We need to watch our backs now. That land wasn't given to us out of generosity, I'm certain that someone chose to give it to us, so that they can claim our help for something later. There are many ways that could go, I just hope that it goes down a good path.


Reality Shift, fight for the Light

Order follows Entropy, Creation after Destruction

Chaos is following, we're the only ones

We've got the power to oppose, to save it all

We stand for what's right, through the plight

Stand against Entropy, and the enemies that be


An army truck was sitting on the road, tracking something while going over data. "Once they're all here, it's showtime." Said a guy, who seemed to be the leader. "Are you sure that you're ready for them?"

"Yes sir!" Replied the two others with him. On their screen, Wynton appeared, carrying a box.

"One of them is here, Colonel Tripp!" Said one of them. "Wynton Styles." They continued to watch him.

"I can't wait to see their faces covered in pie!" Said Wynton, planning something. "Talk about funny!" A drone hovered behind him, nearly silent as it watched. He walked up to the door of Studio D, and heard something.

"Wynton will be here soon!" Said Lia. "Hurry up!"

"Huh?" Wynton leaned against the door to listen in.

"Hey Shun! You coming?" Asked Dan.

"Yeah!" Said Shun, carrying some presents.

"Guys, there's no need to bustle about so much." I said. "If he's already here, there's no doubt he's heard you by now." Lightning looked at the cake on the table, before stretching his tongue out to try and lick it.

"Lightning, do not lick that cake!" Said Lia. Lightning immediately sat back on the ground. Dan and Shun walked up to the door, holding giant party poppers.

"Let him have it as soon as he comes in, okay?" Asked Dan.

"Do you think that Wynton has any idea we're throwing him a surprise birthday party?" Asked Shun.

"He will if you keep talking about it!" I stated. "If he's already here, there's no doubt he's heard you guys by now." Wynton stepped away from the door, then smiled mischievously.

"I think you guys are the ones in for a surprise." He said. He put his box down, then turned around and booked it away.


"Huh?" Asked Tripp. "Why is he leaving? What's going on?" He stepped away from the screens. "Stay on high alert!"

"Yes sir!"


"What's taking Wynton so long?" Asked Lia. "He should've been here long ago!" She reached for the door handle, and opened it. Outside was an innocent looking box. Lia looked at it for a moment before it suddenly opened, sending a mechanical hand flying towards her with a large pie. "Wah!" It hit her square in the face, covering her. The rest of us just looked in shock. Lia turned to us. "He sukered me in! This is Wynton's work!" I shook my head.

"I told you guys to keep it down. But did you listen to me? No, of course not!" Lia grabbed a napkin and began wiping herself off.

"Wynton is onto us, he's not going to show up now!" She continued.

"Hm, but why?" Asked Shun.

"You know, now that you mention it Shun, I don't know either." I added.

"Because, he likes to surprise other people, but he doesn't like it when it happens to him." Explained Lia.

"But, why would he leave just because of that?" Asked Shun. "It's still his birthday party!"

"You're right!" Said Dan. "I don't think he's gone home yet!" Dan ran towards the door. "Ha! I bet I know where he is! I'll be back!" He continued running, leaving the three of us speechless.

"Okay?" Said Lia and Shun. I shook my head.

"There he goes again, rushing off. The least he could've done was tell us where he thinks Wynton is." I walked towards the door. "I'll go check out a few places where I think they'll end up. I don't know Wynton as well as Dan, but there's only two or three places you guys usually end up going."


"Keep our primary objective in mind!" Said Tripp, continuing to watch us. "Our main target is Dragonoid!" He turned away from the screens. "I need to follow Dan Kouzo, so Yuu, come with me!" One of his subordinates turned to him.

"Right."

"Moe, stay here and keep watch. And do not let the rest of them get in my way."


The sky was turning orange as Dan ran somewhere. He noticed Wynton laying on the ground. "Your pie throwing machine worked like a charm, Wynton!" He called. Wynton opened his eyes and turned to Dan. "It got Lia right in the face!" Wynton sat up.

