"Anger is a great force. If you control it, it can be transmuted into a power which can move the world," - William Shenstone.
Dan knew something important was going on when Mylene called for him that morning.
Dan had been lying on his bed in his prison room when she called. The room wasn't quite a cell. But it wasn't a very inviting room either, with it's plain, metal walls designed to keep the occupant inside. There were no windows at all, unless you counted the large, open hexagon shapes in the door. Dan had learned from Hydron that those hexagons could be interlaced with smaller, deadly laser hexagons that would just as easily cut through paper as human skin. A metal desk was built into the corner of two walls on the far side of the room, with a hair brush resting on it's surface. There was a door on one wall, the one opposite the bed that was bolted to the floor, that led into a plain, full bathroom. The sink was made of some non-rusting metal, and the tub was made of some white ceramic, but built into the floor. There were sliding glass doors on the sides of the tub for privacy, and a black towel draped over the towel rack. The toilet was porcelain, but there was no toilet cleaner or anything there. The Gundalians clearly weren't taking any chances.
He had been thinking, trying to rule out some of the possible reasons for his capture, other than the obvious, of course, but her voice had sliced right through the fragile fibers of thought, causing them to fragment and dissolve as the misty vapors of a dying fire. "Dan, you need to come and take a look at this!" Dan sighed, trying to seize some lingering trace of the thought web, but he was snatching at smoke; unable to retrieve so much as a single thread of the fog that had once clouded him.
He sat up and grimaced when he pulled his shoulder forward in an effort to lift his upper body. The blow that Stoica had landed on his shoulder just before Dan passed out in the car was still sensitive, as were the remnants of crashes against the riverbank, and when Dan had looked in the mirror, he could see the large dark blue and purple bruise covering his skin. It had surprised him to see just how much skin it covered, and then how vile looking it was. He concluded that Stoica had whacked him far harder than was necessary (which was not at all), and, if only for that reason, he was going to make things hell for his captors for as long as he was in their custody.
It had taken him only seconds to make it from his room into the conference room, as they sat side by side in the hallway. There he found the blue haired young woman sitting in front of what looked like a computer, accompanied by Lync. She was sitting back in her chair, watching the screen intently, but glanced behind her when Dan walked in.
Her eyes were still sly and cunning, but instead of holding within them an icy hatred for the leader of the Brawlers, they now concealed a hidden warmth. When he had first woken up, her eyes had been wide with curiosity and fear for him, despite their previous rivalry, but now they showed a strange puzzlement and satisfaction. Dan walked up behind her, resting the gloved left hand of his Castle Knight uniform on her chair, standing to her right.
"What's up?" he asked. Lync looked up from his rapid typing and frowned, pointing at her computer screen.
"I think we found something you'd be interesting in watching," he said with a short lived smirk. Mylene pushed her chair, which was on wheels, over to the left, giving him the space to stand where she had previously been sitting. His eyebrows furrowed at the screen as his eyes focused, and he realized that he was looking at. His deep, blood red orbs widened in shock and his jaw dropped. The next thing he knew, he was leaning forward on the table, bracing his arms against the edge of it. His elbows were bent, and it looked almost as though he were about to jump into the screen itself.
"What the heck is she doing?" he hissed. There, on the screen, four individuals were standing on opposite sides of a battle arena. Two blue haired girls were on one side, and two Gundalian figures that Dan easily recognized stood on the other. The navy blue haired girl on the right was wearing a white Castle Knight uniform, and the first question that rose to mind concerning her was what her purpose in Interspace was that the present moment. She should have been on Nethia, organizing the restorations of the kingdom.
The girl to her left was the one that concerned Dan the most. The one with the aqua hair, tied up tightly with blue and yellow hair bands. The one with bright orange socks and white shorts, and yellow belly shirt with cuffs on the upper arms. A white undershirt was almost hidden beneath her belly shirt, but stood out on her arms despite the fact that it didn't cover her stomach. Her boots reached her ankles and didn't have so much as a tint of dirt on them. And the girl's face! The enraged expression that had hijacked her features almost made Dan flinch and feel sorry for whoever was on the receiving end of her anger. But he knew who was on the receiving end, so he didn't find any sympathy in his heart to give.
