Past Phantoms

by ariace613

Finale of this series. On the surface, everything seems perfect for the Brawlers. They beat Gundalia in the war, defanged its leadership, and Bakugan Interspace is thriving. But the image is marred. Alice Gehabich is still missing, on voluntary exile to rediscover herself. And, even worse, Gus is still at large, masterminding the Brawlers' demise. The age of the Brawlers is ending.

19. Chapter 19

Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters

XXX

Chapter 19: Powered Down

Gus Grav was up from his bed, moving slowly to avoid aggravating his wounds. Recognizing his former champions, the Spectres, were heading his way, he knew he couldn't act weak. He wasn't weak.

He found a small container, which contained several pain relief pills that worked with Vestal biology. He took a pair of them, managing to suppress a sigh of relief as the pain he felt evaporated.

He knew it wouldn't last. The pain would come back in around twelve hours, in an even worse degree. By then, though, it wouldn't matter. The Spectres wouldn't be around to take advantage of it.

As he stood up once more, enjoying the lack of pain, he glanced at Infinity Helios. His ball form was connected to a device that was subtly altering his form. The device was connected to a computer that read, "Upload Compete", in bold red letters.

Gus eagerly seized his Bakugan, enjoying the fact that Infinity Helios had just become a substantially more powerful weapon. He took in a deep breath, heading out of his bedroom to head to the largest chamber of his compound. The time to battle had come again.

"When I'm done with you, all I'll have to do is sit back and enjoy the carnage", he said. "So come, Spectres. Come to me, and meet your ultimate demise."

XXX

Two Bakugan were traveling across a forested landscape, passing trees, rivers and lakes with great speed. One of the Bakugan was the bulked Flare Wilda, propelling himself into the air with his steam powered jumps, before landing on the ground and jumping again. The other was Alpha Percival, who was simply flying through the air, pulling ahead of the ground restricted Wilda.

"Come on, Noah!", Chris yelled behind her. "Can't Wilda go any faster? We've got a long way to go before we reach Gus's compound!"

"Not every Bakugan can fly, Chris!", Noah protested. He noticed how hard Wilda was breathing when he next landed. "And this is taking a lot out of Wilda. Wouldn't it be simpler if I got on Percival with you?"

Chris sighed. "Ok. Percival?"

"Yes, Mistress", Percival agreed, slowing his pace to show Wilda to catch up.

As they both ground to a halt, Wilda gently took Noah, put him on Percival's shoulder, then collapsed. He glowed and shrunk down to ball form, leaping to Noah's hand.

"Sorry to put you through that, big guy", Noah apologized. "I didn't realize it would take that much out of you."

"I understand", Wilda replied. "Time is of the essence."

"Percival, let's go", Chris said.

"Gladly, my lady", Percival said. Then, Percival readily took off again, flying at a much quicker speed than what he could before, now that he didn't have to keep pace with Wilda.

Noah and Chris crouched on Percival's right shoulder, gazing at the passing landscape. Percival was careful enough to ensure neither human was in danger of flying off, but the wind was still sharp enough to notably affect them. Their hair whipped backward.

"Hey, Percival?", Chris called out to her Bakugan. "You know, you don't have to call me 'Mistress' or 'lady'. It's just Chris."

"If you say so… Chris", Percival replied.

"That's it", Chris remarked, before looking at the Subterra battler at her side. Noah didn't seem to even register the latest conversation. He was just looking out at the rolling landscape.

A week ago, Chris may have reacted with an angered response. Now, she had a concerned look on her face. "Are you Ok, Noah?"

Noah still didn't respond. He seemed lost in space.

"Hey, Noah! Earth to Noah!"

This time, Chris managed to get a response. Noah flinched, actually surprised. "What? Is something wrong?"

"I was planning to ask you that", Chris said. "You seem a bit out of it. What's on your mind?"

"Oh, it's nothing", Noah claimed, but Chris gave him a deadpanned look. Noah blushed with embarrassment before continuing. "Ok, it's not nothing. I was just thinking… here we are. Back on Earth. I'm just worried about how my parents are faring with all this."

"You didn't part on good terms?", Chris guessed, largely from her own experience, as well as what she knew from Soon's background.

To her slight surprise, Noah shook his head with shock. "No, not at all!", he said. "We were on great terms. But… the last time I saw them was the night before we last battled the Brawlers."

"What happened?", Chris said.

"I was worried that if I told them everything, they'd keep me away from the fight. I was worried they'd think 'Phantom' was a bad influence", Noah said. He winced. "That part was probably my own subconscious. But that worry was strong. I… I left without saying a word. I just left a note. It didn't even explain anything" He hung his head in shame. "Who does that? What was I thinking?"

"You couldn't have known", Chris said. "Who would suspect Gus was that crazy?"

"I did", Noah replied. "I knew Gus was bad news. I didn't know the scale, but I jumped down the rabbit hole anyway. What would my parents think of me now?"

"They'd think of you as a good person", Chris replied. "Did you make a mistake? Maybe. Did you try to make the best decision with what you knew, each and every time? I'd say so." She rested a hand on Noah's shoulder. "Noah, we were all taken in by Gus's charisma. You were the only one to suspect who Gus really was. You were the only one of us to actually try to find the truth. And you did it. You found his true colors when none of the rest of us even looked. If it weren't for you, we may not have escaped him in one piece. "

Noah locked eyes with Chris. "And here we are, heading back to face him again."

"We'll beat him", Chris said. "We're stronger now. He won't know what hit him."

Noah exhaled loudly, looking more composed afterward. "Thanks, Chris. I needed that."

Chris gave a small and sincere smile to Noah, who responded in kind. They stayed like that for a brief moment, before their Baku Pods began to ring.

Noah and Chris looked away, hiding a small blush before Noah pressed a button on his Baku Pod.

The device projected a four way split holographic screen. Each section held a member of the remaining Spectres.

"Noah! Chris! You there?", Ben called.

"Yes, we're here", Noah replied.

"Good, you're finally in range", Soon sighed in relief. "For a bit, I almost feared you had fallen victim to Gus's trap after all."

"Really? What do you take us for?", Chris smirked at her friend. "We were fighting in the Appalachian mountains."

"That explains it", Soon said. "The range of this communication is rather limited. You must be relatively close."

Robin cleared his throat. "So, we're all going to meet up at Gus's compound, right?"

"Naturally", Jack sniped.

Robin nodded. He straightened up to look authoritative. "Good. Remember, no one goes in unless and until we all arrive. Taking him down will take all of us."

"You got it", Ben said. "Also, who made you the leader?"

"I was just making sure that our resident hotheads didn't get delusions of grandeur and get obliterated by playing hero", Robin said neutrally.

Ben growled through the communication. "Are you calling me a hothead?"

"Yes", Robin replied.

"He may be right", Turbine Dragonoid's voice rang through the communication.

"Yeah… whatever", Ben grumbled.

"There's one more thing we need to consider", Soon said. "There's no way to ensure that beating Gus in a Bakugan battle will actually stop his ambitions. Once Gus is down, it'll be up to us to figure out how to make his army stand down."

"That's… a good point", Ben said. "Gus won't admit defeat. If Infinity Helios fails against us, he might just try to bombard and overwhelm us with his army until we fall."

"They're probably not just conditioned to obey his commands", Robin theorized. "He tried that with our Bakugan, and it got away from him in a big way. He'll most likely be using a more complicated control method."

"Maybe they only respond to some kind of ultrasonic signal", Noah thought up. "In that case, we'll need to cut into Gus's frequency. Or it might just be a case of smashing the machinery that produces the signal."

"It may not be that simple", Chris warned. "There's no way to know what kind of control method Gus made. But we're going to shut it down."

"Ain't that the truth", Jack said. "Jack out." His screen fizzled out, undoubtedly shut off on his end.

Soon sighed. "He certainly has a flair for the dramatic", she said. "Anything else to add?" No one spoke. "Alright. I'm shutting down the communication. See you at the rendezvous point." The holographic screen shut off, no longer receiving Soon's signal.