"So, my surprise was a smashing success, huh?"

"Oh yeah! Buy ours failed big time. You're the master at this stuff."

"Saw it coming a mile away! Of course, it didn't hurt that you guys didn't listen to Atom." Dan helped Wynton up. "I was happy you guys remembered my birthday and all, it's just that I can't stand being surprised." Dan laughed.

"I guess we'll have to try harder next time." Wynton laughed, then heard something.

"What was that?" He asked. "What made that howl?"

"Hm? I didn't hear anything at all." Said Dan. The howling sounded again for Wynton.

"That! That howl!" He started running towards the sound.

"Where are you going?" Asked Dan. Wynton stopped and turned, seeing a green, ghostly version of a wolf.

"Wha?!" The ghostly wolf vanished, and Wynton started running again, followed closely by Dan. The two soon stopped in their tracks as they saw a dome of liquid. "It's a Bakugan!" Said Wynton.

"Now that's a cool surprise!" Said Dan.

"Yeah!" Agreed Wynton. He reached out for the dome, and pressed into it, splattering it everywhere. "Eugh!" He grabbed the Bakugan and pulled back, covered in the liquid. Wynton looked at it for a moment before he turned. "Bakugan, Brawl!" He called. The new Bakugan launched out and landed on a green Bakucore. Within moments, it had fully transformed into a humanoid wolf.

"Whoa!" Called both Dan and Wynton. Wynton walked up to the new Bakugan.

"Happy birthday, partner." He said. "The name's Wynton Styles. Who are you, my very large friend?" The Bakugan stood up.

"Hello Wynton. I am Lupitheon." Wynton laughed.

"You seem like a real gentleman."

"The best way to get to know me would be to Bakugan battle with me." Stated Lupitheon.

"Anytime is a good time for a Bakugan battle!" Said Dan. "Let's do it, Wynton!" Wynton held up Trox.

"Okay, Lupitheon! Consider this my birthday present to you!" Wynton threw out Trox, landing him on a core. Trox came out quickly.

"I'll be your opponent." He said.

"It's a pleasure." Said Lupitheon. Neither of them realized that they were being watched.

"Hm." Mumbled Tripp. He lowered his binoculars. "This is getting very interesting." Trox roared and charged forward, only for Lupitheon to dodge. Trox went for another attack, only to again miss. The third try didn't fare much better.

"He's a very quick and agile Bakugan." Noted Wynton. Trox jumped up.

"Rock Riser!" He called, launching the attack. As the attack approached Lupitheon, he waited for the right moment before jumping clear over the attack. He landed behind Trox, and turned to give his own attack.

"Crescent Claw!" He called. The attack struck Trox hard.

"That was good." Commented Drago. "I want to battle him too, Dan!"

"Then let's join in!" Dan grabbed Drago. "Bakugan, Brawl!" Drago rose as soon as he landed on the red core, and roared as he finished transforming.

"Ah! Dragonoid!" Said Tripp, still watching unnoticed. "Just what I've been waiting for!" Lupitheon charged forward.

"Rabid Attack!" He stopped just before ramming into Trox, then jumped out of the way as Trox attempted to attack him. He landed next nearby before suddenly rushing next to Drago. Drago attempted to attack, but Lupitheon evaded it and seemed to vanish.

"Where'd he go?" Asked Drago.

"Sonic Howl!" Yelled Lupitheon, howling the attack at Trox and hitting him hard again.

"That was awesome Lupitheon!" Called Dan. "He's putting up a great fight and it's two against one!"

"Yeah." Agreed Wynton.

"But all that ends now!" Claimed Drago. He charged up his Twisting Inferno before firing it at Lupitheon, who dodged to the side, right into Trox's attack range.

"I knew you'd do that!" Claimed Trox, hitting Lupitheon with his tail and knocking him away.

"Huh?" Asked Lupitheon as he regained his bearings. He charged up another attack, not noticing who was behind him. "Sonic Powe" he was interrupted by Drago firing his attack point-blank right at him. He howled as he was defeated. Wynton ran up to Lupitheon as he rolled on the ground. "That was outstanding teamwork. Drago, Trox, you really have me impressed!"

