Back again, back again. It has been far too long since I posted an episode. I'll give you guys a bit of info, I've been busy with getting back into School. But, here's another episode. Those of you who have ready my story and Switch - On - 97's Invasion Core story know that our two timelines have touched. I'll give you guys what I think is going to happen; Garfield returns and tells them what happens. Jayden is a bit shaken along with his Bakugan. Then, Garfield wants to battle and unlocks a Reversion ability. Not a clue if that's going to happen or not, but it's what I think is going to happen. Who knows, maybe Switch will read this and decide to have him use a Shifter ability or two. Anyways, this has gone long enough, so enjoy!

When Ren decided to stop following Barodius, he was freed from his grasp. In doing so, he was able to help us. However, when Barodius threatened them with the Darkness, Linehalt lost control and the Forbidden Powers were unleashed. If they were left unchanged, they would've ripped the planet in two. Luckily, the Sacred Orb was able to help, and the energy receded. Following that, the Gundalians left.

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.

"That's some pretty heavy destruction." Said Marucho as he looked at the crater made by Linehalt. "But at least it made the Gundalians retreat."

"For now maybe, but you can bet it won't be long before they all come back." Said Shun.

"Then we better hustle and kick start the second shield again!" Said Jake. "Shouldn't be a problem now that Drago and Leo are all supercharged, right?"

"Jake, why did you have to say that?" Asked Azion. Our Bakumeters beeped.

"I'm afraid bad news everyone." Said Elright. We all looked at our meters. "That last explosion back there completely destroyed the second shield generator base."

"We only have the third shield left." Said Fabia.

"Sorry." Said Ren.

"It is what it is guys." Said Dan. "We need to focus on keeping the third shield secure."

"Dan's right, let's head back to the royal palace and run a full diagnostic report." Said Shun.

"Think you could give us a hand with that Ren?" Asked Dan.

"Really? You sure?"

"You're with us, everything else is water under the bridge dude!"

"You are now free of your shackles." I said. "You were always good, you just had to break free of evil.

"While you guys are doing that, Linehalt can recuperate." Said Drago. "After expending such a massive amount of energy, he should take it easy."

"It's okay, I'll be fine." Replied Linehalt.

"Okay then, let's do it." Said Dan. "Are you ready Fabia?"

"I guess so." She rose her Bakumeter up. "Okay Elright, prepare to transport us immediately."

"Princess, are you sure?"

"Just do it, right now!"

"Yes ma'am." We transported, except Ren. When we arrived at the palace, Marucho turned around to talk to him.

"This way, Ren. I'll show you the" he stopped. "Hey! Where'd he go?"

"But! Huh? He's gone!" Said Dan.

"But he was right here!" Said Jake.

"Linehalt's gone too." Said Coredem.

"But that means that" said Hawktor. We ran to Elright.

"They weren't transported with us!" Said Dan. "You left them behind on purpose! What gives dude?"

"I'm sorry, we couldn't." Said Elright.

"It was impossible." Said Fabia. "There was absolutely nothing we could do to change it."

"Why not?" Asked Dan. Marucho ran up.

"Yeah! Why not, huh? Answer me right now!"

"Very well then." Said Fabia. "It's because they're Gundalians."

"The shield has a bio-filter, doesn't it?" Asked Shun. An image of the shields came up.

"That's right. Since it's the final line of defense protecting the royal palace and the rest of the city, it's been equipped to scan the DNA of anyone who transports through it. When the war broke out, we programmed it to block the passage of anyone with Gundalia DNA."

"Why didn't you tell us that is the first place?" Asked Marucho.

"We couldn't Marucho, we didn't want to reveal our security measures in front of our enemy. We do not need him reporting back to his superiors."

"But Ren's on our side now!" Said Dan. He turned to Fabia. "Why don't we just deactivate the shield so we can let them in? Then fire it up again after they're inside."

"No way Dan!"

"But why not?"

"Because, I still don't trust Ren as far as I can throw him."

"But even Atom said he was good now! You can't argue with a shifter!" Fabia walked away. "Wait up! Come back here!" He made to follow her.

"Brawlers, report to my quarters immediately." Said Serena on screen.

Ren was watching the sunset. "They left us behind!"

"Yes." Said Linehalt.

"It's okay Linehalt." Ren started walking.

Fabia entered her room, and sighed. She transformed back to her Neathian form, and walked over to her bed, to lay on it. Aranaut floated over. "Princess, do you think you were a bit harsh with Dan back there?"