Noah and Chris paused for a moment, collecting their thoughts. "Well, this is it", Chris said.

Noah nodded. "All or nothing. We'll have to go all the way to take him. And we'll win."

"That's the spirit", Chris said. After that, they rested on Percival's shoulder, having nothing to do but await the coming battle.

XXX

An hour later, the six Spectres finally reconvened at a familiar cliffside, the hidden doorway to Gus's compound.

Chris and Noah were the last ones to arrive, having the farthest distance to travel. When Percival, who was still carrying them both, landed on the ground, he placed the two humans on the ground. Then, he went to ball form, traveling to Chris.

Chris and Noah jogged up to their teammates, who had nothing but grim faces.

"So", Chris said. "This is it." They all looked at the familiar cliffside, easily recognizing the artificial doorway hidden within.

"Once we enter, there's no turning back", Soon warned. "And running away won't serve this time. Is everyone ready?"

"We're not backing out now", Jack said. "It wouldn't help us."

"He's right", Noah said. "It's time to make our stand!"

Ben took a step forward, approaching the door. "Are you going to open up, or are we going to blast your door down?", he challenged aggressively, knowing that Gus was listening.

"No need for that, Ben", Gus's voice rang throughout the forest. "Come on in. Face the incarnation of ultimate power once again. If you dare, that is." The cliff began to rumble, and a slab of stone within it sank into the ground, opening the path into the underground compound.

Ben stalled for a moment, but Noah walked forward unrelentingly. When he took five steps forward, he turned back to see no one moving. "Let's go. We can take him."

Chris and Robin then moved, as well, followed by the rest. As they entered the bunker, they started to pick up their pace. They didn't even look back as the stone slab rose up into place, cutting off their only method of escape. There was officially no turning back from that point on.

Ben glanced at his Bakugan, Turbine Dragonoid. "So, how are you doing? Ready to fight?"

"Believe me, I am", Dragonoid replied. "I'll fight to the end. I promise you that."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it", Ben said. "But good to hear."

Robin was the next to speak to his Bakugan. "What about you, Ingram?", he asked.

"You don't have to worry about me", Ingram responded. Robin nodded, assured.

Chris held up her partner. "You good with this, Percival?"

"I'd battle anyone for you, Chris", Percival said. He used Chris's name, but his tone was still formal and firm. "Even Gus."

Soon glanced at Brontes. "What of you, my friend?"

"Ready and willing", Brontes grunted. "Let's crash Gus's party!"

"What's your two cents, huh?", Jack asked Elico.

"I'm ready", Elico said simply. "Through thick and thin. We'll take him down."

Noah was the last, regarding his own Bakugan. "Are you up to this?"

"Are you kidding?", Wilda grunted. "Yeah. I'm up to it."

"Good", Noah said.

As the group traveled through the corridor, heading to the main chamber, nothing more was said. They all felt the tension rise as they approached their endgame. It was almost like a foul odor in the air, but it couldn't be described that simply.

All twelve beings felt their reservations rise extensively. To them, the corridor began to look less like a rock tunnel and more like the throat of a monster large enough to make even a Bakugan look like a gnat in comparison. But still, no protest was uttered by any of them.

Eventually, the corridor widened up, leading the Spectres to the main chamber of the compound. It looked just like it had when they first arrived, but none of them concerned themselves with the aesthetics of the chamber.

Gus stood at attention at the opposite side of the large room. The eyes of the mask laser focused onto the Spectres, like a hawk focused on its prey. He held an extremely confident, if not arrogant, smirk. "Welcome back", he called out.

The Spectres slowed their advance as they entered the chamber, with no real reason to move quickly. Behind them, a large metal blast door slid from each side with relative silence, slamming shut and further cutting off the Spectres from reaching outside.

"Here we are", Gus said. "Do you remember the last time we all saw each other, face to face? I do." He paused, letting the Spectres recollect how heavily outmatched they were. Their faces remained serious and undeterred. "Yet you've seemed to have forgotten. So let me remind you: you ran away. You realized you could not beat me. You cannot beat me. So why have you come to die?"

"We haven't", Robin replied. "We've come to take you down for good."

Gus chuckled, amused by the bravado. "I suspect the Brawlers have put you up to this", Gus theorized. "They've put you on a fool's errand, my friends. They've sent you here to die."

"We're not here because they said so", Noah said. "We're here because it's the right thing to do. Because you've left us no other choice."

"Now are you going to keep grandstanding, or are you going to actually try to take us down?", Ben challenged.

Gus balled his fist. " 'Grandstanding'?", he repeated. "No. Even after all this time, you still don't understand. I'm not grandstanding. I'm not boasting. I'm making a declaration."

"By destroying everything?", Jack said. "That's twisted!"

"It's the ultimate expression of ultimate power", Gus countered. "Only the strongest should thrive. All others are simply trash to obliterate. Survival of the fittest. 'Social Darwinism', I believe you humans call it."

"Humanity reformed Social Darwinism to ensure the strongest would support society", Soon said. "Not tear it all down!"

"Then humanity lacked the purity of will to follow through with their greatest ideology, even in theory", Gus said. "I do not, however. The universe will burn to oblivion, and there's nothing you can do about it."

"What makes you say that?", Chris demanded.

"You will not be around to experience it!", Gus roared. "Now, come! You've made your choice. Now experience my boundless might for the final time!"

The seven battlers all pressed a single button on their Baku Pods, raising them to eye level. Each screen flashed the colors of their battlers' Attributes, then sent out a multicolored shockwave. The battlefield was primed.

Gus drew a Gate Card, but was preempted by Robin throwing his before Gus had a chance. As the Gate Card expanded, Gus pulled back his own. "Fair enough."

"Bakugan, brawl!", the six Spectres called out, launching their Bakugan onto the ground. "Bakugan, stand!"

"Into the light, Phantom Brontes!", Soon heralded her Bakugan's arrival. The eight armed Bakugan rose into view, his smile looking especially plastered.

"Rise to the air, Cosmic Ingram!", Robin called out. Ingram rose into the area, flying as high into the air as possible.

"Take the elements, Mystic Elico!", Jack shouted. As soon as Elico appeared, he took a fighting stance.

"Out of the shadows, Alpha Percival!", Chris announced. Percival stood up straight, surrounded by a light fog of darkness.

"Unleash your might, Turbine Dragonoid!", Ben projected. Turbine Dragonoid rose into the field, flexing his wings mightily.

"Stand your ground, Flare Wilda!", Noah called. Wilda rose into view, flexing his massive bulk in preparation for the fight.

Gus hesitated for a brief moment before throwing his Bakugan in, studying the six opponents. They seemed… different than before. More potent, but in a way he couldn't figure out. And he decided that whatever was different, he didn't like.

"Bakugan, brawl!", he roared, throwing in his Bakugan. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Infinity Helios!"

As the ball hit the ground, a surge of black energy shot up in a pillar shape. As it died down, Infinity Helios appeared. A lifeless expression was on his face as he glared down his six opponents.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 900, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=5400

Infinity Helios: 1200

As Infinity Helios finished his entrance, the seven combatants began a tense filled standoff. Second after second passed, and no Bakugan initiated an attack. Each of the Spectres' Bakugan seemingly studied Infinity Helios, while remembering their previous experience against him. The cyborg, meanwhile, stood still and waited for an input to react to.

Then, after a full minute had passed, Turbine Dragonoid's eyes widened. "Now!", he roared. He and his allies began their attack; the battle had begun.

"They can talk now?", Gus demanded. The brief moment of surprise was all his enemies needed to begin their initial attack.

Dragonoid and Percival flew to either side of Helios, each one restraining an arm. Ingram quickly appeared behind the cyborg, reaching from behind and bending the back weapon. Once that was done, Elico faced up in front of their single opponent, and began to land hit after hit with his fists. Brontes and Wilda slowly approached to act as support for the others.

