Well, I've come back. Sorry for making you wait. But here is a new chapter for you!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.
XXX
Chapter 11: On the Hunt
It was late at night when Alice left her room in the Brawler's compound. She didn't take her Bakugan with her, she just wanted to be alone. She was about to turn a corner in the dimly lit hallway when a voice called to her.
"Alice?", Shun questioned, his voice showing slight tiredness. "Why are you up?"
Alice turned around, knowing Shun wouldn't let it go. "I just needed to think."
"About Hydranoid's… predicament?", Shun cautiously asked. "You seemed rather upset."
"Yeah, I'll bet", Alice said. "I was that obvious?"
"Kinda", Shun admitted. "If you want to talk about it, I'll listen."
"I'd appreciate that", Alice agreed. The two began walking down the hallway, side by side. "It's just… for a long time, Hydranoid has been my closest battling partner. Beyond that, even. I'd like to consider him as a friend. And, I know the threat has been there for a while, but… I'm about to lose him."
"You don't know that", Shun said. "Hydranoid might survive."
"And he might not", Alice countered. "I checked Keith's calculations. So did Marucho." She stopped a moment to recompose herself before continuing: "They check out. Hydranoid probably won't survive an evolution attempt."
"So what are you suggesting? To just pull Hydranoid out of battling completely?", Shun asked.
"It's not a permanent solution", Alice reasoned. "Hardly even a temporary one. Bakugan are meant to battle. But I can't… I can't lose anyone else." Alice momentarily stopped talking, tears rolling down her face. "But using Leonidas has risk, too. I'll lose the Darkus energy if Leonidas loses just one battle. So, both options has immense risk. I just don't know what to do."
"We'll figure it out", Shun said. "You don't have to do this alone. We're a team."
"Us, or the Brawlers?", Alice asked.
"Uh… yes", Shun stuttered, a faint blush on his cheeks. Though in the dim light, it was hardly noticeable.
"I see", Alice said, a light grin appearing, though giving way to a frown. "Shun, we need to discuss what happens when the Vexos succeed."
"If they succeed", Shun corrected. "We still have four of the energies."
"Which the Vexos won't stop harassing us until they get", Alice finished. "It is a when. They were right. It's only a matter of time. The longer we hold out, the more desperate, and dangerous, the Vexos will get. This siege can only end with them retrieving the remaining energies."
"Then we should change our strategy", Shun said. "Go on the attack and take out the Annihilator before its fully operational."
"Except we'd be playing into Zenoheld's hands", Alice argued. "We'd be fighting the Vexos on their home turf. And however powerful the Vexos are, I'd be willing to bet that Zenoheld is more dangerous. And that's only if we got a lucky break and figure out where the Mother Palace is."
Shun took a deep breath. "We… we should go to rest. Think about this in the morning, with clear heads."
"Ok", Alice relented. The two turned around and made their way back to their rooms, which were next to reach other.
"Goodnight, Alice", Shun said, entering his room.
"Goodnight", Alice responded, entering her room.
XXX
The Vexos, excluding Zenoheld and Volt converged onto the Mother Palace's transporter room.
"Where is he?", Shadow wondered. "I wanna show him the same courtesy we gave his Bakugan! Hahahahahaha!"
"Hey!", Hydron shouted to the nearby techs. "Was Volt Luster here?"
"Yeah", one of the techs answered. "Not five minutes ago, your Highness. He was transported to the area where the Brawlers are, if I heard him right."
"He's… defecting to the Brawlers!?", Mylene inferred in outrage. "Leaving the Vexos is one thing. But actively fighting against us!?"
"Too bad", Lync said. "I actually liked the guy."
"None of you get it", Mylene grunted. "If Volt finds his way to the Brawlers, he could lead us here before we can move to another area. We could lose the Annihilator, and then Zenoheld will take his anger out on us."
"Yeah… I don't want that", Shadow said. "Let's find that S.O.B.!"
"Then what are we waiting for?", Hydron prompted. The four moved to a circular platform, and were transported to where Volt had transported himself.
