Past Phantoms Chapter 17, a bakugan battle brawlers fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.

XXX

Chapter 17: Showdown

The forests of New Vestroia were in a peaceful state. Bakugan roamed around the greenery and didn't really bother each other. A nearby lake held sparkling and clear water that perfectly reflected the clear sky. It was picturesque.

But that changed when the sound of thunder rang, alerting all the Bakugan. A portal opened up in a small clearing of the forest, only big enough to contain a humanoid.

The masked Gus walked through the wormhole to walk on New Vestroia. As soon as he did, a shining black orb flew out of his hand, transforming into Infinity Helios. The cyborg's lifeless stare unnerved the weaker Bakugan. They all felt the immense power that he was emitting.

One particularly brave Aquos Juggernoid stepped out of the nearby lake to face the cyborg and his battler. "Why have you come?", he questioned with an elderly voice.

Gus sneered at the Bakugan. He spoke, but not to answer the question. "I'm asking the questions, slime!", he snarled. "Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar!"

Infinity Helios's maw began to open, a great amount of red and orange fire surging within and gathering to critical mass. His power started to climb rapidly, an aura of red power appearing around him. With a mighty roar, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames at the Juggernoid.

The targeted Bakugan never even stood a chance at defending. The fires connected with his armored shell, but were still powerful enough to blast him into the lake, creating a large wave that carried to the shore. The other Bakugan were buffered by the water, but Infinity Helios wasn't even fazed as it washed over him.

"And my question is simple", Gus announced. "Where is Alice Gehabich?"

"Attack!" The battle cry rang out from a Subterra Verias, who spun his staff and leapt at the cyborg. "Verias Siba!" He landed right up to Infinity Helios and swung his staff, which the cyborg blocked with a single arm. Helios used his tail to bat the challenger away.

Still, the ape-like Bakugan's actions encouraged the others present to respond. "For New Vestroia!", screeched an Abis Omega. Then, over two dozen Bakugan charged Infinity Helios together.

"How tiresome", Gus remarked. "I didn't come for New Vestroian lightweights like you, but if you insist! Infinity Helios!"

Said Bakugan roared in challenge to the others, ready to battle them all. The roar broke through the forest and carried on, throughout New Vestroia's landscape.

XXX

Even in Alice's campsite, several miles away from the origin of Infinity Helios's roar, the sound reached the ears of Alice, the Spectres, and their Bakugan.

It had only been a few minutes since Drago warned them of Gus's approach, but they had already gathered at the campsite and were beginning to pack things up. They paused when they heard the distorted roar of Infinity Helios.

"Who is that?", Dharak murmured. He suddenly became alert, innately knowing that the outcry came from a Bakugan of great power.

"Infinity… Helios", Turbine Dragonoid responded, recollecting from his past experiences. "Gus… is here."

That announcement sent the humans on edge. Alice lowered her head in resignation. "I thought I'd have more time", she murmured. She began to pack up her items that she had with her even more quickly, and everyone else followed suit.

"He's here for me", Alice murmured, almost incoherently. "I didn't want to get involved. He's involving me anyway. I agreed to help take him down, and now he's after me."

"Alice… you can't blame yourself", Noah said. "You did the right thing with helping us."

"Who knows what the 'right thing' is?", Alice countered. "What is clear that by training you, I gave my position away to Gus. Now that he's caught the scent, he'll never stop hunting me down until he finds me. And I will never know peace again."

"That's somewhat hyperbolic", Soon noted.

"No. No, it's not!", Alice yelled. "I told you this before. If I got back in this fight, I'd never be able to leave again. My life would be over!" She looked up; tears were in her eyes. "My life is over."

"What life?", Chris asked. "Leaving and hiding from everything? Is that a life?"

"It's better than nothing."

"So you're just going to run?", Robin asked. "Run away, and hope for the best?"

"I don't have a choice", Alice said with resignation. "I… I can't be dragged back into the fight. I'd lose everything I have left. I'm sorry."

"You really are", Ben growled. "You are a sorry excuse of a Battle Brawler." He outwardly scoffed. "Running away from somebody like Gus won't help you. He's insane and single minded. He won't stop until he catches you."

Even Soon joined in on the debate. "How much would you be willing to sacrifice to stay out of the battle? You fear losing what you have left, but you refuse to fight to protect it?"

Alice bowed her head. She didn't have a counterargument. "You should probably get going. Keep training. Get ready for him."

"Why don't we just fight him here?", Jack asked. "I mean… we're going to be fighting him anyway."

"He doesn't know we're here", Soon replied. "He's only here for Alice. Furthermore, we only have one shot to take him down. I'd think our best chance at victory would be to fight him on our terms, rather than his."

"It's not ideal, but we're way stronger than we were last time", Jack argued. "We can take him."

"This doesn't concern you guys right now", came Drago's voice. "Your time will come, but it hasn't yet. I'll take you away, young ones."

"No!", Chris insisted. "We're not leaving! We can take him this time."

"Not here", the voice said. "But in a battlefield of your choosing. Not his." The multicolored light of the Perfect Core shined over the Spectres and their Bakugan.

"No! Wait-!", Chris managed to exclaim. Then, the light covered them all, and when it faded, they were gone.

"Why'd you do that?", Dharak asked.

"This battle is for Alice to fight", came Drago's response. His form shimmered into view. "Shun was correct. The Spectres are the best chance to defeat Gus. But if they fought him here, they would have lost. I can foresee that much."

Alice knew what Drago was talking about. As the Perfect Core, he had limited precognition. It wasn't absolute, but if he said the Spectres would lose if they fought Gus on New Vestroia, then they would've lost.

"I can't", Alice insisted. "I won't fight him."

Dharak sighed loudly. "Ok, I've had enough of this", he groaned. "Hydranoid, Drago, could you stand guard? Alice needs some sense knocked into her."

"Don't be too rough", Hydranoid replied, somewhat jovially, before turning around. His five heads all looked in different directions to visually scout the area for Gus. Drago shimmered out of view, giving Alice and Dharak relative privacy.

"What is it, Dharak?", Alice asked, suspecting the likely response.

"You're not the battler I've decided to support", Dharak accused. "When you defeated me and Barodius, you were strong. Steadfast in your convictions. That Alice would never back down from a fight."

"That Alice doesn't exist!", Alice yelled. "She was an illusion. She fooled everyone into thinking that was the real me, and I was more fooled than anyone else. But I'm not fooling myself anymore!"

"No. You're more deluded now than you've ever been!", Dharak yelled. "I've been silent for too long, and Hydranoid would never have this talk with you. Have you ever considered that you've been alone for too long? That you dragged your own self-respect to the gutters? You say that you weren't who you should've been, and now you are. I say it's the other way around!"

That suggestion stalled Alice's train of thought and argument. "You don't know what you're talking about", Alice said halfheartedly.

"I do know you", Dharak insisted, his demonic glare turning somewhat softer. "I've survived for centuries by supporting the right people's claims to the Gundalian throne. I'd like to think that I'm a good judge of character." He paused for a moment. "You know what I see when I look at you? I see the strength that surpassed Barodius. I see the selflessness that prompted you to protect what you care about. I see the confusion that drove you away. You haven't relearned who you are. You've forgotten who you are."

"Then who am I?", Alice demanded. Only a split second she realized that she had echoed the question that Chris asked just the earlier night.

'You're not who I thought you were. You were a Battle Brawler. Who are you now?'

"A warrior", Dharak answered the question. "One who was healthily afraid of her power. And healthily afraid of the consequences. Both admirable qualities, sparingly. But you've let that fear take you over. It's preventing you from doing anything."

"It's better than fighting for my life for the rest of my life", Alice replied.

"Is it?", Dharak questioned. "Then why did you fight so hard in a training battle, with those kids? You pushed Hydranoid above and beyond the moment he was in a real battle. Do you know what I think… I think you're most alive when you're in a fight."

"That's what I'm afraid of", Alice said.

"You shouldn't be", Dharak replied. "Take it from a Bakugan that's been battling for centuries. Battle doesn't change people. Not really. It brings out who they really are, for better or worse. And I know that, for you, it'll be for the better."

"How do you know that?", Alice demanded. "You know what I've done! How can you be so sure?"