"They're attacking without using any abilities", Gus said. "You won't undermine me so easily! Double Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar, plus Deep Fire - Block A!"

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, dragonic roar, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames directly ahead of him. Elico was forced to back off from his assault to avoid being scorched.

As soon as Elico retreated, the second ability began to go into effect. 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.

Then, the lasers began to target all six enemies at once. Dragonoid, Ingram and Percival all flew away to buy themselves time, but the lasers closed in fast.

(Phantom Brontes: 900-600=300, Cosmic Ingram: 900-600=300, Mystic Elico: 900-600=300, Alpha Percival: 900-600=300, Turbine Dragonoid: 900-600=300, Flare Wilda: 900-600=300)=1800

Infinity Helios: 1200+800=2000

"Let's see how you beat that display of-", Gus began, but a voice cut him off.

"Ability Activate!", Soon said. "Spectral Enhancement!"

Phantom Brontes spread out all eight of his arms, readying the chosen counter to the incoming barrage. Each hand began glowing a mystical yellow energy. When he was ready, he sent an energy shockwave outwards, which began rolling over the field.

Wherever the energy collected with either of Helios's attacks, be it the fire column or one of the dozens of the laser missiles, the Pyrus attack was discontinued and destroyed. When it touched the Spectres' Bakugan, they began glowing their own Attributed color, their powers increasing steadily.

"Thank you, Brontes", Elico regarded.

"My pleasure", Brontes said in reply.

(Phantom Brontes: 300+600+400=1300, Cosmic Ingram: 300+600+400=1300, Mystic Elico: 300+600+400=1300, Alpha Percival: 300+600+400=1300, Turbine Dragonoid: 300+600+400=1300, Flare Wilda: 300+600+400=1300)=7800

Infinity Helios: 2000-800=1200

"Have you learned nothing from our previous encounter?", Gus ridiculed with his next ability. "Your power only fuels Infinity Helios! Ability Activate! Gravity Demon!"

Infinity Helios's eyes glared at the opposition's respective auras of Attributed power, flaring up against their common and powerful enemy. Ther cyborg Bakugan let out another roar and opened his mouth wide.

Then, the Attributed auras began to seep from their origin Bakugan and on a course towards Infinity Helios. Six streams of energy went through the air and went into Helios's maw. A black aura began to flare up and intensify.

"We've learned not to let you do that", Noah countered with his own ability. "Ability Activate! Terran Flare!"

Wilda reached his arms back, turning his body to face Infinity Helios. His glowing red chest began to intensify its glow immensely, with Flare Wilda readying his power for another attack.

The red glow then shone on the enemy, making him grunt in pain as his armor was superheated and he was slowly fried from the outside in. The black aura was immediately burned away, with the power transferring back to the sources.

"He nullified my ability. Not even FARBAS Infinity could get that power back now", Gus muttered. "When did they think of that?" He let out a small snarl as he readied his next attack. "It doesn't matter. Double Ability Activate! Cyclone Havoc, plus Quake Impulse!"

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.

Inside the cyclone, 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, all while the tornado kept raging.

(Phantom Brontes: 1300-400=900, Cosmic Ingram: 1300-400=900, Mystic Elico: 1300-400=900, Alpha Percival: 1300-400=900, Turbine Dragonoid: 1300-600-400=300, Flare Wilda: 1300-400=900)=4800

Infinity Helios: 1200+600+400=2200

Air and earth became the enemy of the Spectres, pushing them and their Bakugan away. None of them could even get close. As the seconds passed, the chamber's walls and ceiling began to freak, with large chunks of rock breaking off and falling to the floor.

Ben had to dodge one rock fragment, with the whole team looking increasingly alarmed. "If we don't stop his attack now, this whole chamber could come down on our heads!"

"I've got just the thing", Robin promised. He reached out with his right hand. "Gate Card Open! Freeze Enemy!"

The Gate Card that Robin had set glowed bright white, even as it shook with the rest of the chamber. As the white glow started to concentrate around the eye of the green twister. Almost immediately, the winds and shaking died down. Helios was revealed, with white energy clinging to his form. Any attempt to move was counteracted by stiff resistance.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 900, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 300, Flare Wilda: 900)=4800

Infinity Helios: 2200-200=2000

Gus sighed. He knew as well as they did that FARBAS Infinity would counter the Gate Card's effects. "How tedious", he complained, readying the only ability he still could.

"Ok, go!", Robin called, as he, Ben, Jack and Chris prepared one ability each.

"Ability Activate!", four voices rang out.

"Celestial Whirlwind!"

Cosmic Ingram suddenly ascended even higher into the air than he was already. He spread out his six wings as wide as possible, allowing them to glow green as energy was focused into them.

And then, all in one instant, the green aura's power was focused into a space directly in front of Cosmic Ingram, which began to glow bright with Cosmic Ingram's Ventus power. The concentrated energy allowed Cosmic Ingram to unleash a large blast of winds, equitable to those of a category four hurricane.

"Exodus Dragon!"

Turbine Dragonoid opened his mouth, letting out another roar of dominance before beginning his attack. His mouth began to light up a bright orange color, the maw within both heating up and gathering flames. Seemingly all at once, the Bakugan tightened up his body and unleashed the attack, blasting a full inferno of orange flames straight ahead, heading straight for Infinity Helios with a vengeance.

"Aquos Maelstrom!"

Mystic Elico's eyes flashed blue for a single moment, the light facing as energy began to collect all around his body. Moisture collected from the air, or was drawn out of the Aquos Bakugan, beginning to swirl around the Bakugan.

Clouds began to appear overhead, showering rain on the battlefield. The rainwater and nearby river only joined Mystic Elico's water swirl, converting it into a full fledged hurricane, and even greater. Lightning crackled overhead, from the storm clouds. The hurricane kept raging, only growing in intensity as the seconds passed.

"Alpha Blade!"

Alpha Percival began to glow a bright purple light, his power being intensified. The glow began to consolidate into his hands, being expensed outwards. The energy consolidated into two blades, one for each hand. The swords were solid, with purple metal blades, shaped like two scabbards. He swung the two swords experimentally, finding the right balance. Once he was fully prepared, he began his charge at the enemy.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900+500=1400, Mystic Elico: 900+900=1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 300+600=900, Flare Wilda: 900)=6800

Infinity Helios: 2000-500-500=1000

Aquos and Ventus storm winds barraged Infinity Helios, pulling him into an approach into the other attacks. With the Gate Card incapacitating him, he was unable to mount any kind of defense as Dragonoid's fire struck him, superheating the metal armor.

With the fire obscuring his senses, Infinity Helios didn't detect Alpha Percival heading towards his position, holding his two scabbards parallel to each other. "Take… this!", he snarled, slashing through his ally's for with both blades at once, beelining for the cyborg. The blades closed in on Infinity Helios's neck…

With a loud clanging sound, the blades flagged with a metal obstacle. Infinity Helios's arm had moved to block the blades. His glare fixed onto Alpha Percival.

"What?", Percival grunted.

Chris gasped. "But the Gate Card-!"

As she spoke, Infinity Helios's eyes glowed a deep black color. "Freeze Enemy identified. Normal battling functions restored. Total damage received: 65%. Repairing…"

Any scorch mark or dent in Helios's armor filled with black energy, which faded away to reveal the battle marks completely restored to its original setting. Helios began to glow a faint black aura, with his power rising steadily.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=6800

Infinity Helios: 1000+1200=2200

Gus snarled at the Spectres, his Baku Pod displaying two abilities, the first evidently having gone into effect. "Don't make me laugh. Double Ability Activate! FARBAS Infinity…"

"Here we go", Noah muttered. The real battle had just begun.

"...plus Plasmatic Surge!"

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 slowly converted to feed the black aura, severely harshening its intensity.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=6800

Infinity Helios: 2200+300(×7)=4300

Percival backpedaled to avoid being overwhelmed by Helios's surging power. He rejoined the others as Helios finished processing the energy influx.

