I'm posting this chapter early because I wrote it last night. I have too much on my plate for today and I needed to get this done. Hopefully you guys enjoy!
With me and Dan trapped and Shun and Marucho in the palace, the others tried to distract Kazarina and save Ren's team. When that backfired, everything went wrong. Nurzak got swept away and Cassie went after him while Fabia went with Mason and Ren to one of Nurzak's hideouts. With the way things are going, we're gonna need a miracle to pull through.
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.
Fabia and Ren were behind a ledge, looking at the Gundalian castle. "Where are they?" Asked Ren.
"Something must've happened to Dan and the others, Ren." Said Fabia. Down below, two soldiers walked up and Fabia and Ren hid themselves. The two guards began to walk over to where they were. "Do you think they saw us?"
"It sounds like they did." Said Ren.
"Well, I'm guessing we should make the first move then."
"Okay." The two jumped down and attacked. Ren knocked down one guard outfit and it broke to pieces. "Huh?" Fabia threw the other one and he landed on his feet.
"Come on!" Said Fabia as she rushed forward. The guard held out his hands.
"Wait, hold on a sec."
"Huh?" Asked Fabia. Shun took the helmet off of his armor. "Shun?" Marucho began to climb out of his armor.
"Hey there guys!"
"Glad you're here, we got a big job ahead." Said Ren. He and Fabia led Shum and Marucho to the hideout, then Ren knocked on a wall to get Mason to open it.
"Why does Barodius wear suspenders?"
"It's to keep his pants up." Replied Ren. The secret door opened and Mason poked his head out.
"Correct." The group climbed in.
"What's this?" Asked Shun as the door closed behind them.
"It's a top secret lair that Nurzak built." Said Mason.
"So where is he then?" Asked Shun.
"He sacrificed himself to save me." Said Fabia. "And Cassie is out there looking for him." Marucho and Shun gasped.
"Man, that's terrible news." Said Marucho.
"What happened to Dan and Atom?" Asked Ren. "Have you seen them?"
"Yes, they've been captured." Said Shun.
"They've got Drago and Leo too." Added Hawktor. This time Fabia gasped.
"Are you serious?" Asked Ren.
"What're we going to do?" Asked Linehalt.
Kazarina was analyzing Drago and Leo's DNA and trying to replicate it while all four of us were still out. Suddenly, the screens flashed indicating that the analyzing and was completed. "Excellent. It's complete." She said.
"I guess it's time we take the good news to Emperor Barodius then." Said Lumagrowl. Kazarina turned on a screen and told the emperor the good news. He was in her lab soon after with Chaos and Gill in tow. He put Dharak on the platform.
"So you've managed to synthesize Drago and Leo's DNA, does that mean it is ready to be spliced so we can trigger an evolution?" He asked.
"Yes sire. I should warn you that forcing Dharak's body to assimilate the foreign DNA will be extremely painful and could cost him his life."
"Are you out of your mind?" Asked Gill. "Why would we risk such a thing?" Kazarina glared at him. "You can play mad scientist all you want with the other Bakugan Kazarina, but not with the Emperor's, and not with our best weapon!"
"Enough!" Yelled Dharak. "I want to evolve! Let's do this! Now!" Barodius smiled and looked at Kazarina.
"You heard him Kazarina, let's proceed."
"Yes." Said Kazarina as she gave a smug look to Gill.
"But Sire, you can't really"
"Silence Gill, don't underestimate Dharak."
"It will work." Said Chaos. "Trust me, it will." Kazarina stepped forward.
"Very well Dharak, prepare yourself and I will begin the DNA transfusion." The light above Dharak began to glow and bathed him in the same light.
"Bring it on!" Yelled Dharak. The DNA began to assimilate and Dharak yelled in pain as he began to glow. His wings reformed and he stood on two legs.
"It's so!" Started Kazarina.