"If you were truly dark, you wouldn't have lasted this long with your sanity intact", Dharak rationalized. "Maybe you would've joined up with Gundalia. That would've neutralized the threat to you and Hydranoid. But you didn't. You stopped Gundalia. You're a good person, Alice. Only good people care about the consequences of their actions."

Alice came to a complete halt, actually considering her other side of her inner conflict for the first time in months. She even thought of what others had suggested, and she hadn't really had an answer for. She began to wonder if she spent all her time away making a monumental mistake.

I can try to run to protect my peace, she thought. I could try to protect what I have left. But at the cost of everything else? And could I even live with myself?

XXX

Infinity Helios was entangled with what was seemingly an endless wave of New Vestroia-native Bakugan. Several dozen among them were knocked out, but more just kept coming to repel the invader.

Infinity Helios was currently surrounded by a powerful green tornado, experiencing the ending effects of Cyclone Havoc. The powerful wind attack was being met by half a dozen Ventus Atmos flapping their wings, producing winds of their own to counter. Eventually, the two canceled each other out.

"Why won't you just give up, already", Gus demanded from atop Infinity Helios's shoulder. "How many of you insects do I have to step on to make my point?!"

As soon as Infinity Helios's attack ended, an Abis Omega slithered out from under the lake's water, wrapping his snakelike body around the cyborg's feet. Infinity Helios struggled, but the Abis Omega maintained his grip.

"Someone take this abomination down!", the serpent shrieked.

A Darkus Freezer took the opportunity, stoking a single tentacle at Infinity Helios. "Freeze Jail", came the warbly voice. The raised tentacle shot a weak pulse of purple energy, which shot toward Infinity Helios's upper body. The pulse struck the cyborg, expanding and consuming him in a purple flash before disappearing from visible perception.

Infinity Helios immediately stopped struggling. The Abis Omega carefully unwrapped himself, but Infinity Helios didn't move at all.

"Are you kidding me?!", yelled an exasperated Gus. He could barely process Infinity Helios being incapacitated by New Vestroian Bakugan. He pulled out an ability from his Baku Pod with an angry growl.

Almost immediately, Helios's eyes flashed a deep black. An aura of the same color rose around him. "Freeze Jail analyzed", his A.I.'s voice rang out. "Neutralizing time freeze effect. Total damage: 13%. Activating recovery sequence."

"I cannot believe that you low class lightweights forced me to use FARBAS Infinity", Gus said. "Just finish this already, Helios!"

The cyborg roared out in power, sending out a shockwave of power, knocking away every Bakugan within sight. Finally realizing how outmatched they were, the New Vestroian Bakugan retreated from Gus and his Bakugan. All except one.

The Abis Omega that had managed to temporarily ensnare Helios tried to slither away with all the others, but mechanical hands grabbed his long body before he could get far enough away.

"Now… where is Alice Gehabich?", Gus questioned, his tone crisp even as the serpent squirmed in Infinity Helios's iron grip. "You can either tell me without any more hassle, or I can force every syllable out of your screaming lungs."

"Rot in the Doom Dimension", was the Aquos Bakugan's only response. "You and your mechanical mockery of a Bakugan."

Gus smirked. "Force, it is."

Helios's black aura started to spread down his arms, consuming the Abis Omega's long body. The snake's writhing escalated, and he loudly yelled out in pain.

"Anytime now", Gus said pointedly, as if he were just having a pleasant conversation with the captive Bakugan.

"I… I won't… ah! AGH! FINE! I'LL TALK!" The black aura receded from the captive, giving him a moment to breathe, but he wasn't released yet.

Gus's cruel smirk grew. It won't be long now, he thought to himself.

XXX

The directions that Gus obtained from the Abis Omega led him to a vast and desolate plain, dotted with rocky pillars. The area had several chasms and other evidence of battle, as well as a forested area that was completely untouched. But there wasn't a Bakugan in sight.

"Helios, to that forest", Gus said. "It's probably her hideout."

The mech followed Gus's directions, flying toward the forest, whilst also descending toward the ground. When he got within a quarter mile of the forest, however, the cyborg's form glowed black and shrunk down to ball form.

"What the-!?", Gus yelled as he fell through the air. He ticked in his body, rolling on the ground to minimize damage the fall would give him.

Gus groaned once he was stabilized, rubbing his right knee. He was sure a nasty bruise formed at the Impact point. Standing up, he retrieved Infinity Helios.

"There must be a dimensional distance here that's forcing Bakugan to ball form", Gus murmured. "That means that Alice is still here."

He began a quick jog to the forest, not minding his injury at all to slow his pace. The run took five minutes, and throughout them all, the pain steadily lessened. By the time he reached his destination, the edge of the trees, he barely noticed the pain.

"Gehabich!", Gus yelled. "Where are you?" There was no answer. As the silence increasingly enraged him, he drew out a handheld metal hilt with a hole at one end. Black energy surged through the hole, making a black energy blade.

Gus started stalking through the forest, blade ready to repel any traps. He eventually reached a small clearing, where a tent and a campfire were both set up and well worn.

"How quaint", Gus remarked. He readied his energy blade to tear apart the campsite, but a voice stopped him.

"If you want me, I'm here."

Gus turned around, seeing Alice directly behind him. Her orange hair was flowing down her shoulders in a striking but unkempt fashion. She was wearing a purple tank top, black pants and combat boots. Those clothes had many small tears in them, but Alice's gaze was crystal clear. She took in a deep breath before taking a step towards the enemy.

"Well, well, well", Gus said. "Here you are. I've gone through a lot of trouble to find you. Look how the mighty have fallen."

"I could say the same about you", Alice replied, taking a look at Gus's attire and mask. It reminded her of Keith's old persona, only in black. "You've become a pale reflection of what you idolize. Between your mask and your choice of Bakugan, it's obvious. You're trying to recreate Spectra."

"No, I am Spectra", Gus replied. His tone was insistent. "I am the being that Keith could've been, but chickened out of. I have power that you could scarcely comprehend."

"And what's the point of all that power?", Alice questioned.

"Power is for power's own sake. Power to crush any opposition and rule everything. What's wrong with that?"

"What happens when you take over everything?", Alice asked. "When you've proven that you're the strongest. What then?"

Gus opened his mouth to speak, then looked to the side. He didn't have an answer. Instead, he turned back with a sneer. "Shut up."

"You don't have an answer. Do you? Maybe you should run back to Keith and ask him what his long term plan was? You're taking everything else from him."

"I said shut up!", Gus yelled. He pointed his black blade at Alice and charged, blade poised to slash. Her form shimmered and disappeared before he came close, transporting herself to a safe distance.

"He's completely delusional", Hydranoid remarked on Alice's shoulder.

Alice transported herself away from another slash, slowly leading Gus outside her forest camp. "As delusional as I was just an hour ago."

Gus approached again, and this time, Alice's teleportation took her outside the forest. Gus quickly ran up near her, only for him to pause and recollect himself. He was breathing hard, but still quickly recomposed.

"You're just going to keep running away?", Dharak questioned humorously.

"No", Alice replied. "It's time to make my stand. I won't run from who I am. Not anymore."

"That's what I wanted to hear", Dharak said victoriously. "Good to have you back, Alice."

"And thanks, Dharak. I needed that wakeup call." Alice's glare fixed on Gus. "Are you ready?"

Gus was taken aback for a moment, before the eyes of his Spectra mask glared back. He extinguished his blade and took Infinity Helios into his hand. "I thought you'd never ask."

A breeze blew through the vacant field. The two battlers didn't move at all, simply keeping their gaze onto each other. After a half minute, Alice swiftly threw down a Gate Card between them.

"I don't fear Gus, Alice", Hydranoid growled.

"You shouldn't", Alice responded. "But be wary of his Bakugan." She took both of her Bakugan in hand and threw them both onto the field. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"

Then, side by side, Hydranoid and Dharak rose onto the field. Their ferocity was uniform and absolute. The Darkus energy they were emitting was awe inspiring.

Gus, without any more delay, launched his Bakugan to counter them. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Arise, Infinity Helios!"

When the Bakugan ball hit the ground, it sent up a pillar of black energy. When it faded, the cyborg Bakugan was in battling form. His glare was as ferocious as those of both enemies, equaled by its lifelessness. It was unnerving.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 900, Dharak: 1000)=1900

Infinity Helios: 1200

"A cyborg Bakugan", Alice regarded, trying to keep her disgust checked. "Not even Keith, at his worst, would go so far."

