted scientific process” and the likes. I don’t really know what it actually does but it doesn’t seem like my father told me the full story…”

“Hmph, I guess the WBBA likes to make presumptions.” Damian crossed his arms.

“So does that mean the WBBA are wrong?” Gingka asked, now curious. 

“They aren’t really wrong so much as they are exaggerating. The arrangement is simply a way to draw out a blader’s hidden potential. It’s not very fair for them to call something weird and twisted just because they don't understand them,” He shrugged, “It’s just science! You can even ask Dr. Ziggurat when you talk to him. But really if the main argument is that it’s cheating, then they aren’t thinking logically. I mean if you already possess talent, why not use it? It’s just stupid not to.” He commented.

“We were also told that in most cases it can cause physical or mental damage…” Gingka added.

“That’s only if you’re incompatible with the process. It makes sense that only a chosen few can go through with it, doesn't it? Of course not anyone can make it, that’s just life. Some lose and others win. It’s as simple as that really.” 

“...” Gingka could see some merit in that logic. ‘I guess it really is simple. I better hope I’m compatible then. But then again, Damian wouldn’t just help me without the prospect of some benefit to himself as well would he…?’

“...How compatible do you think I might be?” He asked.

“Hmm… If I had to guess you probably have a 80% or so chance to be compatible. When we brought Ryuga to HD, Dr. Ziggurat gave him the same odds. In general, he puts you two in a similar category. Beats me why though.” Damian replied.

The silence returned again after that short interaction for around another minute before the sounds of a commotion were heard from the next table over, and Damian opted to not intervene and simply continued to sit in his place, with Gingka doing much the same.

As the commotion died down faint noises of a helicopter were heard.

“Get up Gingka, our ride is here."

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It was an uncomfortable experience to be in the Gan Gan Galaxy team's table. Especially since the main blader and leader of the team was off sitting alone. Finally after a hot minute Madoka stepped up to speak.

"So um... M-Masamune, how are you feeling?" She awkwardly asked.

Masamune looked up from his drink and simply replied "Fine, I guess." And the silence returned. After a few more moments Masamune continued. "How is Gingka feeling if anything..."

"Yeah... I've kinda been wondering about that too..." Madoka replied. "Do you think he might feel bad from losing like Julian? I mean he was forced to say 'I'm weak' to the whole world... I can't really imagine that being fun to go through..."

"Maybe, but then..." Masamune looked over to Gingka only to see Damian sitting across from him. "...Why would Damian have anything more to do with him? Is he trying to further step on his pride?! That just infuriates me!" He exclaimed.

Suddenly they noticed the figure of Jack approaching the both of them, then taking a seat next to Madoka.

"Hey there cuties, are you enjoying our party?" A tick mark appeared on Madoka's forehead, before Masamune snapped back at him. "Why did you come to our table!? To laugh in our face some more after you won?! Is that what Damian is doing over there with Gingka too?!"

Jack laughed. "W-What? You- haha - you seriously think we’re that bored? Are you just assuming that because Gingka doesn't want to talk to you then we're the ones responsible? If he doesn't want to then maybe you just aren't good enough friends to be open with each other huh?" 

"Shut up! Of course it's because of you guys! You beat him up mercilessly at the finals! Why else would he be alone right now? He just needs some space to recover!" He angrily replied.

"Sure thing buddy. But seriously, come on now, we just wanna have some fun at our party, and besides," He continued, "Damian is just finishing up with some business he has to do. You shouldn't make assumptions like that, you know?" He mockingly added, "Why would he bother humiliate him like that after Gingka has already done so himself?!" He sneered.

"Why you-!" Masmaune got up from his seat, before being grabbed by someone. "Wha- Let go!" He added. "Calm down Masamune." The figure said. "Zeo?! Why are you doing this?" Masamune was starting to get tired of Zeo being like that. "Didn't you hear how he insulted Gingka?! Of course I'm going to get mad!"