XXX
It was late at night, so the streets of Vestal weren't overly crowded. Still, there were some people, many of whom noticed Volt running in one direction like his life depended on it.
"Hey, isn't that…", one civilian's voice trailed off in fright.
"What're the Vexos going to do now?", another civilian asked.
While running, Volt began shedding tears. Why didn't I leave the Vexos sooner?, he questioned himself. I'm a menace to the people I wanted to protect. I took too long to realize I wasn't ever serving Vestal, only the royal family.
Suddenly, he heard larger gasps. "Oh, no! More Vexos!", a civilian cried.
"More?!", Volt questioned, looking behind him. He saw Lync, Shadow, Mylene and Hydron looking around the area. "Just great", Volt muttered. He saw an alleyway coming up and ran into it, hoping it wasn't simply a dead end.
Luckily for Volt, none of the Vexos had seen him.
"He can't be far", Hydron reasoned. "Find him."
With no other words, the four split up, each going a different direction.
Volt had peeked out of the alleyway to Witness that. He retreated into the alleyway, going down several turns, only to end up in front of a different street. With no time to waste, Volt pulled out his communicator and dialed a number. "Come on, come on!", he muttered. "Tell me that you're awake, Spectra!"
XXX
Keith and Mira were both in the lab, working on Vulcan, Elico and Brontes.
"No good", Mira muttered. "What did Gus do to these guys?!"
"He must've made an improved version of the Forbidden Card brainwashing we used on Drago", Keith reasoned. "I am, at least partially, at fault."
"Then learn from it", Mira replied with a yawn afterward. "Maybe we should get some rest. Overworking ourselves won't accomplish anything."
Keith hesitated, before shaking his head. "I'll rest when they're back to normal", he said.
"Then I'll do the same", Mira insisted. "You're not alone anymore, brother."
Suddenly, Keith's communicator began buzzing. Keith picked it up and turned it on. A holo screen appeared, showing Volt's face. Mira, who saw this as well, was suddenly alerted and alarmed.
"I see", Keith said dryly. "Where do you want to battle?"
"No, you don't understand", Volt responded in haste. "I'm not here with the Vexos. Actually, they're actively hunting me down."
"Because you turned your back on Zenoheld?", Mira asked.
"Yes!", Volt answered, surprise showing on his face. "How'd you figure it out?"
"To be honest, Alice and Shun expected this to happen", Keith explained. "Send your coordinates. I'm on my way."
"No", Mira interrupted. "Keith, you need to focus on them", she continued, gesturing to the brainwashed Bakugan. "I'll get Volt."
Keith hesitated, before nodding. "Just promise that you'll be careful."
"I promise", Mira replied. She raced out of the lab and turned toward the transporter room. Keith immediately recieved Volt's coordinates and relayed them to Mira.
"Volt, if this is a trap…," Keith warned, "you will not harm Mira. Understand?"
"Since when do you care about… anything?", Volt asked, legitimately surprised.
"Since the Brawlers saved me from myself", Keith answered. "You need to be caught up on a lot, Volt."
"Well, I'll see you soon", Volt said before cutting the connection.
XXX
Volt was still hiding in an alleyway, looking at the street and back where he came. Both were free of Vexos, or people, when a portal opened up farther down the alleyway than Volt was. Mira walked through the portal, which immediately closed.
"What the heck are you doing?", Volt questioned. "We could've used that portal to get out of here!"
"No, we couldn't have", Mira clarified. "There's a dimension barrier blocking anyone from entering the compound, at least via transportation. We'll have to walk it." She took a look at the street to get her bearings. "Thankfully, we're not far. We should get moving."
Mira led Volt out of the alleyway and down the street, only to run right in front of Lync Volan, who was somewhat startled.
Upon composing himself, he broke out in laughter. "Hahahahahaha! That's hilarious! You… just walked in front of… that's just priceless!"
"Lync", Volt regarded his ex-teammate coldly.
