I'm back. New chapter. You know the drill, so I won't waste any more time. Let's get underway!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.
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Chapter 26: Final Assault: Ventus
Lync Volan was resting on his bed, waiting for the call to happen. "Gee, I was given Shun's former partner, and Hydron expects me to not figure out who my opponent is?", he muttered to himself. "That's kinda stupid of him, but who cares?"
Right then, the door of his quarters was knocked on.
"Come in, come in", Lync said carelessly.
The door opened to reveal one of Hydron's servants, who remained at the doorway. "Our great Prince Hydron has wished me to inform you that your opponent will be…", he said.
"Yeah, yeah", Lync interrupted. "Shun Kazami. I get it."
The servant scowled at the interruption. "Correct", he said. "Our Prince also wished me to relay orders to report to the transporter room."
"No biggie", Lync said, racing out of his quarters, past the servant, and down the hall. "See you later, loser! Hahahahahaha!"
XXX
Shun appeared in a very strange area. Rocky pillars were everywhere, towering over the otherwise barren landscape. Shun realized that he was on one of those pillars.
"What the…!", Shun asked in a frenzy, then processed what just happened. "So they transported us. Ingram, you know where this is?"
"I do", Ingram answered. "We flying Bakugan like calling it the 'Flyers' Peril'. The strong winds and rock pillars everywhere make it a difficult course for flying Bakugan. Many came here to test their aerial capabilities."
"But why would the Vexos bring us here?", Shun asked.
"You really don't know?", a voice from Shun's right mocked. Shun looked to see who the speaker was: Lync Volan, standing on a pillar around 50 feet away, with several others between them.
"So they sent you to take me down?", Shun regarded Lync. "You underestimate my skill, Vexos!"
"Hahahaha!" Lync laughed. "That's hilarious! We measured your skills accordingly. Trust me, this won't take very long."
"You got that right, at least", Shun said as the two prepared their gauntlets.
"Gauntlet! Power Strike!", both called, Lync laughing afterward.
"Let's get this party started! Gate Card, set!", Lync yelled, quickly preparing a Gate Card on a nearby pillar. Lync then brought out his Bakugan. "I'm betting you'll recognize this beauty, Kazami!", Lync said before throwing the Bakugan. "Go! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"
"Is that…?", Shun questioned as he saw the green phoenix-like Bakugan descend from the sky, at a power level of 500. "No. No, it can't be!"
"But it is", Lync announced. "Ventus Storm Skyress!"
"Skyress! It's me, Shun!", Shun yelled at his former partner, but she only continued shrieking, giving no sign she even heard him. her eyes, instead of yellow, were blazing red. Shun glared at Lync in anger, not saying anything else to avoid giving him any more satisfaction. But it took every amount of restraint he had.
"Shun, throw me in!", Ingram asked Shun.
Shun nodded. "Even if we could reach Skyress, the only way to get her back is through battle", Shun agreed, preparing to throw in Ingram. "You're in, Ingram! Bakugan, brawl! Ventus Ingram, stand!"
Ingram soared into the air, his power level at 400. "I am ready!", she announced.
"Then let's get busy!", Lync said, putting an ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Whirlwind Lightning Storm!" Skyress immediately spread her wings, rapid-fire shooting green energy blasts that barraged Ingram. Skyress's power level rose to 700, and Ingram's fell to 200.
"Ah!", Ingram yelled as he was struck. He began to fall to the ground, pummeled by the wings.
"Ingram, time to fight back!", Shun shouted, placing his own ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Shadow Echo!" Ingram dropped to the far below ground, disappearing in his own shadow. Skyress's power level dropped to 500.
"Ha! Is that all, ninja boy?", Lync mocked. "Come on, let's see what ya got!"
"Why, you…", Shun growled, placing another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Shadow Split!" The spot that was Ingram in his shadow split into five, and each produced an Ingram. Ingram's power level rose to 400, and Skyress's decreased to 400.
