This chapter marks the beginning of our fight on Neathia. Hope you enjoy!
Even when we try something simple, such as saying goodbye to a friend, the Gundalians find ways to make it difficult. Zenet posed as Julie to try and get Drago, and was thwarted only by the real Julie. After that, me and Dan faced Zenet and Chaos in a brawl, and me and Dan won. Now, we're on our way to Neathia, but it's only going to get harder from here.
Powers beyond reality,
Brought about by few.
Crossing time and space,
Changing the race.
Creating a whole new world.
The time to combine is now,
The time to recreate is upon.
The time now to find the power
To regain your lost time.
Ren, Lena, Zenet, Mason and Jesse were all kneeling before Barodius and the upper twelve orders. "The whole point of your mission was to convince the battle brawlers to join us." Said Kazarina. "What part of that was confusing to you?"
"Instead, they've now joined the Neathians." Said Airzel.
"You guys blew it!" Said Stoica. "Pathetic!"
"With the brawlers on their side, we no longer have the advantage we once did over the Neathians." Said Nurzak. "And that doesn't even account for the Shifters."
"Your highness, I suggest a preemptive strike." Said Gill.
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Said Barodius. "Twelve Orders! All Battalions, prepare to attack!" They all ran for the ships, and took off.
Aranaut was leading, with Fabia not too far behind. Following her was Dan and Marucho, who were then followed by Jake and Shun. Linus brought up the rear, in his Neathian form. They exited the transport gate, and landed. They all looked around, and Fabia turned to them. "Welcome to Neathia! This is my home you guys. Isn't it beautiful?"
"Fabia, it's incredible!" Commented Dan. Before long, they headed for the palace. They began walking through the halls, Linus and Fabia leading. "It's even more amazing inside!" They were approaching a door.
"This is like, totally sick dude!" They stopped in front of the door.
"Please let the queen know that we are here to see her." Said Fabia.
"Of course." Said one of the guards as he opened the door.
"She already knows by the way." Said the other. They entered, and were nearly blinded by the light. I waved to them.
"About time you guys got here." Serena smiled.
"Whoa, she's really beautiful." Said Dan.
"What did you expect? She is my sister after all."
"Welcome Brawlers." Said Serena. "I am Queen Serena. I would like to thank you for joining the fight to save our homeland. My little sister speaks very highly of you all. You're obviously very brave to come here, without hesitation. All Neathians are indebted to you, brave battle brawlers."
"You don't owe us anything." Said Jake. "The Gundalians are a threat to the entire universe, we've got as much at stake as you do."
"We need to take back control of Bakugan Interspace." Said Marucho.
"We also need to free all of the children that they've kidnapped from Earth." Said Shun.
"And we need to stop them from using Bakugan as weapons!" Finished Dan.
"That is an ironic statement, coming from you." Said Serena.
"What do you mean?" Asked Dan.
"Think about it a little." Said Tom.
"Well Dan, you'll be engaging in battle, which means you too will be using your Bakugan as weapons like our enemies. So, how does that make you different from them?" Asked Serena.
"They're not weapons to us!" Said Dan. "The Bakugan are our partners in battle. They're also our best friends."
"It's true." Said Drago.
"I am very happy to hear you say that." Said Serena. "We feel just the same as you do. Fabia, take them to the Sacred Shrine. They can be trusted."
"Of course." Said Fabia.
"The Sacred Shrine?" Asked Dan. "What does that have to do with fighting the Gundalians?"
"Just follow me." Said Fabia. "I'll explain soon enough."
"Shifters, I know you already know of it, but please follow Fabia as well." Said Serena.
"Of course." Said Tom.
"We need to see it just like the others do." Agreed Azion. Before long, we were walking to the shrine. As we exited from one cave onto a bridge, Dan saw something. He looked up, and saw a head.
"What's the matter?" Asked Fabia. "Why are you stopping?"
"What is that?" Asked Marucho, signifying the head. "Some kind of dragon?"
"Whatever it is, it's creepy." Said Jake. "I don't think we should go in there!"
"What's going on Fabia?" Asked Dan. Me, Tom, Azion and Cassie went forward.