The hatred in her eyes was like a venom that could easily poison and kill any unsuspecting victim. The fire that lived in her livid emerald orbs blazed brightly, fed by none other than the breath of life itself. The anger was in every fiber of her being. It controlled her now, Dan could easily tell. The childlike arguments he had shared with her were nothing compared to the fury that coursed through her now, that could easily light her blood in a brilliant blaze like it was kerosene. Dan's eyes were wide at the sheer intensity of it, which was enough to make his face pale even though he wasn't even in the same galaxy as she was.
On the other side of the battle arena were none other than Stoica and Kazarina, both of which were smirking like they found her turmoil amusing. They probably did. The confirmation of this speculation wouldn't surprise Dan, as these two Gundalians were probably the most sadistic beings in the universe. He wouldn't be surprised if they laughed in any situation where he was harmed. Stoica was holding his Aquos Lythirius proudly with his arms crossed over his chest, and Dan wondered if it was possible to look more cocky than he did then. Kazarina, on the other hand, appeared to be quite satisfied with the battle that had just taken place, and seemed eager to start the next match judging from the way she held the card in her hand.
"Is that Princess Fabia?" Sid asked, coming up behind Dan. Dan's eyes flicked to the second bluenett, the one with darker hair, and nodded.
"Yep, and my... One of the girls on my team," Dan said slowly, realizing that because he enclosed his break up with Runo in the letter on his desk, the two were no longer an item. No one seemed to notice this, however, and as Shadow and Volt entered the room, Mylene decided it would be more practical to put this on a big screen.
"Oh, everyone just sit down!" she snapped as they started to gather around Dan. "We won't be able to see with everyone standing like that." She rolled her chair over and tapped a few keys on the keyboard, and then the image was transferred to a large screen mounted on one wall in the conference room.
"Is this seriously a prison?" Dan questioned her, tilting his head to the side suspiciously.
She shook her head. "No, this isn't. It just happens to be remote in comparison to the rest of the city. No one can hear you scream..." Dan stiffened at this remark, but Mylene didn't notice. She was too intent on the screen, upon which Runo and Fabia appeared to be conversing. Dan glanced down at the bottom of the screen, where Runo's Life Guage was displayed. Dan bit his lip at the sight of it, noticing how Runo's was at sixty percent. He guessed that she had fought Stoica and lost her battle, going by the look of smug satisfaction etched on Stoica's face. Dan hissed when he began to speak.
"What's the matter, Girl?" he leered, making Runo shoot her look of rage toward him. Dan half expected the Aquos brawler to be incinerated upon visual connection with Runo, but he just found her anger comical. "If you can't take loss like a brawler, then why are you a member of the Battle Brawlers? And more importantly, why are you and Dan together?" Dan growled, his fists clenching. He could see that Runo was having about the same reaction, but that was until Fabia grabbed her wrist.
"Runo, you show him what you're made of," Dan whispered. "Make him eat those words!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Runo, I need you to listen to me," Fabia said quietly. Runo's glare softened when she turned to her tag team partner, taking in the insistent look in her eyes. Runo still appeared to be quite angered though, and Fabia took her other hand to try to get her to pay more attention to her rather than the controlling emotion. Runo blinked at her, then glanced at Tigrerra, who had appeared beside Fabia. Aranaut had popped out on Fabia's shoulder, just as Splight hovered in front of Runo's face.
"Huh?" Runo asked, confused. Fabia looked at her urgently.
"We need a strategy this time. You let your anger rule you're decisions in that last battle, Runo," Fabia told her. "Now it's Kazarina's match. She knows how I battle, but you are still a mystery to her, unless she's studied your battle strategies."
"Runo, you need to calm down," Tigrerra agreed quietly. "If you can't, then you'll lose." Runo sighed, her shoulders still stiff with that contagious emotion. She took a deep breath and let her shoulders relax, dispelling as much of her anger as she could.
"What are you two whispering about?" Stoica leered, making the two blink and look up, shooting irritated glares in his direction. Runo looked like she was about to turn and challenge him again, but Fabia squeezed her wrists, bringing Runo's focus back to the Nethian princess.