"Further proof that I am a better Spectra than he ever was", Gus said. His Baku Pod shined with an ability. "Ability Activate! Deep Fire - Block A!"

Infinity Helios took a single step forward, his new stance allowing him to better endure the energy blast and more readily launch his upcoming counter.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 900-600=300, Dharak: 1000-600=400)=700

Infinity Helios: 1200

The red lasers rise high into the air, spreading out to cover the sky, before angling downward to rain on the two Darkus Bakugan from all directions.

Alice calmly loaded a single ability. She knew exactly how to neutralize such an attack. "Hydranoid, you're up! Ability Activate! Demonic Pulsar!"

Hydranoid's ten eyes glowed purple for the briefest moment before his counterattack began. He extended his hands straight ahead of him and created a dome of transparent purple energy between him and Dharak and the incoming attacks.

The first few of Infinity Helios's lasers impacted the dome, exploding with gusto the moment they made contact. Hydranoid stained to keep up the fine, but it was quickly being blown apart.

A few moments later, when the first wave had subsided with the second wave incoming, Hydranoid voluntarily took down what was left of the barrier, instead releasing a beam of purple energy from his central head. The beam blew apart the frontrunning missiles, whose explosions blew apart those closest to them. A few moments later, the chain reaction cleared the skies of the threat.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 300+600=900, Dharak: 400+600=1000)=1900

Infinity Helios: 1200-300=900

"Not bad", Gus admitted. "Let's see how you-"

"Double Ability Activate!", Alice called, not even letting Gus finish his threat. "Blackout Trident, plus Thunder Probe!"

Hydranoid opened the mouths of each of his heads, the maws within gathering energy. The energy condensed into purple and black orbs, five in number. In a single instant, Hydranoid launched all five at once at the cyborg.

At the same time, Dharak's body became cloaked in a fiery dark aura, heightening his power considerably. The aura allowed Dharak to charge up a large lightning blast. As a consequence of the lightning, multiple sparks surged through the air. And then, all of a sudden, Dharak sent his lightning ahead in one compressed blast.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 900+500=1400, Dharak: 1000+400=1400)=2800

Infinity Helios: 900-500-400=0

Hydranoid's five orbs connected with the cyborg, exposing in unison with a large explosion of Darkus power. Immediately afterward, Dharak's lightning surged through Infinity Helios, bypassing the metal armor and doing major damage.

Gus grunted. "So that's how we're doing this? Fine!" He developed two abilities at once. "Double Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar, plus Plasmatic Surge!"

Infinity Helios's maw began to open, a great amount of red and orange fire surging within and gathering to critical mass. His power started to climb rapidly, an aura of red power appearing around him. With a mighty roar of strength, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames at both attacks.

Barely a second into the attack, Infinity Helios's eyes looked at both of the opposing Bakugan, scanning them all one by one. His eyes shrunk as his body began to glow a yellow aura. That yellow aura only increased in power, brightness and intensity significantly within only a few seconds. That energy further enhanced the power of his fire blast.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1400, Dharak: 1400)=2800

Infinity Helios: 0+1200+800+300(×3)=2900

The fire aimed Hydranoid and Dharak equally. Both Bakugan immediately took off onto the air to avoid the flames. Realizing the attack didn't connect, Infinity Helios immediately shut it off.

"Combining Pyrus and Haos power into one attack", Alice notified. "Infinity Helios is stronger than I thought. Let's see how he does against this!" She immediately developed two abilities. "Double Ability Activate! Havoc Trident, plus Exodus Waiver!"

Hydranoid quickly gathered energy into his five mouths, considering them into bright purple orbs within. When ready, Hydranoid took aim at the cyborg and fired all five of them at once.

Dharak's mouth began firing another barrage of orbs, one by one in rapid-fire succession. These ones were of purple and black energy, like Hydranoid's Blackout Trident, and the energy levels in each one were just as intense. But Dharak's orbs exceeded a simple five, numbering up to eight.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1400, Dharak: 1400+500=1900)=3300

Infinity Helios: 2900-500-500=1900

The total count of thirteen energy orbs landed on top of and all around Infinity Helios. The released energy and snooker clouds hid him from view. The smoke cleared, revealing nothing in sight. Infinity Helios completely disappeared.

"That was easier than it should've been", Dharak muttered.

"Yes. Yes, it was", Hydranoid said. He closed all ten of his eyes and stayed perfectly still. His rightmost head lashed out, slamming into the air. A loud thud was heard and the head was buffered.

Alice got the hint and checked her Baku Pod. Not only was Infinity Helios still a threat, he'd gained some power.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1400, Dharak: 1900)=3300

Infinity Helios: 1900+600=2500

"Huh. Detecting Infinity Helios's invisible form. I guess I didn't give you enough credit", Gus said. His Baku Pod had the Camo Abyss ability shining, and fading to reveal a different ability. "No more hiding, then! Ability Activate! Cyclone Havoc!"

As soon as Gus called his attack, Infinity Helios reappeared. He was right in front of Hydranoid and Dharak. There was nowhere to run.

Then, Infinity Helios lifted his head up and roared with all his might, green energy pouring out of his mouth and high into the air. The green energy rose to the sky consolidating into green clouds.

Then, those clouds began to descend back to the ground in a funnel shape, accompanied by increasingly harshening winds. Within a few moments, Infinity Helios was standing in the eerie of a vicious cyclone birthed of Ventus energy.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1400, Dharak: 1900-600=1300)=2700

Infinity Helios: 2500+600=3100

She'll probably open her Gate Card here, Gus theorized. But it doesn't matter. FARBAS Infinity will circumvent any power drain or ability cancellation effect. She's just digging her own-

"Gate Card Open!", Alice called out. "Darkus Reactor!"

"What?!", Gus exclaimed. "An Attribute bonus card?"

The ground below started to emit a thick dark purple fog, defying Infinity Helios's powerful tornado. The haze became especially strong with Hydranoid and Dharak. The two Darkus Bakugan started to glow harshly with dark energy, now withstanding Infinity Helios's attack with no problem.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1400+500=1900, Dharak: 1300+500=1800)=3700

Infinity Helios: 3100

That's the downside to Helios utilizing every Attribute, Gus thought. He doesn't gain from any one, specifically. But how did she know that?

"Go, Dharak!", Alice yelled, having developed two abilities to deploy. "Double Ability Activate! Evil Blast, plus Darkness Glow!"

"Get away from us!", Dharak roared at the nearby enemy. He opened his mouth, amassing energy within. A moment later, Dharak unleashed a beam of dark purple energy. The beam began tearing up the ground before centering on Infinity Helios, striking him at close range.

The intensity of the blast was enough to slowly force Infinity Helios away from the two Darkus Bakugan and break apart his tornado. The twister dissipated into wisps of green wind, which was in turn engulfed by the dark field. The cyborg snarled, but Dharak met the ferocity with his own.

Then, Dharak's second ability went into effect. Dharak, without stopping his current attack, channeled more energy into his twin horns. The two started glowing purple, with bolts of lightning crackling through the air. Then, he released the lighting straight into the energy blast from his mouth.

The lightning blast merged with Dharak's Evil Blast, enhancing the energy beam substantially. The combined attack started to push back Helios to a large degree.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1900, Dharak: 1800+500+300=2600)=4500

Infinity Helios: 3100-500-300=2300

"Hydranoid, give Dharak some backup!", Alice encouraged. Her Baku Pod shined with another ability. "Ability Activate! Chaos Armageddon!"

Each of Hydranoid's five heads opened their mouths, beginning to channel excessive energy into each one. The energy began appearing within each maw as a condensed spherical orb of black energy.

"You cannot surpass us!", Hydranoid declared. Each head blasted out a stream of black energy directly at Infinity Helios. The target was struck, even as Dharak's combined attack was pushing him back. Infinity Helios began to suffer serious damage.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 1900+600=2500, Dharak: 2600)=5100

Infinity Helios: 2300-600=1700

"Well done", Gus admitted, completely unworried by Infinity Helios's predicament. "You're backing us up against a wall. I suppose it's time to get serious." He called out another ability. "Ability Activate! FARBAS Infinity!"

