Broken Mirror

by SparkFlameHero1

Summary: When the two worlds of Vestroia and Earth collided, they all knew they weren't alone anymore. But what they didn't know, was that there was a third world waiting to be discovered. A world that is either a reflection, or the truth of their own existence.

3. Chapter 2: Leonidas

Disclaimer: We don't own Bakugan or anything related to it besides the OC's. Please give thanks to FoundingRaiderChrona for her hard work. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Leonidas

Orlando hummed to himself as he looked through the shelves of the local Bakugan Store nearby the school. Today was the day after winning his first Brawl- which he was still feeling giddy from- and the tournament- his first tournament mind you- was only a week away. So he had decided to buy some new Bakugan to aid him in the tourney.

'This is great!' Orlando mentally cheered as he spotted a deal on a sheet of paper near the counter. 'I can get Darkus Centipod, Mantis, Falconer, and Seige. And I can get three character cards for free if I buy four Bakugan at once!'

He started towards the shelves that held all the Darkus cards- Ability and Gate- to look for the before mentioned Bakugan when he heard a soft voice near him.

"Don't let the boxes fall, don't let the boxes fall..." The voice- A girl's by the sound of it- repeatedly said to itself before the sound of boxes moving reached his ears, a girl holding said boxes stepping into view.

"Excuse me?" Orlando asked, accidently startling the girl.

"Ah!" She shouted, some boxes falling down.

"Whoa!" Orlando shouted as he dived to catch the boxes. Luckily, it was only three that fell so he caught them with ease. In the end, he had one box in each hand and the third one on the top of his head. "I got them!" He stumbled. "Sorta..."

"Thank you." Said the girl, her face blocked by the boxes. "If it wouldn't be any trouble, could you help me take the boxes to the counter? I'm Alice by the way."

"Sure, no problem." Orlando replied, following the girl to the counter. "I needed to buy some Bakugan anyway. And I'm Orlando. It's nice to meet you!"

'Alice...' Thought Orlando. 'Where have I heard that name before...? She also has a pretty voice too..."

"It's nice to meet you too." They arrived at the counter and set down the boxes, Alice wiping her forehead due to the sweat that appeared from the stress. "There, now what would you like to purchase? I work here so I can help you out."

"Thanks." Orlando said, facing Alice. "That means a lo-!" He suddenly froze when he got a good look at Alice. "N- no way..."

"Um..." Alice asked, startled. "Are you alrigh-"

"YOU'RE ALICE OF THE BATTLE BRAWLERS!" Orlando suddenly shouted, making Alice squeak in surprise.

"U- uh..." Alice stuttered. "D- do I kn- know you?" Orlando, realizing what he did, blushed in embarrassment.

"S- sorry..." Orlando quickly apologized. "It's just... that you and the other Brawlers are... um... kinda like my idols... You guys are awesome..." By the end of this, Orlando was as red as a tomato.

'No wonder her name sounded familiar.' Orlando thought. 'She's one of the Battle Brawlers!' He mentally face-palmed. 'And I just embarrassed myself in front of her! Way to go Orlando...'

"O- oh!" Alice blushed at the revelation "Thank you for the complement. Are you new to the game?"

"Yeah!" Said Orlando, grateful for the change in topic. "I just won my first battle yesterday. Dan helped me with the rules and how to play."

"You met Dan?" Alice asked. "He doesn't normally help new players." She laughed. 'He usually justs demands them to Brawl with him. You must be special if he helped you."

"Not really..." Orlando blushed again, rubbing the back of his neck- A nervous habit he picked up a few years back. "I only met him yesterday."

"You'd be surprised." Alice giggled. "So, you said you wanted to buy some Bakugan?"

"Oh, right!"

Later that night at Dan's house, the Kuso family was sound asleep. With the exception of Dan's snoring that is. His parents were in theor room, oblivious to the world. Everything was right with the world.

Well, mostly right.

Drago gasped as he popped open on the windowsill- where he usually slept. If he wasn't in ball form, he was fairly sure he would be drenched in sweat, like he woke up from some sort of horrible nightmare. Only, this wasn't due to a nightmare.

'W- wha...' Drago raggedy thought. 'What in the name of Vestroia... was that?!' He had never felt such negative energy in all his life. The only times that he did- And they were even worse than what had just occurred- was the time he could feel the energy of the Silent Core as he traveled to Earth and that one time during the middle of Dan's school a few days ago.

