So here's the epic conclusion of Azreal's little detour. Takes place between chapter 39 and 41 of Two Birds One Stone.

Recap: Azreal saved Keith and Mira from Mylene's Death Ball by switching places with them. Once he came to, he found himself in the Doom Dimension, which as you remember from Bakugan is the Bakugan Graveyard, which also happens to be his birthplace. Azreal discovers Lync and Volt, now ex-Vexos, there as well before the spirit of Lars Lion gives Azreal his test.

I do not own Bakugan, only Ayden, Azreal and Maelstrom.

In case you didn't understand some things from chapter 1: Maelstrom fell into the Doom Dimension by accident and Azreal rescued him from a group of, well, bullies. From that moment, Maelstrom became attached to Azreal, who didn't really like him at first, but took Maelstrom under his wing, escaping to Vestroia together. Now when Azreal and Maelstrom escaped to Old Vestroia, that was when the Six Ancient Warriors split Vestroia into the 6 elemental worlds. He and Maelstrom fell into Vestal when the whole "cards falling from the sky" thing happened on Earth and Vestal. I don't know if the card thing happened at the same time on Earth and Vestal, but I'm making it so.


Normal POV

"The Doom Dimension?" asked Volt.

"Yes, it is the place that all Bakugan fear to be. It is our graveyard. It is also my birthplace." Explained Azreal.

"So how did all these Bakugan get here? And why are they statues?" asked Lync.

"Many, many years ago, Vestroia was once one world like it is now. But war began breaking out between the Bakugan. So 6 Bakugan from each attribute united together and separated the world into six smaller worlds. When this happened a dimensional rift occurred and I had my escape. A Bakugan would occasionally fall into the Doom Dimension by accident. As for their petrified state, that is my doing."

"You? You did this?" asked Lync.

"You did not know me then! I was angry and afraid. Angry that I was born in such a dark, desolate place and afraid that I could not have the life all the attributed Bakugan had."

"What do you mean attributed Bakugan? All Bakugan have attributes." asked Volt.

"Yes, there are six attributes. However, not every Bakugan is born to one of them. I was born a White One, a Bakugan belonging to none of the attributes."

"But you're a Haos Bakugan…" started Lync. "I don't understand."

"I wouldn't expect you to. Eventually, Bakugan began appearing here and, in my anger, I fought and finished them. Only after many battles, did I realize what I had done. All the pain in this place is my fault." Azreal turned his back to Lync and Volt in shame.

"Then how did you become a Haos Bakugan?" asked Volt.

"A portal opened to the world I sought to go to. I had hoped to wind up in the Ventus land, but instead I was in the Haos world. Over time, I adapted to the Haos energy and I evolved into one like them."

"But you're supposed to be with Ayden, how come you're here?" asked Lync.

"Mylene and Shadow attacked us at Marucho's house. Keith managed to lure them into a virtual world where he and Mira defeated them and destroyed their mechanical Bakugan. Mylene threw some sort of ball and the virtual world began collapsing. Time was running out and Marucho couldn't extract Mira and Keith safely. So I used some of my powers to switch places with them, that way, I could pay for what I had done here. How ironic that that ball would send me here."

"Then if this is the Bakugan graveyard…why aren't Boriates and Aluze petrified like the other Bakugan here?" asked Volt.

"Perhaps it is the genetic makeup of your mechanical Bakugan. Because they are artificial, they are unaffected by the dark energy here. I am no scientist but I assume that is the reason."

"Then how come you're not affected?" asked Lync.

"I was born here. The effects of this world have no consequence on me as they do to other Bakugan."

"Of course mighty Beast King, the events have turned against you, or perhaps in your favor."

Azreal looked up into the sky and saw Lars Lion again. "What do you want?" Lars Lion said nothing as she transformed into her battle mode. "You wish to fight?"

"Not at all. I believe in passive aggression. 3 years ago, Dan and the original brawlers came to Vestroia and they each received a test, upon which if they passed, they evolved. Let this be my gift to you, Beast King."

Lars Lion drew an arrow of golden light and shot many of them at the petrified Bakugan. Each arrow sunk into the stone Bakugan, causing each one to rise up. They still regained their rock-like bodies, but they acted more like zombies. "Let's see how well you can handle those who fell to you." Lars Lion said before she disappeared.

"This looks bad!" cried Lync.

"Those Bakugan just came back to life!" exclaimed Volt.

