Chapter 21
The next day Mira was early up and was staying at Marucho's garden looking at a pendant with Keith's photo hoping for everything to be true and not an illusion.
Mira was so consumed with her thoughts that she didn't feel Blake coming.
It wasn't until she turned around seeing Blake standing there with crossed arms behind her neck.
"Blake, you startled me."
Mira said.
"Happens sometimes."
Blake replied, now stretching her arms forward.
"You say it so casually. Does this happen a lot?"
Mira asked.
Blake didn't answer with words, but just a nod, not specifying a number.
"I see."
Mira said.
Despite keeping the conversation going, she still mainly thought of Keith.
Blake discreetly glanced at Mira. Just by her body language, she could tell Mira was overwhelmed with something big. Blake betted that it is something to do with Keith.
Speaking of the devil, Keith was walking towards them.
"Good morning, Mira, Blake."
"Morning."
Blake said without showing any emotions on her face.
"Good Morning."
While on the other hand, Mira was smiling.
Blake could feel she was going to become the third wheel, making an excuse to leave before that happened.
"I'm going to leave you two alone."
Blake excused herself, leaving the two of them alone as they haven't talked or seen each other appropriately.
Mira looked puzzled but quickly brushed it off.
After some time, everyone arrived, and Blake returned from her short walk, standing with crossed arms and staring at the sky.
There was some teasing and bickering from the brawler's side until someone called for attention.
"Excuse me, everyone, may I have for your attention, please? Could you all assemble in the operation room?"
The voice said.
"Oh yeah, it's ready."
Marucho smiled and jumped from happiness.
Mira looked questionably at Keith.
"It's time."
Keith said seriously.
Minutes later, everyone was in front of a giant screen.
"This is the scan of the Data we received two days ago."
Marucho said.
"What is it?"
Dan asked.
"Is this making music?"
Runo asked.
"Now, look at the one that Keith received."
Blake was concentrated on the screen, looking at both Data.
"It seems the Brawlers have received the same Data as Keith. Interesting."
"Woah, check it out."
Ace said.
"Both strands are practically identical."
Shun said.
"You are wrong, Shun. Take a closer look."
Marucho typed something, making both Data to combine.
Dan was shocked.
"Yep, both Data strands are the same."
"No way, what are the odds that Keith would receive the same Data as us."
"Who knows, but that must be the reason why the bakugan from Interspace had the same battle gear as Helios and Reaper."
Mira said.
Blake quietly chuckled in her mind.
"Only Helios's. Reaper's has nothing to do with the received data."
Blake said, averting her face so she could look at everyone.
Everyone's attention was caught.
"What do you mean with that?"
Shun asked.
"Reaper has his battle gear way before this Data."
"How did you manage to get your hands on such a thing?"
Shun asked suspiciously.
"I used to work for the person that created the battle gear. I was there from the whole beginning when the battle gear was only blueprints."
Blake explained.
The brawlers looked amazed.
"So, you must know a lot about battle gear."
Marucho said.
"Yes and no."
"Huh?"
"The first battle gear was drastically different than what you see today. When the battle gear started to have a higher success rate and become more usable, I decided to steal the Data and leave that person. But judging from the battle gear Data you received and the one I remember, the witch has barely made any changes while I modified the one I stole from her."
Ace looked at Blake suspiciously. Who was she and why did Mira want her to join. What happened now was something he couldn't fathom as this person gave weird and suspicious vibes.
"I see."
Marucho accepted the explanation.
Shun looked at Ace, and he could see they were on the same boat when it came to Blake.
What Blake was saying was nothing new to Keith and quickly changed the subject explaining that Drago had to be the one to get the battle gear because of his evolution and chances for winning.
"Sounds great."
Dan was excited.
"I'm not sure, Dan."
Drago was hesitant.
"Come on. You'd be unstoppable with some battle gear."
"What I thought was, I was already unstoppable."
Drago said.
Dan was confused.
"I guess you did destroy the BT system on your own, and you beat Helios. Now that you have evolved into Helix Dragonoid, maybe you don't need the battle gear."
"Dan, Drago is satisfied. Don't force him."
Shun said.
"I feel good the way I am."
"Don't deny yourself this improvement, Drago."
"We need to consider the possibility that we are not the only ones with the Phantom Data."
Spectra said, catching the attention of everyone.
"Don't say that, father…"
Mira couldn't finish the sentence, but it was apparent what she was going to say.
"Do you think that the Vexos have the same Data as we do?"
Dan asked.
"A very high chance, right, Blake?"
Keith said, looking at Blake.
"I do have a theory that this Data is sent to brawlers through the Universe, but I don't know who the receivers and I wouldn't be surprised if the Vexos are among them."