"Relax, it's just a gargoyle we use to scare people off so they won't snoop. We don't want to draw attention to the Shrine's location." We entered the cave, and walked past brilliant crystal formations. Dan stepped on some water, and drew his foot back.
"Whoa! Careful guys. I almost got a total soaker there." Fabia walked back a bit, on the water.
"It's okay Dan." She said. Then Marucho saw the scientific impossibility.
"What? Fabia, how are you walking on water?" Asked Marucho. I walked forward.
"The same way we are." I said as we stepped onto the water.
"Anyone who is pure of heart can walk on the surface of this spring without sinking." Said Fabia.
"Interesting." Said Shun.
"You mean crazy!" Said Jake.
"That totally defies physics!" Said Marucho.
"It's another safeguard for the shrine." Said Drago.
"It assuredly is." Said Leo. "Not many Gundalians would be able to get past easily."
"Yeah, but it's still freaky." Said Dan.
"No feeling so pure of heart?" Asked Drago.
"What're you talking about?" Asked Dan. "I'm as pure as they get! Watch this." He tapped his toe on the water. "I'll just do a little soft shoe here and that should uh," he walked forward. "Haha, yeah!" He turned back to the group. "See! I told you I could do it!"
"Yes, and quite humble too." Said Fabia. Then we exited into a large cavern, occupied by a huge orb on a gold and crystal pedestal.
"Um, Fabia, what's that disco ball thingy up there?" Asked Dan.
"It's the Sacred Orb, a revered object here on Neathia and the origin of all Bakugan. Inside, it contains the original DNA codes for each Bakugan."
"Wow, the origin of all." Akwimos floated up, and began glowing. "Huh? Akwimos!"
"Dude! This thing is the source!" All the Neathian Bakugan floated up, including Janthide, and all began glowing.
"Whoa!" Said Coredem. "Every part of me feels like it's tingling!"
"I know, it's like there's this energy filling me up inside!" Said Aranaut.
"It's like I'm gonna burst, but I've never felt so good!" Said Hawktor.
"It's amazing, too far for words." Said Janthide.
"I feel it too, but behind it there's a strange foreboding, it's like I'm connected to the orb, and it can sense danger. I've never felt anything like this before."
"The same goes for me, Drago."
"Barodius, the Emperor of Gundalia, wants to get his hands on this so he can twist its powers and use them for his own evil purposes." Said Fabia.
"I don't understand. I thought you told us earlier that the Gundalians were after the Element." Said Shun.
"The Element is just a portion of the power that is present inside the Orb. Barodius did want to possess it, but only for the temporary advantage it would've provided to him in his battle against us. But now that it has been absorbed by Drago, there's no double he's set his sights on the Orb. I'm convinced the Orb has been his original target all along. If he manages to get his hands on it, then he will not only possess its power, but also the ability to control every Bakugan in existence, since their DNA codes are contained within."
"I wouldn't want that to happen, as that would mean me and Leo would be the only ones left to fight." I said.
"Don't worry Fabia, we're here now to help you fight, so there's no way that's ever going to happen!" Said Dan. "You hear me?"
"Yeah, not a chance!" Said Jake.
"You can count on us, Princess!" Said Marucho.
An alarm went off near the current front line. "The dimensional radar has locked onto an unauthorized transport. There's no response to any of our communications!"
"The analysis is complete. It's a Gundalian!"
"There are six ships in total sir."
"Six ships?"
"Yes, and they're closing in!" Outside, the ships emerged in flashes of light. They appeared just above the second shield.
"What would you like us to do with the Neathian prisoner sir?" Asked a guard to Airzel.
"Prisoner?" He thought for a second. "Ah yes, Elright. He's useless, get rid of him!"
"Yes sir."
"All ships prepare for dimensional leap!"
"All Battalions attack, show them no mercy!" Said Barodius.
Down below, kids began to transport. "Bakugan, Brawl!" Said the Pyrus Battalion. "Bakugan, Stand! Go Pyrus Spidero!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Gill. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise Pyrus Krakix!"
"Bakugan Brawl!" Said the Aquos Battalion. "Bakugan Stand! Go Aquos Megarus!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Stoica. "Bakugan Stand! Rise Aquos Lythirus!"
"Bakugan Brawl!" Said the Ventus Battalion. "Bakugan Stand! Go Ventus Buz Hornix!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Airzel. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise Ventus Strikeflier!"