"I did." Zeo sternly replied. "Then let me go-!"

"But I can't let you start a commotion now." He interrupted. "Huh...?"

"We will be going soon anyways. Stay here like a good 'friend' why dontcha." Zeo scoffed. "And don't make anymore of a mess than you already have when you left."

Masamune grit his teeth. "Why are you like this Zeo?! Just what did I ever do for you to become like that?!"

"...You're seriously asking me that? You of all people..." Zeo whispered under his breath. "I thought I already made it crystal clear when we fought. I really don't have the nerve for this right now, so just stop making a big fuss." He exclaimed, and Masamune somewhat calmed down.

After a well timed pause Zeo let go of Masamune who sits down, and then, as if on cue the noises of a helicopter could be heard and became louder and louder as it approached.

"Ohoho! It looks like it's time for us to go! Might I say this was a wonderful party. See you guys around! Au revoir!" Jack exclaimed. 

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Jack and Zeo begin walking towards the landing pad, as do Gingka and Damian who got up from their table. Upon noticing Gingka walking along Damian, immediate red flags go in Masamune's head. He sprints in Gingka's direction, as does Madoka, to the best of her ability, and immediately upon Gingka starts going up the stairs to the pad where the helicopter has landed, Masamune stops to catch his breath for but a second before speaking.

"Gingka! What is the meaning of this?! What do you think you're doing, going with them?!" Jack made an 'offended' look directed at him. "What is happening lately?! Everyone acts so weird! First Zeo who immediately becomes unwelcoming after I came back from abroad, Toby completely disappears, and Gingka who lost once to that Damian jerk, and now you're going with him to who knows where?! This isn't like you guys! None of you are like this! Please just return to normal!" As Masamune finishes his monologue the helicopter lands and the doors open.

"...Do you really think..." Gingka begins.

"Huh?" Masamune stares befuddled.

"Do you really think this is 'just because I lost once'?! Were you seriously just not there in the world finals?! All of this pressure mounted on me because the rest of you couldn't bear to try to improve yourselves and only I was left with that burden! And you saw how it ended up! Even though I was the strongest in the team I was just- I lost so easily! It almost looked like I was trying to lose! But then again you're all so incompetent anyways! Yu and Tsubasa goofing around all day, Madoka being the so called 'Supporter', yet never even being able to improve, nor polish up our beyblades, and only ever fixing our beys after we lose!"

He continued his contumelious tirade. "And especially you Masamune! You always say you want to be number one but in the end you only bring those around you down. No wonder you were surprised when Zeo suddenly became a good blader when fighting. You guys all know that bladers can surpass their limits in battle, but somehow when the other team does it you immediately assume that foul play is going on in here. You guys are all hypocrites! You never even bother to think that people are complex and people can improve, not to mention you barely consider people have many reasons for their actions, and then you act all confused when you don't understand them! If you wanna understand people better you should start by trying to look at yourself first!"

Masamune could only stand there and listen, not having the nerve to interrupt. He could even kind of understand where he came from, he took in what Gingka said and guilt began to build up within him. Gingka took a deep breath in and settled down a bit.

"Let's just leave," He turned towards the gold-white clad boy, "Damian."

Damian smirked before turning to board the helicopter, with Gingka and the rest of Starbreaker following suit, leaving the speechless Team Triple G behind.

Just as the helicopter takes off an angry Ryo storms up the staircase to access the roof. In between pants he attempts to speak “W… What happened here?!”

The remaining members of GanGan Galaxy only stared silently at the helicopter. 

“Wh… Whew!... Anyways, where's Gingka?!” Hikaru made it up the stairs just as he finished the question and immediately a look of shock and confusion came upon face. 

When the team awoke from their daze, Madoka was the first to answer, pointing a finger at the retreating helicopter and simply replying “He went with Starbreaker…”

Ryo’s eyes understandably widened. “Was he kidnapped?! I knew Dr. Ziggurat was up to no good…” He mumbled.