"Daniel..." Drago panted, turning to his partner. "We need to talk." The only repose he got was snoring, and that was when Drago realized the time. "Right.. "

Drago turned back into ball form, getting himself comfortable for the rest of the night. He would speak to Daniel about this in the morning. But for now, all he wanted to do was get a proper good night's rest.

It was the very next day that Orlando found himself in the park. He was happy as he could be now that he finally ha's the chance to Brawl with his new Bakugan. But at the same time he was embarrassed. When he met Alice at the shop for the first time, he couldn't get her off his mind. Though, he did feel a little off after leaving, but he couldn't figure out what was wrong worth him.

The more he thought about it and Alice, he felt his face begin to heat up as time went on. Shaking his head, Orlando decided that he'll wonder about this later. Right now, he needs to think of how he's going to get stronger for the tournament coming up soon.

Unfortunately for him, his thoughts were interrupted when a flash of light engulfed the park, making his arms fly up to sheid his eyes.

"Whoa!" Orlando shouted in surprise. The light had soon vanished, but he still kept his arms up if it happened again. He would've kept them up longer if it weren't for the small 'tap' on the side of his shoe.

"Huh?" Orlando looked down at his feet, his eyes widening as he reached to pick up the object. "A... Bakugan?"

'I've never seen this type of Bakugan before!' Orlando thought as he turned the sphere around to get a better look at it. Juding from its color, it was safe to say it was a Darkus Bakugan, but other than that, there was nothing else to say what Bakugan it was. 'And it appeared after that light disappeared too...' Before his thoughts could continue, the ball started to move before suddenly popping open, startling Orlando.

"Where am I?" The Bakugan immediately asked upon opening, not bothering to see if Orlando had calmed from his surprise.

"Uh..." Orlando said dumbly, looking around for anyone else in the park who may have dropped the Bakugan. "Planet Earth."

"So..." The Bakugan said dejectedly. "Not in Vestroia then?"

'What's Vestroia?' Thought Orlando. "No, sorry... uh... who are you?"

"My name is Leonidas, human." The Bakugan- Leonidas- said proudly. "And you are?"

"Oh!" Orlando jumped at the unexpected question. "Um... I'm Orlando, Orlando Pomeroy."

"Where exactly on Earth am I, Orlando Orlando Pomeroy?" The Bakugan asked, turning around in said person's hand to get a look around the park. Meanwhile, Orlando gave him a nervous smile.

"It's just Orlando..."

"Okay then, Just Orlando. Now where am I?"

"No, I mean my name is-"

"HEY!"

Orlando jumped at the voice, Leonidas yelling at the sudden movement- He nearly fell off of his hand- before turning to the source. Running towards him was Shuji's little brother- 'His name was Akira, right?' Orlando thought to himself- who was, at this is point, gasping for breath.

"H- hey..." Orlando stuttered, watching as Akira collapsed on his knees. "Are you alrig-"

"YOU!" Akira suddenly yelled, jumping to his feet and thrusting his hand in front of Orlando's face- Leonidas would've defiantly fallen off by this point if he hadn't started to float a few moments ago. "Hand over that Bakugan!"

"Huh?" Orlando said in confusion, glancing at said Bakugan. "You mean you Leo?"

"Don't call me that." Leonidas flatly said, which went unnoticed by the two humans.

"Yeah, whatever." Akira said impacient. "Hand it over."

"And why should I?"

"Because I saw him first!"

"You saw him first?!" Orlando scoffed. "As if! When I got here and met Leo-"

"I SAID NOT TO CALL ME THAT!"

"- you were no where to be seen!" By this point Akira was glowing with rage directed at the elder boy.

"Grr..." Akira sneered before smirking. "Fine! If you won't admit that I saw that Bakugan first-"

"I have a NAME you know!" Leonidas growled.

"- then let's Brawl for it!" He finished, holding up his Field Card. "Whoever wins keeps the Bakugan!" Orlando blinked at the sudden challange. Winner gets Leo, huh? But- even though he just met him- he didn't want him to be a prize...

"Accept the challange human."

"What?" Orlando asked, looking at the Bakugan.

"You heard me." Leonidas growled. "Accept the challange. I want to see your strength."

"Leo..." Orlando whispered before nodding and pulling out his Field Card. "Ok, I'll do it!"

"Good..." Said Leonidas before 'glaring' at him again. "And I said NOT to call me Leo!"