"Aranaut, he wanted us to allow Gundalians behind the shield."

"Ren and Linehalt turned their backs on Barodius, perhaps we can trust them like Dan said. And there is also the fact that Atom vouched for him."

"I'm sorry." Said Fabia. She buried her head into her bed. "I just can't." She mumbled.

"I understand."

"Dan, it may seem irrational that Fabia refuses to forgive Ren, but remember the Gundalians declared war on us, and this war has cost Fabia more dearly than you know." Serena thought back to the earlier days of the war. "Aranaut used to be partnered to Jin, the previous commander of the Castle Knights." She recounted what she knew about that day. "Without a moment's hesitation, Fabia stormed Gundalia by herself, and successfully rescued Aranaut."

"Why the heck would she do something so crazy dangerous?" Asked Dan.

"She obviously felt a strong connection to Aranaut, but why?" Asked Drago.

"I would think it would be somewhat obvious by now." Said Leo.

"Fabia risked her life to rescue Aranaut not because of her connection to him" started Serena.

"But because of her connection to Jin." Finished Azion. "Right?"

"Yes. You see, he was her fiancé."

"They were gonna get married?" Asked Akwimos.

"That's what fiancés do." Said Hawktor.

"Wait a minute." Said Marucho. "You never did tell us what happened to Jin. Was he um, uh?"

"Sadly, Jin was lost in battle." Dan gasped.

"So Aranaut is Fabia's last link to him." Said Shun.

"That is like the saddest thing I've ever heard." Said Jake.

"Aranaut never told us." Said Coredem.

"He doesn't remember." Said Serena. "The experiments wiped out large parts of his memory, so as far as he knows he has always been Fabia's partner."

"It's probably better that he doesn't remember." Said Hawktor. "No one needs those kinds of bad memories."

"So now you know why Fabia doesn't have it in her heart to forgive Ren." Said Serena. "But now it is time for the other reason I called you here. Atom, I recall you saying something about Tom. Is that correct?"

"Unfortunately, he was captured." I said bluntly. "When the Gundalians attacked with the mobile assault vehicle, and when Drago got his, Chaos brawled against Tom, and won. He took him, and I can only assume he is still on Gundalia." I clenched my hand. "If Chaos even so much as looks at Neathia, he'll feel my wrath." We were dismissed, and it was later into the afternoon. Marucho began packing, and it was getting dark when he finished. Before long, he went outside the third shield looking for Ren.

"Ren!" He yelled. "Where is he? How far could he get." He was walking past several similar looking trees. "Ren! Linehalt!" He didn't notice a buttercup behind him. As it approached, someone peeked out from the bushes, and reached out to grab Marucho. He was dragged in just as the plant chomped. "Oh snap, that thing is ugly." Mumbled Marucho. He then looked at Ren.

Someone knocked on Fabia's door. She lifted her head. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Dan." Fabia lifted up more, and transformed back to her human self. The door opened.

"Hey." Fabia walked up.

"I have to ask you something."

"What's up?"

"I was wondering, uh, if you"

"Relax Dan, just ask me."

"Well, I just wondered if you trusted me."

"Of course I do. I trust all of the brawlers completely!"

"Really? Cool!" Dan laughed.

"Maybe you should get to the point, Dan." Said Drago. "Fabia's tired."

"Oh yeah, right. Well, I know the Gundalians are total slime for all the bad stuff they've done, but you gotta believe me when I tell you Ren is different. Seriously Fabia, he is." Fabia looked at him like he had two heads. "And even Atom says he's good now, you can't argue that!"

"I know that you honestly believe that Dan, but I'm just not convinced. At least not as of yet."

"Not yet?" Asked Dan.

"But you could be open to the idea?" Asked Drago.

"Tell us, what would it take to convince you that it's true?"

"Let us prove it to you." Fabia said nothing for a moment.

Marucho began unpacking. "I thought you might be hungry, so I packed a bunch of food. There's a little bit of everything in here."

"Marucho, why are you so kind to me," Marucho was unscrewing the top of a thermos, "after I betrayed you the way I did." Marucho got the top off.

"It's like Dan told you earlier, let's keep all the bad stuff in the past. What's important is that you've come back to our side in the battle." Marucho poured Ren something to drink.

"Marucho."

"Drink this." Marucho handed the lid to Ren.

"I am unworthy of your forgiveness."

"Wow Ren, quit being so hard on yourself." Marucho set the lid on the ground. They were both quiet for a moment, then Marucho grabbed the lid again. "Let's have a toast to new beginnings, okay?" Ren looked at Marucho in bewilderment.