Infinity Helios's body then began to emit an increasingly harsh power, which began to show as a black aura condensed around him. It's rate of increase didn't seem to slow down at all. In fact, it was speeding up.

As Infinity Helios's power climbed higher and higher, the signs of battle all over his body began to reverse. An automated, computerized voice began to speak. "Self diagnostic complete. Total system damage: 72%. Activating primary repair system."

Then, all of the places where the two Darkus Bakugan had scored damage began to fill with black energy, the matter being restored to an undamaged version. Not even the slightest mark was left on Infinity Helios as its power level rose drastically.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 2500, Dharak: 2600)=5100

Infinity Helios: 1700+3600=5300

Dharak and Hydranoid finally ceased their attacks, only to realize Infinity Helios was nowhere near finished.

"He's exceeded our strength!", Dharak exclaimed.

Alice knew better than to try and nullify the ability; she had seen the battle data the Spectres had on Infinity Helios. Instead, she developed two abilities to utilize and continue her attack. "Double Ability Activate! Hyper Lash Impact, plus High Skewed Waiver!"

Each of Hydranoid's eight wings extended small metallic mini heads from their tips. Each head was connected to the main body via a metallic rope like neck. As soon as they were out, each mini head began charging purple energy, gathering strength for an attack. Within moments, the mini heads fired the purple energy in short bursts at Infinity Helios.

At the same time, Dharak's mouth prepared a new form of dark energy. Dark purple in color, Dharak shot it forward in the shape of a massive orb. He then shot another orb of identical energy at the opposition, then another, and another. He continually blasted his barrage at his opponent.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 2500+400=2900, Dharak: 2600+600=3200)=6100

Infinity Helios: 5300

"Don't make me laugh", Gus sneered, brandishing only one ability. "Ability Activate! Gravity Demon!"

Infinity Helios's eyes glared at the opposing two attacks, which neared his position by the minute. The cyborg Bakugan let out another roar and opened his mouth wide.

Hydranoid's attack was unaffected, continuing its course toward Infinity Helios. Dharak's attack, however, converted to purple energy and shifted course, entering Helios's mouth. The black aura surrounding Helios slightly intensified, allowing him to easily endure Hydranoid's energy bursts.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 2900, Dharak: 3200-600=2600)=5500

Infinity Helios: 5300+600=5900

"He absorbed Dharak's ability", Alice said. "His power level just keeps going up."

"Of course it does", Gus said. "Infinity Helios. His power will rise more and more until everything in my path is completely annihilated!" His Baku Pod flashed another ability. "Ability Activate! Quake Impulse!"

Infinity Helios's form began to glow in yet another aura, this one having the orange coloring of Subterra. He roared for the umpteenth time that battle as the aura spread out in a 360 degree shockwave. Then, the ground began to shake. The whole chamber began to vibrate at an increasingly intense pace.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 2900-400=2500, Dharak: 2600-400=2200)=4700

Infinity Helios: 5900+400=6300

Hydranoid and Dharak immediately took off to avoid being impaired by the shaking ground. Alice took her teleporter Card and transported herself atop Hydranoid's central head.

"Let's see how you deal with this!", Gus proclaimed. His Baku Pod flashed another ability. "Ability Activate! Battle Warrior!"

Infinity Helios stared right at the opponents who easily evaded his most recent attack, taking a single step forward. The ground's shaking ceased as Infinity helps prepared a different kind of attack.

The outlines of his metal plate began to emit a deep black energy, glowing brightly considering the color. Infinity Helios then let out a loud roar, which blasted out as a sonic shockwave to counteract the opposing combatants.

The shockwave traveled at the speed of sound, easily overcoming both Darkus Bakugan. As the sound passed over them, the considerable energy they'd built up dissipated almost instantaneously. They descended to the ground, clearly affected by the drastic loss of power.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 2500-1600=900, Dharak: 2200-1200=1000)=1900

Infinity Helios: 6300+500=6800

"How do you plan to beat my Ultimate Bakugan now?", Gus taunted. "Come on! I'm waiting for your next move!"

"You are an imbecile", Hydranoid growled at the maddened Vestal.

"You're not the only one who can gain power from the battle", Alice threatened. Her Baku Pod shone with another ability. "Ability Activate! Singularity!"

"Wait a minute!", Gus muttered. "That move-!"

"Will even up the playing field", Hydranoid confirmed. His body began to exhume a thick aura of his remaining power. It filled the air surrounding Hydranoid, quickly transforming into a gravitational entity.

Infinity Helios's black energy began to abandon him, traveling the distance to fuse with Hydranoid's aura, empowering him greatly. Moments later, it was all gone, and Hydranoid was stronger than ever.

Then, however, Helios's FARBAS A.I. spoke up: "Analyzing massive energy drain. Singularity identified. Restoring power." The black aura fired up once again around Helios, but Hydranoid had gained power, too.

(Blackout Hydranoid: 900+5600=6500, Dharak: 1000)=7500

Infinity Helios: 6800

"If FARBAS Infinity wasn't active, that could have crippled my efforts", Gus said. "But now, it doesn't matter. You'll never beat me." His Baku Pod revealed another ability. "Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar!"

With a mighty, dragonic roar, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames at both enemies. His power level surged from 6800 to 7600.

Hydranoid, in response, channeled the massive energy he gained from his last ability to launch a black and dark purple blast to counteract the flames. Bright fire and dark energy contested for dominance against each other. The energy collected was extreme.

In the end, though, Infinity Helios's attack began to eat away at the dark energy, slowly pushing toward Hydranoid and Dharak. Several seconds later, Hydranoid's endurance gave out, leaving he and his ally vulnerable.

Alice barely teleported away from Hydranoid's location in time to avoid being scorched. As she reappeared on the ground, her two Bakugan glowed dark purple, reverting to ball form and landing near her.

Alice: 80%

Alice grimaced as she noticed that her Bakugan were still smoking, even in ball form. She winced as she picked them up, only to hear loud laughter.

Infinity Helios had reverted to ball form, and Gus had collected him. He had a smug grin the whole time. "Only a 100 point loss. Not bad", Gus said, his voice having a sarcastic undertone. "Not bad at all."

"How about you come a bit closer?", Dharak yelled. "I'll show you some 'not bad'."

"Easy, Dharak", Alice cautioned. "He's trying to unbalance us."

"Now, why would I do that?", Gus wondered. "Unbalanced or not, it's not like you stand a chance. Infinity Helios is perfect. Invincible. He can't be beaten. You should just run away while you still can."

A wave of fear tower up within Alice, but she forced it down before it could affect her composure. "No", Alice replied. "Running away won't solve anything. I was afraid to fight for a long time. Everyone else suffered for that, and I convinced myself that I didn't care. But I do. And taking you down will be the first of many things I need to correct."

"There's only one thing that needs correction", Gus countered. "You can't take me down. No one can! Gate Card, set!" He launched his card, ready for the next round. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Infinity Helios!"

Within moments of being thrown, Gus's Bakugan made its second appearance, waiting for an opponent or a directive.

"Let's go", Dharak chimed.

"We need to plan out our strategy", Alice forewarned. "Unless we can keep up with Infinity Helios's power gain, we're through. I…" her eyes lit up. "I have a plan."

"Then let's hear it", Hydranoid said.

"Hydranoid, you're going up against Infinity Helios", Alice said. "Dharak will be the reserve in case the plan doesn't work."

"So I'm sitting it out?", Dharak asked. His tone had a more than slight undertone of offense.

"Yes", Alice replied plainly. Without any more delay, she took Hydranoid's ball and threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Darkus Blackout Hydranoid!"

Hydranoid rose onto the field, his five heads growling in unison, just as ferocious as a wild beast, yet as intense as a nuclear bomb.

Blackout Hydranoid: 900

Infinity Helios: 1200

Gus waited for Alice to engage Dharak, but it didn't come. "You want Hydranoid to be crushed alone?", Gus asked. "Fine. If that's how you want to go!"

"Triple Ability Activate!", Alice called, not paying any mind to Gus's taunts. "Havoc Trident, plus Hyper Lash Impact, plus Fusion Ability Terminal Impact!"

"You will not defeat us again!", Hydranoid promised. His quickly gathered energy into his five mouths, condensing them into bright purple orbs within each set of jaws. But he didn't release them yet.