"Bakugan Brawl!" Subterra Bakugan were thrown. "Bakugan, Stand! Go Subterra Glotronoid!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Nurzak. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise Subterra Sabator!"
"Bakugan Brawl!" Many Haos Bakugan were thrown. "Bakugan, Stand! Go Haos Ramdol!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Kazarina. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise Haos Lumagrowl!"
An alarm began going off in the Sacred Shrine. "What's that?" Asked Dan.
"Defense alarm, it's the perimeter!" Said Fabia. An oval screen appeared, and Serena was on it.
"The Gundalians are here. Please hurry back."
The Neathian Forces were firing on the Gundalians, but weren't making a dent. "Ability Activate! Stray Impact!" The Spideros began to fire back, defeating several Haos Bakugan.
"Ability Activate!" Said Gill. "Deadly Inferno!" Krakix's horns began to glow, then electricity shot out, defeating several Bakugan.
"Ability Activate! Durandal Cannon!" The Hornixs began firing, but one of them was hit, defeated.
"Crush them Strikeflier!"
"My pleasure!" Strikeflier flew high.
"Ability Activate! Burst Mistral!" Strikeflier began spinning, and created a huge hail storm that took our more Bakugan.
"Looks like this wimp has passed out again." Said the guard as we walked up to Elright. "Time to wake up, Neathian scum!" He brought his baton down to hit Elright, who caught the guard's arm. "Playing possum? You coward!" Elright then began fighting the guard, who ultimately lost and was forced into the torture chair.
"Heh, sweet dreams cupcake." Said Elright before he left.
Ability Activate!" Said Kazarina. "Arcania Sword!" Lumagrowl's tails glowed, and he started firing upon the Neathian Bakugan, defeating many.
"Ability Activate! Acid Bath!" Said Stoica. Lythirus hit several Bakugan that were walking past the water, and defeated them. The Neathian forces were wearing thin as Sabator walked up, laughing. He simply hit and kicked several Bakugan, defeating them.
Barodius was watching the carnage from his ship. "Time to go to work, Dharak. Destroy the second shield."
"No problem." His eyes glowed. "I'll hit it with everything I've got!" From within the ship, Dharak's mech transported.
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Barodius. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise Darkus Dharak!" Dharak landed in his mech, and it roared. Then it took a step forward, and Dharak roared. "Ability Activate! Darken Waiver!" The mech fired three blasts, then they combined into one powerful one. The attack hit the shield, and broke it.
"All battalions, follow Dharak!" Called Barodius, as the Gundalian forces moved forward.
"Oh no, they've destroyed the second shield!" Said Elright. He then looked behind him to see Dharak, and nearly a dozen Buz Hornix.
"No mercy! Charge!" Elright was then surrounded by Bakugan.
"Blaze Barnum!" Called Dan. The attack landed in front of Elright, and defeated the Bakugan surrounding him. Elright looked up to see Drago and Leo flying above.
"Who, who are you?" He asked himself.
"Ability Activate!" Said Shun. "Volting Fang - Combat Slug Shot!"
"Come and get it!" Said Hawktor as he began spinning. He rammed into several Gundalian Bakugan, and defeated them.
"Captain Elright!" Called Fabia.
"Huh? Princess Fabia!"
"You escaped, thank goodness!"
"I did. Tell me, who are they? Huh?"
"They're the allies I recruited from Earth. They're known as the Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and they're fierce."
"They sure look like it." Agreed Elright.
Barodius looked down upon the battle. "Hello Brawlers."
Sabator was defeating Bakugan left and right. "Who's next? This is too easy!" Someone held up a Subterra Bakugan.
"Right here." Said Coredem.
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Jake. "Bakugan, Stand! Go Subterra Coredem!"
"Who are you supposed to be?" Asked Sabator.
"Your worst nightmare, that's who!"
"Yeah Coredem! Pummel this dude!" Called Jake.
"Just what I had in mind."
"I'm going to make you eat your words, Tin can!" Mocked Sabator. He and Coredem charged.
"This should be interesting." Said Nurzak, from above. "Show us your best, brawlers."