Madoka shook her head. “No! He… He left of his own choice with them… He was really angry at us too for some reason…” 

“This isn’t like him at all! We have to do something about this!” Masamune interrupted. 

“Was… Was this really of his own choice? Did they say where they were going?” The director inquired.

“Yes, I’m sure he said to Damian “let’s just leave”, but they didn't mention where they were going… If I had to guess it would probably be to Hades City… The only question is why…?” Madoka replied.

“If it’s of his own choice then I’m not sure we can do anything…” He mumbled.

“Can’t we just go and get him back?!” Once again Masamune butted in.

“I… I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that… Because they aren’t strictly breaking the law, any action the WBBA takes will be illegal, but even if we did have legal backing, we don’t have enough manpower or enough intel to even think about infiltration…” Ryo commented. He looked to the sky in thought.

‘I just hope Gingka has something in mind… He might be trying to infiltrate Hades, and this is all just an act, but then why go to such lengths as to coordinate this escape with them? Why insult his friends like that? For believability? Yes that must be it. But even then, I don’t know how long this might take him…’

“I think for now we can only trust Gingka to do the right thing…” He thought out loud.

"Umm... S-so this was the world championship's victory afterparty everyone! We hope you had a wonderful time! This is where we have to end the event! Goodbye!" American DJ caught everyone's attention.

"Urrgh, who am I kidding, we cut the camera off when the helicopter arrived..."

Chapter Text

After arriving at HD tower via landing on the roof, Starbreaker and Gingka are escorted out of the helicopter and greeted by Ziggurat waiting inside. He orders for Jack and Zeo to be escorted to their rooms before ordering Damian and Gingka to come to an office with him. After taking the elevator, followed by a short and completely silent walk, they arrive at the office.

Dr. Ziggurat sat in his main chair, with Damian following suit in the opposite chair and Gingka mimicking him in this foreign place.

After both of them got comfortable, Dr. Ziggurat began speaking, not before calling his pet rabbit from across the room.

“First and foremost Gingka, let me offer you my welcome, to Hades Inc. and by extension for joining Team Starbreaker. I won’t ask you for whatever reasons there are, after all I wouldn’t like you to be too uncomfortable with us, so allow me to get down to business.” He continued.

“Please do get comfortable though. I wouldn't want you to be stressed around me, hard as it may be with your preconceptions.” Gingka got a little more reassured. 

“First I think we should discuss your standing with Hades Inc. You are quite the distinguished blader so I don’t think being a trainee will fit you here, but the HD Academy does seem like a good place to start. Don’t you think so Gingka?” He asked.

“U-Umm… Yes…” Gingka stuttered.

“Seeing as you're a likely future member of Team Starbreaker, you will be put in elite class and receive personal tutoring and treatment.”

“Let’s talk about your actual training then. We plan on giving you arrangements as a future member of Starbreaker, but you’ll still receive regular physical training. We’ll monitor your diet and everything-”

“Umm… D-Dr. Ziggurat?” He interrupted. “Why are you giving me special treatment? N-Not that it’s bad! Just… I don’t really know the workings of Hades Inc. And it feels weird being just granted all these benefits…” Dr. Ziggurat chuckled slightly.

“I don’t suppose you know that Hades Inc. had an interest in you for quite a while do you?” Gingka shook his head. “Damian was aware of it and saw this opportunity to bring you here. He’s really quite the clever one, getting some personal benefits from the ordeal. But really the reason we wanted you here was your potential.” Gingka lit up ever so subtly.

“Truth is Gingka, that you could very well have won the world championship against Damian, your pegasus is after all among the most powerful right-rotating beys that there are. The reason you lost is partly because of your weak mentality. You became hopeless and so afraid of Kerbecs' attack that you weren't able to bring out Pegasus’ power at the time.” He stated as Gingka looked down and clenched his fists.

