Zac's POV

I took my brother's advice to heart. I did a collab with Akira and Orochi, and let me just say... It was one of the most enjoyable performances I ever participated in. Time to put you in my shoes.

Imagine the adrenaline rushing through your veins as you dab that last bit of stage makeup. Your heart leaps when you are finally called up to the stage, and you leave the comfort of that cozy seat by the vanity mirror. Then, after a nerve-racking walk out of the backstage, you are suddenly engulfed in dazzling spotlights and flashing camera lights.

The moment you start singing, you get to let go of all of your worries. It's you and Akira at the mic, and Orochi at the keyboard (and, of course, the other stars, who are doing additional instruments). Even if you do slip up on that note or two, you know that your friends got your back. Besides, you are giving it your all for your fans, who are screaming out your name.

You could feel everyone's love pouring on you and filling your heart to the brim with utter joy. But... something felt missing.

I burst into the room, my arms spread out. "Hello again, Auggy! It's been sooo long."

"Zachary...?" My brother replied, wiping his eyes with a hand. "Back so soon...."

"Yup! I have great and important news! I'm going to have a concert with Akira and Orochi today! This afternoon!"

"That's great..." Auguste yawned. "Well, you go have fun."

"Thing is, I am inviting you to come and watch me perform! I even gave you a VIP spot! For free!" Realizing an unusual silence coming from my brother, I paused. My brother was pinching the bridge of his nose, his sleepy eyes closed shut. Then he took a breath and glanced at me tiredly, but he did his best effort to give me a warm smile.

"Huh, looks like you didn't get enough sleep again." I crossed my arms. "Didn't I tell you to get plenty of sleep last night?"

"I'm so sorry, Zaccy," he moaned, "but I had to stay up pretty late doing all of that work..."

"That much work, huh?"

"Mhm."

I felt my heart sink. I kind of wanted him to come and support me in the crowd. But he's always busy.... Well, I can't force him. After a long pause, I spoke: "Well, I don't want you getting exhausted coming to my concert. Get some rest. Take a nap, maybe."

I headed to the door. I felt my brother walk up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see a remorseful look in his eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't come."

"Hey," I smiled and reassuringly put my hand over his. "I know you'll support me, whether you come to the concert or stay at home.

"No need to worry, Auggy. Just get some rest."

The crowd cheered as the last words of the final chorus were sung. Thousands of cameras were snapping their photos, and fans sitting in the front row threw us some roses.

Akira beamed up at me. "Hey, that was fun, Zac!" he rejoiced (his head was away from the mic). "Thanks for having me here!" Orochi nodded agreeingly in the background.

I gave them my signature grin back.

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As a reward for our hard work, I took my two favorite superstars out for some ice cream. Oh, the perks of being a rich celebrity!

I got myself a delicious banana split sundae, Akira got mint chocolate chip, and Orochi got cookie dough. We all sat at a round table and dug into our desserts.

"Scrumptious!" I beamed so hard I would've melted all of the ice cream then and there.

"Your hangout spot choices are always the best!" Akira complimented with his mouth full.

"Yeah, but one question, Zac... how come it's just the three of us this time?" Orochi asked with his headphones in.

"It's because you're my best friends! Don't worry about the others, we'll have a separate hangout with them," I exclaimed, stretching my arms out for the full effect.

Akira grinned at me with gratitude. "I haven't had sweets in a while due to my diet! I'm sure this one cup of goodness won't hurt!"

As Akira continued to cram down his mint n' chip, I turned around. "Orochi?" I muttered so only he could hear.

Despite his music volume being at its loudest, Orochi took his headphones off and turned to me. "Yeah?"

I glanced at Akira to make sure he wasn't paying attention. Then I whispered, "Do you know about phantom thieves?"

"Oh, phantom thieves?" Orochi blinked. "All I know is that they've been more active the last two years, and they steal without leavin' a trace. Why?"

I frowned. "I may have received a letter from a group of them... last night."

"Really?"

"They call themselves the Phantom Thieves of Beys, and they say they plan on stealing my Bey. Tonight."