"Incredible." Finished Gill. The glow began to fade and revealed Dharak in his Phantom Dharak form. He was breathing heavily. "Did he really evolve that quickly?"
"Yes, the transfusion was a success." Said Kazarina. "Would you like to rename him sire?" Barodius looked over Dharak.
"I think I will call him Phantom Dharak."
"I like it." Said Lumagrowl. Dharak slammed his tail on the ground.
"I can feel the energy flowing through my veins! It keeps growing in intensity! Wake Drago and prepare him for battle! I'm ready to crush him!" At that moment, a notice flashed on Kazarina's screen. She gasped.
"Interesting."
"What is it Kazarina?" Asked Barodius.
"As you are already aware sire, Neathia's third shield is equipped with a special security feature that prevents any Bakugan with Gundalian DNA from passing through it. But now that it's been fused with Drago's DNA, Dharak's new genetic sequence has mutated and is no longer purely Gundalian."
"What are you talking about?" Asked Gill. "What abomination have you created Kazarina?"
"He's a hybrid whose genetic code will allow him to pass through the third shield!"
"Excellent work." Said Barodius. "It's that kind of strategic thinking that I look for in my number two, Kazarina." Gill gasped.
"Thank you sire, I do it in your honor."
"I can't believe he's replace me with her as his number two!" Thought Gill, shocked. "How dare he turn his back on me like that, after my years of loyalty?" The room began shaking.
"Where's Drago?" Asked Dharak. He slammed against the wall again. "I want to crush him! Let me out of here right now!"
"Settle down Dharak!" Yelled Barodius. Dharak roared. "With the brawlers scattered about here on Gundalia, now is the perfect time to attack the third shield, so pull yourself together immediately! Do you understand me? You will have a chance to take care of Drago later."
"Too bad! I want to finish him now!"
"What did you say?" Asked Barodius.
"As you wish, master." Said Dharak. He reverted to ball form.
"I do believe it is Vladitor's turn, right?" Asked Chaos. Barodius smiled.
"Yes, if everything is as you have said it is then it is imperative that Vladitor get's Leo's DNA." Kazarina prepared Leo's DNA as Chaos threw him onto the platform. Kazarina then followed the same procedure as she did with Dharak and evolved Vladitor into his Battle Ax form. Then Barodius signaled it was time for them to go. "You're in charge while I'm gone Kazarina. I want you to find the rest of the brawlers and eradicate them!"
"And what shall I do with them?" She asked, signifying my and Dan.
"Whatever you see fit, consider it a gift from me." Said Barodius.
"But don't you dare lay a finger on Drago." Said Dharak. "He's all mine."
"The same with Leo for me." Said Vladitor.
"Don't worry you two."
"Gill, you will come with us." Said Barodius.
"Yes sire." Barodius and Chaos transported away. Gill started to follow them.
"Try not to mess up Gill." Said Kazarina. "I'd hate to see you get left behind or become a casualty of war." Gill glared at Kazarina, then transported away.
"So then, you guys weren't able to capture Jake, Azion or Tom?" Asked Ren.
"Unfortunately, no." Said Shun. "It also seems that your old teammates have been brainwashed by Kazarina."
"This Gundalian Invasion has been a complete bummer." Said Akwimos.
"Yeah, they definitely thrashed us pretty hard." Said Marucho.
"I'm really worried about what they might do to Dan and Drago." Said Shun. "Not to mention Atom and Leo."
"I know." Said Ren. "If they brainwash them like they did to my friends, then we're in trouble."
"Then I guess we better break them out before that can happen." Said Hawktor.
"Yeah, and remember failure isn't an option this time." Said Linehalt.
"I remember something Cassie said before we brawled against Kazarina and Stoica." Said Fabia. "She said that she and Atom couldn't be hypnotized. I hope she was right."
"I'm gonna find Master Nurzak and Cassie." Said Mason. "There's a chance he might still be alive." Marucho looked at him in surprise.
"Okay Mason, if you insist on that then we'll split up." Said Shun.