"You're running out of time", Gus taunted. "And it's merely a matter of time until I overcome all of you. You cannot resist me!"

"We know what we have to do", Robin said.

"Keep hammering at him quicker and harder than his recovery can keep up", Ben said. "Way easier said than done."

"Then let's get started!", Soon said, her Baku Pod brandishing another ability. "Ability Activate! Spirit Halo!"

Phantom Brontes spread out his arms, channeling energy from his chest into all four of them, and outward. The energy consolidated into eight identical copies of glowing rings, which he took hold of. Phantom Brontes wielded all eight of the energy rings, swinging them all without having any of them connect. Then, he charged for the cyborg unrelentingly.

(Phantom Brontes: 900+500=1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=7300

Infinity Helios: 4300

Brontes reached Infinity Helios's position and started slashing with all eight of his rings. Each slash stripped away a part of the cyborg's black aura, but it was almost as quickly replenished. Almost, but the black aura was slowly being worn down by Brontes's efforts.

"You are not…", Brontes grunted as he kept slashing, "... going to defeat us!" The next slash sliced clean through the aura and scored a hit on Infinity Helios's chest armor.

The slash was quickly repaired, but Helios's armor was now being assaulted by the halos. "Warning! Rate of damage surpassing repair rate. Total system damage: 7%... 11%... 13%... 16%..."

Gus's eyes widened as he recognized the danger. "Get away! Now! Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar!"

"Brontes, pull back!", Soon immediately ordered, as soon as Gus finished naming his ability.

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, which assimilated into the black aura. With a mighty roar of strength, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames at Brontesin point blank range.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=7300

Infinity Helios: 4300+800=5100

But Brontes was running backwards almost as quickly as he had approached Infinity Helios. He slashed apart any flames that came close to threatening him.

Helios kept on blasting his fire, spreading out the range to burn all his enemies. As he did, the A.I. reported Helios's status. "All damage recovered. System stable."

"Don't think we're through!", Noah said, bringing out two abilities. "We can take all the heat you dish out! Double Ability Activate! Gaian Hammer…"

Steam started to pour out of Wilda's body, hiding him in a smokescreen from behind the wall. Wilda readied himself to move. Then, Wilda began to lift himself out of the steam, his feet producing steam to somehow grant him aerodynamics. He flew high in the air, descending towards Helios while gaining momentum behind his fist. The flames utterly consumed his form, but Wilda powered through it with almost no effort.

He landed right in top of the cyborg, punching him with all the might and momentum he could muster. The force behind the punch actually dented the metal armor, though it was quickly repaired by FARBAS Infinity.

"...plus Hyper Eruption!"

Flare Wilda reared back both of his fists, facing the ground directly in front of him. After a second, he slammed both fists into the earth. "Burn!", he roared viciously.

Right where Wilda's fists were embedded into the ground, red hot lava began to rise up. The magma slowly rose up to cover Flare Wilda's arms, allowing his fists in the lava. His arms were glowing red hot when he pulled them out and readied himself to hit Helios.

At the same time, the exact places where Wilda's fists had struck the ground kept spouting their magma, which began shooting up like a geyser.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900+300+600=1800)=8200

Infinity Helios: 5100

Flare Wilda grabbed Infinity Helios with both fists, the magma coating burning into the cyborg's body. Wilda muscled Infinity Helios, using his grip to pull the metal Bakugan directly onto the lava geysers. Wilda wasn't hurt by it, but the only thing keeping Infinity Helios's armor from melting off was FARBAS Infinity. Still, the magma began to rise above Helios's body, searing everything it touched.

"Warning! Rate of damage surpassing repair rate. Warning! External temperature exceeding safety limits. Unable to regulate internal temperature. Total system damage: 13%... 18%... 24%..."

Jack whistled in appreciation. "Nice move", he congratulated.

"It won't be long until he counters", Noah grunted, keeping a composed expression. "He's not done yet. Get ready."

"It appears that you've come here with an actual plan", Gus remarked. "But it won't be enough. Nothing you try will ever be enough! 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 eerie of a vicious cyclone birthed of Ventus energy.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 1800-600=1200)=7600

Infinity Helios: 5100+600=5700

The powerful twister began to spread out the magma surrounding Infinity Helios, splashing it in all directions. Flare Wilda, being the closest, bore the worst of it, and it hardly affected him. But the twister began more and more chaotic by the second. Wilda was forced to step back or be flung into the air.

"Keep the pressure on! Don't let up!", Jack called, bringing out another ability. "Ability Activate! Aqua Impulse!"

Mystic Elico raised his right hand, pointing and out stretching it directly at the cyborg Bakugan's tornado. He then began to focus his power into that hand, as moisture gathered there at the same time. The entire arm began to glow blue with the compressed energy, all focused in one arm.

"Time to… shut you down!", Elico declared, beginning his attack. His right hand blasted out a extremely large and high pressure torrent of water.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1800+400=2200, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 1200)=8000

Infinity Helios: 5700

The water torrent cut through the green winds, defusing the twister easily. It gave way to a cloud of steam.

"You know that you just cooled down the lava", Noah told Jack. "Right?"

The steam parted to reveal Infinity Helios, breathing hard with the damage he had taken. His lower body was covered in hardened igneous rock, having been cooled by both the twister and Elico's water. With a single roar, he sent out a shockwave that broke down the rock, giving Infinity Helios free reign once more.

"You're certainly more entertaining than before", Gus remarked. "But it doesn't matter. His Baku Pod shone another ability. "Ability Activate! Warfire!"

Infinity Helios opened his maw, raising his head to aim at a spot above the Spectres' Bakugan. His mouth filled up with bright red flames and energy, but they condensed into a high intensity sphere of red fires.

Then, Infinity Helios shot the high intensity fireball at his targeted spot, the heat palpable even to the Spectres as it reached that spot. Then, the fireball broke apart above each of the opposing Bakugan, sending small bursts of fire and energy in all directions.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400-500=900, Cosmic Ingram: 1400-500=900, Mystic Elico: 2200-500=1700, Alpha Percival: 900-500=400, Turbine Dragonoid: 900-500=400, Flare Wilda: 1200-500=700)=5000

Infinity Helios: 5700+500=6200

"We'll draw their fire!", Robin volunteered. His Baku Pod formed another ability card. "Ability Activate! Armored Triumph!"

Ingram dove in front of Elico, putting himself between Skyress's attack and his ally. He flapped his six wings powerfully, sending a gust of wind at the incoming energy attacks. The energy bursts were barely slowed down by the winds.

Still, Ingram had enough time to complete his defensive move. His wings folded onto his body and covered every spot on his form in preparation for the impact, even as he charged the energy alone.

(Phantom Brontes: 900+500=1400, Cosmic Ingram: 900+500+500=1900, Mystic Elico: 1700+500=2200, Alpha Percival: 400+500=900, Turbine Dragonoid: 400+500=900, Flare Wilda: 700+500=1200)=8500

Infinity Helios: 6200-500=5700

The innumerable fire and energy bursts connected first and foremost with Ingram's defense. The point effect has been nullified, but the power was enough to create a sizable explosion. The hemisphere hid Ingram from sight, and when it dissolved, Ingram had vanished from sight.

"He… vaporized?", Gus questioned. A smirk grew. "One down, then. Five to go, so who's next?"

"Don't be… so sure!", Ingram's voice shouted at Gus. Before Gus could make sense of it, Infinity Helios's shape began to swell under him. Ingram emerged from the shadow and almost immediately put Helios into a headlock from behind.

"What?!", Gus raged.

Robin smirked. His Baku Pod was shining his Gale Echo ability. "Ingram can't hold him forever. Who's going?"

"I will!", Chris volunteered with her next ability. "Fusion Ability Activate! Dual Turmoil!"