"Alright. Not bad", Lync admitted, putting another ability into his gauntlet. "But now, try this! Ability Activate! Storm Stinger!" Skyress shrieked again as the horn on her head started firing green lasers at the incoming Ingrams. One… two… three… four illusions were destroyed before the real Ingram was revealed. Skyress's power level rose to 700, and Ingram's fell to 200.
"How did…", Shun started, before being cut off by Lync.
"... I do that?", Lync finished, smirking. "Easy! Ability Storm Stinger allows Skyress to nullify all of my opponent's abilities! So bye bye Shadow Split, and bye bye Shadow Echo! Get 'em, Skyress!" Skyress started to fire another blast at Ingram.
"No! If Ingram loses with this power level difference…!", Shun said, frantically placing an ability into his gauntlet. "I have to do something! Ability Activate! Armored Mega Dome!" Ingram wrapped his wings around him protectively, barely intercepting Skyress's attack. Ingram's power level rose to 400.
"Man, Shun, could you be more lame?", Lync taunted. "Why aren't you fighting? Maybe you don't want to hurt your precious Skyress? Huh, am I right?"
"You don't know anything!", Shun shouted.
"Yeah, well I do know this: Skyress won't have any problems hurting you!", Lync countered. "So, please, hit Skyress with your best shot! Maybe she'll only break a nail!"
"Shun!", Ingram yelled. "Don't listen to this fool blab! We must continue the battle!"
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right!", Shun said, finally putting another ability into his gauntlet. "Let's go! Ability Activate! Wind Power - Soaring Strike Shot!" Ingram transitioned into his bird form, and soared toward Skyress.
"Yes!", Ingram yelled as he was engulfed by green fire. Ingram's power level rose to 600, and Skyress's decreased to 500.
"Not enough!", Lync gloated as he put another ability into his gauntlet. "Shoot that pigeon out of the sky! Ability Activate! Lightning Talon!" Skyress positioned her tail feathers in Ingram's direction, blasting a stream of green energy at him. Skyress's power level rose to 700, and Ingram's decreased to 400. As the blast struck Ingram, he reverted, causing Shun's Life Gauge to drop to 40%.
"Ingram!", Shun cried.
"Ugh", Ingram groaned. "Just give me a minute. I never thought Skyress was so powerful."
"You're right", Shun agreed. "Next round, we're not going to pull a single punch."
"Ok, I'm ready", Ingram agreed, his ball flying into Shun's hand.
"Gate Card, set!", Shun called, sending down his Gate Card. "Bakugan, brawl! Ingram, stand!"
"So, you still got some fight left in you?", Lync asked, slightly surprised. "Ha! Not for long! Bakugan, brawl! Storm Skyress, attack!"
The two Ventus Bakugan circled each other in the air, preparing for the battle.
"I call Trap Bakugan, Ventus Hylash!", Shun added, sending up Hylash to aid Ingram. Their power levels combined to form 750, and Skyress's power level remained at 500.
"A Trap Bakugan?", Lync asked, surprised. "It won't help you!"
"We'll see, Vexos", Shun countered, putting an ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Thunderbolt Torrential Wave!" Both Ingram and Hylash transitioned to their high mobility forms and were cloaked in green fire as they headed toward Skyress. Their combined power levels increased to 1150.
"Oh, yeah? Well, I'm not done yet", Lync said callously, placing another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Gust of Wind Blow - Destruction Meteor Storm!" Skyress cloaked herself in similar green fire and flew to counter Ingram and Hylash. Skyress's power level rose to 800, and Hylash and Ingram's power level decreased to 850. When Skyress and Ingram collided, Skyress had an initial advantage until Hylash caught up, pushing Skyress back.
"How do you like that?", Shun asked.
"Grr, you're asking for it, punk!", Lync yelled, sending up a spherical shape. "I call mechanical Ventus Wired! Bakugan, brawl!" The mechanical Bakugan appeared below Skyress, its 400 adding to Skyress's power level to make 1200.