"Milady, take another deep breath," Splight suggested. Runo closed her eyes, relaxing her hands and shoulders once again. Within seconds, she felt much better, and when she opened her eyes, everything seemed clearer. Sharper. Sounds were easier to decipher, and physical sensations more defined. Fabia grinned at her briefly, an expression that Runo returned, then became serious once again.
"Listen. If you jump in during our battle when things get tough, but use an ability to camouflage your Splight, you might be able to get an edge on Lytherius," Fabia said. Runo blinked at her.
"Huh? But I thought you said that it was Kazarina's turn now," Runo protested. Fabia shook her head.
"I did."
"Lumagrowl is mine," Aranaut said, making the two girls and the other two Haos Bakugan turn to him. "I took him down before, but I believe that Fabia would like her own revenge against Kazarina."
"That's right," Fabia agreed. "I need to make her pay for all the suffering she's caused." Fabia had turned to glare at the Gundalian woman, who was watching her with a knowing smirk. Fabia shot her a glare, then turned back to Runo quickly. "Stoica will jump in to try to get the edge on me, and when that happens, you need to get the upper hand on him, and quickly, so that I can finish off Kazarina."
"Okay," Runo nodded.
"Your little strategies won't prove to be any match for me!" Kazarina called, lifting her Gate card. "Gate card, set!"
"Remember: keep a low profile," Fabia said softly. Runo narrowed her eyes at Stoica, but nodded in response to Fabia's statement.
"Bakugan brawl!" Kazarina cried. "Bakugan stand! Rise, Haos Lumagrowl!"
"I may have lost to you last time Aranaut," Lumagrowl snarled, "but this battle with have a different outcome, I promise you!"
"Looks like old disputes still have yet to be resolved," Jesse smirked, but no one paid him much attention.
"Are you ready Aranaut?" Fabia asked the small Bakugan resting in her hand.
"You better believe it, Princess!" he nodded, closing his ball. Fabia closed her hand, raising her eyebrow at Lumagrowl.
"Bakugan brawl!" she shouted. "Bakugan stand! Let's go, Haos Aranaut!"
"In the name of my former master Jin, I will take you down!" Aranaut punctuated his declaration with his usual air punch and flip as he emerged from his Bakugan ball. He then turned to Lumagrowl, who had lowered his head and stiffened, baring his teeth at his nemesis. Their power levels appeared on the screen above the arena. Both Bakugan were even with twin power levels of nine hundred.
"Looks like we meet again, Aranaut," Lumagrowl growled. "Our fates have intertwined once more."
"And we're enemies once again," Aranaut acknowledged. "But our previous battle shall have no bearing on this encounter. You only lost last time because you were distracted by Kazarina."
"This is the rematch I've been waiting for," Lumagrowl agreed. His eyes narrowed and his teeth glinted. "Let's cut the chit chat! Time to get down to business!"
"I couldn't agree more!" Aranaut yelled, holding up a fist.
"Ability activate!" Kazarina cried, lifting a hand over her head and then lowering it to her side. "Arcadia sword!" Lumagrowl assumed a stable stance, and then bursts of golden swords shot forth from his tail. Fabia hissed, and Runo bit her lip as five hundred points were subtracted from Aranaut and transferred to Lumagrowl.
"Ability activate!" Fabia countered, holding the card out in front of her due to her lack of a BakuColar. "Light wave!" Aranaut held up a hand and the shield rippled out in front of him. Lumagrowl's attack collided with it, and Aranaut winced, grunting, as he braced his feet against the ground. Lumagrowl's power level dropped down to nine hundred again, just as Aranaut's rose to the same level.
"Ability activate!" Kazarina yelled out. "Blade fantasma!" Aranaut hissed, knowing the shield wouldn't hold up against that ability.
"You're going down Aranaut!" Lumagrowl declared, the lightning bolt conjured by his ability zig-zagging toward Aranaut quickly.
His power level once again dropped to five hundred points. The attack slammed into the shield, shattering it, and Aranaut let out a yell of pain as he was sent flying backward. "Aranaut!" Fabia cried in anguish, whirling to watch as he collided forcefully with some arena seats.
Everyone in the stands grimaced while Baron watched, enthralled. Nemus floated up in front of Baron's face, and the fourteen year old boy blinked at him. "So this is the real Aranaut," he mused.
"Looks like it," Baron nodded as Aranaut got to his feet.