As his mouths continued to empower the orbs, each of Hydranoid's eight wings extended a mini head from an elastic rope. The mini heads opened their mouths, pointing at Helios's direction, and charged purple energy within each one.

Then, once Hyper Lash Impact was primed, Hydranoid's fusion ability went into effect. Hydranoid began to empower the Havoc Trident orbs with a substantial amount of extra power. Within moments, they grew to double the size it had been with Havoc Trident.

Blackout Hydranoid: 900+400+400=1700

Infinity Helios: 1200-500-300-400=0

With a loud roar, Hydranoid released the empowered orbs generated through his mouth, and the tendrils blasted rapid fire purple energy, all of which targeted Infinity Helios.

"They never learn", Gus snickered. He was fully capable of overpowering the triple ability with only one of his own. "Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar!"

With a mighty roar of power, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames at both enemies. His power level surged to 2000. The flames scorched Hydranoid's energy attacks as soon as they connected with the flames. Hydranoid's triple ability never even got close to Infinity Helios.

"Should've put me in there", Dharak grumbled.

"No time now!", Alice snapped.

"Ability Activate!", Gus called out, his next ability active. "Bolting Breaker!"

Infinity Helios's tail whipped around the mechanical body, pointing at the enemy Bakugan. His eyes, then the tail, locked onto the Blackout Hydranoid.

Then, the ends of the tail began to glow dark purple with a power surge. Energy converted into dark purple lightning, concentrating into a single bolt. With a deafening roar, Helios released the electricity in a large lightning bolt, aimed at Hydranoid.

Alice already had her response ready to go. "Triple Ability Activate!"

"What? Another triple ability!?", Gus questioned.

"Chaos Omega, plus Chaos Armageddon, plus Fusion Ability Epsilon Devastation!"

His body became coated in a dark aura, so thick with pure negative energy that even his form was hard to discern. The dark lightning connected with Hydranoid, but was easily deflected and fizzed out into nothing.

Then, Each of Hydranoid's five heads opened their mouths, beginning to channel an almost excessive level of energy into each one. The energy began appearing within each maw as a condensed blast of swirling black energy. Growling with the fresh power influx, Hydranoid blasted his energy directly at Infinity Helios. With his attack neutralized, Infinity Helios could only try to block the powerful Darkus attack.

Then, the fusion ability took effect. Hydranoid's black energy blast nearly doubled in size, with the power doubling in intensity, as well. After a few seconds under the assault, Helios became consumed in a large dark purple explosion.

Blackout Hydranoid: 1700+600+800=3100

Infinity Helios: 2000-600=1400

"Combining a nullification effect with your most powerful attack… an impressive combo", Gus admitted. "Double Ability, Activate! Plasmatic Surge, plus Camo Abyss!"

Infinity Helios's eyes looked at each of the opposing Bakugan, scanning them all one by one. His eyes shrunk as his body began to glow a yellow aura. That yellow aura only increased in power, brightness and intensity significantly within only a few seconds.

Hydranoid averted his ten eyes to avoid being blinded by the harsh light, but when it dimmed down, Hydranoid couldn't see Infinity Helios anywhere.

Blackout Hydranoid: 3100

Infinity Helios: 1400+300(×2)+600=2600

"Really?", Hydranoid questioned. "You know that won't work on me." He whipped his tails around, successfully striking against the invisible combatant.

"It's called a distraction", Gus said. "Say goodbye to your lead! Gate Card Open! Warmonger!"

The Gate Card deployed on the ground revealed itself, but there was no white glow. The card looked corroded with purple matter overcoming the card.

Gus's eyes widened. "The Gate Card! You-!"

"Double Ability Activate!", Alice called, taking advantage of the opportunity Gus's mistake offered her. "Gazer Barrage, plus Hyper Lash Impact!"

Each of Hydranoid's heads opened their mouths, an orb of purple energy being formed in the maw of each mouth Hydranoid possessed. In unison, the five heads released his attack in a specific direction. But this time, it wasn't an isolated attack. As soon as the orbs left Hydranoid's mouths, Hydranoid prepared another set, firing it in the same fashion as before. The pattern went on and on, seemingly endlessly.

At the same time, Each of Hydranoid's eight wings extended small metallic mini heads from their tips. Each head was connected to the main body via a metallic rope like neck. As soon as they were out, each mini head began charging purple energy, gathering strength for an attack. When Hydranoid's heads began their barrage, Hydranoid quickly released the energy, shooting it out in another barrage of short beams, colored purple.

All of Hydranoid's energy projectiles flew through the air, practically unchallenged by gravity, air resistance or opposing attacks. The projectiles almost immediately connected with the invisible Infinity Helios, deactivating the stealth attack. Hydranoid kept up his attack, trying his very hardest to take out the cyborg.

Blackout Hydranoid: 3100+400+400=3900

Infinity Helios: 2600-400-300=1900

Gus snarled, quickly readying another ability. "It doesn't matter how hard you hit. You can never do enough! You'll never overcome invincibility! Ability Activate! FARBAS Infinity!"

Then, all of the places where Infinity Helios had suffered damage began to fill with black energy, the matter being restored to an undamaged version. Not even the slightest mark was left on Infinity Helios as its power level rose to high levels.

Blackout Hydranoid: 3900

Infinity Helios: 1900+2500=4400

"See?", Gus asked, grinning as Hydranoid's efforts proved fruitless. Hydranoid stopped the barrage, panting and exerted. "There's nothing you can do."

"For your sake, I hope you're right", Hydranoid threatened.

"Unfortunately, you aren't", Alice added. Her Baku Pod formed another ability. "Ability Activate! Merge Shield!"

After Alice called the ability, something changed in the aura surrounding him. Each mouth opened up wide and inhaled, as if he were drawing strength from the very air itself. Dark energy appeared around Infinity Helios, only to be drawn into and through Hydranoid's mouths. The hydra's aura enhanced tenfold.

Blackout Hydranoid: 3900+5700=9600

Infinity Helios: 4400

Gus wasn't dazed by the drastic power increase. In fact, he granted a victorious smirk. "Nice power increase. It's mine now", he jeered. "Ability Activate! Gravity Demon!"

Infinity Helios's eyes glared at the opposing powerhouse, who glared back as he processed his power, decimating the area around him. The cyborg Bakugan let out another roar and opened his mouth wide.

Then, the Darkus aura engulfing Hydranoid began to glow even more, but the glow was a purple coloring. Within no time, Hydranoid massive power influx had converted fully into purple energy. The energy was immediately drawn from Hydranoid and went into Infinity Helios's maw, causing him to glow with a substantially harsher black aura.

Blackout Hydranoid: 9600-5700=3900

Infinity Helios: 4400+5700=10100

"You stooge!", Gus mocked. "The more power you gain, the more Infinity Helios can take from you." Alice said nothing in response. She just stared back defiantly. "No last words? Then I'll be sure to make this quick and extremely painful. Double Ability Activate! Battle Warrior, plus Ragnarok Buster!"

The outlines of Infinity Helios's metal plates began to emit a deep black energy, glowing brightly considering the color. Infinity Helios then let out a loud roar, which blasted out as a sonic shockwave at the enemy Darkus Bakugan.

The sound waves speedily reached Hydranoid, tearing away what was left of the power he had amassed. Hydranoid stumbled from being knocked back down to where he started.

Then, The plating on Infinity Helios's chest began to open up. It separated into three different doors and opened up Helios's gut, showing a large cannon underneath. It was already charging black energy within.

Then, Helios roared with a vengeance, unleashing the potent black energy that he had amassed in his chest cannon in a concentrated blast of power. The energy ripped through the air to blast to the opposition.

Blackout Hydranoid: 3900-3000-700=200

Infinity Helios: 10100+500+700=11300

"Well, I'd say Hydranoid can't do this alone", Dharak said. "Put me in!"

"No", Alice denied. She readied two abilities, waiting as the black beam blasted toward Hydranoid.

"No!?", Dharak demanded.

Only Hydranoid can pull off this technique, Alice observed, keeping her abilities ready. By using consecutive triple ability attacks, I convinced Gus that my plan was to simply overpower Infinity Helios through sheer force. He lowered his guard because of that. And allowing Merge Shield to be absorbed was part of the trap, too. It all comes down… to… this!