Alpha Percival readied himself for his counter, keeping his grip on his swords. Each hand neared each other, bringing the flat hilts of the two swords together. As they met, they snapped together, forming one large, double bladed sword, with each sharp blade opposite the other. After a few seconds of the connection, each blade began to glow bright purple, being enhanced by the fusion ability.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1900, Mystic Elico: 2200, Alpha Percival: 900+600=1500, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 1200)=9100

Infinity Helios: 5700

Percival quickly approached his single opponent, who was totally restrained by Ingram. Helios struggled, but couldn't break out of the hold in time. Percival spun his double blade with his approach, building up momentum for his slash. Right before Percival was close enough to strike, Ingram dropped down into the shadows again.

"No time to counter", Gus grunted.

Percival then brought down one blade of the double sword, scoring a deep gash down Helios's left arm. The gash was quickly repaired by FARBAS Infinity, but Percival was still spinning his blades. The blades hit the right leg, then made an X on the chest, then was blocked by Helios's right arm.

They stood still for a moment, with Helios and Percival glaring each other down. The armor coated arm blocked one end of the double sword.

"You've beaten us before", Percival growled, slowly shifting his stance. He tightened his grip on his weapon, his eyes flashing with malice. "You will not beat us again!"

As if sensing her Bakugan's intentions, Chris stepped forward with a closed fist. "Do it, Percival!", she yelled. "Bring that freak to his knees!"

With lightning quick movements, Percival switched the blades clashing against the arm, striking the limb from the other side. The quick slash allowed the blade to slice straight through the armor, detaching the hand from the forearm. The hand slid off the arm, landing on the ground with a thud.

Infinity Helios roared in pain as he fully processed his mutilation. His left hand gripped the stump, which crackled with sparks of electricity. "Warning! Critical damage detected. Hyper repair sequence activated." Black energy began to fill the stump, creating an energy construct of the limb. That energy slowly consolidated into matter.

Gus's eyes widened as he realized what had happened. "You… dare…"

"Are you sure about that?", Soon asked. "That was rather… brutal."

"Maybe it's time to get brutal", Chris replied. Though it was contained, rage flashed in her eyes. "He'll be vulnerable while he's repairing that damage. A perfect opening to do some damage!" She developed another ability on her Baku Pod. "Ability Activate! Primal Gunner!"

As soon as Chris called the ability, the double bladed sword dissolved into purple mist as Percival readied his next attack. Alpha Percival opened up his mouth wide, slowly gathering energy within his maw, though he couldn't be seen in the thick fog. That energy consolidated into an orb of purple and white energy, growing just ahead of Alpha Percival's mouth.

With a loud roar, Alpha Percival unleashed the energy in a large beam, aiming right at Infinity Helios at point blank range.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1900, Mystic Elico: 2200, Alpha Percival: 1500+400=1900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 1200)=9500

Infinity Helios: 5700

With FARBAS Infinity occupied with restoring Helios's arm, it couldn't react to Percival's energy blast. With the close range only enhancing the power, the intensity slowly pushed Percival back to the others. Helios, in contrast, could only stand and take it, having to focus on reporting the limb.

Several seconds later, the energy fully consolidated into mass, restoring the arm to perfect condition. Helios could finally focus on Percival's attack. "Warning! Damage sustained: 31%... 36%..."

"I'm not doing this again", Gus said, readying another ability. "Ability Activate! Ragnarok Buster!"

While Helios was enduring Percival's blast, the plating on his 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, directly into the purple energy assaulting him.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400-700=700, Cosmic Ingram: 1900-700=1200, Mystic Elico: 2200-700=1500, Alpha Percival: 1900-700=1200, Turbine Dragonoid: 900-700=200, Flare Wilda: 1200-700=500)=5300

Infinity Helios: 5700+700=6400

Within only a second of the two energy blasts contesting, Percival's own attack broke apart. Helios's black blast ripped through the air on its way to the opposition.

"We're not just going to lie down and play dead!", Ben growled, readying his own ability. "Noah, you shield the others."

"Right", Noah agreed, generating his own ability. "Ready when you are!"

Ben smirked as he called out his next move. "Ability Activate! Blazing Twister!"

Noah went next. "Ability Activate! Igneous Shield!"

Part of the black blast nearing Turbine Dragonoid and his allies separated from the attack. It was drawn toward the dragon, and began twisting around the Dragonoid and rising into the air, with orange fire co-joining the flames. It turned into a large tornado of energy and fire.

Then, the tornado converged in the air, going back down to Turbine Dragonoid. The Dragonoid somehow absorbed the power into his body, a red aura appearing and intensifying proportionally to the firepower he was absorbing. Meaning, the aura was incredibly thick.

At the same time, Flare Wilda reared back both of his fists, facing the ground directly in front of him. After a second, he slammed both fists into the earth, then pulled them back, out of the ground.

The places where Wilda had impacted the ground began to light up bright red. Within a few moments, red hot magma spotted from those spots, rising up high above the combatants. As it kept rising, the magma cooled impossibly quickly, turning into a wall of shiny, black obsidian.

(Phantom Brontes: 700+700=1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1200+700=1900, Mystic Elico: 1500+700=2200, Alpha Percival: 1200+700=1900, Turbine Dragonoid: 200+6200+700=7100, Flare Wilda: 500+700+400=1600)=16100

Infinity Helios: 6400-700=5700

The black beam clashed with the rock barrier, splitting apart into five parts. The igneous rock totally reflected the blast, until it finally subsided.

"Damn it!", Gus swore. They're… different, he thought. More skilled. More coordinated. More troublesome. What happened?!

Then, Turbine Dragonoid unleashed his power. "I'll incinerate you faster than you can recover, monster!", he promised. He uproared viciously, releasing a wave of hot air out against Infinity Helios. "BURN!"

The heat wave collided against Infinity Helios, pushing back the cyborg. He grunted as he tried to maintain his composure. "Warning! Detecting massive power output from Turbine Dragonoid. Warning! Damage sustained: 58%... 70%..."

Gus inhaled sharply as he realized that his Bakugan was getting overpowered. His mind, unbidden, flashed back to a moment just the earlier day:

' "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.'

No, he thought. I can't be that pathetic again. I can't lose again. Not again! "NEVER AGAIN!", he proclaimed. He aggressively started typing on his Baku Pod, which began to generate and assemble black particles.

"Ready: Bombaplode."

"Battle Gear… Boost!", Gus yelled, throwing ahead the device. It reached the besieged cyborg Bakugan, creating a flash of deep black coloring.

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.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1900, Mystic Elico: 2200, Alpha Percival: 1900, Turbine Dragonoid: 7100, Flare Wilda: 1600)=16100

Infinity Helios: 5900

"He's got Battle Gear?", Soon questioned.

"We may be in trouble", Jack deadpanned.

"Understatement of the millennium", Gus responded. "You're far more skilled than before. Consider this finishing move a sign of respect. Battle Gear Ability Activate! Bombaplode Catastrophe!"

The five cannons of Bombaplode all focused onto the two enemies, while 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 titanically. The haze of the energy forced the heat wave away from Helios, giving the cyborg free reign.

(Phantom Brontes: 1400, Cosmic Ingram: 1900, Mystic Elico: 2200, Alpha Percival: 1900, Turbine Dragonoid: 7100, Flare Wilda: 1600)=16100

Infinity Helios: 5900×3=17700

"What the- it tripled?!", Chris said, shocked.

"LET THEM HAVE IT!", Gus shouted. "ATOMIZE THEM, INFINITY HELIOS!"

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 the Spectres, shrouding them and their Bakugan 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.

The chamber's walls and ceiling crumbled from the power of the Battle Gear. The explosion kept going, obliterating everything in its path.

Once the explosion finally dissipated, the area was completely changed. Everything in front of Infinity Helios, including the entrance tunnel to the compound and even part of the ceiling, was leveled, reaching all the way to the outside. Sunlight shone down on the battlefield.