"Lumagrowl must be very powerful if he is able to take Aranaut down like that," Ace murmured. Mira was silent, watching as Aranaut steadied himself.
"You look a little shaky there!" Lumagrowl commented. "Are you sure you don't want to give up?"
"Not a chance, Mutt," Aranaut retaliated. "Princess!" Fabia nodded.
"Right! Consecutive ability, activate! Mirage fist!" She held the card up above her head. "Plus mirage up!" The two modified Kama weapons appeared on his arms and swung forward for him to grab, and then he crossed his arms in front of his chest, his body glowing gold as he forcefully brought them to the side. His power level jumped up by seven hundred, placing him at a two hundred point lead over Lumagrowl. He offered no banter as he leapt forward, startling Lumagrowl with his sudden offensive move.
"Ready, Mutt?" he snarled, slashing Lumagrowl's chest. Lumagrowl jumped back at the last second, and Aranaut missed. He hissed, and Lumagrowl jumped at him. Aranaut dodged to the left and Lumagrowl skidded to a halt where Aranaut had once stood. Aranaut lashed out with the Kama on his right hand, but Lumagrowl spun around with a snarl and leapt at Aranaut. His jaws closed around Aranaut's forearm, but Aranaut was able to easily throw him off. This was the opening he needed, while Lumagrowl bounced off the ground on his side. He lifted his arms, energy gathering at the ends of the cylinders there.
"Fire!" Fabia cried, pointing at Lumagrowl.
"Bakugan brawl!" Stoica shouted, fling Lytherius down onto the battle field. "Bakugan stand!" He had thrown Lytherius down right in between Aranaut and Lumagrowl, and that was where he emerged. His eyes reflected the light of Aranaut's growing attack, and Fabia gasped, Stoica's motives now clear. "Ability activate! Eel weakness!"
"Agh! Not this again!" Fabia groaned as Aranaut's ability was shut down, dropping him down by three hundred. He was now at a power level equivalent with Lytherius', returned to the base power of nine hundred.
"Ability activate! Darkus simulacrum!" Runo cried, a card appearing above her wrist from her BakuColar. Everyone gasped, including Dan and the Vexos, who were still watching the brawl invisibly. Stoica and Kazarina's eyes were wide as a purple, black and silver cloud appeared around the battle arena, once again blinding all those within it.
"What's happening?" Lumagrowl growled, turning from side to side. Fabia blinked, glancing at Runo. She was smirking.
"How did she activate an ability? Her Bakugan isn't even in the battle!" Kazarina cried.
"That's right... you don't know what's going on," she hissed under her breath. "That's because my Haos Splight can change attributes from Haos to Darkus. Take that, creeps." Fabia cocked her head to the side.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. Runo's smirk faded as she turned toward Fabia, but then she grinned again.
"I heard you say in the last round that Eel Weakness can only be nullified by your ally," she beamed. "So, I used an ability to put Splight in the battle without them knowing what I was doing, called Darkus Simulacrum." She held up the card, which was still glowing. "At this point, Splight isn't even in the battle yet. He's right here." She opened her hand, revealing a glowing, white Splight pressed in between her thumb and forefinger. Fabia's eyes were wide, her mouth open in amazement. "Darkus Simulacrum also nullifies the opponents ability and prevents them from opening their Gate Card. That way, I don't have to use it just at the start of a battle." She winked at Fabia, and pinched her fingers closer together. Splight shot upward and disappeared into a cloud of swirling shadows. Runo then lifted her arm again, another card appearing there above her BakuColar.
"Ability card, activate!" she yelled. "Pure light!"
The next thing anybody knew, a horrible screech had risen from the center of the battle arena. Dan and the Vexos jumped, as did the Brawlers in the stands. Suddenly, a Bakugan shot out of the dark cloud, landing at Stoica's feet.
The Aquos brawler stared at the ball in shock, his mouth open enough for Dan to see his fangs on the monitor. His eyes were wide, his back arched as he stumbled backward. It was obvious that his mind was reeling. He clearly hadn't thought it possible to lose to Runo. His expression darkened when his Life Gauge dropped to forty percent, and his teeth clenched as he let out a guttural growl.
