Chapter 38 : SX

* Ace's POV *

Baron and the others had dropped us off at Kenta City , which was furthest away from the castle . It only made more sense to drop us first so that we'd be just in time to meet the others in the castle after our mission .

Marucho had a new system installed in our wristbands . After an advancement an an upgrade he gave to his invisibilty system , we could stay invisible for an hour now .

"What was it again ? 1 , 6 , 4 ?" I asked , raising an eyebrow .

"No , silly , it's 1 , 1 , 6 , 4 . The one you said was the old version ," Mira rolled her eyes .

I nodded my head , and we both activated the invisibility modes .

"So what do we need to do in there again ?" I asked . I did know , but then again , I wanted to start a conversation with Mira .

"Marucho said that if we can find the level with the main switches , we'll be able to switch off the other factories ," Mira explained .

"And then we destroy the tower ?"

"Yes ."

I nodded my head again .

Mira hurriedly walked into the main tower , and I followed her .

Examining the level , we only saw guards stationed at every corner and a receptionist in the middle of the level . There were two lifts behind the receptionist .

Two men walked into the tower , and Mira and I hurriedly followed them . They headed to the receptionist and held out their hands . The receptionist took out a machine which scanned their palms .

"Workers recognised ," said the machine .

"You will have to take the stairs . One of our lifts is spoilt and the others are occupied to transport the new works out ," mumbled the receptionist . Boy , she sure didn't seem to like her job .

"Oh , brother ," groaned one of the workers as he and his friend went to the left side of the room and pushed a door opened . Mira and I hastily followed .

The door behind us closed and we stood still for a moment as the other two workers climbed up .

"Where do we go now ?" I hissed to Mira .

She pointed to a dusty sign behind the door .

"Look ."

I examined the sign , searching for a level that showed signs of a level with the controls .

"29 ! Control room ," I whispered to Mira urgently .

She let out a groan , and began to climb up the stairs , starting our long journey .

Finally , we reached the level . Gingerly , Mira pulled open the door , leaving a little space for us to peek out of the door .

It was the control room . It was a wide , round room which had a flat platform in the middle . Other than that , the room only had a line of machines and switches outlining it .

But the room was not empty . There were a few men and women dressed in lab coats , talking to a man with black hair and an orange streak .

"Tomoki !" Mira gasped .

Tomoki nodded at the professors and pointed to a machine before them .

"Just make amendments to this part here , and you can submit it to the headquarters ," he said with a smile .

"Yes , Master Tomoki . Thank you very much ," the professors chorused .

The workers placed the machine on a trolley and together with the professors , they entered the lift .

"Now , what do we do ? Tomoki's still there !" I rubbed my head .

"You can come out from there . I know that you're there ."

Mira and I exchanged looks . How did Tomoki knew that we were there ?

Mira and I switched off our invisibility modes . I entered the room first , holding out a hand to help Mira in , who seemed a little nervous .

Tomoki walked towards us with a sly smile , particularly glancing at Mira .

"Need a hand from me ? I'd be glad to help ," Tomoki smiled slyly at Mira .

"Keep your hands to yourself ," I snarled at the raven-haired boy who backed away .

"Seems like you were rejected ," sneered a voice .

Mira and I turned to see that the voice came from a man . The man was approximately 22 or so , with long dark purple hair tied up into a low ponytail behind and a streak hanging . He had violet eyes and a Gundalian touch to him .

"A Gundalian ?" Mira raised her eyebrow .

"Smart . I'm SX ."

"SX ? What kind of name is that ?" I rolled my eyes , earning a nudge from Mira .

"He's called Subject X ," Tomoki said flatly .

"Are we gonna battle or just chitchat ?" complained SX .

"Battle ?" Both me and Mira were shocked .

"That's what you Brawlers have to face in each tower ," SX replied boredly . "A Vestal and a Gundalian ."

"So then , you're a Vestal ?" Mira pointed a finger at Tomoki , who nodded his head .

"Let's just get started ," I rolled my eyes .

Tomoki and SX backed away to the other side of the room , bracing themselves .

"Bakugan Brawl ! Baku Skyraider , jump !" All four of us yelled together .

Wilda and Percival rose up before us . On the other side , two Bakugan with the attributes Darkus and Subterra rose . One was a boar , while the other was a jaguar .

"Wilda health points , 2150 . Percival health points , 2150 . Boarox health points , 2400 . Jaguarex health points , 2400 ."

"250 difference !" Mira gasped .

"They are stronger than average Bakugan , after all ," SX said coolly .