The Spectres opened their eyes, assessing their damage. Besides the dust coatings and heavy weariness, there was no damage.

"We're… we're alright?", Robin asked, stupefied. "We were in the dead zone of the blast! How-?"

He was cut off with a loud groan. The six Spectres looked to see their Bakugan bending over them. Every one of them were greatly scorched by the blast. Without any more delay, they all glowed their Attribute colors and dropped to their battlers.

Soon: 40%

Robin: 40%

Jack: 50%

Chris: 50%

Ben: 50%

Noah: 50%

Infinity Helios glowed black, shrinking down to ball form, and the Battle Gear shrunk as well. Both dropped into Gus's hand.

"Thank you, Wilda", Noah said as he picked up his Bakugan. The others also spoke their gratitude.

"I can hardly believe it", Soon remarked. "He kept that kind of trump card in reserve all this time… and that Infinity Helios can even handle that kind of power level. It's inconceivable."

"We were fighting harder than ever", Ben said. "We prodded the beast one too many times. He snapped back."

"We're not out yet", Jack said. "All that proves is that he's getting desperate. If he's getting desperate this early, we may be better off than it seems."

"That's a good point", Chris said. "We got pretty close, and we won't fall for the same trick twice. We'll take him down."

Gus, on the other side of the field, was breathing hard. "Yes…", he muttered. "Come try again. You will never defeat me!" He took a Gate Card out and tossed it down. "Gate Card, set!"

"Bakugan, brawl!", seven Brawlers, from both sides, yelled and unleashed their Bakugan. "Bakugan, stand!"

Seven different flashes, with the black opposing six colored ones. They heralded the arrival of ready of the seven combatants.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 900, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=5400

Infinity Helios: 1200

"No mercy!", Gus shouted, displaying another ability immediately after the Bakugan appeared. "Ability Activate! Ragnarok Buster!"

"Whoa! He's already using his strongest attack?!", Jack questioned.

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.

(Phantom Brontes: 900-700=200, Cosmic Ingram: 900-700=200, Mystic Elico: 900-700=200, Alpha Percival: 900-700=200, Turbine Dragonoid: 900-700=200, Flare Wilda: 900-700=200)=1200

Infinity Helios: 1200+700=1900

"Reckless attack", Soon chided. "Jack. I'll hold off the attack. Can you nullify it?"

Jack nodded readily. "Too easy." Both of them developed their counter abilities.

"Ability Activate! Osiris Dominion!"

"Double Ability Activate! Torrent Shield, plus Elemental Surge!"

Phantom Brontes's body began to light up a bright yellow aura. The aura began to intensify at a rapidly increasing pace, as Phantom Brontes's aura heightened considerably. The jester began laughing uncontrollably.

The yellow energy consolidated in the air around Brontes, forming battle axes made clearly of yellow energy, both hilt and blade. Eight in total, one for each hand. Phantom Brontes took hold of each axe, positioning them to point at his opponents.

At the same time, Elico reached out with his two arms, seemingly doing nothing but trying to intercept the incoming cold front. Elico began to force moisture in the air and out of his body, condensing it into a wall of water as a shield, surrounding him and all his allies.

And then, all of a sudden, Mystic Elico's body began to light up a harsh blue aura, the Aquos symbol on his chest glowing especially brightly. The blue energy quickly transferred out of Elico's form, imbuing itself into the water shield.

(Phantom Brontes: 200+1600+700=2500, Cosmic Ingram: 200+700=900, Mystic Elico: 200+700+400+500=1800, Alpha Percival: 200+700=900, Turbine Dragonoid: 200+700=900, Flare Wilda: 200+700=900)=7900

Infinity Helios: 1900-700=1200

The black beam struck the enhanced water shield, casting ripples throughout the liquid. Second after second, the blast's power was deflected through the water. Infinity Helios finally baked his attack, and only then Elico took down the shield.

"Go, Brontes!", Soon exclaimed.

The jester jumped ahead of his peers, brandishing his energy axes to strike at Infinity Helios. "Here I come!", Brontes jeered.

"Don't be so sure", Gus snarled, bringing out another ability. "You'll never get close! Ability Activate! Camo Abyss!"

Infinity Helios's body then began to surge even more intensely with power, his energy aura heightening even more. His form let out a comparatively mild pulse of energy, one that was blue, that buffeted his six opponents, especially Brontes. Then, Infinity Helios's body shimmered in and out of sight, like a mirage, until his form utterly disappeared from view.

Infinity Helios: 1200+600=1800

"Brontes, don't panic!", Soon said. "Throw your axe blades! You'll be bound to score a hit."

Brontes aimed his hands, and axes, all in eight different directions, trying to map out Helios's trajectory. He threw them all at once, all in the different directions he mapped out. Seven struck the far wall and dissipated, but the eighth landed in the air with a metallic clang, remaining in the air.

"Our light will reveal you for all to see!", Soon said, unrelentingly utilizing two abilities. "Double Ability Activate! Ghost World, plus Fusion Ability Bright Nightmare!"

Brontes began by spreading out each arm, elongating them as far as possible. Mystical yellow energy gathered all around Brontes as he charged up his attack. Brontes sent out his mystical power at the "floating" axe, actually hitting Infinity Helios. As he reappeared into view, yellow energy then engulfed the opposing Bakugan in the mystical field.

Infinity Helios's body didn't move at all. His eyes were wide in shock. His limbs slowly trembled as fear overwhelmed his senses.

Then, all of Brontes's arms sent out a pulse of yellow energy at the incapacitated target. The cyborg dropped to his knees, yellow energy permeating throughout his body.

(Phantom Brontes: 2500+400+600=3500, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=8900

Infinity Helios: 1800-400-200=1200

"He's vulnerable! Take him!", Soon called out.

Chris and Ben both pulled out an ability each, readying them in unison.

"Ready to do this, oaf?", Chris asked.

"Like you even need to ask", Ben sniped back. "Let's thrash him!"

"Ability Activate! Thunder Oblivion!"

"Ability Activate! Blaze Impulse!"

Alpha Percival started to gather his focus, heightening his powers. After a moment, he became cloaked in an aura of purple colored energy. The aura began to crackle like lightning, a couple stray bolts surging in all directions. With an enraged roar, Percival unleashed a huge bolt of purple lightning straight ahead, right at Infinity Helios.

Then, Turbine Dragonoid lurched forward, gathering energy within his mouth for the umpteenth time. Instead of flames, though, a massive amount of flaring red energy gathered in his maw, slowly building up. Then, the dragon unleashed his amassed power, sending a beam of red energy at Orbit Helios.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 900+500=1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 900+500=1400, Flare Wilda: 900)=9900

Infinity Helios: 1200-500-500=200

Dark lightning and pressurized firepower impacted the immobilized Infinity Helios st the same time, creating twin explosions of Attributed power. The incapacitated cyborg was's flung back by the power, but he was already on his knees. The chest armor was scorched by both attacks.

"I won't be beaten by you… children!", Gus yelled a promise, generating two abilities at once. "Double Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar, plus Plasmatic-!" He only stopped once he realized the abilities weren't flashing, like they were supposed to. No! Ghost World is blocking my abilities! Damn! How could I have been so… stupid?!

"Thanks for the opening!", Robin called with a predatory smirk, actually activating his ability. "We'll take it, don't you worry. Ability Activate! Sky Force - Extreme!"

Cosmic Ingram became cloaked in a green aura of Ventus power. He soared upward at an even greater velocity than he was just before, vision of the green aura blurring with the heightening altitude and acceleration. When Cosmic Ingram reached a high enough altitude, he stopped for a single moment.

Then, Cosmic Ingram began to descend at a rapid pace towards the opposition. His cloak began to light up at an even greater intensity. Barrages of throwing stars made of that same kind of green energy shot down onto Infinity Helios, all while Cosmic Ingram was flying back down to strike at him.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 900+600=1500, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 900)=10500

Infinity Helios: 200

The round's just started, and I'm already being forced to bring out FARBAS Infinity, Gus remarked, pulling out said card. They're pushing me harder and harder. If this keeps up… NO. I CAN'T lose to these imbeciles.