Runo was smirking, and when Dan looked at the Life Gauge under her face, his eyebrows creased in puzzlement. Fabia, who could be seen on one side of the image, looked just as confused as he did, except she was looking up at the screen above the arena. The Brawlers in the stands shared their bewilderment as they stared at the screen, and Runo's grin grew bigger.
"What? How did she recover two hundred life points?" Stoica snarled, his voice revealing his confusion and fury.
"How is that possible?" Fabia gasped, turning to Runo. She shrugged, holding her arm in such a way that the card was visible. It was glowing.
"Pure light had an effect back in the good old days to bring back Bakugan that had lost a battle," Runo explained. "Now, it has the ability to return Life Points, two hundred at a time. It can't be nullified. However, it can only be activated once per battle, and after that, the card is removed from play." And just like that, the card floating there in front of her arm had a look of static to it, and then, it vanished. Runo lowered her arm, still grinning. "Plus, it's unique to Haos Splight only when it's changed to Darkus, if that makes any sense."
"And here I thought you were the master of illusions, Shun," Ace smirked. Shun allowed a small, satisfied grin to grace his features as he grunted in agreement.
"For all you know, Ace, I could be twenty feet away from you," Shun said quietly.
Kazarina's lip curled, her fists clenched. "It doesn't matter! Finish them, Lumagrowl!" Kazarina ordered.
And then, a yelp of pain quite literally cut through the cover of darkness. Runo and Fabia's emerald orbs both widened considerably and they whirled to face the direction that the yelp had come from. Jake and Baron had both leaned forward, trying to figure out what was going on as the silver and purple cloud dissolved. The now clear arena revealed Splight on one knee, panting, as Lumagrowl paced from right to left not far from him. Aranaut was shifting his weight from foot to foot, arms up in a defensive position over his chest.
"How did he nullify the ability?" Runo gasped.
"Ha! The ability Flashing Peaker nullifies the opponents ability. It activates automatically when Lumagrowl makes physical contact with the enemy," Kazarina sneered, holding up a card. Runo hissed, moving to counter this new development, but then, Fabia's arm bared her path. Runo's angry expression was dropped and she blinked in surprise, lifting her gaze to meet Fabia's. Fabia wasn't looking at her, rather, had her attention focused on Kazarina.
"These two are mine," she said darkly. Runo blinked at the power she commanded with her words, at the perfectly controlled expression on her face. Fabia's shoulders were set in determination, and Runo could see in her a stubborn not likely to yield. She looked at her for a moment, unable to place the urge she felt to heed her words, then sighed.
"Alright," she relented, feeling slightly calmer. She held up a hand, palm up, and Splight began to glow.
"Good luck, Aranaut," he said, and then his body swirled back into the tiny ball that flew back to Runo's waiting hand. Her fingers closed around it, curling delicately. She brought her arm up in front of her chest, her fist hovering over her collarbone. For a moment she looked almost hesitant, nervous.
"Take them down, Fabia," she grinned suddenly. Fabia nodded, focused on the task at hand. Runo took a step back, allowing Fabia to take the stage.
"Alright then. Aranaut! It's our turn!" Fabia called. She lifted her left arm, quickly tapping a few keys on her BakuMeter.
"Ready: Battle Crusher," the crystal droned. Fabia's fingers closed around the battle gear, and she looked up at Aranaut.
"Battle gear, boost!" she shouted, flinging it into the arena. The gear appeared upon Aranaut's back, glowing brightly as he stood there, the tendrils wrapping loosely around him. He angled his face toward Lumagrowl, who stiffened.
"Kazarina," he growled. She nodded, holding out her hand. It glowed, and the battle gear appeared there.
"You will regret taking me on alone, Fabia," she vowed. "Battle gear, boost!" It took only seconds for Lumagrowl's Barias Gear to appear upon his back, it's appearance punctuated by Lumagrowl's deathly howl. Kazarina's trademark smirk was back, but Fabia didn't care. She stood in a combative position, prepared for whatever Kazarina decided to throw at her.
The two Haos Bakugan in the arena stared at each other for a moment, once again taking in the others Battle Gear. Aranaut's lip curled at the sight of the weapon that had killed his former master and beloved friend. Fabia just seemed ticked off in general. Kazarina had a sick grin on her face that would have otherwise chilled Fabia to the bone, but this time, was ignored. Lumagrowl just narrowed his eyes at Aranaut and began pacing, and Runo stiffened.