"Huh?" Asked Trox.

"Did he just compliment us?" Asked Drago. Wynton picked up Lupitheon.

"Really great job out there! Now I understand just what kind of Bakugan you are!"

"Great. I must rest for a while." Dan looked up at Drago and Trox.

"You two sure had to work hard for that win."

"Ah, it was a piece of cake." Said Drago as he and Trxo turned to him.

"Drago is right." Agreed Trox. Tripp smiled, still unnoticed.

"Hm!" He reached into his uniform. "Try these B-Mines on for size!" He called. One attached to Drago and charged him up. The other one attached to Trox, doing the same.

"What's wrong, Drago?" Asked Dan.

"What give, Trox?!" Called Wynton. Tripp made himself known.

"I've brainwashed your Bakugan with my B-Mines!" He stated.

"Who are you?" Asked Dan. "What do you want?!"

"The name's Tripp. Colonel Tripp. And your Bakugan are now under my control." Drago and Trox leaned down, looking at Dan and Wynton, and both could see their now red eyes.

"D-Drago?" Asked Dan.

"Another weird device to control Bakugan!" Called Wynton. He thought back to the few devices he's seen. "Where are all these things coming from?!"

"I don't know, but it's gotta stop!" Said Dan.

"But I don't think we have time to think about that right now!" Replied Wynton. Dan grabbed Cyndeous.

"Cyndeous! You've got to snap Drago and Trox out of it!" Cyndeous landed on a core and quickly transformed, ready to go. Wynton looked at Lupitheon.

"I know you wanted to take a breather, but we need you now." He threw Lupitheon. "Do your stuff, Lupitheon!" Lupitheon came out quickly and growled.

"Bad move you fools." Said Tripp. "I'll brainwash them too!" He threw another B-mine.

"Cyndeous! Watch out for that!" Called Dan. Cyndeous charged forward and sliced at the B-Mine heading towards him, destroying it.

"Ha! So, that's how you want to play?" Asked Tripp. "Dragonoid! Trox! Attack!" Drago and Trox charged forward, Drago hitting Cyndeous quickly and decisively, while Trox used his Sonic Uproar right in Lupitheon's face. Both Bakugan were forced back.

"I thought Drago and Trox were worn out from the last battle!" Exclaimed Wynton. "What's with this power?"

"When you control the Bakugan, you bring out their true potential." Explained Tripp. "You little kiddies can't do that, but unfortunately for you, I can!" Dan and Wynton gritted their teeth at that.


Shun and Lia were sitting, bored. "Dan, Wynton, and Atom still aren't back." Said Shun. "Where are they?"

"Don't know." Said Lia. Lightning continued to stare at the cake, wanting it more than ever. Lia and Shun looked up towards the windows. "And it's getting really dark outside."


I continued running, nearly out of breath. "Only, one more, place to look." I panted. "They weren't, at the burger place, and they weren't, at the park."

"So that leaves the clearing." Said Leo. "So, why don't you use a Dimensional Gate?"

"Too, tired, from last time." I got out. I continued running.

"Don't push yourself too hard." Said Leo. "If you arrive there exhausted, you won't be able to bring them back."

"I'll be, fine, a few minutes, more."


Cyndeous and Lupitheon were covered on both sides by Drago and Trox, pressed back to back as they got hit again and again. "Poor Lupitheon." Said Wynton.

"He's tired." Said Dan. The wind began blowing ominously, parting the clouds and revealing a full moon. Lupitheon looked up at it during a moment of respite from the attacks.

"A full moon." He said. His eyes glowed, and he started snarling, quickly gaining power. He started getting bigger. "Here it comes!"

"What's happening?" Asked Wynton. I ran into the clearing and nearly fell over as I stopped running, putting my hands on my knees to try and catch my breath.

"The light of the moon summons my true nature!" Said Lupitheon. "This is the real Lupitheon!" Lupitheon howled as his power finished surging. I looked up.