The green energy shurikens began to hit Helios, slicing into the metal armor a bit. Helios groaned weakly, obviously in pain. The yellow light engulfing him remained strong. The cyborg's pupils were dilated in an animalistic terror.

"For Robin!", Ingram called as he neared Helios's location.

"For nothing!", Gus countered, using two abilities at once. "Double Ability Activate! FARBAS Infinity, plus Gravity Demon!"

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. The yellow glow faded away, and the fear disappeared.

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. "Ghost World effect analyzed. Total system damage: 77%. Repairing…" All of the scorch and slash marks began to fill with black energy, which faded away to reveal the metal armor in pristine condition. Helios stood up, glaring down the incoming Ingram.

Then, Ingram collided with the cyborg, all of his momentum proving to be nothing against Infinity Helios. Helios's eyes glared at the opposition's green aura of Ventus power, flaring up against the cyborg to try and break out. The cyborg Bakugan let out another roar and opened his mouth wide.

Then, the green energy was sapped away from Ingram's form, entering Helios's mouth. The green shurikens also dissipated, going into the cyborg's mouth. The black aura glared up just a little bit more.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 1500-600=900, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 900)=9900

Infinity Helios: 200+1600+600=2400

"He absorbed the momentum of my attack, as well as the point effect", Robin observed. He watched as Helios applied both hands to grip Cosmic Ingram, who groaned in pain.

"If Ingram doesn't get out of there soon, he's toast!", Jack said.

"And with Ingram that close to Infinity Helios, we can't attack without making a huge risk of hitting him", Noah added.

"It's fine", Robin replied, already having an ability ready. "Trying to escape with brute force would be pointless. Especially for Ingram's skillset. I have a better idea. Ability Activate! Gale Split!"

Ingram's body, even from within Helios's grasp, began to glow green with a fresh energy influx. Then, his body erupted in a green explosion. Scores of Cosmic Ingram duplicates appeared, each one producing dozens on their own. In no time, Ingram duplicates were all over the place.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 900+400=1300, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 900)=10300

Infinity Helios: 2400

Helios squeezed the Ingram in his grip, intending to crush the real one to dust, but it dissipated into mist. It was a fake. Helios looked at the swarm around him, which kept crossing flight paths with each other, making themselves as hard for Helios to track as possible.

"I'll just blast them apart!", Gus yelled, pulling out yet another ability card. "Ability Activate! Deep Fire - Block A!"

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. They began to home in one the dozens of Ingram duplicates, intending to destroy them all.

Duplicate after duplicate was blown apart by the lasers, leaving behind clouds of smoke, but the last one managed to retreat behind the other Bakugan. As the laser missiles closed in, Ingram called. "Now!"

Noah responded, developing another ability to block the upcoming attack. "Ability Activate! Igneous Shield!"

Flare Wilda reared back both of his fists, facing the ground directly in front of him. After a second, he slammed both fists into the earth, then pulled them back, out of the ground. The places where Wilda had impacted the ground began to light up bright red. Within a few moments, red hot magma spotted from those spots, rising up high above the combatants. As it kept rising, the magma cooled impossibly quickly, turning into a wall of shiny, black obsidian.

The laser missiles connected with the igneous rock, each one resulting in an earth shattering explosion. The combined power was enough to chip away at the rock wall, but Wilda's defense held together throughout the barrage.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 1300, Mystic Elico: 1800, Alpha Percival: 1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 900+400=1300)=10700

Infinity Helios: 2400

"Ok, Elico! Now!", Jack called out.

"I agree", Elico stated. His body began to emit a multicolored light, as his form subtly shifted its shape. When it was over, blue had converted to red, and a different symbol rested on Elico's chest. "Attribute change… PYRUS!"

"They knew I'd use my barrage attack to wipe out those duplicates, so they used an appropriate defense?", Gus murmured to himself. "And then Jack could change Elico's Attribute freely, when I couldn't react. When… no, how… did they get so coordinated?" He faced all of his enemies. "What happened?! How did you improve so much in so little time?!" They didn't bother with a response. "ANSWER ME, SPECTRES! NOW!"

"He's breaking down", Robin noted. "Is that good or bad?"

"He'll be more dangerous in the short term", Ben replied. "Lash out more and more. Stoke his fire into an inferno of uncontrolled rage."

"But it'll burn out quickly", Chris inputted.

"Exactly", Ben replied. "All we need to do is keep on doing what we're doing."

"Music to my ears!", Jack said, bringing out another ability. "Ability Activate! Pyrus Meteor!"

Elico raised his right gauntlet claw, expending red energy out of his body. The energy rose up like steam, until it consolidated high in the air, turning from transparent red energy into a large ball of rock. When Elico released the rock, it fell to the enemy, violently erupting in flames as it descended.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 1300, Mystic Elico: 1800+500=2300, Alpha Percival: 1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 1300)=11200

Infinity Helios: 2400

"All of your efforts mean exactly less than nothing!", Gus roared. "Finite power will never defeat infinite power! Double Ability Activate! Plasmatic Surge, plus Cyclone Havoc!"

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.

The power amassed in Infinity Helios became so great, it pulsed out in waves. The ground beneath his feet began to crumble.

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.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 1300, Mystic Elico: 2300-600=1700, Alpha Percival: 1400, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 1300)=10600

Infinity Helios: 2400+300(×7)+600=5100

The flaming rock collided with the enhanced tornado, with the two elemental forces trying to defuse each other. Within moments, though, the winds extinguished the fires, and the rock was broken apart by the light power.

"I'll help cover your counterattack", Chris remarked, bringing out another ability. "Ability Activate! Dark Diffusion!"

Alpha Percival's body began to exude a thick fog of dark purple energy, which began to spread throughout the area. It obscured him from outside view, even as his opponent's light empowered twister tried to clear the fog.

As the dark fog continued to spread, however, it began to break apart Helios's black aura, but it was instantly replenished by FARBAS Infinity.

Percival stood in the thickest part of the fog, intensifying it evermore. His power level ascended to 1800.

"One twister for another", Robin said, bringing out another ability. "Ability Activate! Cosmic Cyclone!"

As Robin called out his attack, Cosmic Ingram's body began to exert an insurmountable amount of green Ventus energy up into the atmosphere above.

Green winds appeared in the air, reaching from the ground to the sky, high above the field. They began to circulate around Cosmic Ingram in a ferocious twister of Ventus power, only intensifying at an increasing rate.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 1300+600=1900, Mystic Elico: 1700, Alpha Percival: 1800, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 1300)=11600

Infinity Helios: 5100

Ingram's twisters began to manipulate Percival's dark fog, forming a combination attack of dark wind power. The dark twister collided with Helios's light enhanced twister, the polarities complete opposites of each other. The two cyclones were enough to pull in the debris in the ruined chamber. Seconds later, the two twisters canceled each other out.

"How are you still going?", Gus sneered. "I've blasted you with enough force to blow away the Brawlers four times over! Enough to blow you away at least twice over! How are you still resisting!?"

The Spectres didn't respond. There wasn't a need. It only increased Gus's ire. He loaded another ability in. "Your persistence is overdone, so when I hit you this time, you'd better. Stay. Down! Ability Activate! Ragnarok Buster!"

The plating on Infinity Helios's chest began to open up once again. 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, for the third time that battle. The energy ripped through the air to blast to the opposition.

Brontes chuckled with disbelief. "How many times are you going to make the same mistakes?", he ridiculed.

Soon pulled out another ability. "Brontes! Spectral Enhancement!"

Phantom Brontes spread out all eight of his arms, readying the chosen counter to the incoming attack. Each hand began glowing a mystical yellow energy. When he was ready, he sent an energy shockwave outwards, which began rolling over the field.