Blake remembered when she shared this theory to Keith not so long and carefully choose her wording as she knew the origins of the Data along with Keith.
There was silence.
"If they have the same technology, then they have no choice. We have to upgrade to battle gear. If we want to win, then we have to even out the playfield."
Dan talked like a military leader with the bakugans carefully listening.
"Bud, how do you feel about a mechanical body?"
"Not good."
Drago replied.
"It's against our nature."
Wilda said.
"We fought so hard to prove that we are sentient beings."
Nemus expressed his opinion.
"What you are asking is the equivalent of turning us into mindless robots."
Percival was not fond of the idea too.
"The battle gear that we will be creating would be utilizing your DNA code. It will be organic to your own body, not foreign. It will be a natural enhancement."
"You are saying that it will be like constructing an armor for our bodies from our flesh and bone."
Ingram said.
"As long as you can assure me that it's nothing that the Vexos did with mechanical bakugan or how you altered Helios, trying to make him the Ultimate bakugan."
Drago said.
"Drago."
Dan kneeled.
"Keith is sure."
Marucho assured.
"Good thing that they don't know the very first designs of the battle gear, then they would be disappointed and angry."
Blake thought.
"Okay, I will do it for the benefit of the group."
Drago finally agreed.
"Right on."
Dan smiled.
"You are the best."
Marucho said.
"Come on, let's go."
"Drago's evolution is so advanced. It would take some time to analyze his DNA. For now, we can create a hybrid prototype by splicing a portion of his DNA strand with Helios's battle gear. It won't be precise as the final version, but it will give us a sense of the possibilities."
Keith said while looking at the screen and back to Drago and Helios, who was being scanned.
"Try not to scratch my battle gear, okay."
Helios said.
"I'll do my best."
Drago assured him
"Here we go."
The DNA started combining.
Dan looked amazed.
"This is a mock-up course based on the system analysis of Drago's DNA and its compatibility with Helios's battle gear."
"So, depending on the result's analysis, the final version can be quite different from this. I can't wait to see it. This suspense is killing me."
Marucho was excited.
"Wouldn't it help if we put Drago in Bakugan Interspace and collect his battle Data results from there?"
Mira suggested.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
Marucho said.
Seconds later, everyone was teleported to Interspace.
"So that's Bakugan Interspace."
Keith looked around, impressed.
Blake looked around in awe. It reminded her of the simulator she created for Reaper on New Vestroia, but this one was better. Reaper was amazed at everything too.
"Look who's still here. We were looking for opponents."
Dan said.
"Huh."
"Keith meets Subterra Cordem, Ventus Hawktor, Aquos Akwimos, and Haos Aranaut."
Marucho introduced Keith to the bakugans.
Blake felt uneasy from the inside. Her theory was confirmed, and now she had proof.
"How do you know their names?"
"Their names were encrypted deep within the code."
"Drago."
Dan said
"Yes, it's now or never."
Drago replied.
"You sound nervous."
Helios said.
"Who's the unlucky one who's going toe to toe with Drago? Any of you guys brave enough."
Baron said.
Before the brawlers started to fight who's going to brawl against Dan, Keith stepped in.
"I'm the one who developed this battle gear, and I'm the one who's going to fight except I'm going to fight as Spectra."
Keith said, putting his mask.
"That shall be interesting."
Blake thought to look at all bakugans, especially Aranaut.
Mira looked worried, but Dan supported the idea.
"I know you can do it, Dan."
Julie encouraged Dan.
Mira was worried.
"Remember Drago, we are friends with Keith, but we are brawling Spectra, so let's give him our hundred percent, okay."
Dan was enthusiastic.
"Of course, there is no question."
The four bakugans disappeared and turned into ball forms.
Spectra grabbed the Subterra and Ventus ones.
"Helios, I'd like to see what those strange bakugans can do. Why don't you sit this one out?"
"I understand."
Helios was disappointed.
"Gauntlet Power Strike."
Both guys said.
"Let's go, Drago. Bakugan Brawl. Bakugan stand. Go Pyrus Helix Dragonoid."
Drago roared.
"Bakugan Brawl. Bakugan Stand. Rise Ventus Hawktor."
The moment Hawktor appeared, he and Drago started to fight physically.
"Enough."
Spectra was getting bored from seeing those two fight mindlessly.
"What's that? Running away already."
Dan said.
"Bakugan Brawl. Bakugan Stand. Go Subterra Cordem."
"Seriously?! Two against one this early in the battle."
"This simulation is useless unless we go all out."
Blake observed the battle, agreeing with what Spectra has said.
Reaper, on the other hand, remembered the moments when Blake rebuilt his body using Gundalian technology and indirectly evolved to his current form and did similar simulations to get where he is.