"Field Open!" Akira and Orlando shouted, time slowing down as a white light engulfed them. Once it died down, Orlando was greeted to the familiar sight of the empty 'Pocket Dimension'. On his shoulder, Leonidas hummed at the sight.

"So this is an Earth battlefield..." He muttered.

"Gate Card, set!" The two humans yelled, the cards growing as the hit the ground.

'Entering battle. Welcome, Orlando Pomeroy.'

'Entering battle. Welcome, Akira.'

"I'll take the first turn!" Yelled Orlando as he took out and threw a Bakugan ball at his gate card. "Bakugan Brawl! Darkus Centipoid, stand!" A purple light shone from the Gate Card, giving way to a giant, black and purple centipede with yellow claws and pincers.

'Centipoid enters that battle at 400 G's. No other data available.'

"My turn!" Shouted Akira, pulling out a brown Baku an ball and aiming it at his own Gate Card. "Bakugan Brawl! Subterra Wormquake, stand." Another flash of light- This time being orange- gave way to a large, orange and brown worm that took up the while field.

'Wormquake enters the battle at 340 G's.'

'So,' Orlando thought. 'He played on his own card instead huh? Could it be possible that he doesn't have a Bakugan strong enough to beat Centipoid?' Looking at the field, he nodded to himself.

"Alright then." Muttered Orlando, holding up another Gate Card and pulling out another Bakugan. "Gate Card set! Bakugan Brawl! Darkus Mantris, stand!" Another flash and a giant, purple and black Mantis with large, razor sharp thorax's was on the field.

'Mantris enters the battle at 380 G's.'

"Dude, weak!" Akira taunted, holding up another Bakugan and making Mantris rattle in irritation. "Let me show you something more impressive!" He shouted, throwing the Bakugan ball at Orlando's second Gate Card. "Bakugan Brawl! Subterra Stinglash, stand!" A giant, brown and orange Scorpion appeared on the field, growling at Mantris while it did the same.

'Stinglash enters the battle at 330 G's while Mantris has 380 G's. Mantris dominates.'

"Take this!" Akiea yelled, holding out an Ability Card. "Ability Card activate! Subterra Normal!" In response to the cardoctor activating, Stinglash glowed as the card took effect.

'Power increase detected. Stinglash now at 480 G's.'

"I don't think so!" Orlando responded in kind, holding up his own card. "Ability Activate! Twin Machete!"

'Power increase detected. Mantris now at 480 G's. Both Bakugan are now tied.'

"But not for long!" Orlando declared. "Gate Card open! Character!"

'Power surge detected. Plus 90 G's from Character and 200 from Gate Card for a total power increase of 290 G's. Mantris now at 770 G's.'

"Alright!" Cheered Orlando. "Take 'em down Mantris!" The giant insect-like Bakugan screeched at it sliced it's thorax's at the opponent Bakugan, said Bakugan turning back into a ball and returning to Akira.

'Mantris wins the battle. Orlando gains the first Gate Card.'

"You did awesome Mantris! Thanks!" Said Orlando, the giant insect chittering in pride before returning to him. Catching it's Bakugan ball, Orlando looked out onto the field while bringing out his third Bakugan. Aiming it for Wormquake's Card, he threw the Bakugan. "Alright, Bakugan Brawl! Darkus Siege, stand!" A black and purple kight wielding a spear appeared in front of Wormquake.

'Siege enters the battle at 360 G's while Wormquake has 340 G's. Siege dominates.'

"Ha!" Akira laughed. "You think that tin can is enough to win? Well think again! Gate Card open. Grand Spirit!" The card's appearance changed as it glowed, Wormquake growling as it gained more power.

"Power increase detected. 50 G's from Gate Card and Orlando's Gate Card makes for a total of 100 G's. Wormquake now at 440 G's.'

"Now Wormquake!" Shouted Akira, pointing at Siege. "Devour that knight!" Wormquake let out a cry before charging that the Bakugan.

"Not on my watch!" Orlando yelled, holding up an Ability Card. "Ability activate! Shadowscratch!"

'Shadowscratch nullifies Gate Card. Wormquake's G-power returns to normal.'

"Go get 'em Siege!" Said Orlando. The Bakugan nodded before charging towards the Subterra Bakugan and slashed it with it's spear. Wormquake let out a painful cry before returning to Akira, Siege doing the same with Orlando.

'Wormquake is defeated by Siege. The second Gate Card goes to Orlando.'