Akwimos was under the water, Battle Gear equipped. "Battle Gear Ability Activate! Gigarth Pointer!"
"Ride the wave!" Said Akwimos as he fired. He defeated lots of the Bakugan, and eyes glowed from below.
"Who's that?" Asked Marucho.
"I don't know, but he's a mean looking sucker!" Said Akwimos.
"Hey kid, I like your Battle Gear!" Said Stoica.
"To bad we're going to have to destroy it!" Said Lythirus, laughing.
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Called Tom. "Bakugan Stand! Rise Aquos Typhoon Slight!"
"Time for us to join the brawl!" Said Slight, as his new form was revealed. His claws were now larger, and he was standing on two legs.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Said Fabia. "Bakugan Stand! Go Haos Aranaut!"
"Time to throw these invaders out!" Said Aranaut.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Said Elright. "Bakugan Stand! Rise Haos Raptorix!"
"Well well, who let you out of your cage Elright?" Asked Kazarina.
"Somebody's getting fired." Said Gill.
"We are ready and willing to protect the Sacred Orb with our lives!" Said Fabia.
"This dude is huge!" Said Dan.
"Well, his suit of armor is." Said Drago.
"Dharak is actually the Bakugan in the center." I said.
"Dan, look!" Said Drago. Dan looked up.
"Huh? Hey, are you Barodius?"
"You dare address your Emperor that way?" Asked Barodius.
"You're not my Emperor, pal. And you never will be, got it?" Asked Dan.
"Nor will you be mine!" I said.
"You'll pay for your insolence."
"You all will." Said Dharak.
"Bring it on!" Said Dan.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Said Chaos. "Bakugan Stand! Rise Vladitor!" Barodius looked at him.
"What are you doing?"
"Forgive me, Emperor, but Atom knows your every move before you make it. I am simply providing a distraction so you may take on the other."
"Very well, but don't interfere next time." Barodius turned back to back to Dan.
"Ability Activate!" Said Chaos. "Entropic!" Vladitor's feet began to spew out energy, and he floated up. I stared Chaos down.
"Ability Activate!" Said Barodius. "Thunder Probe!" The Colossus's tail sparked, and then shot lightning at Drago. Drago was forced to the ground.
Akwimos, Lythirus and Slight came out of the water. "Ability Activate!" Said Marucho. "Spiral Pressure!" Akwimos blasted water at Lythirus.
"Really? A water gun?" Asked Stoica. "Ability Activate! Megalo Theria!" Lythirus fired water at Akwimos and Slight. They fell backwards.
Hawktor was chasing Strikeflier. "Careful, he's tricky." Said Shun.
"This one is quite impressive." Said Airzel.
"He doesn't look like much to me." Said Strikeflier. "Smash him!"
"Very well then! Ability Activate! Multi-Cam Effect!" Strikeflier disappeared.
"Whoa, he's gone." Said Shun.
"Don't worry, I'll find him!" Said Hawktor.
"Be careful Hawktor." Strikeflier reappeared behind them, and flew up. Shun looked behind him. "Look out!" Strikeflier kicked Hawktor, sending him down.
"Got ya!" Said Strikeflier.
"Stay strong Coredem!" Called Jake.
"I've never seen Sabator so evenly matched before." Said Nurzak. "This is bad."
"Enough!" Said Sabator as he broke the fight. Then he charged again. He rammed in Coredem.
"Ability Activate! Mirage Up!" Called Fabia. Aranaut began to glow.
"Ability Activate!" Countered Kazarina. "Fang Dome!" Lumagrowl began to glow, then jumped at Aranaut.
"You think you're fast, do you?" Asked Lumagrowl.
"Yeah, faster that you, doggy." He pulled his fist back. "And tougher!" He released a barrage of attacks. Lumagrowl dodged.
"I doubt that!" He counterattacked.
"Ability Activate!" Said Elright. "Hyatt Spinner!" Raptorix began spinning, and started to glow. He rammed into Krakix who blocked it.
"Ability Activate!" Said Gill. "Deadly Inferno!" Krakix's horns began to glow, and he shot out lightning.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Said Azion. "Bakugan stand! Time to go, Pyrus Inferno Pyreon!"
"This is going to be fun!" Said Pyreon.
Drago began to get up. "Are you okay buddy?" Asked Dan.