"Oh, c'mon, Volt! No need to be so hostile, old buddy!", Lync jeered, before addressing Mira. "For once, I'm not after you guys. I'll here for Volt, so you can scram."
"Not on your life", Mira swore, putting her gauntlet onto her arm. "What's wrong? Afraid to battle?"
"Y'know what?", Lync pondered, putting a gauntlet onto his arm. "I'll cut you a deal. Since Volt was a friend, I'll let him go, as long as we have a battle. Taking the Subterra energy would definitely make up for… losing Volt, don't you think?"
"You don't have to do this, Mira", Volt said. "I'm not worth risking an Attribute energy!"
"The Brawlers don't leave a teammate behind", Mira replied.
"Then let's skip the touchy-feely crap and get to the battle!", Lync yelled.
"Gauntlet, Power Strike!", Lync and Mira yelled simultaneously. The area surrounding Volt, Mira and Lync froze in place.
"Gate Card, set!", Lync shouted, throwing down his Gate Card. He then threw in his Bakugan, calling, "Bakugan, brawl! Ventus Aluze, stand!" The armoured aerial Bakugan rose into the air.
"Volt, can I count on your assistance?", Mira asked.
"No, you can't", Volt said. "They blew up my Bakugan. Using them as a distraction was the only reason I escaped at all."
"Then we'll have to do this on our own, Wilda", Mira said. "You ready?"
"You got it, Mira!", Wilda agreed.
"Bakugan, brawl!", Mira called, throwing in Wilda. "Bakugan, stand! Subterra Magma Wilda!" The armoured titan appeared in an orange flash, glaring at its aerial opponent.
Magma Wilda: 600
Aluze: 700
"Hit them where it hurts, Aluze!", Lync cheered, putting an ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Air Lance!" Aluze aimed its body at Wilda, cannons on its shoulders firing green lasers at the titan.
Magma Wilda: 600-200=400
Aluze: 700
"Oh, no you don't!", Mira countered, putting an ability into her gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Bygrock!" Wilda flexed his arms, pores on his shoulders firing two orange orbs to counter the attack. The orange orbs overpowered the green lasers, but Aluze dodged them easily.
Magma Wilda: 400+400=800
Aluze: 700
"Ha! That's nothing", Lync jeered, putting another ability into his gauntlet. "Try this! Ability Activate! Dora Cannon!" Aluze began flying around Wilda, firing a barrage of energy pellets from the rotating cannons on its underbelly and back.
Magma Wilda: 800
Aluze: 700+400=1100
"Mira! Need some help!", Wilda yelled.
"No problem!", Mira said, putting another ability into her gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Ares Ball!" Wilda raised his hands above his head, charging a huge orange orb between his palms.
"I call upon the Subterra energy entrusted to me by Clayf!", Wilda shouted, throwing the orb at Aluze. "You are finished!"
Magma Wilda: 800+400=1200
Aluze: 1100
"Eh. Whatever", Lync shrugged. Aluze flew upward, easily dodging the attack.
"I missed?!", Wilda questioned.
"No, Aluze has superior aerial mobility. That would make it hard to hit in an open area like this", Mira realized. "I… should've figured that out."
"You got that right!", Lync agreed. "You talk big… but Aluze is in full mastery of its element. But what's gonna happen if we take Wilda's element, and say… turn it against him? Gate Card Open! Land Pressure!" As the Gate Card opened, Wilda collapsed onto the floor, completely unable to move, though he tried mightily.
Magma Wilda: 1200-200=1000
Aluze: 1100
"Wilda! Get up!", Mira urged.
"Trying!", Wilda replied.
"Too late", Lync smirked. "Aluze, take him out!" Aluze obeyed, continuing its Dora Cannon barrage. Soon enough, Wilda reverted, flying to Mira.
Mira: 80%
"Wilda", Mira muttered, kneeling to pick up Wilda. "They demolished us"
"We're not out yet!", Wilda said confidently. "We can turn this around, Mira!"