"Grr..." Akira growled at Orlando. "Don't think that I'm letting you off easy for this!" Angrily, he threw his next Baku gan towards Centipoid. "Bakugan Brawl! Subterra Gargonoid, stand!" An Orange and brown goblin with wings appeared in front of Centipoid, both Bakugan beginning to glare at each other.

'Gargonoid enters the battle at 350 G's while Centipoid has 400 G's. Centipoid dominates.'

"But not for long!" Akira responded to the AI. "Ability activate! Wall Burst!" Centipoid let out a weak cry as it power was drained.

'Power decrease detected. Centipoid now at 300 G's. Garonoid dominates.'

Orlando narrowed his eyes as the tables were turned. But, as he eyed his Gate Card, he gave a small smile, remembering what the card was.

(Flashback)

"Here you go Orlando." Alice smiled as she handed him a small bag. "Be sure to treat your new Bakugan well and have fun battling with them."

"Of course!" Orlando grinned as he looked through the bag. He then blinked in surprise as he pulled out a Gate Card. "Um, Alice? I think you gave me an extra Gate Card by accident."

"I didn't." Alice giggled, pointing to the card. "Consider this as my thanks for helping me with those boxes. Since you're a Darkus user, I figured that you'd find this very useful."

Orlando blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed and slightly proud of himself at the same time. Looking down at the card, he read over it's effect and gave Alice a large smile.

"Thanks Alice."

"No problem Orlando!"

(End of Flashback.)

"What are you smiling about!?" Akira demanded, seeing Orlando's expression from across the field.

"Oh, nothing..." Orlando trailed off, smirking. "Just this! Gate Card open! Joker's Wild!"

"WHAT!?" Akira shouted in disbelief as Orlando's Gate Card glowed purple and Gargonoid back to him.

'Joker's Wild activated. All Darkus Bakugan win this battle. The third Gate Card goes to Orlando.'

"Sorry I didn't give you much of a challenge this time Centipoid." Orlando apologized to his Bakugan. "Maybe next time, it'll be your time to shine." The giant centipede shook it's head in understanding before returning to Orlando.

"Grr..." Akira growled, holding up another Gate Card. "I've had enough of this! Gate Card set!

"Ok..." Orlando said to himself, throwing down his own card. "Gate Card set!" Once the two cards had grown to the size suitable for a brawl, the two boys made eye contact before sending out their Bakugan.

"Bakugan Brawl!" They both shouted, the two spheres flying towards Akira's Gate Card.

"Subterra Hynoid, stand!" A brown wolf with orange armor and grey 'hair' appeared on Akira's side of the field, howling as it did.

"Darkus Falconeer, stand!" On Orlando's side, a purple skinned, humanoid falcon with black feathers and a yellow beak cried out as soon as it appeared on the field.

'Hynoid enters the battle at 360 G's while Falconeer enters with 340 G's. Hynoid dominates.'

'Not for long...' Orlando thought, holding up an Ability Card. "Ability Activa-"

"I don't think so!" Akira cut in, an Ability Card of his own already glowing from being activated. "Ability Activate! Ability Counter! With this, I nullify your Ability Card!' Orlando glared at him while he put away said card. "But wait, there's more!"

"More?!" Orlando shouted, surprised.

"Gate Card open!" The Subterra user grinned. "Energy merge!" As soon as the words were spoken, the Gate Card activated, causing Falconeer to cry out as it lost its power and Hynoid to howl as it gained the Darkus Bakugan's stolen power.

'Power decrease detected. Falconeer now at 240 G's. Power increase detected. Hynoid now at 460 G's.'

"Bring that bird back down to earth Hynoid!" Akira commanded. Said Bakugan let out another howl before leaping and grabbing one of Falconeer's legs with it mouth. Letting gravity take effect, Hynoid dragged the Darkus Bakugan down onto the Gate Card, slamming it down and causing it to return to Orlando, Flaconeer's Bakugan ball hitting his feet as it rolled back to him.

'Falconeer has been defeated. The fourth Gate Card goes to Akira.'

"Damn..." Orlando cursed under his breath, picking up the Darkus Bakugan. "I'm sorry Falconeer..." Somehow, Orlando could tell for absolute certain that Falconeer didn't mind and was telling him not to worry about it.

"Heh heh heh... That'll show ya." Akira snickered, throwing Hynoid's Bakugan ball up and then catching it a few times before throwing it at Orlando's Gate Card. "Bakugan Brawl!" Subterra Hynoid stand!"