"Not so fast!" Said Fabia. Marucho looked behind himself at her. "It's not that easy."

"Fabia." Fabia began to walk forward.

"Alright, here's the deal Ren: if you're sincere, and forgiveness is what you want, then you've got to earn it! You understand me?" She lifted Aranaut. "You have to battle me for your redemption."

"I see." Said Ren. "If that's what it takes, fine." The two combatants spaced themselves as we all watched.

"Ren won't win, but he will have his redemption." I said to Dan.

"I really hope you're right Atom."

"If you win, I'll accept you back as a member of the team." Said Fabia. "But if you lose, then you leave Neathia and never return!" Dan and the others looked at her. "Gate Card, Set!"

"If he loses, then how does he get redemption?" Asked Dan.

"Watch and see." Said Cassie.

"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Fabia. "Bakugan, Stand!"

"In the name of the Castle Knights and all the people of Neathia, we will triumph and banish you for good!"

"Bakugan Brawl!" Said Ren. "Bakugan Stand! I will lead us to victory Linehalt!" Both Bakugan stood at the ready.

"Dan and the others think you're still worth saving. Well, were they right Ren? Because right now, my heart tells me otherwise."

"Fabia, I completely understand your hatred toward me, I didn't think I was worthy of forgiveness myself. But then Dan showed me everyone deserves a second chance!"

"Ability Activate!" Replied Fabia. "Vector Fist!"

"Okay, Ability Activate! Dark Saber!" Linehalt created two blades.

"Come on!" He said.

"Open wide!" Aranaut jumped and attacked. Linehalt counterattacked, and the two began to trade blows. Aranaut blocked a strike. "Give up yet?" Linehalt kicked him.

"Not even close!" Aranaut landed.

"You call that a kick?" He charged again, and sliced at Linehalt.

"Help me Ren!" Said Fabia. "I want to understand what Dan and the others see in you that makes your betrayal worth forgiving! So, make me a believer then!"

"Let's take this to the next level!" Said Aranaut.

"Ability Activate! Fist Alley!" Aranaut fired two beams at Linehalt, who was forced backwards. He regained his composure after the attack ceased.

"Ability Activate! Darkness Blizzard!" Aranaut was surrounded by dark winds, and his abilities were nullified.

"He deactivated my ability!" Aranaut was then thrown into the air by the blizzard.

"We fought our way out of the Darkness Ren, let's show Fabia that we're worthy of living amongst her people!"

"Okay, Ability Activate!" Said Ren. "Dark Javelin!" Linehalt charged, and blasted at Aranaut. He fell backwards and landed hard. Linehalt landed on the ground and went to one knee. Both Bakugan were breathing heavily.

"Linehalt's kicking the tar out of Aranaut, so why is he wheezing like my grandpa?" Asked Jake.

"He still hasn't recovered from his last battle." Said Coredem.

"You're right." Said Shun. "Don't forget, the energy he exerted nearly tore the planet in half."

"That's gotta take it out of you." Said Hawktor.

"Gate Card, Open!" Called Fabia. "Haos Saver!" Linehalt's Javelin began to fade.

"What the falafel dude? His trident disappeared!" Said Akwimos.

"Yes, that's because she deactivated his ability." Said Marucho. Linehalt lost his balance, and placed one hand on the ground.

"What're you doing Ren?" Linehalt looked at him. "Why are you slowing down?" Ren growled, and pressed a few buttons. He grabbed Boomix.

"Battle Gear Boost!" Fabia grabbed Battle Crusher.

"Battle Gear Boost!"

"Battle Gear Ability Activate! Boomix Lock!" Linehalt charged up his attack.

"Battle Gear Ability Activate! Battle Crusher Doom! Hiyah!" Aranaut took aim and began to charge up. Linehalt fired with Aranaut right behind him. The attacks went past each other, and Aranaut prepared to block. Linehalt was unable to and was defeated. Ren lost half his gauge, and he picked up Linehalt.

"I'm sorry Ren."

"It's okay Linehalt. You did your best." Ren put Linehalt away to recover, and grabbed Rubanoid. "Rubanoid, can I count on you to step in?"

"Sid entrusted me to you, so it would be my honor."

"The honor is mine." Ren grabbed a card. "Gate Card, Set!" It expanded in a red shockwave.

"Here comes the big reveal." Said Azion.

"Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan Stand! Go Pyrus Rubanoid!"