"Hey Fabia, are you coming?" Asked Mason. Fabia looked at him. "Didn't you tell me that Nurzak got swept away after saving you?"
"Yes, that's right." Said Fabia.
"Then wouldn't you say you have an obligation to see if he's okay? Come on, Princess." Mason held out his hand.
"What do you think?" Asked Aranaut.
"What's wrong precious?" Asked Avior. "Are you too good to risk yourself for a lowly Gundalian?"
"It's not that." Said Fabia. "I appreciate what Nurzak did, but I owe Dan, Drago, Atom and Leo more. When I came to Earth, they immediately accepted me as one of their own. Then when I asked for help, they came to Neathia without any hesitation. Please understand, I owe a bigger debt to them." Mason just stared at her as she put her hand out. "Good luck. I really hope you find them." Mason smirked and looked to the side a little.
"Okay, I get it." He took her hand. "Be careful." He then turned and walked out of the hideout. Everybody watched him go in shock. When he got outside, Avior got mad.
"Did you see the way she slapped us off like that? I never did like Fabia, trust me we're better off without her!"
"Avior, the princess is alright." Mason smiled, then walked off to find Nurzak.
"Have you figured out what you're going to do with the brawlers yet?" Asked Lumagrowl. Kazarina sighed.
"Decisions, decisions."
"It's not exactly like you need two more zombie servants."
"Nor could I hypnotize Atom to even attempt that." Said Kazarina.
"Maybe you should consider using them to send a message to the resistance."
"Interesting. It certainly would break the brawler's spirits if I finished off their precious leaders. They'd never recover." She laughed. Jake, Azion and Tom walked into the room.
"I'm really sorry, Mistress Kazarina but, Marucho got away from me." Said Jake.
"Never mind that right now Jake. I want you three to get a good look at your old friends here. Pathetic, aren't they? Why don't you stick around and watch me put them out of their misery? I'm sure you'll find it amusing." Kazarina pressed buttons and got a machine to extend down from the ceiling before the room shook. Everybody nearly lost their balance. "Oh, what happened?" More explosions ringed off the castle as alarms rang. Airzel ran out onto a balcony.
"What's going on?"
"We're being attacked!" Said a nearby guard.
"I want a status report immediately!" Said Airzel.
"Yes!" The guard ran off. Far away, Linehalt took aim again using Boomix.
"Hit 'em Linehalt!" Said Ren. "Don't hold back!" Linehalt took aim lower down.
"Don't worry, I won't!" He fired and blasted a hole in the wall. Shun, Marucho and Fabia peeked their heads up.
"Come on!" Said Shun. The tri ran inside.
"Sir, we have trespassers in the castle!" Said a guard.
"So, the first attack was a decoy." Said Airzel as he ran back inside.
"It sounds like the brawlers have infiltrated the castle again." Said Gill. "Those insolent fools!"
"You'd be surprised." Said Chaos.
"Can I trust you to take care of this for me Gill?" Asked Barodius.
"Yes."
"I'll take the others to Neathia with me." Barodius glanced at Ren's team.
"This way!" Said Shun.
"Going somewhere Brawlers?" Asked Gill. "Bakugan, Brawl! Rise Pyrus Krakix!" Gill jumped down in front of them. "You just couldn't leave it alone. Ha, and now you're going to pay!"
"We've taken you down before, Gill, and we'll do it again so you better move!" Said Shun.
"I hardly think you're in the position to be making threats right now Brawler. Perhaps you should accept that this is the end for you. Say Goodbye! Ability Activate!"
"Hey, hold on a sec! We haven't even launched our Bakugan yet!" Said Marucho.
"Argon Stream!" Krakix fired at the group, then Linehalt broke through the wall.
"Darkness Blizzard!" Yelled Ren. Linehalt stopped the attack and landed. Ren jumped down.
"Hey Ren!" Said Marucho.
"We've got this one handled, go ahead." Said Ren. The group ran forward.