"No, they are no longer living. It seems Lars Lion gave them some power to act out their last desires: taking me down. We may be enemies but I ask you not to interfere."

Azreal charged at the stone Bakugan that slowly made his way to them. With great force, he punched many of the advancing Bakugan. Despite Azreal's great strength, the large number of Bakugan quickly overwhelmed him and pinned him down to the ground.

"Now you will pay for what you did to us." Said many of the Bakugan.

"We can't just sit back here and watch this!" cried Lync.

All of a sudden, Boriates charged forward, causing Volt to quickly grab on so as not to fall off. "Boriates, what are you doing?" cried Volt.

Boriates pulled out his arm cannon and shot some of the Bakugan. When he got near the pinned dragon, he punched the remaining Bakugan away from Azreal and helped the dragon back up on his feet.

"What are you doing? I told you to stay out of my way!" shouted Azreal.

"Don't blame me, it was Boriates who wanted to help."

"So, your mechanical Bakugan…made a choice of it's own…"

"Yeah, now that you mention it, this is the first time Boriates did something without me saying anything."

"Perhaps, Boriates is gaining his own consciousness."

"Consciousness?"

"Yes, Ayden used to tell me stories of how cherished objects begin to develop their own mind and consciousness. Perhaps Boriates…is becoming a true Bakugan."

"Don't forget about me!" cried Lync and Aluze flew over to their location.

"I appreciate you coming to my rescue, but this is my fight. Lars Lion meant this test to be for me and only me. Do not interfere, no matter what." He said that last part intensely.

Azreal walked on to the army of Bakugan waiting for him. They charged as he got closer to them. He tried to fight them off but that was easier said than done.

When he would punch one away, another would just slash him back. All around him was an enemy, and he could not hold his ground for much longer. Soon enough he was pinned down again.

'What was the point of this test?' thought Azreal furiously. Darkness slowly began to consume the dragon. He closed his eyes, in defeat, accepting his punishment.

'No, I cannot lay down in defeat. I may have done something horrible in my past but I have many counting on me: Skyress, the Brawlers…and Ayden. I cannot abandon my partner!' A white light consumed Azreal that forced the Bakugan pinning him down off.

Azreal's body began transforming into a larger dragon. From each of the stone Bakugan that had been attacking him, a small orb of white light emerged and flew towards the transforming dragon. When the light cleared, Azreal had become a large human-shaped dragon and was nearly 50 times his original size.

"Whoa, he's huge!" cried Lync in awe.

Azreal looked at his hands, marveling at his new body. "What happened?" he asked himself.

"You passed the test." Lars Lion appeared in her armor form in front of Azreal's face. She was smaller than his head now.

"But I didn't win…they beat me."

"Passing a test does not always mean winning the fight. Sometimes when you realize something, and learn to let go, it can open many doors for you. You have done things here that you are not proud of, and because of that, you could not move forward. The Bakugan here do not hate you for what you did, rather now more than ever, they understand why. They sympathize you."

"I am glad they forgive me, not that I deserve it. I can finally put my dark past behind me and lay it to rest. For so long, I took out my rage on them, wondering why was I born here of all places?"

"There are reasons each of us are born, Azreal, and we have to find those reasons."

"Thank you, Lars Lion."

"Now I do believe some friends of yours are engaging an evil king in battle."

"Ayden and the others? I must go to them! But how will I get there?"

"As the Beast King and with your evolution you have gained new powers. You will now be able to travel to the Doom Dimension from anywhere and to anywhere from here. So long as you come here, you are able to travel anywhere you wish. Use this power wisely Beast King Azreal."

Lars Lion faded into the sky. "Thank you."

Azreal concentrated his powers on where he wanted to go. Like with Drago, a white spark surged from his horn and opened a portal in front of him.

"I sure hope he's not going to just leave us behind." Said Lync.

"We're his enemies, he doesn't have any reason to save us." Said Volt, putting his hand on his friend's shoulder.

Azreal jumped into the portal. He was going back to where he belonged.


I know, Azreal's test was sooo short, but typing out a test as compared to watching it in anime form would make it much shorter right? I would've made it longer if it didn't completely involve Azreal fighting off wave after wave of zombie Bakugan.

I figured since Azreal is born in the Doom Dimension, I figured he should be able to travel to and from there. It's basically Drago's dimensional transportation powers but Azreal has to use the Doom Dimension as like a...connecting flight haha

So, this is it for Shadows in the Light. Tune back into Two Birds One Stone for Azreal's official return.

REVIEW

~ZP