"Double Ability Activate!", she called out. "Deathly Enforcement, plus Singularity!"

With the call of the ability, Hydranoid's eyes began to glow bright purple as Hydranoid himself felt a harsh, but welcome, increase of energy. His body began to emit a dark aura, thick enough to hide his form from view. Within the aura, Hydranoid roared in challenge.

Then, after Hydranoid roared, something changed in the aura surrounding him. Instead of being a simple coating of energy, it began drawing in the air around it, becoming a gravitational force, drawing in all of the opponent's extra power.

The Ragnarok Buster attack was drawn into Hydranoid's aura, only increasing its intensity. Then, the black aura surrounding Infinity Helios was drawn from the cyborg en masse, joining Hydranoid's own power. Infinity Helios replenished his power, but Hydranoid still gained much from it.

Blackout Hydranoid: 200+700+500+10100=11500

Infinity Helios: 11300

Gus's smug smirk disappeared, replaced by absolute shock. "Im… impossible…", he began, but stopped himself.

"You can take this, Hydranoid", Alice called. "Use this power… and take this freak down! Do it!"

Hydranoid's ten eyes glared bright purple as dark energy swirled around his body. It went high into the air, making dark clouds to cover the sky. The clouds started raining down purple lightning bolts, most of which targeted Infinity Helios.

Every lightning bolt that impacted Helios surged past the metal defenses, scoring major damage. "Warning! Detecting massive energy output from target: Blackout Hydranoid. Warning! Damage sustained: 55%. Repairing…" two more lightning bolts struck Infinity Helios. "Warning! Damage sustained: 71%. Repairing…"

"You will not survive us!", Hydranoid promised. He let out a powered roar for the umpteenth time. The dark storm escalated at that.

Harsh winds, fueled entirely by Hydranoid's might, picked up and pushed against Infinity Helios. Thunder rumbled ahead in the clouds, forewarning an even more devastating attack from above.

Gus took out his laser sword, igniting it and impaling the ground to endure the winds. As such, he couldn't load in another ability. But he was still confident. "You can't beat Infinity Helios! And with a power level like that, you'll only destroy yourself trying!"

As if in response, a massive lightning bolt shot down from directly above Infinity Helios, striking the cyborg dead on. The dark lightning surged through the mech, bringing him to a knee. "Warning! Damage sustained: 91%. Repairing…"

"This is it!", Hydranoid outcried from the literal eye of the storm. Each head blasted forth a massive amount of dark plasma, beelining at Infinity Helios.

He was in no condition to dodge. The dark plasma hit Infinity Helios without issue, scorching any resistance he might have had left. The sheer power was enough to knock him far away to the ground.

And Infinity Helios wasn't the only one affected. Once the plasma began pulsating, it threw Gus far away. He landed on the ground hard. He groaned, trying to get back up, but failed a first attempt. He took in a sharp breath, in clear pain.

Meanwhile, Infinity Helios was lying on his back. What wasn't cracked was scorched, and what wasn't scorched was half melted. His eyes closed. "Warning! Damage sustained: 110%. Repair system offline. All systems offline." He glowed his deep black color, but not because he was gaining power. His body shrunk down to ball form, expelling all his amassed energy, and he dropped near Gus.

Gus's second attempt to rise managed to get him on his feet. He looked around for his Bakugan, only to find it at his feet in ball form. Under his mask, his pupils shrunk with surprise. "What?", he gasped.

Gus: 60%

The dark storm began to clear, revealing Hydranoid. All the dark energy was shot into the sky, leaving the hydra drained and exhausted. Without a word, he reverted to ball form and went to Alice's waiting hand.

"Hydranoid, are you ok?", Alice asked.

"I'm fine", Hydranoid shuddered. Even in ball form, he felt weak. "I never… had that much power before."

"You actually got him", Dharak said. "Not bad, Hydranoid. Not bad at all."

"Don't relax", Alice cautioned, though she seemed much more confident. "Gus may not be finished yet."

The human and two Bakugan returned their gaze to Gus. The masked Vestal was silently retrieving his Bakugan. His movements were noticeably stiff. Once he'd risen back up, holding Infinity Helios in his right hand, he became incredibly still.

The recent round raged through his mind. He replayed how easily Alice had outmaneuvered him, giving Hydranoid enough power to overwhelm Infinity Helios's repair systems. And he fell for it; hook, line and sinker.

He lost a round. That wasn't just a testament to Alice's power, skill and strategy. It was proof that he could be beaten. In a fair fight, no less; not even with Infinity Helios being dogpiled by enemies. And all he had to say was…

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!" Gus's rhetorical demand held nothing but rage and malice. "Infinity Helios is the greatest power a Bakugan can reach, further augmented by the best Vestal enhancements possible! He is invincible! I am invincible! And you have the gall to overpower him with a Bakugan no more powerful than the ones I use for my disposable army?! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"

"This guy is making Barodius look downright sane by comparison", Dharak murmured.

"He's not just unhinged. He's breaking down", Alice muttered. "Watch out. He's more dangerous than ever."

"That's it! I won't allow you to make a mockery of Spectra! I forbid it!", Gus raged. "I'm not just going to beat you! I'll exact retribution tenfold! I'll make an example of you. I'll take everything away until there's nothing left, cage you like how I was caged, and make sure the whole wide universe knows how monumentally you have failed! I will destroy you! So play your card!"

Alice took out her Gate Card, talking with her Bakugan. "Hydranoid, are you doing alright?"

"Fine", Hydranoid said, but his voice was weakened.

Alice winced. "You took in a lot of power last round. You need some time to recover." She held up her other Bakugan. "Dharak, it's up to you to hold off Infinity Helios and buy Hydranoid as much time as possible."

"Don't worry", Dharak said. "By the time Hydranoid is ready to get back in, this battle will be as good as over."

Alice didn't even bother commenting on Dharak's zeal. She simply threw down her Gate Card, throwing Dharak in moments later. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Darkus Dharak!"

When Dharak's ball hit the ground, it popped open. Dharak's true form raked itself immediately after.

Gus quickly scanned Infinity Helios with his Baku Pod, finding that after being defeated, Infinity Helios body had been able to repair physical damage. With that confirmation, he threw Infinity Helios back into the fray. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Infinity Helios!"

The cyborg rose back up onto the field. All of the physical damage he suffered the last round had been healed and repaired, but the cyborg dragon was still taking ragged breaths.

"He's tired", Alice realized, speaking in a hushed tone. "Infinity Helios may be the best of both worlds, but any flesh has its limits. That might provide an advantage. We can't underestimate them, though."

Dharak: 1000

Infinity Helios: 1200

"No one makes a fool out of me!", Gus uproared, two abilities ready to deploy. "Double Ability Activate! Quake Impulse, plus Deep Fire - Block A!"

Infinity Helios's form began to glow in yet another aura, this one having the orange coloring of Subterra. He roared for the umpteenth time that battle as the aura shot out in a 360 degree shockwave. The earth began shaking as the energy rolled over the field.

Once again, Alice used her teleportation card to escape the quaking, reappearing atop Dharak's head. Dharak took off into the air to escape the ground based attack, but Infinity Helios wasn't done.

Infinity Helios took a single step forward, his new stance allowing him to better endure the energy blast and more readily launch his upcoming counter.

The circular attachment connected to Helios's back began to glow bright red, the small cannons facing upwards glowing especially brightly. The cannons then sent dozens of red lasers, rapid fire, straight up into the air. The laser missiles then adjusted their course to home in on Dharak.

Dharak: 1000-400-600=0

Infinity Helios: 1200+400=1600

"Don't worry, Dharak", said Alice. She brandished her defensive countermeasure. "Double Ability Activate! West Wall Shield, plus Exodus Waiver!"

Dharak quickly expunged a large amount of his energy from his body, forming a thick fog of dark power. That dark power solidified around him and created a dark purple dome surrounding him. The red missiles connected with the dome, exploding with tremendous firepower, but Dharak held out until the barrage ended.

Then, Dharak's mouth began firing another barrage of orbs, one by one in rapid-fire succession. These ones were of purple and black energy and the energy levels in each one were incredibly intense.

Dharak: 0+400+600+300+500=1800

Infinity Helios: 1600-400-300-500=400

The energy orbs struck all around Infinity Helios, exploding and doing residual damage. The cyborg endured the attacks and kept its gaze locked on Dharak.