"So you still have that junk?", Shun asked, thrusting out his hand. "Ingram, Hylash, let's send it to the scrap heap! Gate Card Open! Command Card: Forcement Wind!" Ingram and Hylash started glowing faint green. Their combined power level increased to 1650.
"What the…?!", Lync questioned, alarmed.
"Forcement Wind is a Command Card that ups each of my Bakugan by 100 times the number of Bakugan on the field with the same attribute", Shun explained. "So it gave us an 800 point boost."
"Oh, yeah!", Lync called, putting two abilities into his gauntlet. "Fry those two alive! Double Ability Activate! Green Wave and Shower Harpoon!" Skyress and Wired became cloaked in green fire, as Wired sent up two orbs of green energy. Skyress and Wired started heading toward Ingram and Hylash, and the two orbs shot a barrage of lasers at the two latter. Skyress and Wired's power level rose to 1600, and Ingram and Hylash's decreased to 1450.
"Alright, let's do some damage!", Shun called, placing another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Double Fangs - Jade Wind Shot!" Both Ingram and Hylash started sending an unending barrage of green energy daggers, first to counter the Shower Harpoon, then at Skyress and Wired. Hylash and Ingram's power level rose to 1850.
"No way!", Lync said as the energy daggers intercepted his Bakugan. As they reverted, Lync's Life Gauge dropped to 50%. "You're gonna be sorry, ninja boy!", Lync shouted, until his communicator buzzed. Activating it, Lync saw Professor Clay.
"Need some help?", he joked.
"Shut it!", Lync ranted. "In case you didn't know, I'm in the middle of a battle right now!"
"Yes. That's what I wished to talk to you about", Clay said. "It might be in your best interest to refrain from using Wired for a while."
"And exactly why would I do that?", Lync asked.
"Because I'm uploading a software update that will allow Wired to fight alongside Skyress much more… efficiently", Clay answered. "I'll only need a few minutes."
"Yeah, whatever", Lync replied, then throwing his Gate Card down. He then threw Skyress in, calling: "Bakugan, brawl! Skyress, stand!"
"Bakugan, brawl! Ingram, stand!", Shun countered, throwing Ingram in, then sending up Hylash. "And Bakugan Trap, Hylash!"
The three Ventus Bakugan circled each other in the air, each side waiting for the other to move.
Soon, Lync put an ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Whirlwind Lightning Storm!", he called. Skyress spread her wings, shooting green energy blasts in rapid-fire at Ingram and Hylash. Skyress's power level rose to 700, and Ingram and Hylash's decreased to 550.
"Don't worry, Ingram! I got your back!", Shun promised, placing an ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Double Fangs - Jade Wind Shot!" Ingram and Hylash sent green energy daggers to counter Skyress's attack. Within moments, Ingram and Hylash overpowered Skyress. Ingram and Hylash's power level increased to 950.
"Uh oh… book it!", Lync ordered Skyress, who complied, flying below, near the ground below. As Ingram and Hylash pursued, the powerful winds kept them from catching up to Skyress, who was able to navigate with relative ease.
"Skyress is moving too quickly!", Shun realized. "Ingram and Hylash can't keep up!"
"I knew there was a reason Spectra sent us here!", Lync cheered. He remembered hearing the teleporter operator was on orders from Spectra.
Shun got an idea, and quickly put two abilities into his gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate! Thunder Power - Glimmering Slash and Wind Power - Soaring Strike Shot!", he called. Both Ingram and Hylash transitioned to their high mobility forms, with Ingram being engulfed in green flames, and Hylash extending for blades and spinning, and then headed toward Skyress, finally catching up. Ingram and Hylash's power level rose to 1350, and Skyress's decreased to 300.
"Not gonna help you!", Lync boasted, placing another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Storm Stinger!" Skyress aimed her head pointer at Ingram and Hylash, blasting several beams of green energy at them. Skyress's power level rose to 700, with Ingram and Hylash's decreasing to 550.