"Ability activate , Magnitude Shock !" Mira called out .

The ground beneath us shook furiously , with bits and pieces of rocks shooting up and hitting the Bakugan on the opposite side .

"Wilda health points , 2150 . Percival health points , 2150 . Boarox health points , 2200 . Jaguarex health points , 2200 ."

"Ability activate , Pain Return !" SX commanded .

Both Boarox and Jaguarex began to glow , and they rushed towards Wilda and Percival . They rained punches on the two .

"Wilda health points , 1750 . Percival health points , 1750 . Boarox health points , 2200 . Jaguarex health points , 2200 ."

"Ability activate , Pain Return !" I ordered .

"What ?" SX gasped .

"I'm paying you back in your own coin ," I smirked .

Percival and Wilda glowed purple an orange respectively . They charged towards the opponents and kicked them .

"Wilda health points , 1950 . Percival health points , 1950 . Boarox health points , 1400 . Jaguarex health points , 1400 ."

"Since you doubled our damage , I'm doubling the one you made on us !" I yelled triumphantly .

Tomoki gritted his teeth .

"Ability activate , Subterra Boost !"

"Wilda health points , 2050 . Percival health points , 1950 . Boarox health points , 1500 . Jaguarex health points , 1500 ."

"Ability activate , Triple Darkus Rage !"

Three purple pulses shot out from Percival , continuously pelting on Jaguarex .

"Wilda health points , 2050 . Percival health points , 2050 . Boarox health points , 1500 . Jaguarex health points , 1400 ."

"Ability activate , Counter Shot !" SX swiped his card . His expression turned sour when the attack didn't work .

"It's a triple rage . It doesn't only shoot out three pulses , it attacks , ups my health points and also prevents the opponents from using abilities ," I smiled smugly .

"Ace !" Mira turned to me , and I nodded in reply .

"Ability activate , Subterra Darkus Merger !" We yelled together .

Both Wilda and Percival glowed in two lights , purple and orange .

"Ability activate , Hammer Arm !"

"Ability Activate , Revenge Shot !"

Both Percival and Wilda charged at the opponents .

"Ability activate , Wide Shield !" Tomoki called out .

A purple shield guarded the two .

"Ability activate , Shield Smash !" Both me and Mira called out .

The shield shattered , and Wilda's and Percival's punches reached Boarox and Jaguarex .

"No !" yelled Tomoki in shock . SX's eyes widened , but he made no remark .

"Wilda health points , 2050 . Percival health points , 2050 . Boarox health points , 1200 . Jaguarex health points , 1100 ."

"Let's wrap this up !" Mira turned to me .

"Ability activate , Knock Down !" both of us called together .

"Wilda health points , 2050 . Percival health points , 2050 . Boarox health points , 0 . Jaguarex health points , 0 . Winner , Mira and Ace ."

"How's that possible ?! What was that move ?" SX roared .

"Knock Down is a move that sends opponents with health points less than half of its original health points down . It only works if the users still have more than three-quarter of their health points ," Mira explained , catching Wilda in her hand .

"Whatever . Till next time !" SX and Tomoki fled into the lifts .

"They just left like that ?!" Mira gasped .

"Intruder alert . Control room is being invaded . Lifts occupied . Stairs only way available ," echoed a voice .

"We'd better hurry !" I said urgently , running to the controls .

"Try a red or green button ! Those always seem to work !"

"How about a blue one ?" I called from across the room .

"It could work !"

I hit the button , and a machine rose from the platform .

"Oh brother , more controls !" I groaned as Mira rushed to join me .

We tried many buttons , but to no avail . Mira finally pressed a button , which made the machine make a weird sound .

"Password please ."

"A784KT90X3 ." Mira read out .

"Destruction of towers in Kenta approved . Self-destruction modes activated ," said the machine in its robotic voice .

Guards burst from the door to the stairs . They rushed towards us , raising their Bakugan at us .

"Tower is in self-destruction mode . 30 seconds to evacuate ," announced a person over the speakers .

"Run !" yelled a guard as he pushed the rest back to the stairs .

"25 seconds ."

"What do we do ? It's not enough for us to leave the tower , not with the stairs !" Mira cried out .

I held onto her hand tightly .

"Bakugan Brawl ! Baku Skyraider , jump !" I threw out Percival .

"Get us out of here . Fast !" Percival reached out a hand as he nodded his head , letting Mira and I hopped on board .

"Guys ," I pressed the communicative device . "Be careful . You will meet a Vestal and a Gundalian at each destination . Also , look out for a blue button . Mira and I have settled the mess in Kenta City ."

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