"Yeah, you're right", Mira said. "Lync may have aerial superiority, but we'll show him the strength of Subterra!" She drew a Gate Card between her palm and thumb.
"That's the spirit!", Wilda cheered.
"Gate Card, set!", Mira called, throwing down her Gate Card, then sending in her Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Wilda, stand!"
"Present and ready for round two!", Wilda called as he rose from his ball form.
"Let's get this over with", Lync deadpanned, throwing Aluze in again. "Bakugan, brawl!" Aluze immediately appeared and soared into the air.
"Bakugan Trap, I need you, Baliton!", Mira called, sending her Trap into battle. The spiked Bakugan Trap rose next to Wilda, ready to back him up.
Magma Wilda: 600, Baliton: 350
Aluze: 700
"That's weak!", Lync mocked, putting an ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Sling Boomerang!" Aluze aimed its body at Wilda and Baliton, it's shoulder cannons firing a barrage of laser boomerangs at the two. It became apparent that dodging wasn't an option.
Magma Wilda: 600-200=400, Baliton: 350-200=150
Aluze: 700
"Wilda, let's go on defense!", Mira yelled, putting an ability into her gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Land Minder!" Wilda slammed a fist into the ground, causing a wall of rock to rise and block the boomerang barrage.
Magma Wilda: 400+300=700, Baliton: 150+300=450
Aluze: 700
"That all you got?", Lync goaded. "Please, go again. It's amusing, seeing you fail so badly."
"You're gonna regret that", Wilda promised as the wall sunk back into the ground.
"Bet on it!", Mira agreed, putting two abilities into her gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate! Gallows Punch and Clay Roller!" Wilda suddenly rocketed into the air and readied his fist to stroked Aluze, who he was on a collision course with. Baliton, meanwhile, curled into a spiked ball and began rolling around the ground. The attack plan was obvious: Wilda's attack would force Aluze to the ground, where Baliton would finish it off.
Magma Wilda: 700, Baliton: 450+200=650
Aluze: 700-300-200=200
"Can't you take the heat?", Lync jeered, putting another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Blaster Bind!" Aluze opened its mouth, firing a massive green laser at the incoming Wilda. The laser stopped Wilda's momentum and sent him crashing into the ground, and into Baliton.
"Oh, no!", Mira gasped.
Magma Wilda: 700-300=400, Baliton: 650-200-300=150
Aluze: 200+300+200=700
"Obliteration time, Aluze!", Lync cheered, putting another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Dora Cannon!" Aluze remained stationary in the air, firing a barrage of lasers from his rotating cannons at the two Subterra combatants, who were struggling to keep up.
Magma Wilda: 400, Baliton: 150
Aluze: 700+400=1100
"What are we supposed to do now?", Mira demanded. "Wilda, we can't give up!"
"Perhaps I could offer some advice", Volt suggested. "Aluze is powerful and highly mobile in the air. For a slow, ground-based opponent like Wilda, it has a huge advantage. But, if you could restrain its movement, then hit it hard and fast, you'd be able to take it down with relative ease."
"But how… I've got it!", Mira exclaimed, putting two abilities into her gauntlet. "Wilda, let's get them back! Double Ability Activate! Land Twister and Apollo Head!" Under the pressure of the barrage, Wilda brought down his fist onto the ground. Black lines shot up below Aluze, tangling the mechanical Bakugan, but it struggled to break free. Baliton, meanwhile, shot his spikes, connected to Baliton by strings, at Aluze. The strings wrapped around Aluze's body, and the spikes weighed it down. The two abilities eventually brought Aluze to the ground, immobilized.
Magma Wilda: 400, Baliton: 150+200=350
Aluze: 1100-400=700
"No way!", Lync gasped.
"And now…", Mira continued, thrusting her hand out. "Gate Card Open! Enemy Down!" The Gate Card opened, sapping green energy from Aluze's mechanical body and into three floor. Aluze let out a mechanical screech as it lost its power.