"Thanks Ren." Said Shun.
"Be careful!" Said Marucho.
"Ren!" Said Fabia.
"Don't worry!" Said Ren. Fabia looked worried.
"Fabia!" Called Shun. "Let's go!" Fabia followed Shun and Marucho.
"Come back!" Yelled Gill. Krakix turned towards the fleeing brawlers but Linehalt got in the way. Gill gasped.
"Don't worry about them, you're fighting me now!" Said Ren.
"There's an elevator up ahead that will take us down!" Said Shun.
"How do we know they won't be waiting to ambush us once we step out of the lift?" Asked Hawktor.
"We don't have a choice!"
"Fingers crossed!" Said Akwimos.
"I just hope Dan, Drago, Atom and Leo can hold on!" Said Marucho. Fabia was silent.
"You need to focus." Said Aranaut. "Stop worrying about Ren, he can handle the likes of Gill. He'll be fine."
"You're absolutely right, thank you Aranaut."
"There it is!" Said Shun. The group ran up to a door. "Ahead on the right!" Airzel jumped down.
"It's Airzel!" Said Fabia.
"Don't you know it's impolite to enter someone's home without an invitation?" Asked Airzel. He grabbed Strikeflier. "Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan Stand! Rise Ventus Strikeflier!"
"I'm going to destroy you!"
"It sounds like we're missing quite the party." Said Kazarina as she heard Strikeflier.
"Should we go and join in?" Asked Lumagrowl.
"As much fun as that sounds, we have more important things to deal with. Wouldn't you say?" Kazarina lined up the device with Dan as she laughed. "Once this beam hits him, he'll be vaporized." The device began to glow and the targeting lights aligned themselves onto him. "I just need to lock on target." Jake watched what was happening and his hand began twitching. "I have an idea! Perhaps you would like to do the honors, that is if you think you can." She was talking to Jake. His hand stopped twitching.
"Yes, I can do it." He stepped forward.
"What about us Mistress?" Asked Azion.
"You two can decide amongst yourselves who will destroy Atom." Said Kazarina. Azion and Tom glared at each other. Jake placed his fingers on the control station and prepared to fire the beam.
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Marucho. "Bakugan, Stand Let's go Aquos Akwimos!"
"Aw yeah!" Said Akwimos.
"Hey, hold on! Wait for us Marucho!" Said Fabia. Marucho looked at her and Shun.
"No way, this one belongs to Akwimos and me!"
"Ability Activate!" Said Airzel. "Down Clatch!" Strikeflier attacked with lightning.
"Ability Activate!" Said Marucho. "Spiral Pressure!"
"Cool is the rule dude!" Said Akwimos as he fired. The two attacks canceled each other out.
"You guys go find Dan, Drago, Atom and Leo!" Said Marucho.
"Okay, fight hard." Said Shun. "We'll be back just as soon as we can!" He and Fabia ran for the elevator. Fabia looked back at Marucho.
"Take care, okay Marucho?"
"Don't you worry, Fabia. I'll be there to meet all of you at the rendezvous point. I promise!" Marucho gave her a thumbs up and she ran into the elevator.
Jake had his finger over the fire button as Azion and Tom moved away to argue. The room shook and moved the device off of Dan. "What are you waiting for? Get out of my way!" Said Kazarina. "If you won't push it, then I will." Kazarina retargeted, and aimed at Dan.
Shun and Fabia were running down the halls as fast as they could, and the doorway in front of them began to close. "Are you ready Fabia?"
"Yes." They slid under the door just as it closed. In front of them were two sets of doors.
"You okay Hawktor?" Asked Shun.
"Let's do this!"
"Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan, Stand! Time to get our friends Ventus Hawktor!"
"I'm with you Shun, just point the way and lead the charge!" Hawktor broke through the wall and looked down the elevator shaft.
"Dan and Atom should be just below." Said Shun.