'Hynoid renters the battle at 360 G's. No other data available.'

"This one's for you Falconeer!" Orlando shouted, throwing out his fourth Bakugan. "Bakugan Brawl! Darkus Centipoid stand!" Centpoid chittered angrily once it appeared on the Gate Card, fully intending to avenge his fellow Darkus Bakugan.

'Centipoid enters the battle at 400 G's. Centipoid dominates.'

"Not for long!" Akira yelled, taking out an Ability Card. "Ability Activate! Earth Power!" Hynoid's fur bristled as it's power grew in response to the card's activation.

'Power increase of 50 G's detected. Hynoid now at 410 G's.'

"Sorry," Orlando smirked, making Akira blink and sweat in confusion and nervousness. "But I don't intend on losing another battle. Gate Card open! Level Down!"

"What?!" Akira blurted out in shock, Hynoid's fur settling as it lost power.

'Power decrease of 100 G's detected. Hynoid now at 310 G's.'

"Alright Centipoid!" Orlando yelled, holding a hand out in command. "Take that wolf down a peg or two!" Seemingly too happy to obey, the insect charged straight at the Subterra Bakugan, sending it into the air and back to it owner.

'Hynoid has left the field. The fifth Gate Card goes to Orlando. Current score: Orlando leads with four Gate Cards while Akira has one Gate Card.'

"That was awesome Centipoid!" Orlando said as he caught the Bakugan. He could practically feel the happiness radiating from it, as if agreeing with him.

"Tch..." Akira glared at Orlando. "Yeah laugh it up Pomeroy... But don't forget!" He pointed a finger in said person's direction, his other hand holding his next Bakugan. "The next Brawl is on MY Gate Card! And I'll be sure to knock you down a peg or two!"

"As if!" Orlando responded, holding up his last Bakugan and throwing it. "Bakugan Br-"

"HOLD IT HUMAN!" Leonidas suddenly yelled, causing Orlando to trip mid-throw and fall flat on his face.

"Ow..." Orlando grumbled before pushing himself up and giving the Bakugan a slight glare. "What was that for Leo?!"

"First off, I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!" The Darkus Bakugan shouted before calming himself. "Second, throw me onto the thing you call a 'Crate Guard'!

"It's actually called a 'Gate Card' Leo..."

"Whatever, just send me out there human, before I do it myself!"

"But-"

"But nothing!" Leonidas cut him off. "I refuse to stand on the sideline like some damned prized waiting to be won!"

"Well?"

"... Alright." Orlando nodded, putting away his previous Bakugan and holding up his hand. "But if we're going to brawl together, then let's start over. I'm Orlando!"

"... Leonidas, it's a pleasure hu- ah... Orlando."

"Nice to meet you, Leonidas!" Orlando grinned. Leonidas just huffed at this.

"Whatever..."

"Tch!" Akira growled, catching he two's attention. "If you weren't going to make the first move, then why didn't you say so!?" Raising his hand, he threw out his next Bakugan. "Bakugan Brawl! Subterra Mantris stand!" Landing on the field, the orange glow of a Subterra Bakugan being summoned gave way to a large, preying mantis-like monster with orb-like green eyes and brown skin with some orange here and there. "Now hurry it up so I can beat you and take that Bakugan!"

"AGAIN, I HAVE A NAME!" Leonidas shouted from his and Orlando's side of the field. Akira showed no sign of listening, causing the Bakugan to mutter darkly. "Bah! Damn human..."

"If you really want him to know your name..." Orlando started, moving his raised hand closer to Leonidas. "Then let's kick his but to next Tuesday!"

Leonidas have his hand a long look. Even if he didn't like the kid that much, he had to admit, he like his fighting spirit. Grunting in acknowledgement, the Darkus Bakugan closed in on itself, turning into a full sphere.

"Lets."

"Alright!" Orlando grinned, gripping the Bakugan in his hand and throwing onto the field. "Bakugan Brawl! Darkus Leonidas stand!" And in a flash of light- like Mantris, but purple this time- a large, humanoid purple dragon with golden claws, horns, and eyes appeared on the field. But it wasn't it's appearance that had caught their attention.

It was the overwhelming feeling and aura of hate, rage, and negativity that was being emitted from the Bakugan.

Orlando gasped as he struggled to stay on his feet. And from the sound of it, Akira was experiencing the same thing, only he had collapsed to his knees.