"A new Bakugan?" I gasped out. Lupitheon jumped at Trox, knocking him to the ground, before he jumped onto Drago and did the same. Lupitheon looked up again and howled towards the moon.

"He's like a, like a werewolf!" Said Wynton. Tripp prepared himself as a new B-mine came up from his shadow.

"Now!" Whispered something. Tripp grabbed the B-mine.

"Take this!" He threw it at Lupitheon, and it attached easily.

"Oh no!" Called both Dan and Wynton. I came up.

"Okay, what is going on?!" I asked. Dan and Wynton turned to me.

"Atom?" They asked.

"You answer to me now, Bakugan!" Said Tripp. Lupitheon turned to the three of us.

"Uh on!" Said Dan and Wynton. Lupitheon grabbed his head as electrical arcs started going up and down his body.

"He's fighting it?" Asked Tripp. "He's fighting my brainwashing?" The B-mine began to spark as Lupitheon continued to fight, but he was running on fumes.

"He's running out of power!" Realized Dan. "He needs a Bakucore, Wynton!"

"What? Are you sure Dan? But he's been brainwashed too!"

"It'll all be fine!" Said Dan. "I hope."

"Okay Dan." Muttered Wynton.

"Can someone catch me up here?" I asked. Lupitheon growled, his eyes flashing between their usual color and red. Wynton looked up at him.

"Lupitheon?" He asked.

"Help, me." Lupitheon growled out.

"Yes, I will." Said Wynton, running towards a core. "I believe in you!"

"Drago, Trox! Stop him!" Drago and Trox moved to block Wynton from grabbing the core he needed.

"Cyndeous! Help Wynton!" Called Dan. Cyndeous charged at Drago and Trox, and managed to knock Trox off course, but Drago kept moving. I pulled out a card.

"Wynton, some more help is on the way! Gate Card, Set!" I grabbed Leo. Trox stopped in front of the core Wynton was going for, preventing him from getting to it.

"We need to hurry!" Said Dan. Lupitheon was fighting a losing battle, and we all knew it.

"Bakugan, Brawl!" I yelled. I threw Leo right at Drago. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise Haos Leonidas!" Leo transformed in the air and crashed into Drago, allowing Wynton to get to the core he needed. "Go for it!"

"Thanks!" Called Wynton. He rushed up and grabbed the core, before throwing it at Lupitheon.

"Fight it Lupitheon!" He yelled. The core hit Lupitheon and powered him up more, reigniting his ability to fight against the B-mine. "Get free, Lupitheon!" Lupitheon growled, roared, and howled as he continued to fight, before he grabbed onto the B-mine and pulled it off, freeing him completely. "Yes!"

"All right!" Called Dan. I looked around before focusing on Tripp.

"I'm assuming that was your work." I stated. I pointed at him. "Don't you know that" the dark symbol on my hand lit up, signifying that there was a Negative Shifter nearby. "A Negative Shifter!"

"It, it can't be!" Said Tripp. "He somehow removed the B-mine by sheer force!" Drago and Trox forced Cyndeous and Leo off of them as Lupitheon charged at them. He jumped up and hit their backs, destroying the B-mines attached to them and pulling them off. Drago and Trox returned to normal.

"That's it Lupitheon!" Called Wynton. Tripp growled at the turn of events, even as Lupitheon walked up to him.

"You surprised me." Said Tripp. "I had no idea there were Bakugan like you. Hm." He put his wrist up to his head. "Terminate operation. Retreat Immediately." A truck suddenly pulled up behind him.

"An army vehicle?" Asked Wynton. Tripp got on and it started to move away, but part of Tripp's shadow stayed put. I stared at it intently.

"Hey!" Yelled Wynton.

"Wait!" Called Dan.

"Guys, we're not out of the woods yet!" I called. The shadow rose up and took form, revealing itself to be a Negative Shifter.