The two returned to observing the battle.
Cordem attacked Drago pretty hard.
When Drago nearly fell, Spectra called Hawktor to attack.
Drago was trying to defend himself.
"Ability Activate Dragon Hummer."
This ability nullified Hawktor's attack returning him to his base gs.
"What?!"
Spectra was surprised.
"Dragon Hummer is an ability unique to Pyrus Helix Dragonoid. It puts Drago in hypermobility, hand to hand combat and nullifies the opponent's ability."
Dan cheekily explained.
"Take him down, Drago."
Drago punched Coredom, but Cordem caught his punch and spun him around like a rag doll.
Drago escaped but received a surprise kick from Hawtkor.
Drago fell on the ground.
"Drago!"
"These digital clones are not too shabby."
Spectra commented.
"They are mighty opponents indeed."
Helios agreed with Spectra.
"I need to ask Blake more about this."
"Ability Activate Galactic Dragon."
Drago's gs increased.
Spectra wasn't going to let it stay that way.
Spectra used ability cards on both Hawktor and Coredom, decreasing Drago's gs to 600gs.
Drago fired, but his attack was quickly nullified.
"Come on, Dan, use the battle gear now. That's the perfect time to test it."
Spectra was getting impatient.
"Got it. Ready Drago."
"Ready Jetkor."
A mechanical voice said.
"Battle gear boost."
The battle gear appeared on Drago.
In the first seconds, it was ok until electricity started emitting from it.
Drago was in pain.
Dan looked worried, but Drago assured him everything is fine.
Spectra tapped a button on his gauntlet, and both Hawktor's and Coredom's battle gear appeared.
Seconds later, the battle gears appeared on them.
"You gave them both battle gear."
Dan said.
"You've got to stop thinking about this as practice. Fight like your life depends on it. Use your battle gear to its full potential. "
Spectra said.
"Alright, I'm ready for it."
The battle gear stroke again, but this time more painfully.
"Drago, are you sure you are ok?"
"Yes, I am fine."
Spectra called out abilities for both bakugan.
Drago was struggling to move, but he pushed and was flying higher without malfunctioning from the battle gear.
"Nice one!"
Ace commented.
"Way to go, Drago."
But everything was short-lived as the malfunction in the battle gear reappeared.
"I don't understand. None of my evolutions hurt like this."
Drago was attacked yet again by the two.
"He is doing pretty well with the mock test battle gear. He is trying to fight with it, which is admirable. Not many bakugans survived past this."
Thoughts of when she worked for the Witch, aka Kazarina, emerged, especially when she witnessed the bloodshed history behind the battle gear and the demise of one of her previous bakugans - Darkus Lumagrowl.
"It seems like his body is rejecting the battle gear."
Spectra commented.
"Drago."
Dan was worried.
"No, Dan. I'm not giving up. I need to go on."
"If he continues like this he'll …"
"Drago."
Dan repeated.
"His commitment is impressive."
Spectra chuckled.
"If Drago says he can keep going …"
Helios started the sentence
"… we should let him."
Spectra finished.
"Let's go, Hawktor, Coredom."
Both bakugans were ready to attack.
"Stop it, Spectra! You are not helping Drago."
Dan was angry.
"Listen closely, Dan. We need to push him to use his potential."
"Listen, Drago! Don't let it destroy you!"
Helios said.
Dan looked around.
"I got this, Dan. Let's finish this, Spectra."
Drago said, determined.
Dan looked worried but decided to listen to Drago.
"Battle Gear Ability Activate: Jetkor."
"No way, he did it."
Spectra was shocked.
"He beat the odds."
Drago used his battle gear and froze both of his opponents.
The malfunctioning started to appear again, but this time Drago knew how to fight.
He used his power and sent both of his opponents back to the ball form.
The brawlers were excited.
The defeated bakugans were illuminating brightly.
Blake knew what they did.
Spectra looked intrigued.
"We did it, buddy."
Dan smiled until he saw Drago falling sideways on his hand.
"It took everything he had."
Percival commented.
"Luckily, we managed to collect enough to create a custom battle gear that won't damage his body."
"Alright, let's do it."
Marucho was excited.
"Mira, go help, Marucho."
Mira's eyes brightened and nodded.
"Let's hope the Vexos don't attack in the meantime."
Shun commented.
After everything that happened, everyone got teleported back to the real world.
The brawlers went their separate ways except for Keith and Blake."
"We need to talk."
Keith said, and Blake nodded.
They were in Marucho's garden standing still, not caring to sit.
Before Keith could start talking, Blake has already said something.
"I presume you want to ask me something about the Phantom Data."
Blake said making quotation marks around 'Phantom Data' as it wasn't so unknown to her or Keith.