'W- wha...?' Orlando shakily thought, slightly gasping and sweating as he looked up at Leonidas. 'What the heck... is this?! This feeling... it's almost... suffocating...!' He could barely stand up as it is! Just... what exactly IS Leonidas?!

"W- whoa..." Akira sweated with a wary smile, having come to a different conclusion than Orlando. "I- I knew it... It... really is an awesome Bakugan!" Slowly, Akira pushed himself off the ground, falling a few times before finally standing upright, and looked at this Bakuwatch. "Heh heh... Even if it's got an amazing feel to it... It's still no match for my Mantris!" The elder boy blinked at his words before looking at his own Bakuwatch in worry.

'Leonidas enters the battle at 340 G's while Mantris is at 380 G's. Mantris dominates.'

"Darn... it!" Orlando slowly gasped out, sweat trickling down the side of his head. Akira just snickered and raised a hand- having his other arm support it under the pressure Leonidas was exerting.

"T- that's not all!" He laughed and panted, the Gate Card below the two Bakugan starting to glow. "Gate Card open! High Voltage!"

'Power increase to all attributes. Mantris now at 680 G's and Leonidas now at 540 G's'

"And I- I'm... not done y- yet!" Akira yelled, holding up- with great difficulty- a card. "A- ability activate! Dew... At Dawn!"

'Power increase of 70 G's detected. Mantris now at 750 G's.'

"Ha ah ha!" The younger Brawler gasped out, grinning. "T- try to top that... Pomeroy!"

"Darn it!" Orlando cursed. As much as he hated it, Akira had him beat. Even if he used an Ability Card, it still wouldn't provide enough power for Leonidas to beat Mantris. "Sorry, Leonidas... I got nothing..."

"Alright n- now... Mantris!" Akira- still panting from the negative pressure around them- called out, pointing at the weaker Bakugan. "CRUSH HIM!" The large insect chittered loudly in response before charging at Leonidas, pincers poised to finish off the Darkus Bakugan. Meanwhile, Leonidas continued to stand on the field, head lowered, not moving.

"LEONIDAS!" Orlando shouted out in worry.

"IT'S OVER POMEROY!" Akira yelled, Mantris now a few feet away from the dragonoid. It's claw began to descend upon the Bakugan... before a clawed hand caught it mid-swing. "W- what!?"

"Leo... nidas?" Orlando asked nervously. And did the pressure around them seem to be... increasing?

"... Tch." Leonidas growled, his grip on the claw tightening. "Don't... you dare..." His head suddenly snapped up as his eyes glowed and he threw back Mantris to the other side of the field. "UNDERESTIMATE ME!"

"W- what the heck!?" Stuttered Akira, falling backwards to the ground at the sudden burst of negative energy before pushing himself up onto his elbows and pointing a shaking finger at the Darkus Bakugan. "T- that's I- I- impossible! Mantris is way stronger than that weakling!" Meanwhile, Orlando had fallen in the same manner as Akira, both from the sudden blast of energy and at how it became even harder to breathe under said energy's pressure and potency.

'T- this is... absolutely... crazy!' Orlando struggled to think as he got to his knees. It was hard enough to breath with this energy around him, and it didn't help that he was the closest thing to Leonidas. 'If this keeps up...'

"Hey, Orlando..." Leonidas spoke,- startling said person- looking completely unfazed by the negative energy around them. "What do you say we end this fight in style?"

"In... style?" Orlando asked before noticing a slight glow coming out of his card holder. Opening it, the black haired boy pulled out a glowing Ability Card. Squinting his eyes, he was able to make out the name of the card. "Alpha... Blas... ter?"

'This wasn't in my card holder before! How did it...?'

"Well kid?" Orlando looked up to see Leonidas giving him an over-shoulder glance. "Are we going to do this or what?" The boy stared at Leonidas before looking back at the card in his hand. Just as he thought for last few minutes, this was absolutely crazy. The negative energy, this mysterious Ability Card suddenly appearing in his card holder...

Narrowing his eyes, Orlando slowly got to his feet- 'How the heck is he standing!?' Akira thought from his position- and held he glowing card over his head. Taking in a deep, shaky breath, he activated the card.

"Ability Activate! Alpha Blaster!"

And just like that, the pressure was gone.