"Okay then, hop on you guys!" Hawktor maneuvered so that Shun and Fabia could jump onto his shoulder.
"Okay!" Said Fabia. Hawktor flew down the shaft.
"Surprise!" Said someone.
"Megalo Theria!" Called Stoica. A blast rose through the elevator shaft and battered Hawktor. He was forced through another wall. Shun and Fabia landed on the ground. Lythirus came in through the hole and laughed. "Crush them Lythirus!" Stoica cracked his neck the way one would crack their knuckles.
"As you wish!" Said Lythirus. His eyes targeted Hawktor and Shun. Shun and Fabia got up.
"Fabia, I can keep these two busy while you go and find Dan and Atom!"
"Shun, I can't!"
"You have to go, I'll see you soon." Fabia nodded.
"Okay then." shun motioned for her to leave as Hawktor got up. Aranaut rose up behind her.
"You're looking distracted again Princess."
"I'm fine, stop worrying, okay." Fabia saw some Bakugan in front of her. "Looks like we got company." There were two Glotronoids in front of them. "Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan, Stand! Ability Activate! Mirage Fist!" Aranaut got his weapons and charged. He slashed through the Bakugan and defeated them. "Let's go." Said Fabia. "This place is starting to remind me of everyone we've lost in battle." She thought of Jin.
"I know you feel guilty, but losing him wasn't your fault." Said Aranaut. He saw her look of disbelief. "You're thinking about Nurzak, aren't you?"
"Oh, yes, right."
"Maybe Mason is right and Nurzak is still alive. I also bet that Cassie wouldn't have gone after him is he was going to die. All we can do is hope for the best. In the meantime, shall we?" Aranaut lowered his hand and Fabia jumped on. "Okay, hold on tight." Aranaut lifted her up to his shoulder and she jumped on.
"You bet!" Aranaut walked off. "I guess Aranaut doesn't remember his former master Jin after all." Thought Fabia.
"Ability Activate!" Said Ren. "Dark Saber!"
"Battle Gear Ability Activate!" Said Gill. "Vicer Oroch!" The two attackers battled for supremacy. "Ren, how dare you betray the Emperor after he allowed you a life above ground?"
"Ha, you've got to be kidding me!" Said Ren.
"What's that?"
"I dealt with the Emperor's tricks and did terrible things, but thankfully the brawlers thankfully forgave me and taught me the true meaning of loyalty!"
"Battle Gear Ability Activate!" Said Airzel. "Battle Turbine!" Strikeflier fired several bolts ot Akwimos.
"Hold on pal, we just might have to hold them off long enough for the others to find Dan, Jake, Atom, Azion and Tom and get back here! Then we'll have some backup!"
"Okay buddy."
"These guys are punks. We can win this thing!" Said Shun.
"Battle Gear Ability Activate!" Said Stoica. "Razoid Charybdis!"
"Watch out!" Called Shun. Hawktor sent the smoke flying away from him.
"Is that the best you can do?" Asked Hawktor.
"Pay very close attention to his Jake. Dan Kuso, the mighty leader of the Battle Brawlers, is about to be reduced to dust." Jake's hand curled up.
"Battle Gear Boost!" Said Ren, Marucho and Shun.
Aranaut continued to run through the halls, trying to find Kazarina's lab.
Inside Kazarina's lab, she was about ready to vaporize Dan. However, Jake's mind was buzzing. He stared at Dan while he fought through the hypnotism. Kazarina laughed and his hand curled further. His mind wasn't the only one buzzing, Pyreon was busy fighting a version of himself that Kazarina implanted into him. He tried to fight it off as Jake did the same.
Before the Gundalians attacked, Neathia was a wonderful place to live. Unfortunately for Fabia, those times are a distant memory. So many lives have been lost, but they now have a chance of winning once and for all. Fabia just hopes the price isn't too high, and can be avoided. But with Phantom Dharak roaming around, that chance is shrinking every second. We need a miracle, and we need it soon!