“That is of course not even mentioning that your bey hadn't even been fitted to you. You kept believing in the ‘bey spirit’ myth, thinking it is a tangible solution to every battle, when, if you simply consider it for a minute with rationality, friction between fusion wheels plays a bigger role don’t you think?” He remarked rhetorically.

“Both of these issues are addressed in the arrangement process.” He began. “If you’d undergone an arrangement, your body and mind would have been able to actually draw out pegasus’ potential.” Gingka gave a curious look towards Dr. Ziggurat who feigned ignorance as he acknowledged him.

“But I don’t suppose you even know what it is, am I right?” He asked.

Gingka shook his head. He heard about it and knew that it was 'Twisted' or whatever but he was already questioning that statement, and a bit when he talked with Damian at the afterparty, but never actually knew what it was.

“I see…” He pondered, taking a moment to sigh before beginning to speak.

"Well then Gingka, Let me explain what the arrangement is, since you might very well go through it in your stay here, as per your agreement.'' He began. "The arrangement is a process by which a bey and its beyblade are synchronized. To make it simple you can imagine the bey as a string with a certain frequency, and the blader as the body of the instrument. When bladers are given their beys they are often out of sync with each other and as such can not make use of each others' full potential, or to use the string metaphor, the sound is muted as it cannot reverberate through the instrument." He began.

"Though occasionally by random chance, they might be more in tune with each other than most, but even so they never exceed 80% compatibility with each other. Nonetheless, most people refer to this phenomenon as bey spirit." Gingka held a surprised look as he listened on.

"If you were to match the resonant frequency of the string to the one of the soundboard of the instrument, it would have a much stronger vibration, a much richer sound. In terms of beyblade, that resonance translates to increased performance in battle." He continued.

"The compatibility is on what is called a logarithmic scale meaning that 80% is 10 times more powerful than 70%. I.E., by increasing compatibility with the bey we can increase power by around 20% per level on average, or around 100 times in terms of most people. The arrangement also comes in different levels, which can extend the limit much further, as can be seen with Damian for example, who went up until the 5th level, even after reaching 100% compatibility with his bey, allowing him to gain even more immense power." Gingka remembered Damian saying something about having gone through the highest level of arrangement.

"Now there's a catch, compatibility with the process itself, and to explain that I will first explain the steps of the procedure. The first of which is measuring the 'frequency' of the bey itself. Now as with the string metaphor, you can also tighten and loosen strings to slightly adjust the frequency, but in terms of beyblade, that adjusting it is akin to perfecting a bey, think tuning an A string that was previously loose from 426 Hz back to a perfect 440 Hz. The bey might be reworked on a technical level to change its tip, fusion wheel, amongst other characteristics." He continued explaining, making sure not to miss a single detail.

"Then we move on to the instrument body if you will. The arrangement system takes an advanced neurological scan of not only the brain but the whole nervous system, for greater effect. After the scan we analyze the data and use a series of Fourier transforms to figure out what is the best way to adjust the nervous system to increase the so-called resonance. Then we proceed to the practical part of the arrangement which is where we actually rewire, or, rearrange if you will, the nervous system to fit the bey, hence the name of the entire process."

"This is where most of the issues arrive when it comes to regular people. Most people cannot handle the stress of their body being changed so drastically and then suffer physical damage, and more severely mental damage. But in the case of those special few who are compatible with the process, the body usually feels nary a thing. Just ask Damian if you want his first hand experience." Gingka was starting to actually want to have a conversation with Damian, if just to calm himself down a bit because frankly this whole ordeal seemed a bit complicated for him.

"Another thing to do with the rewiring procedure is that it tends to amplify concurrent emotions and feelings during the process, making it possible for even compatible people to suffer some physical effects, similarly to Zeo who is... an emotional person. That's why it's very important to keep calm and to clear your mind while going through the procedure. When it comes to your compatibility in particular though... Well I guess we'll just run some tests but since Damian seems confident you're compatible I'm sure there'll be no problem." That kind of reassured him a little bit.