"I knew you'd do that!", Shun exclaimed, putting another two abilities into his gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate! Thunderbolt Torrential Wave and Shadow Split!" First, Ingram and Hylash were cloaked in green fire once again, and then Ingram split into five. Hylash and Ingram's power level rose to 950, and Skyress's decreased to 400.
"That's a 500 point difference!", Lync realized.
"You're coming home, Skyress!", Shun called.
Just then, Lync's communicator buzzed, causing Lync to smirk. "'Bout time, prof", he muttered, sending up Wired. Immediately after being engaged, Wired soared above Skyress, closing in on her back.
"What… what are you doing?!", Shun demanded, alarmed.
"I'm not quite sure, either", Lync replied. "Let's find out! Wired, do your thing!"
Wired's claws wrapped around Skyress's lower body, it's wings on top of hers. Wired changed its shape around Skyress, forming a defensive armor, with cannons on her belly, pointing downward. Their power levels combined to form 800 as they easily withstood the incoming attacks.
"Nice!", Lync admitted. "I think I'll call it… Iron Skyress!"
"You animal…", Shun growled, seeing what his partner had been forced to become. "You won't get away with this! I SWEAR IT!"
"Then why are we still talking?", Lync mocked, putting two abilities into his gauntlet. "Back to brawling it is! Double Ability Activate! Gust of Wind Blow - Destruction Meteor Storm and Hybrid Cannon!" Iron Skyress became engulfed in green fire, charging for Ingram as the cannons fired green lasers at Hylash. Ingram and Hylash's power level decreased to 650, and Iron Skyress's increased to 1200.
"Time to finish this!", Shun exclaimed, placing another two abilities into his gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate! Shadow Echo and Claw Thunder - Position Kagenui!" Ingram leaped onto the top of a pillar, then disappearing in his shadow, dodging Iron Skyress's charge. Hylash then flew toward the combined Bakugan, easily outmaneuvering the cannons, and wrapped Iron Skyress with durable strings, successfully subduing it. Iron Skyress then crashed to the top of a pillar, completely immobilized. Ingram and Hylash's power level rose to 950, and Iron Skyress's decreased to 600.
"What?!", Lync questioned. "Move it! Now!"
"It's too late!", Ingram yelled as he reappeared, right in front of Iron Skyress.
"It's time to end this battle!", Shun proclaimed as he put another ability into his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Continuous Dance - Phoenix Position!" Ingram immediately went to work, barraging the combined Bakugan with a series of punches, wearing down the mechanical armor. Eventually, Wired exploded, which forced Skyress to revert. Lync's Life Gauge went down to 0.
"I… I… impossible!", Lync shouted. "I did not just lose to you! Who do you think you are!?"
"Shun Kazami. Ninja in training. Earth's master of Ventus, and third best battler", Shun answered, catching Skyress, then Ingram and Hylash.
"That was a rhetorical question, know it all!", Lync ranted, then took out his communicator. "Whatever. Lync here. I need transportation to Ves Palace."
After a few moments, Lync disappeared, leaving Shun and his Bakugan alone.
"Skyress? Skyress, speak to me!", Shun pleaded.
"Sh… Shun?", Skyress weakly asked. "Is that you?"
"Yeah, Skyress, it's me", Shun replied, almost crying with relief. "You alright?"
"I'll live", Skyress answered. "Despite these horrid circumstances, it's wonderful to see you again, Shun."
"Yeah", Shun agreed. "The feeling's mutual."
XXX
And that's it! I sincerely hope you enjoyed. If you did, feel free to follow or favorite the story. If you want to say anything, I encourage you to leave a review or PM me.
P.S. I've recently received a lot of positive feedback from you guys. Thanks a lot. I'd personally like to shout out Insane Dominator and ayachan. Those two left reviews that literally made those days to me. Not only did they point out a lot of good, they made suggestions on how I could improve the story. Thanks for that.
Until next time, goodbye!