"How did you know exactly what I was about to ask?"
Keith, as he wasn't an easy person to read.
"Psychology is one of my main hobbies. I think we should leave it at that as we have more important things."
Keith nodded.
"My theory turned out to be correct with Neathia being the one who sent the Phantom Data. The Bakugans prove that."
"What is the connection?"
Keith asked.
"The bakugans are from Neathia. There's nothing deep about this."
Blake explained.
"I see."
Keith said, pleased with the explanation.
Later that day, Blake decided to share what she said to Keith with the brawlers.
"Let me get this straight. What you are trying to say is that the Phantom Data is an S.O.S message from a planet called Neathia, which is also trying to find allies for a war against a planet called Gundalia."
Ace said.
Blake nodded.
"We are even more screwed now."
Dan said.
"What you are saying is that this war might be the heaviest of all wars against those two planets."
Marucho added.
Blake nodded.
"Basically, yes. What I shared is a heavily watered-down version."
Blake said.
"It's still weird how a Vestal like you are connected to something like this."
Shun inserted himself.
"Life happens, but I'm not going to be philosophical about it."
Dan was relieved, as philosophy wasn't his thing.
"Dan."
Shun looked at him like a parent, ready to scold his child.
Dan muttered sorry quickly and went quiet.
"Continue."
Shun said.
"After my parents' experiment eight years ago, I ended up here on Earth where I met three other people- another vestal called Jean, a neathian by the name of Ethan and half-gundalian half-human hybrid by her alias name Pandora. Pandora's mum died, giving her a Haos bakugan to finish an unfinished business she couldn't do when she was alive. That lead to me, Pandora and Jean going to Gundalia. Ethan stayed on Earth as most Gundalians are pretty hostile towards neathians. Then we met three other Gundalians-Rex, Misty, and J. We became a group of underground brawlers."
If one noticed the name, J was said with heavy undertones of dislike.
When Blake finished her sentence with underground brawlers, the brawlers looked confused except Keith, who looked more intrigued even though he had an idea what that meant.
"What do you mean with underground brawlers?"
Dan asked.
"Underground brawlers are those brawlers that do not belong in the competitive leagues, The Twelve Orders or the Royal families ones. Shortly said - your casual brawlers that nobody cares about."
"In other words, a group of nobodies."
Mira said.
"Well, at the start. After some time, I and my back then partner J went on to infiltrate the Twelve Orders for intel. After getting in, I was quickly assigned to the Witch, aka Kazarina – the one behind the Battle Gear idea. I was her assistant. The battle gear was created for an upcoming war between Gundalia and Neathia. That didn't happen but will happen soon, as we all know. I was sent to spy on Neathia for some time. After I collected the needed information and partially fulfilling a will, I was about to leave for some documents. Still, the Witch snapped out of nowhere by killing my bakugan partner back then-Darkus Lumagrowl."
Ace looked shocked.
Shun frowned.
Dan was sad and angry at the same time, followed by Drago, whose form was twitching.
"Thankfully, I managed to escape with the help of Pandora and her uncoordinated aim, but I made sure to fake my death, so there won't be a search party after that. After things cooled down, a bakugan contacted me telepathically to become partners. At first, I declined as I haven't moved on from Lumagrowl's death, but she continued pestering me for some time, and I accepted because the headaches she was causing me were unbearable. When I accepted, she revealed herself and her name – Darkus Ophelia. After that, Pandora and I become a team of two brawling with our bakugans side by side and destroying the phrase underground brawlers. Nobody wanted to mess with us. My friends and I hit the Twelve Orders to stop the war between those two planets. We managed to for a short time as you see."
Blake explained.
"That summarizes my connection with those two planets."
Silence.
"Wow."
Dan said.
"You lived on the edge."
Baron had eyes bigger than pancakes.
"I never took you for a person that liked extreme things, Blake."
Keith thought.
Blake quickly glanced at Keith's direction and rolling her eyes in her mind, knowing what Keith is thinking.
"Interesting."
Shun said, satisfied with the current information. He wanted to know more but decided it would be a bad idea to ask now.
"Such information shouldn't be withheld right now. Thankfully the war hasn't started, so you shouldn't worry now."
There was a relief.
Blake wanted to leave, but Helios approached her.
"Can you tell me what the original battle gear was supposed to be?"
Helios was curious.
"The battle gear was supposed to be inside a bakugan with no way of removing it. Sometimes bio parts from other bakugans were used. It wasn't the only machinery. Just imagine some of your limbs attached to Drago with added machinery inside."
Blake said.
"I did not need that mental image in my head."
Helios said, flying like a headless fly in an attempt to forget it.
Keith chuckled, and the others laughed.