"After the initial increase, you still must continue taking arrangement or the effect will wear off, like an instrument goes out of tune with time, so do keep that in mind." The instrument metaphor really is useful for people to understand.

"Well then Gingka let's brief you on your stay here. Since you'll most likely become a part of Team Starbreaker by next year, you'll also have to know how to address your superiors, so as for Damian it will be 'Captain' in public environments, as for Jack and Zeo it's fine to just call them by their name. I'd rather you don't speak informally if you could, but feel free to get at least somewhat comfortable around here. I'll assign Damian to be your guide through the whole process seeing your whole personal 'agreement' thing."

Gingka slowly nodded, trying to memorize what he's been told. Dr. Ziggurat gave a satisfied smirk before speaking again.

“Oh and Gingka, you might need to give verbal confirmation to settle things legally with the WBBA and your father. I’ll call you when the time comes.” He explained.

"For now, Damian, take Gingka to his accommodation room."

"Understood, Dr. Ziggurat." He replied before signaling to Gingka to follow him.

--------------------------------

After walking around the halls with Damian silently smiling for about 2 minutes, Gingka decided to break the silence.

"So umm... Damian, what does taking an arrangement actually feel like?" He asked, hoping to start a conversation.

"Hmm... Well it tingles a bit all throughout. And it feels kind of calming to be inside the capsule I guess you could say." He smiled

"Well, what do you tend to think about when inside?" He asked again. He reasoned he should also know to help him go through the process. He pondered for a bit.

"I think about how much stronger I'm going to be afterwards. And then I fall asleep." He replied. "Do you have any more questions?"

"...Are you sure I'm even compatible with the arrangement system...?" Damian smirked at that, seeing an opportunity to gain some loyalty out of his new dog.

"Don't get the wrong idea, I didn't choose you just because you looked pitiful. I chose you because while fighting with you I couldn't help but have a hunch that you'd have been way more fun to beat If you'd undergone an arrangement. My gut just says you're compatible, and it's very rarely wrong." 

Gingka gave a small smile not noticed by anyone, knowing that he was at least believed in, albeit very little, by Damian.

Eventually they reached the elevator and then took what was the longest elevator ride his entire life, which brought them to the underground floors. After walking for a few more minutes, it was Damian who spoke up this time.

"Gingka, I've had a question in my mind since the discussion before." Gingka gave an interested "Hmm?" in response. "Don't you feel bad joining the guys you lost to?" He asked nonchalantly. Gingka made an uncomfortable expression. “That is, I beat you and all 

"...To be honest with you Damian, I do feel a little ashamed. But after hearing about the arrangement I can't help but feel like this is the only way for me to actually surpass my limits, to eliminate what held me back… So I guess you could say it was because of desperation." He admitted, and Damian once again saw an opportunity to persuade him into loyalty.

"What held you back was not just yourself, your so called 'friends' and inherent belief in 'bey spirit' held you back from reaching the strength you wanted. Not to mention you aren’t even a chosen one yet, so of course you would be weak." He held disdain within his voice. "But now," he smirked. "That you've joined Hades, you won’t be so weak!" He finished with a full on grin. Damian stopped walking with Gingka still behind him. 

“You should honestly be excited!” He exclaimed, turning towards Gingka as does so. “You’ll be a changed man Gingka! I promised you I’ll make you into a chosen one, and for as few promises as I make, I never break them. I’ll personally mold you into perfection. I’ll make sure you’re strong enough to beat your fake friends, right by me and Kerbecs!” He finished.

Unnerved as Gingka was at those last few sentences, he opted to just awkwardly smile before speaking. “Ahahaha… Thank you Damian…” Damian turned around. “Now then, let’s continue.” and so they continued walking.

--------------------------------

When they eventually arrived at the private rooms sector, Gingka noticed it was divided into sections. His curiosity got the better of him when he asked Damian about it. “Hey Damian, what’s with the dorms’ layout?”