"Will you ever learn?!", Gus demanded. "Infinity Helios! Clamor Quasar!"

With the call of the ability, a bright red aura lit up around Infinity Helios, with power intensity to match. He opened his mouth wide, charging up a massive fire blast. Within moments, he sent a column of flames at the airborne Dharak.

Dharak: 1800

Infinity Helios: 400+800+800=2000

"Dharak, let's go!", Alice encouraged. Her Baku Pod shone with another ability. "Ability Activate! Evil Blast!"

Dharak opened his mouth, amassing energy within. A moment later, Dharak unleashed a beam of dark purple energy to counteract the fire stream.

Dharak: 1800+500=2300

Infinity Helios: 2000-500=1500

Fire and darkness clashed midair, contesting for dominance. The brightness of the flames seemed, at first, to be shining out the dark, but Dharak's attack began to slowly push toward Helios.

"I don't think so!", Gus retorted. "You will not beat me again! Ability Activate! Cyclone Havoc!"

Infinity Helios lifted his head up and roared with all his might, green energy pouring out of his mouth and high into the air. The green energy rose to the sky consolidating into green clouds.

Then, those clouds began to descend back to the ground in a funnel shape, accompanied by increasingly harshening winds. Within a few moments, Infinity Helios was standing in the eye of another vicious cyclone birthed of his Ventus energy.

Dharak: 2300-600=1700

Infinity Helios: 1500+600=2100

Dharak's dark energy clashed against the wind, but the twister buffered the attack enough that it couldn't reach Infinity Helios. In addition, Dharak's flight path was being altered, being drawn towards the tornado. He couldn't break loose. "Give me another ability!", he told Alice.

"Right!", Alice agreed. "Ability Activate!"

"Darkness Glow!", Dharak called out. He channeled more energy into his twin horns. The two started glowing purple, with bolts of lightning crackling through the air. Then, he released the lighting straight into the tornado.

Dharak: 1700+300=2000

Infinity Helios: 2100-300=1800

This time, the tornado proved an inept barrier against Dharak's attack. The lightning charged through the winds, striking Infinity Helios without issue. As a result, the tornado broke apart, leaving Infinity Helios vulnerable.

"Hydranoid, how are you doing?", Alice asked, sending a slight stall in the battle.

"I'll manage", Hydranoid replied, and his voice was growing stronger.

"I'm sure Dharak can hold off Infinity Helios, at least until Gus activates FARBAS Infinity", Alice said. "That's when I'll put you in. Dharak, keep it up!"

"Now you're mine!", came Dharak's aggressive proclamation. "Thunder Probe!"

Dharak's body became cloaked in a fiery dark aura, heightening his power considerably. The aura allowed Dharak to charge up a large lightning blast. As a consequence of the lightning, multiple sparks surged through the air. And then, all of a sudden, Dharak sent his lightning ahead in one compressed blast.

Infinity Helios had no defense set up against an attack like that. It connected with him uncontested, bypassing any defenses to perform massive damages to him.

Dharak: 2000+400=2400

Infinity Helios: 1800-400=1400

"Don't just stand there! Strike back!", Gus's directed angrily. "Ability Activate! Warfire!"

Infinity Helios opened his maw, raising his head to aim directly at Dharak's airborne position. His mouth filled up with bright red flames and energy, but they condensed into a high intensity sphere of red fire.

Then, Infinity Helios shot the high intensity fireball at his target, the heat palpable to Dharak. The Darkus Bakugan attempted to avoid the fireball, but it broke apart into several dozen fire busts. Dharak couldn't avoid them all, and was inevitably struck.

Dharak: 2400-500=1900

Infinity Helios: 1400+500=1900

"Dharak, are you ok?", Alice asked.

"Don't patronize me", Dharak growled insistently. "Just keep going!"

Alice inwardly sighed, before prepping another ability. "Ok, then. Ability Activate! Darkness Waiver!"

Dharak's mouth opened up, the maw glowing a bright purple. Within a moment, Dharak shot a barrage of purple energy orbs at a rapid pace in the direction of the enemy. Each orb was at best at half the power of Dharak's Exodus Waiver, but dharak fired far more orbs here than with the earlier attack.

Dharak: 1900+300=2200

Infinity Helios: 1900-300=1600

"You bore me", Gus growled. "You'll never beat Infinity Helios! Not again! Ability Activate! Plasmatic Surge!"

Helios immediately lit itself up with its Haos attack once again. His body began to glow with a yellow aura, and his power gained proportionally to the number of combatants on the field.

Dharak: 2200

Infinity Helios: 1600+300(×2)=2200

His power once again equaling Dharak's, Infinity Helios stood unfazed by the Darkness Waiver. Each orb was readily deflected by the light aura, going in every other direction. Dharak even had to dodge the last orb, because it was deflected back at him.

"I'm tired of this", Gus sneered. "It's time to finish you off! Ability Activate! FARBAS Infinity!"

Infinity Helios's body then began to emit an increasingly harsh power, which began to show as an all-consuming black aura condensed around him. As Infinity Helios's power climbed higher and higher, the signs of battle all over his body began to reverse. An automated, computerized voice began to speak. "Self diagnostic complete. Total system damage: 51%. Activating primary repair system."

Then, all of the places where the Brawlers had scored stronge damage began to fill with black energy, the matter being restored to an undamaged version. Not even the slightest mark was left on Infinity Helios.

Dharak: 2200

Infinity Helios: 2200+2300=4500

"Are you kidding me?", Dharak demanded.

"Hydranoid, are you ready?", Alice asked.

"Yes", Hydranoid promised. "Put me in!"

From her high ground atop Dharak, Alice threw ahead Hydranoid's ball. It landed on a spot behind Infinity Helios, while Dharak remained in front.

Hydranoid rose up behind Gus and Infinity Helios, effectively out-flanking the cyborg.

(Dharak: 2200, Blackout Hydranoid: 900)=3100

Infinity Helios: 4500

"Double Ability Activate!", Alice exclaimed. "Hyper Lash Impact, plus High Skewed Waiver!"

(Dharak: 2200+600=2800, Blackout Hydranoid: 900+400=1300)=4100

Infinity Helios: 4500

Infinity Helios's black aura kept going strong, repelling Darkus energy attacks from above and behind. Hydranoid and Dharak weren't having much luck with their abilities.

"Just stop trying, already!", Gus mocked. "You'll never take us down!" His Baku Pod generated another ability. "Ability Activate! Deep Fire - Block A!"

(Dharak: 2800-600=2200, Blackout Hydranoid: 1300-600=700)=2900

Infinity Helios: 4500

Dharak began to fly in the air, outmaneuvering the missiles coming his way. Lasers exploded behind him, creating chain reactions that destroyed the ones immediately after, but more kept coming.

Hydranoid, on the other hand, flew close to Infinity Helios, using his tendrils to ensnare the cyborg's limbs and neck. The missiles hit Hydranoid with no issue, but the explosions also affected Infinity Helios. He shut down the missiles as a result.

"Get off!", Gus ordered.

Hydranoid refused to listen, even as Infinity Helios's black aura started to spread through the tendrils, inflicting great damage upon the hydra. "Alice! NOW!", Hydranoid uproared.

Alice nodded, reaching out with her hand. "Gate Card Open! Chaos Overdrive!"

Suddenly, a wall of dark purple energy rose around Hydranoid. He roared aloud with newfound strength as his power level rose drastically. The energy amassed became powerful and intense enough to crack the earth beneath Hydranoid's feet.

(Dharak: 2200, Blackout Hydranoid: 700+3800=4500)=6700

Infinity Helios: 4500

With the power influx, Hydranoid was able to repel Infinity Helios's black aura and hold his own. The two became locked in an even contest of physical might.

"How did that happen?", Gus wondered.

"Chaos Overdrive raises Hydranoid's power level to equal the opponent's power level", Alice said. As she spoke, Hydranoid retracted his tendrils, letting Helios go, and flew to Dharak's side. "It also powers up Hydranoid's Battle Gear to level two capacity."

Gus ground his teeth, but otherwise offered no response. Alice then pressed the buttons on her Baku Pod. Two distinct devices appeared, which she took hold of.

"Ready: AirKor. Ready: Helmgund."

