His heart beat resounded in his ears, thumping loud enough to trump all other noise. The stares of every spectator in the arena didn't faze him. Attached to his waist were several pouches containing his Gunpla, his perfected Sphere King. The Ball Guy costume he had once wore for protection, was now one of his greatest strengths. He felt he was the hero Gunpla needed to truly become about freedom. He walked down the lane to get his team ticket, and suddenly passed a strikingly familiar face. If he recalled she was a big fan of the Exia line. Yeah, it was her alright. Just an old friend and rival from younger days. Were the others here too? His classmates from Neilson Labs? Surely, they were all talented individuals after all. Maybe this tournament would be even more important to him than he thought. When he got to the ticket giver, who was agape from his outfit, he read his sticker. "ZAFT" he said solemnly. "Excellent." Rou turned around and surveyed the stage. His stage,