"Tonight?"

Akira appeared between us. "Tonight?"

"Gah!" I exclaimed, pushing Akira's face down with a finger. "None of your business, kid."

He jumped up. "But it is! I... may have heard everything in your conversation." Akira admitted sheepishly.

"Guess I'm not the only one with keen hearin'." Orochi casually joked.

"Well, guess I should explain to the both of you, then." I closed my eyes. Honestly, I wasn't so sure of sharing the next lines to them, but I trusted them enough. "Before I received that card, I was at my brother Auguste's house. Before I left, I spotted this mysterious golden cane in his bedroom..."

"Maybe your brother likes canes?" Akira assumed.

"But listen to this! I remember from a witness interview that one of the phantom thieves also has a cane that looks exactly like his!"

"Maybe the witness didn't see things properly?" the kid suggested again.

"You may be right... Phantom thieves only come out in the dark," Orochi added on. "It was probably too dark for him to assume anythin' definitely."

"I guess... Yeah, why am I even worried? My brother would never try to steal my Bey, right?" I heartily reassured myself.

"Then again... you told me once that he has a very big Bey collection..." Orochi mentioned.

"It's because he works tirelessly for his money. He always wanted to keep a Beycollection. He buys himself rare Beys as a reward for his hard work!" I concluded.

"Rare Beys?" both of them repeated. Then Orochi asked, "Do you know which specific Beys they are?"

"Uhh, my brother never told me their names," I uttered. My confidence in my conclusion was going down a bit.

Akira rubbed his arm uneasily, while Orochi closed his eyes and had another spoonful of cookie dough ice cream. Clearly, all of us didn't like where this was going. I had to brighten things up. I pushed my chair back and stood up assuredly.

"Hey, if there's anyone that knows Auguste very well, it's me! He's smart, caring, and always looks out for me. If there was something wrong with him, I'd know. And as far as I know, there's nothing wrong with him!" I posed for a dramatic finish.

"Whatever you say, boss," Orochi shrugged as he put his headphones in once again.

"If you're sure... I'll believe you Zac," Akira smiled at me in admiration.

"That means a lot, kid," I complimented as I dabbed.

"Still, in case a phantom thief does visit you tonight... Should we stay with you?" Orochi asked.

"I have an idea! We'll have a sleepover!" I declared. If I couldn't have a sleepover with my brother, maybe I could have one with my friends instead!

"For reals?! Awesome!" I knew the kid would like the idea!

"Well, get your toothbrushes and PJs ready, because we'll be guarding my Zillion Zeutron together!!"

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Auguste's POV

I really wanted to come to that concert. I wanted to be there for my brother. But I just had too much work last night. And I couldn't tell him what I've been doing, can I?

I know what you're thinking. "If you love your brother, why are you not honest with him?" you may ask. "Why did you become a phantom thief in the first place?" It's complicated, okay?

I sat down by my computer, leaning back with my hands behind my head. I was met with the usual: pages upon pages of graphs, words, and numbers.... These are the culprits for my grey hair, seriously.

With a heavy sigh, I cracked my knuckles and got back to work.

Ever since Zac became a pop star, I've made it my duty to assist him in any way I can. However, it's been difficult on my end.

Zac doesn't know it, but occasionally hosting free concerts and giving out free albums doesn't cut it. Most of his wealth comes from my own efforts. And I'm not just financially supporting Zac, but myself as well.

But seeing how kind Zac is to his fans, I can't just give up on him, you know? He always acknowledges his fans. He's nice to children. My heart breaks every time he donates one fourth of his money to a charity!

I could tell his fame matters a lot to him. He keeps rambling to me about how he wants to be the best pop star in the world. I watched that Beybattle he had with Akira, and I could tell from his face that he will not make way for someone else to steal his spotlight.

If I make him fail as a pop star, it'll ruin him. So I have to support him, no matter what the cost. No matter what happens to me (and my hair).

No matter what the law says I can't do. As long as it doesn't involve him...