"Battle Gear Boost!", Alice shouted, throwing one of the devices to Dharak, the other to Hydranoid. Both were encompassed by flashes of purple light. As the light faded, the Battle Gear materialized.

Two wings made from golden diamonds replaced Dharak's natural wings. A metal attachment between the wings rose high. Another golden diamond was on Dharak's chest, connecting the two wings. Green armor was on Dharak's short limbs.

Over each of Hydranoid's hands formed metallic saws south purple centers, which Hydranoid could spin at will. A cannon formed on the right of his head. The cannon was connected to the small of his back, where his top set of wings met, via an elastic purple extension cord, allowing the cannon as much versatility as his own heads.

(Dharak: 2400, Blackout Hydranoid: 4600)=7000

Infinity Helios: 4500

"Battle Gear won't save you!", Gus proclaimed.

"And your bravado won't help you!", Dharak countered. He landed on the ground to maximize the power of his Battle Gear.

"Battle Gear Ability Activate!", Alice called. "AirKor Zayin!"

All of the golden parts of Dharak's Battle Gear glowed bright purple, as if corrupted. An innumerable amount of particles, all black in color, rose around Dharak. Dharak simply continued to further the ability.

After a few seconds to fully charge the attack, Dharak unleashed his Battle Gear's power, sending the black particles in all directions around him. Each one became a massive explosion on its own. Together, it was an unrelenting wave of destruction.

(Dharak: 2400+600=3000, Blackout Hydranoid: 4600)=7600

Infinity Helios: 4500

Infinity Helios braced itself, but the dark particles washed over him. Still, he endured the punishment. Gus raced up to Infinity Helios, hiding slightly behind him to escape the power.

But Dharak's attack was only a distraction for Hydranoid. The latter aimed his Helmgund cannon at Infinity Helios. The saw blades of Hydranoid's Battle Gear began to spin at a rapid pace.

Alice just loaded her next ability. "Battle Gear Ability Activate!", she announced. "Helmgund Apocalypse!"

In that moment, as Hydranoid's attack had finished charging up, two things happened with the Helmgund simultaneously. The saw blades flew off their places on Hydranoid's hands, slicing through the air towards Infinity Helios. At the same time, the cannon shot a huge blast of purple and black coloring, heading straight ahead.

The saw blades kept their velocity in the air, connecting with the cyborg Bakugan. After leaving deep gashes in the armor, they returned to their positions on Hydranoid.

But then, Hydranoid's energy blast hit home. Infinity Helios was consumed by the full power of Hydranoid's Battle Gear.

(Dharak: 3000, Blackout Hydranoid: 4600+800=5400)=8400

Infinity Helios: 4500

"No, you don't!", Gus yelled. "Battle Warrior!"

Dharak and Hydranoid's efforts proved completely insufficient. The sonic attack struck both Darkus Bakugan, stripping away all of their collected power. Hydranoid landed beside Dharak, the two Bakugan weakened. Moments later, they all but collapsed, breathing hard.

(Dharak: 3000-1800=1200, Blackout Hydranoid: 5400-4400=1000)=2200

Infinity Helios: 4500+500=5000

"No!", Alice called. It began to dawn on her that she might not be able to win this fight. Usage of Merge Shield or Singularity would be countered by Gravity Demon and make matters even worse, and Hydranoid was in no condition to repeat the last round.

"Finally caving? Good", Gus said. "I suppose someone as… persistent… as you deserves a special finisher. Something that I've held back for a long time." He started pressing buttons on his own Baku Pod. Black particles appeared, forming a different, but similar device to before.

"Ready: Bombaplode."

Alice's eyes widened in shock. Gus smirked as he threw his device upward. "Battle Gear Boost!"

The device connected with Infinity Helios, forming a deep flash of blackness. It gave way to reveal Infinity Helios. The circular pad connected to his back was replaced by the center of the Battle Gear. That, in turn, connected with five different cannons. Four of them were directly above and below the cyborg's arms. The fifth, much larger than the rest, was above Infinity Helios's head. The Battle Gear shared Infinity Helios's color scheme.

(Dharak: 1200, Blackout Hydranoid: 1000)=2200

Infinity Helios: 5200

"It's time for you to experience ultimate decimation", Gus gloated. His last ability was already ready. "Any last words, Gehabich?" Alice and her Bakugan were silent. "Very well, then. Battle Gear Ability Activate! Bombaplode Catastrophe!"

The five cannons of Bombaplode all focused onto the two enemies, with each one doubled the length of its barrel. Then, each cannon charged up a massive amount of black energy. Infinity Helios let out a deafening roar as his power climbed to greater heights than ever before.

Infinity Helios: 5200×3=15600

Alice couldn't suppress a gasp. "A power level increase that dractic?!"

"Go, Infinity Helios!", Gus proclaimed. "Wipe them out!"

Infinity Helios responded soundly. All five cannons released a titanic beam of black energy ahead. The five beams closed in on each other, fusing into one even more monstrous attack. The beam closed in on Hydranoid, Dharak, and Alice, shrouding them all in a world ending power. When it reached their position, the result was a massive explosion of the black energy. The hemisphere of the explosion grew to even reach Infinity Helios.

Alice: 0%

Gus had to look away; the power was so intense. When the power finally dissipated, even Gus was shocked at what was left to witness. The battlefield had been reduced to a gigantic crater. What was desolate before was now rubble. The nearby forest where Alice set up her campsite was completely blown away.

Most importantly, there was no trace of Alice or her Bakugan in sight.

Gus sighed. "Glad that's over with", he said. He actually felt some relief that Alice had been obliterated, but then he felt revulsion at his own relief.

He masked it up by laughing. Easygoing at first, but it quickly became manic. He laughed down the heavens like a madman.

"Yes! I am invincible! No one can stop me! NO ONE!"

After he had exhausted himself, he pressed a single button on his Baku Pod. A portal appeared in front of him, large enough to accommodate a Bakugan. Gus and Infinity Helios walked through the portal, departing New Vestroia. To them, victory had been achieved.

XXX

Alice observed Gus's mania and departure from long distance, on top of a rock pillar that had escaped the carnage of Gus's final battle gun. Dharak and Hydranoid hid behind the pillar, evading notice successfully.

"That was way too close", Alice remarked.

XXX

The blast wave of Infinity Helios's Battle Gear closed in uncontrollably. There was nothing neither battler nor Bakugan could do to stop it.

"We don't have a choice", Alice said. "Dharak! Hydranoid! Retreat, now!"

"Good idea", Dharak admitted. Both he and Hydranoid, along with their Battle Gear, shrunk down to ball form in record time.

Alice barely had time to collect everything with her left hand, even as her right grasped her transporter card. Even as her Life Gauge lowered to 0%, she transported herself and her Bakugan away from the area. All she could see was blackness.

XXX

"We got lucky", Hydranoid said. "I should have been able to stop him."

"Don't blame yourself, Hydranoid", Alice replied. "There wasn't anything we could do. Gus was just too powerful."

"Well, look at that", Dharak said. "All that power he had. And did you lose anything important?"

"No", Alice answered. "I'd like to say I was just lucky, but that wouldn't be accurate. You both fought harder than I'd ever seen you fight before. Thank you."

"My pleasure, Alice", Hydranoid said. "I'd fight beside you any day."

"Same", Dharak replied, not to be outdone so easily. "So, our campsite is pretty much destroyed. Where to?"

"It's time to make up for all of my recent mistakes", Alice decided. "Raising up the Spectres like we did was the best choice at that moment, but I shouldn't have abandoned everything. I need to correct that. Drago?"

"I'm here, old friend", Drago's voice chimed. "How can I help?"

"Can you take us to Neathia?", Alice requested. "It's time to join the fight."

XXX

It's amazing how being stared at in the face by certain death really gets your head on straight, right?

Seriously, I'm not sure that Alice's character development will make much sense to readers. I'm sorry if it broke your immersion in my story, and I hope you won't stop reading if it did.

Anyways, that's the chapter! I hope you enjoyed. If you did, be sure to follow or favorite the story. If you want to say anything, feel free to leave a review or PM me. Before I go, responses:

Alice Gehabich: Your suggestion is noted, but vetoed. In short, it's an unnecessary alteration.

TheGrizz1982: It doesn't seem weird to me. Think what you will.