"How is it that you are still alive?" Fabia called while the arena was silent, apprehension keeping the vocal cords of the spectators from making any sound. Kazarina crossed her arms, leaning back smugly. "I saw your body myself. Both Nurzak and I checked for a pulse, and yet your body had none. The Sacred Orb couldn't have played any part in your survival, so how is it that you still live?"
"Well if you must know," Kazarina drawled, "I am what you recognize as a Prophet Illusionist." Whatever Fabia had been expecting, it certainly hadn't been that. Her eyes grew wide and her sharp intake of breath was audible to everyone in the arena. Both Kazarina and Stoica sneered at Fabia's reaction, while everyone else in the arena seemed rather confused. Runo shot her a look that clearly demanded an explanation, but Fabia didn't pay any attention to her partner.
"I believe that explanation is sufficient, little girl," Kazarina concluded before whipping out a card. "Let's see if you're worthy to accept that information, shall we? And of course, if you do lose, Aranaut will always come in handy in my research." Fabia shook her head, gritting her teeth at the threat to Aranaut's safety. "I beg to differ, Prophetess," she teased further, and Fabia's eyes widened desperately. Quickly, she pulled out a card of her own, acting on her need to shut the Gundalian woman up.
"Battle gear, ability activate!" both girls cried.
"Battle Crusher Doom!"
"Barias Gear Lightning!" At that same moment, both Bakugan rushed each other. The gun over Aranaut's shoulder took aim and Lumagrowl leaped up into the air. Aranaut arched his back, keeping the wolf in sight, and the targeting system locked on Lumagrowl's chest.
The two light attributed attacks collided at the center of the arena, sending shockwaves back to everyone within range. Fabia and Kazarina braced themselves sufficiently while Stoica and Runo were forced a few steps back, both of them dropping to one knee in an effort to keep from flying away. Ace had grabbed Mira and forced her to turn her head toward his chest, and Keith had his hands on her shoulders as he gritted his teeth against the explosion. Alice and Julie grabbed each other, hugging each other tightly against the blast. Shun had his hands on Alice's shoulders, just like Jake had his on Julie's.
But before the blast could even die down, the two Haos Bakugan were locked in fierce combat. The two of them moved so quickly that not even Lytherius could keep up with the action. Fabia and Kazarina watched the two leap and slash and fling attacks at one another with wide eyes, eyes that were only able to detect flashes of bright yellow light that clouded their vision with flashbulbs. Those in the stands searched for the location of the two enemies, for they moved like lightning: here one second, there the next, one on the ground, and the next instant, both suspended freely in the air. When they slowed down enough for everyone to keep up, Aranaut quickly landed as many punches as his Valkyrie Fist ability would allow him, causing Lumagrowl to activate his Fang Dome ability. And the next thing anyone else knew, both of them had sprung back a ways, both breathing hard.
"Impressive," Aranaut remarked, but his tone was bitter and the praise forced between breaths.
"I could say the same for you, Castle Knight," Lumagrowl growled back, the fur on his back standing up as his chest heaved.
"But you'll have to do better if you want to take me down," Aranaut vowed, holding up a fist.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, scum," Lumagrowl fired right back.
"Gate card, open! Capacity booster!" Kazarina shouted, lifting an arm above her head. Fabia hissed as Aranaut's power level dropped to nine hundred.
"The gate card capacity booster brings the opponents power level down to it's base level, and allows the level two class Battle Gear ability to activate," Dan explained to the confused individuals in the room.
"Now, what's that you said about doing better, Aranaut?" Lumagrowl challenged. Aranaut hissed.
"Battle gear ability level two activate!" Kazarina cried, looking all too happy. "Barias Gear Thunderbolt!" Lumagrowl braced himself, and then two large jets of golden light spiraled forward, drilling their way through the air toward Aranaut's chest.
"Aranaut!" Fabia shouted. Aranaut didn't respond. He braced his feet against the ground, bending his knees for extra support. He held out his arms, and Fabia understood the wordless gesture. "Ability activate! Light wave!" she cried, and the shield appeared in front of his hands. It did little against Lumagrowl's attack, though, and as soon as the attack collided with the translucent shield of light, it shattered. Aranaut was sent flying backward with a yell of pain, his back slamming into an unoccupied area in the stands.