Magma Wilda: 400, Baliton: 350
Aluze: 700-300=400
"Time to finish this!", Wilda cried.
"Yup", Mira agreed, putting another ability into her gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Ares Ball!" Wilda raised his hands above his head, charging a huge orange orb between his palms. He suddenly jerked his hands in front of him, launching the orb at the immobilized Aluze.
"What're you doing, Aluze? Take them out!", Lync ordered, putting another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Air Lance!" Aluze quickly fired green lasers from its two shoulder cannons to counter the orb, but Wilda's attack slowly powered through, until scoring a direct hit on Aluze. Due to the power of the attack, Aluze reverted, flying to Lync's feet.
Magma Wilda: 400+400-200=600, Baliton: 350
Aluze: 400
Lync: 60%
"Thanks, Volt", Mira said to the ex-Vexos. "You really helped us back there."
"I'd do it again", Volt promised.
"Alright, that was well done", Lync admitted. "You're still toast, but this battle has been pretty fun!"
"You're talking about a battle with the fate of the universe partially at stake here!", Mira retorted. "How can this be 'fun' to you?!"
"That's not your business, Brawler", Lync sneered, throwing down another Gate Card. "I'll tell you what is, though: this battle! So stop stalling and start brawling!"
"Bakugan, brawl!", Mira and Lync both yelled, sending their Bakugan in at the same time. "Bakugan, stand!"
"And, Bakugan Trap Baliton!", Mira added, sending Baliton in, as well. All three combatants stood at the same time, facing off against each other, with Aluze in the air, and with Wilda and Baliton on the ground.
Magma Wilda: 600, Baliton: 350
Aluze: 700
"You could've stayed or of this and let me get Volt, Mira. Now, I'm mad! No mercy, Aluze!", Lync roared, putting two abilities into his gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate! Mega Bind and Dora Cannon!" Aluze opened its mouth, firing a green laser at Wilda. Meanwhile, the rotating cannons on its underbelly and back fired a barrage of lasers at Baliton. Both were having trouble against the onslaught.
Magma Wilda: 600, Baliton: 350
Aluze: 700+300+400=1400
"No problem", Mira muttered, putting two abilities into her gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate! Iron Chest and Heavy Assail!" Wilda flexed his arms back, making room for his armed chest, which sent a massive heart wave that incinerated the attacks that went his way. Meanwhile, Baliton curled into a spiked ball which became coated in metal, easily withstanding the lasers that hit it.
Magma Wilda: 600, Baliton: 350+300=650
Aluze: 1400-300-400=700
"Wonderful", Lync murmured sarcastically. "I'm not leaving empty-handed!"
"Well, you're gonna have to", Mira replied.
"Bullshit!", Lync cursed.
"You're finished, Lync!", Mira promised, putting another ability into her gauntlet. "Baliton, let's go! Ability Activate! Clay Roller!" Baliton, still curled up in the spiked ball, lost the metal coating and rolled toward Aluze, jumping as he neared the mechanical Bakugan.
Magma Wilda: 600, Baliton: 650+200=850
Aluze: 700-200=500
"Aluze, I said no mercy!", Lync yelled, putting another ability into his gauntlet. "Now! Ability Activate! Sky Impact!" Right before Baliton could collide with Aluze, Aluze ascended upward rapidly, causing Baliton to crash back to the ground.
"Baliton!", Mira called.
"That's the least of your worries!", Lync promised. "Now!" A massive green laser came from above and struck Baliton, making it revert immediately.
Magma Wilda: 600, Baliton: 850
Aluze: 500+500=1000
Mira: 50%
"Now, it's Wilda's turn!", Lync jeered. "Say goodbye to the Subterra energy, Mira!"
"No. I won't let this happen!", Mira insisted, placing another ability into her gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Hyper Earth Ball!" Wilda raised his arms above his head, charging a massive orange orb between his palms. When another green laser rained down, the orange orb countered and dispelled it.