“Did you forget about this building also being the HD Academy? In the academy the rule is survival of the fittest, which translates to the higher results you show, the better conditions you’re provided.” He explained. 

“Representatives of the Starbreaker team have the best private accommodations. The cabins are a short walk away from the rest of the dorms. The accommodations have all the things you’d expect a hotel room to have in addition to a bey stadium to practice or have private matches, as well as a fitted capsule for the arrangement system.”

“Fitted?” Gingka questioned. 

“Why yes. Your body type is different from mine, no? The sensors need to hover over specific spots. Dr. Ziggurat has already cleared a cabin for you seeing as you’ll most likely become a member of Starbreaker and has taken your medical records but just in case…” He started, as they reached the door of Gingka’s cabin which opened automatically. “Get in a jumpsuit, the medical team should arrive in a few minutes to take measurements.” Damian stopped at the door, waiting for Gingka to change.

After around 2 minutes, Gingka emerged from the changing room, dressed in the standard HD Academy jumpsuit, similar to the one the trainees he saw earlier had, and black combat boots. “Oh and take off that headband. It’s kind of ugly. And I guess it’ll interfere with the arrangements.” Damian remarked, to which Gingka simply took off his headband and tucked it in the closet. 

Damian then headed for the arrangement compartment of the accommodation with Gingka closely following behind. When they arrived a dozen people were already waiting at the chamber. A few appeared to be from the medical team, and a few from the science team.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then.” Damian said before turning around and heading out. 

The chief medical expert brought Gingka to a small service room down the corridor, where he took all of Gingka’s measurements, checked his eyesight and cognitive clarity, without saying anything other than simple instructions. After clearing the inspection he was ordered to give his bey to someone from the science team who promptly took it and left the room entirely. Then Gingka was told to enter the capsule for the scanning step and neural mapping.

As Gingka entered and the capsule closed on him, Gingka was startled by Dr. Ziggurat’s voice. “Gingka, tell us when you’re ready to initiate.” 

“Dr. Ziggurat?” He asked. “Are you in charge of this?”

“Why yes, of course. The arrangements are the main attraction of Hades academy. It’s a given that I’ll be the one to monitor the process.” He replied, chuckling through the speaker.

“I see…” Gingka murmured.

“Well then, take a moment to relax, though this is just the scanning process, so there's no real need for the whole destressing thing. This just helps us get more accurate data.”

Gingka took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes before speaking. 

“I’m ready to begin Dr. Ziggurat.”

The metal sensors bent over Gingka’s body, and the capsule started to glow a soft blue. 

--------------------------------

“The neural mapping procedure has been initiated. Index is at 2%. 3%.” The command room employees informed. “Very good. Tell me if anything goes wrong.” Dr. Ziggurat replied, before petting his rabbit. ‘Finally, I’ve got a strong test subject for the right rotation arrangements. If only I could get Ryuga now…’ He chuckled subtly to himself.

After around 10 minutes, the mission control lady spoke up again. “Gingka’s scanning process index is at 97%. 98%, 99%, 100%. Neuro-Mapping of Gingka has been completed.” She notified.

“Good.” 

On the screen, Dr. Ziggurat looked at Gingka through the camera. As he saw the light of the capsule die down, and the capsule open, he saw Gingka opening his eyes and standing up confused. “How do you feel Gingka?” He inquired.

Gingka slowly replied. “Umm… fine? A bit lightheaded if anything…”

“Well that’s normal. Not to mention you’ve been laying down still for a good 10 minutes. No matter. The results from Pegasus will be in soon, and you should start your arrangements by the end of next week. Return to your room for now.” He ordered.

“Understood Dr. Ziggurat.” Gingka replied before walking off screen and back into his private quarters. 

‘He’s quick to catch on to how things run here,’ Ziggurat chuckled to himself. ‘He’ll be a wonderful asset in the future, I’m sure.’