Orlando and Akira gasped in deep breaths of air when this happened, their lungs recovering from the lack of air beforehand. Nervously, Orlando glanced around, noticing that the dark purple tinge the field had earlier taken was also gone as well.

'What the heck...?' Orlando thought. Before he could wonder anymore on that, he was brought out of his thought by a low chuckle from Leonidas. In his hand, the Ability Card's light dimmed before momentarily flashing purple.

"Heh heh heh..." Leonidas slowly laughed, his eyes glowing brightly as he looked at Mantris, which seemed to slightly shrink away at his gaze. Without warning, the Darkus Bakugan shot up into the air, the residual wind causing Orlando and Akira to shield their faces. Stopping in mid-air, bluish electricity began to crackle around him. Leonidas reared his head back...

"IT'S OVER!"

And blasted a beam of pure negative energy, crackling with the electricity, straight at Mantris.

"GAAHH!" Orlando yelled as he struggled to keep his footing, which was all for naught as he was blown back onto the ground.

"AAHHH!" Akira screamed as he was also blown back from the blast as it connected with Mantris, who immediately turned back into a small Bakugan Ball and was sent back to him. A white light filled the field as soon as Mantris turned back, and the last thing the two battlers heard was the AI of their Bakumeters. (Bakumeters are actually what those watches are called.)

'Mantris has been defeated. The sixth Gate Card goes to Orlando. Final score: Orlando leads with five Gate Cards and Akira follows with one Gate Card. The winner is Orlando Pomeroy.'

Akira fell to his knees as he stared at his defeated Bakugan- along with his Gate and Ability Cards- on the ground. Not only did he lose the chance to gain a strong, cool, and rare Bakugan no ones ever seen before, he didn't even stand a chance against them, only coming out with one victory.

"N- no way..." The Subterra user muttered. "H- how did I manage to lose?" Across from him, Orlando- who had Leonidas perched on his left shoulder- took a step towards the kid in worry.

"Um..." Orlando started nervously. "Are you alrig- " Before he could finish, Akira suddenly shot to his feet, his Bakugan and cards in hand.

"Don't think this is over, Punk!" He shouted, pointing at the startled Orlando. "I'll be back and I'll win! You can keep that stupid Bakugan!" And then he ran off, leaving a silent Darkus Brawler behind.

"... Well..." Orlando said after a moment, scratching the back of his head. "That... went well."

"Of course." Leonidas huffed, floating off of Orlando's shoulder. "There was no way I'd ever lose to a weakling like that!"

'That's not what I meant...' Orlando thought before looking at Leonidas, remembering about the energy surge during the Brawl. "Hey, Leonidas? About that last battle- " (Reminder: Thoughts are in italics)

"I'll be your partner." The Bakugan cut him off.

"W- what?" Orlando stuttered, all questions about the negative energy during Leonidas's battle going out the window.

"That was the point of the battle, wasn't it?" Question Leonidas as he turned to fully face the human. "While I don't like the fact I was treated as a prize for this battle, I will admit..." If Leonidas had a mouth, he would've been seen smirking. "It was fun battling with you. You like to play, right?"

"W- well..." Orlando began. "I only did start playing a few days back, but yeah," He nodded. "I do like to Brawl."

"So if I join you, I'll be able to fight more Bakugan as well, correct?"

"Uh... yeah?"

"Then I'll go along with what the conditions of the Brawl were in the first place. From this day forth, your my partner, wither you like it or not, human."

'Aaaand, he's back to calling me human...' Orlando thought, sighing. "I really do have a say in this, do I?"

"Absolutely not." Leonidas deadpanned. Orlando sighed again.

"Alright..." He said, giving a wavy smile. "Well then, glad to have you, partner."

"I'm not your partner, you're MY partner, get it?"

"That pretty much means the same thing Leo..."

As the two newfound partners continued their 'banter', the never noticed the masked individual watching them under the cover of the branches and leafs of a nearby tree.

"So..." Began the blonde. "Those two are the source of the negative energy Master Naga sensed."

"More so the Bakugan than the boy." His Bakugan partner replied. "The boy hold some negative energy around himself, but then again, who doesn't?"

"True." The Brawler watched as the two they were watching begin the leave the park. "Come on, Hydranoid." He stood up from his sitting position on a thick branch. "Let's reports this to Master Naga. Who knows," He smirked. "They may be of some use."

"As you wish, Masquerade."

This was the first real brawl of this story. Hoped you enjoyed and leave a comment and tell us what you think. SparkFlame out!