"You may have won the battle," it said, forming more B-mines in its hands, "but the war is far from over!" The clouds moved again, covering the moon back up, and Lupitheon sighed as he suddenly reverted to ball form. "One less Bakugan to deal with. Now, time for me to claim all of you!" The Negative Shifter threw the B-mines towards all the Bakugan.

"Not gonna happen!" I yelled. I raised my hand. "Everyone, behind Leo!" Leo took a step forward as the B-mines approached, taking as many as he could.

"Foolish guardian." Said the Negative Shifter. "Even you cannot resist this power!" Leo's eyes started glowing red as his power spiked. I brought my hand in front of me.

"Energy Twist!" I yelled, my hand glowing like crazy. "Light!" Light suddenly erupted from Leo, destroying the B-mines like the darkness they were. As the light faded, his Light Form was revealed for the first time to Dan, Wynton, and their Bakugan. His wings were aglow, and he seemed to have some kind of white plating over him.

"The power of light!" Hissed the Negative Shifter.

"Whoa." Said Dan and Wynton.

"Dan, Wynton, this is our ultimate ability against Negative Shifters." I explained. "And no, before you ask, I cannot teach it to you guys." Leo took a step forward.

"Get out of this Reality!" He said, firing a beam of pure light at the Negative Shifter. It vanished into the night just before it hit.

"It left." I put my hand down and cancelled Energy Twist, returning Leo to normal. I turned to Dan and Wynton. "I'll meet you guys back at Studio D." Leo returned to ball form and I caught him. "Leo needs to regain his strength. It's been a while since he's used that form." I started walking as Wynton knelt down to grab Lupitheon. He looked up at the sky.

"Now that was a big surprise." He said. "Hm, speaking of surprises, you thinking what I'm thinking, Dan?" Dan laughed.

"Only if you're thinking what I'm thinking."


The two stood in front of the door to Studio D. "Ready?" Asked Wynton.

"Ready." Said Dan. The two put on their masks, then opened the door.

"Blegh!" They yelled, trying to get a response. When nothing came, they looked around a bit, trying to figure out why. "Huh?" They looked at Shun and Lia, who were both passed out.

"Man, I never get to surprise anyone, ever." Said Dan. "Oh well." Wynton smiled, then looked at the cake to see an image of all of us being with him.

"This was the best birthday ever." He thought. "You guys rock." The lights suddenly turned off, leaving the room completely dark. "Huh?" Asked Wynton.

"What's going on?" Asked Dan. The two started walking about, unable to see anything, until they ran into each other. "Hey!"

"Watch where you're going!" The two heard something walking. "What's that?"

"I don't know, but I don't like this!" Said Dan. The two heard a dark and twisted laughter. And both grabbed onto each other. "Oh man!"

"I don't like this!" The lights suddenly came on, revealing me holding out a present to Wynton. I smiled.

"Hopefully you guys enjoyed that. It hurts my throat to try and make that sound."

"Atom!" Yelled Dan.

"Not cool man, not cool!" Added Wynton.

"Hey, it was better than the alternative." I said, handing the present to Wynton. Leo floated back to me.

"Be glad he went with this one." Said Leo. "The alternative probably would've given you guys nightmares for the next week." Dan and Wynton looked at each other.

"I'm kinda scared of Atom now, you?" Asked Dan.

"Oh yeah, terrified!" Said Wynton. I shook my head.

"Don't worry guys, I'd never do anything that'd actually harm you in any way." I glanced at them. "But Wynton, next time, just walk into the surprise party if you hear it. It won't be a surprise then, right?"

"Yeah, I suppose." Wynton stood back up. "But you owe us for that scare!"

"Yeah, surprises aren't really my strong suit. But we'll have to do it tomorrow, it's getting late. Night."

"Fine." Yawned Dan. "Good night."

"Same here."


That guy really showed some flaws in our team. We can't defend ourselves from the tech that's being pumped out everywhere these days, and we need to come up with a solution for that. We can only hope that it happens before it's too late. On the other side, Negative Shifters are getting more and more common, and that's very worrying. Who knows how long until they're even stronger with all the dark energy they're generating?