Magma Wilda: 600+500=1100
Aluze: 1000-500=500
"Yeah. Sure", Lync patronized, before raising his hand upward. "Gate Card Open! Ring Zero!" As the Gate Card glowed white, the orange orb, which had finished charging, completely dispelled. Electricity crackled from the ground, holding Wilda in place.
Magma Wilda: 1100-500=600
Aluze: 500+500=1000
"What?!", Wilda demanded.
"Ring Zero nullifies the opponent's ability and holds them in place. You put up a good fight, but i guess you're finished", Lync said smugly. "Aluze, FIRE!"
"No!", Mira called, but it was too late. A third green laser rained down from above, blasting Wilda with a direct hit. When the blast subsided, orange particles could be seen being drawn out of Wilda. Soon, and orange beam was drawn out, leaving Wilda to collapse and revert. The battle was over.
Mira: 0%
"Ok!", Lync said. "You guys can go now. I'm done with you."
Mira glared angrily at Lync before storming off, Volt in tow. Lync simply went the other way, like they hadn't seen each other.
XXX
Mira led Volt to the entrance of the compound, encountering no further resistance, and entered the access code. The door swung open, allowing Mira and Volt entrance.
When they got back to the lab, Mira collapsed. Volt had to carry her to a couch.
Keith noticed the commotion and addressed Volt. "What happened to Mira?", he asked.
"We encountered Lync", Volt answered. "Mira battled him for my sake. She lost."
"That's bad. But, why did she collapse?", Keith asked.
"I don't know", Volt admitted. "She wasn't hurt badly in the battle."
"Exhaustion", Keith reasoned. "I worked her far too hard. I… Mira, I'm sorry."
"Why were you working her so hard?", Volt asked.
"Keith, we should explain", Helios insisted. "It's his Bakugan. He should know."
"Yes. I'm in agreement", Keith stated. "Volt, it's a long story. Basically, Gus offered to evolve any of our Bakugan that volunteered, Brontes being one of them, issuing the powers of the Forbidden Ability Cards."
"Brontes? Is he ok?", Volt demanded.
"Physically, yes", Keith replied. "Mentally… no. Gus tricked us, brainwashed his 'volunteers' to become his diehard soldiers. We're trying to return their brainwaves to normal, but we've made almost no progress. I'm afraid the Brontes you knew may be gone forever."
"Can I see him, at least?", Volt insisted.
"... yes. Of course", Keith allowed with some hesitancy. "Just don't feel too disappointed if he doesn't respond." He pressed a button on a keyboard, allowing Brontes's ball form to be freed from suspension and fall into Keith's hand, though completely unresponsive. Keith handed Brontes over to Volt, who cupped his old friend in both hands.
"Brontes? Can you hear me?", Volt asked. "I'm here now. I'm here for you. Please, wake up." There was no response. "I know. It's hard to break free. I've felt the same way, Brontes. I've recently learned that Zenoheld wanted to destroy entire planets to ensure his dominion. I could've easily pretended not to care. He was hard to break free from, too." This time, Brontes's wiggled a bit in Volt's hands.
"An actual reaction?", Keith questioned.
Volt continued his story: "It was hard to break free, but I did. I fought my way out, Brontes. Now, it's your turn. You can free yourself from Gus's influence. I know you can. And when you do, you can be sure that I'll be there, waiting to welcome you back as my partner." At first, nothing happened. Then, after a few seconds, Brontes's ball form popped open, facing Volt.
"...Volt?", Brontes asked.
"Brontes", Volt muttered, smiling stupidly. "It's… good to see you again."
"You have no idea what that creep did to me!", Brontes wailed. "It was horrible! I could barely stand it! His hair was horrendous, too!"
Volt only listened to his partner's rant, but he knew his partner was back. Once Brontes started complaining about superficial things, one could be sure he was fine.
XXX
Happy Brontes and Volt reunion!
Anyway, that's the chapter! I hope you enjoyed! If you did, be sure to follow or favorite the story, unless you already have. If you want to tell me anything, feel free to leave a review or PM me. Until next time, bye!