"Aranaut!" Fabia screamed. The great Haos Bakugan groaned, struggling to lift his head, and Kazarina smirked.
"Well, it seems that Aranaut isn't as tough as we thought," she sneered, and Fabia turned her heated gaze back to her. The woman had crossed her arms and leaned back on one foot, flashing her snide smirk at the two Haos brawlers on the opposite side of the arena. Runo licked her lips and stepped forward angrily, now shifting her weight from foot to foot at Fabia's side. Fabia, on the other hand, looked positively murderous, and Stoica cackled at the sight of her anger.
"Shall we make them squirm a little more, Kazarina?" he questioned, shooting her a glance out of the corner of his eye. She didn't look back at him, but she did seem to like the idea.
"I don't see why not," she responded, her demonic gaze fixed on both Fabia and Runo. The two girls stiffened at the sadistic glint in her eyes, and then Fabia gasped.
"Run!" Runo didn't need to be told twice. The two girls took off, sprinting toward the door of the arena, but Kazarina was quicker.
"Not so fast kiddies! Battle gear ability activate! Barias Gear Thunderbolt!" Lumagrowl aimed for the two fleeing girls, and the gear began to glow.
"PRINCESS!" Aranaut screamed, shooting to his feet and running to protect Fabia and Runo.
"Runo!" Julie and Mira cried, while Alice was speechless.
"Fabia!" Ren yelled.
Runo tripped, going down with a cry of surprise, just as Aranaut positioned himself in between Lumagrowl and the girls. Fabia gasped as she felt herself falling, too, landing on top of Runo. Everyone covered their eyes as the arena filled with light, and a cry of pain reached everyone's ears. Fabia squinted and turned her face toward the arena, terrified for Aranaut, but she grimaced. This light proved to be too much, and darkness swallowed her.
"Runo! Fabia!" Dan cried, shooting to his feet in the meeting room. His knuckles were white, his horror evident on his face. Sid's eyes were wide in disbelief, and everyone else's mouths dropped open in shock.
This terror went on for several seconds before the lights died, but it was impossible to see for the flashbulbs that blocked everyones eyes anyway. Runo, on the other hand, was the only one who hadn't been blinded, and she tried to sit up. A body rolled off her own, and Runo froze. Her eyes had locked on the spot where Kazarina and Stoica had been standing, but only ghosts of their presence remained. Lumagrowl had vanished, and the devastation of the arena was the only clue that he had even been there. Runo forced herself to look down.
"Fabia!" she whispered at first, catching sight of Fabia's scratched and bleeding face. "FABIA!" Rafe and Linus gasped, shooting to their feet before anyone else.
"Princess!" Linus shouted.
"PRINCESS!" Rafe screamed. Both boys vaulted over the edges of the arena boundary, rushing to her side. Runo looked up at them helplessly as Linus bent down, his fingers lightly touching her jugular. Rafe quickly scooped up Aranaut, who was resting on the ground just a few centimeters from Fabia's hand, and watched as Linus's terrified expression turned to one of relief.
"She's alive," he whispered, and his shaking hand retreated. "But she needs to get to the infirmary, now!"
"Right!" Rafe nodded, and Linus helped Runo to her feet. The only problem was that she was shaking so badly that he had to drape her arm over his shoulder in order to help her to the door. Shun jumped down from the stands, landing at Runo's left side. He gasped.
"You're bleeding!" he exclaimed, and Runo lifted her left hand, placing it on her cheek. He was right. Blood was coursing down her face, and Runo stared at the red liquid stupidly for a moment. Shun ducked under her other arm, and Runo surrendered her weight to the two boys, allowing them to carry her through the door of light at the end of the arena.
Agh... sorry it took so long to update... I was working on some art that I will post on my DeviantArt account for this story (It took me two days to finish one of the seven characters featured in this picture -_-) and I had to read a few books for school even though school hasn't started yet. Anyway, I hope that answered a few questions... actually I think that might have left more questions than you originally had... -_- Anyway, I'll try to update quickly! Sorry again!
You know the drill!