"I'm fine." Said Drago. The colossus tried to stomp on him, only for Drago to dodge.
"So, you're the one they call Drago." Said Dharak.
"That's right!" Said Dan.
"And who are you?" Asked Drago.
"You're not worthy to hear my name."
"What?" Asked Dan.
"Once I take you down, you'll know exactly who I am, you worthless lizard."
"Ha, big words." Said Drago.
"Come on Drago, let's show him just how worthless we are."
"I'm ready. Let's do it!"
"Ability Activate!" Said Dan. "Lumino Hammer!" Drago sped up, and glowed.
"Ability Activate!" Said Barodius. "Darkness Probe!" Dharak fired again, but Drago dodged.
"What?" Asked Dharak.
"What was that you said about taking me down?" Asked Drago.
"Ability Activate!" I said. "Judgement Wave!" Leo created a wave of energy that went at Vladitor.
"Ability Activate! Counter Blast!" Vladitor sent out his own energy, and the two attacks dispersed.
"Ability Activate! Light Speed!" Leo glowed, and sped up.
"Ability Activate! Dark Pulse!" Vladitor began firing orbs of energy, but Leo dodged them. "How?"
"You weren't able to beat me back home, you won't beat me now!" Leo closed in.
"You will never beat us!" Said Leo. Drago crashed into the cliff below Dharak.
"What the?" Asked Dharak. Drago came out in front of Dharak.
"Get ready to hurt. Badly!" Said Drago.
"Don't make me laugh!" Said Dharak. The Sacred Orb began to glow, and light appeared between Drago and Dharak. Then light appeared between Leo and Vladitor.
Serena gasped, and stood. "The Sacred Orb is calling out!"
"This is weird dude!" Said Dan. Everybody looked on in shock, and all battles stopped. Drago floated closer to Dharak, and the light got brighter.
"This isn't good!" I yelled. The light became blinding, and the Gundalians disappeared.
"What?" Asked Drago.
"They just disappeared!" Said Dan.
"Did they disappear into the light?" Asked Drago.
The Gundalians were in their ships, above Gundalia. "What just happened? Somebody tell me!" Said Barodius.
"We are not exactly sure, sire." Said Nurzak. "But it appears we were forcibly transported out of Neathia by a very powerful energy."
"But, what would harness such a power?" Asked Barodius. Dharak floated up. "Perhaps, it was the Element. What do you think Dharak? Is it possible?"
"I'm not sure, but it is interesting that the light appeared when Drago and I got close to each other."
"There was also a light near Vladitor and Leo." Said Chaos. "I wonder if it's what I think it is."
Fireworks were going off above the main Neathian city, and everybody was cheering. All of us were there, dressed in Castle Knight uniforms. Dan and Azion in red, Shun and Cassie in green, Marucho and Tom in blue, Jake's brown. Fabia's was yellow, as was mine. All of our Bakugan were floating next to us. Elright called for attention, and every Castle Knight stood straight. "I hereby appoint the Battle Brawlers to the order of Castle Knights!" He shook our hands, starting with Shun, and stopped at Cassie and Fabia. "Princess Fabia, Adviser Cassie, are you sure about this?" They nodded.
"Of course, I am a Battle Brawler too now." Said Fabia.
"I have served my role as Adviser, and I can no longer fulfil it like I once did. It is time I join in the fight!" Serena smiled. Elright walked over to me and Dan.
"Hey." Said Dan. Elright shook his hand.
"I'm grateful for your help on the battlefield, thank you Dan and Drago." He turned to me. "And thank you too, Atom and Leo." Both Bakugan floated up, and Dan scratched the back of his head.
"No need to thank us captain." Said Dan.
"You're a good man, Dan Kuso." Said Elright. "I look forward to battling alongside you again."
"Me too." Said Dan. "We both do." He looked at Drago. "Right Drago?"
"Absolutely." We all turned to the rest of the Castle Knights, and they all cheered.
With us now as Castle Knights, we are briefed on what has happened to date. The Gundalians had destroyed two shields, and were heading for the third one. That's when Marucho came up with the idea to restart the second shield, and we started going for it. This is going to be an advantage for us, keeping them occupied and creating a better defense. We will win this fight!