"He's a Pyrus!" Said Fabia. "Why is a Darkus battler like Ren fighting with a Pyrus Bakugan?"

"Hey, didn't he belong to that mean looking dude Sid?" Asked Jake.

"Right, yeah. I wonder how Ren got a hold of him." Said Dan.

"In the worst way imaginable." I said. Fabia held up Aranaut.

"Let's go! Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan, Stand!"

"I'll take him down, just like Linehalt!"

"Ability Activate!" Said Ren. His card glowed Red. "Corundum Tusk!" Rubanoid fired at Aranaut.

"Ability Activate!" Retaliated Fabia. "Mirage Fist!" Aranaut hit the attacks and stopped them, then got in close.

"You'll have to do better than that!"

"You mean like this?" Asked Rubanoid.

"Gate Card Open! Ruby Storm!" The area became surrounded in a crystal dome. "Finish him Rubanoid!" Destrakon was formed. "Battle Gear Boost!" Rubanoid got his gear. "Battle Gear Ability Activate! Destrakon Gear Vickers!" The gear flew apart and attacked. Aranaut was surrounded. "Keep going Rubanoid! Don't stop!" Ren thought back to Sid falling. "I won't let your sacrifice be in vain Sid. Understand that I have no loyalty to Barodius!" Fabia closed her eyes, and made a tiny smile. She pressed a few buttons, and the gear formed.

"Battle Gear Boost!" She said. "Battle Gear Ability Activate! Battle Crusher Doom!"

"Let's finish this! Just say the word!" Aranaut began blasting everywhere, and sent energy through the dome. Ren gasped as Aranaut came up close to Rubanoid. "This might sting a little!"

"Oh man!" Said Dan.

"Hey! Watch out!" Said Marucho. Ren looked at Aranaut and Rubanoid in worry.

"Get down Rubanoid!" Aranaut fired, and was blasted backwards himself from the proximity. Rubanoid glowed, and returned to Ren. His guage hit zero, and he fell to his knees. "Oh no." Fabia caught Aranaut.

"I think we showed them princess." Ren brought his hand into a fist, and grabbed some dirt with it.

"I can't believe it. After all that, I still failed." He looked at Rubanoid, and a few tears fell. He growled, then Fabia reached down to him. Ren looked up at her. "What Fabia? Have you come to gloat now? Don't worry, we'll be on our way." He stood up.

"It's okay. I finally saw another side of you at the end there. I believe you now when you say that you are with us."

"So then"

"Welcome to Neathia." Ren rubbed the tears out of his eyes.

"Thank you, Fabia." He took her hand.

"All right, now we're an even stronger team than ever!" Said Dan. Ran looked at me.

"Atom, it came to my attention that Tom was on Gundalia."

"I already knew." I said. "It happened long before Sid's incident." Fabia brought her Bakumeter up.

"Captain Elright, bring us all home now please."

"Yes, copy that." Said Elright. The shield dropped. "Ready to commence on your signal, Princess." Fabia looked back from Ren and Dan.

"We're ready now." We all transported, and went to bed for the night. Preparations were made, and everything was ready to welcome Ren in the next day. He walked through the door, and stopped before Serena. He knelt down.

"Ren Krawler, by joining us you are agreeing to fight against your former homeland. Are you prepared to do so?"

"Barodius never showed me loyalty like you have. I am fully committed to destroying him!"

"Very well then. You are now, officially, a Castle Knight."

"It's my great honor." Ren bowed his head. We all cheered.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Said Dan. "We're fighting with even numbers now dude!" Fabia walked up to Ren.

"Congratulations, Ren Krawler." She held her hand out.

"Thank you Fabia." Ren took her hand, and shook it.

"Awesome! Now we've got a Darkus battler on our team!" Said Jake. Marucho was tearing up.

"Yeah! Totally awesome!" Ren smiled, and I walked up to him.

"I will need to know everything you know." I whispered to him. He nodded.

"And you will know it. Tom is formidable with his imagination, we need to free him from Kazarina." He whispered back.

"I figured he would be there."

With Ren on our side, we're fighting with all six Attributes. Jake thinks there's no way the Gundalians can take us down, but he may have a small problem. When he encounters a human boy, he follows him into a storm, right into Kazarina's hands. What's worse, he's going to lose. And we can't help him, at least not without potentially getting captured ourselves. There's a storm brewing, and it may rip our team apart!

Fun fact: when Dan talks to Fabia in her room, he has six fingers on his hand at about 10 minutes 45 seconds in. Has anybody else caught that before?