The yellow shockwave combated against the black beam, but the black beam was almost immediately pushed back. The effect was nullified, and the power was neutralized.

"Stop fighting back!", Gus ordered, readying two abilities at once. "Double Ability Activate! Gravity Demon, plus Plasmatic Surge!"

Infinity Helios's eyes glared at the opposing side's energy wave, which neared his position by the second and began to empower them all. The cyborg Bakugan let out another roar and opened his mouth wide. As he did, the shockwave transformed fully into a beam of yellow energy, entering Helios's open maw. Helios's black aura flared up drastically.

Then, 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, before it assimilated into the black aura.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500, Cosmic Ingram: 1900, Mystic Elico: 1700, Alpha Percival: 1800, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400, Flare Wilda: 1300)=11600

Infinity Helios: 5100+2400+300(×7)=9600

"He just keeps growing stronger and stronger", Noah said. "What are his limits?"

"You'll never find out", Gus smirked, reaching out with his hand. "Gate Card Open! Silent Land!"

The card below activated, in response to Gus's call. The white glow started to intensify around each of the Spectres' Bakugan.

Dragonoid tried to fly into the air, but his body was being held in place. "Can't… move!", he yelled.

"Oh, you thought I'd use Warmonger, yes?", Gus taunted. "You guessed wrong. Now there's no way you can keep fighting!" He craned his head upward, letting out a maniacal laugh. "HAHAHAHA!"

"Think again", Soon countered, snapping Gus out of his victory rant. She uploaded another ability card.

"No! You can't!", Gus roared. His eyes widened as he remembered something. Wait… she used Osiris Dominion at the beginning of the round. That means… NO!

"Ability Activate! Terra Impurity!"

Phantom Brontes began to light up bright yellow, adjusting his hands to touch the Gate Card. Silent Land had no effect on Brontes's movements. Then, he suddenly forced a lot of his own Haos energy down into the ground, to counteract the active Gate Card. Wherever the light touched, the white glow dissolved into the regular battlefield. Then, like an illusion, the entire Gate Card melted away. His other allies began to resume their movements, as well.

Brontes chuckled as he sneered at Gus. "You got outmaneuvered by your own creation. Good move."

"No! NO! Stay down!", Gus screamed, abandoning any semblance of composure, bringing out another ability. "Ability Activate! Warfire!"

Infinity Helios opened his maw, raising his head to aim directly at the enemy Bakugan. His mouth filled up with a different kind of attack: bright red flames and energy, but they condensed into a high intensity sphere of red fires.

Then, Infinity Helios shot the high intensity fireball at his targeted spot, the heat practically palpable. Then, the fireball broke apart on their way to the opposing Bakugan, sending small bursts of fire and energy at all six of them at once.

(Phantom Brontes: 3500-500=3000, Cosmic Ingram: 1900-500=1400, Mystic Elico: 1700-500=1200, Alpha Percival: 1800-500=1300, Turbine Dragonoid: 1400-500=900, Flare Wilda: 1300-500=800)=8600

Infinity Helios: 9600+500=10100

Jack and Ben were the next to pull out an ability, both of their Pyrus Bakugan standing ready to attack. The two called out their abilities simultaneously.

"Ability Activate! Blazing Claw!"

"Ability Activate! Dragonic Firebomb!"

Elico rushed up to the incoming fire rain, raising his gauntlet claws to attack. The sharp blades on each hand began to heat up drastically, glowing red with heat as Elico neared Helios's attack.

Dragonoid, meanwhile, does out his wings, channeling enough energy into the metallic parts to make them glow bright red. With a loud roar, the wings shot out dozens of glowing red energy orbs ahead of the group, to counteract Helios's own barrage.

Mystic Elico: 1200+300=1500, Turbine Dragonoid: 900+400=1300

When the fire bursts got close enough to Elico, he slashed with his gauntlet claws, bisecting the bursts and effectively neutralizing them. Dragonoid's firebombs also proved effective, impacting large clusters of Helios's attack and canceling them out. Within moments, the way was clear.

Elico advanced without fear, with Dragonoid's remaining firebombs beside him. He got up close to Infinity Helios and stuck one gauntlet claw in Helios's chest, and the other in the neck. The damage was mostly repaired by FARBAS Infinity, but then the firebombs exploded, doing more damage, and Elico's blazing gauntlets were still inside Infinity Helios.

Gus was about to bring out another ability to repel Elico, but then he realized where Elico had struck. With his gauntlets where they are, continuously damaging Helios's chest and neck, I can't use Ragnarok Buster or Clamor Quasar. He's severely limited my options.

"Damage sustained: 39%. Repairing…." Still, Infinity Helios kept up the black aura, continually reparing the damage, but between Dragonoid and Elico's efforts, it wasn't fast enough. "Damage sustained: 42%. Repairing…."

"He won't stand there forever!", Noah called, readying another ability. "We need to take him down now!"

"My thoughts exactly", Chris agreed, brandishing her own ability.

"Ability Activate! Hyper Eruption!"

"Ability Activate! Primal Gunner!"

Flare Wilda reared back both of his fists, facing the ground directly in front of him. After a second, he slammed both fists into the earth.

Right where Wilda's fists were embedded into the ground, red hot lava began to rise up. The magma quickly spread across the battlefield, reaching Infinity Helios within moments. It began to climb up the cyborg's body, scorching the armor as it did.

Elico was also affected by the magma. He grunted, but preserved. "Glad I'm Pyrus now", he muttered. He put just a bit more effort into impaling Helios. Once the magma reached chest level, Elico finally pulled out and pulled away from Helios.

Then, Alpha Percival opened up his mouth wide, slowly gathering energy within his maw. That energy consolidated into an orb of purple and white energy, growing just ahead of Alpha Percival's mouth. The bright glow of the amassed energy shined across the field and reached Helios's eyes.

"You're finished!", Percival promised ferociously. He unleashed the energy in a large beam, aiming right at the cyborg Bakugan. With magma restraining his lower half, Helios had no chance of evading the blast. It struck his upper body, scorching it with all the power Percival could muster.

(Phantom Brontes: 3000, Cosmic Ingram: 1400, Mystic Elico: 1500, Alpha Percival: 1300+400=1700, Turbine Dragonoid: 1300, Flare Wilda: 800+600=1400)=10300

Infinity Helios: 10100

Dragonoid, Percival and Wilda all kept up their most recent abilities, attacking Helios from long range. Wilda's magma slowly charred his legs. Percival's blast and Dragonoid's firebombs coordinated in decimating his upper body. FARBAS Infinity worked overtime to repair the damage, but it couldn't fully keep up. "Total system damage: 68%... 75%... 81%..."

"Give it everything you've got, Turbine Dragonoid!", Ben encouraged. Dragonoid put even more effort into the attack, forcing out the energy orbs at an even greater rate than earlier. They all focused onto Infinity Helios.

"Now! Don't hold anything back!", Chris yelled. Percival responded, putting even more effort into the blast. The purple energy nearly doubled in intensity within moments, carrying over to assault Helios with even greater power.

"89%... 97%... 105%. Repair system offline. All systems offline." The mechanically enhanced dragon began glowing pure black, sending out a pulse of energy. Enough power was released st once to blast away the lava from his outer body. Then, Helios shrunk down to ball form, doing to Gus's feet.

Gus: 60%

The six Bakugan all reverted to ball form, releasing their energy as they shot to their battlers' hands. The Spectres caught their Bakugan, glancing at each other with victorious smirks.

"We did it", Soon exhaled a sigh of relief.

"I guess Gus can be beaten, after all", Ben said.

"Shut up!", Gus roared, glaring at the Spectres through the mask. "Don't you dare say that!" His mouth contorted into a sneer. "Six of you, working together… and all you could do was repeat Alice's brief success against me."

"Wait… Alice knocked you down by herself?", Chris asked, before a dumbfounded smile appeared on her face. "Well, she is the best."

Gus's she only worsened, before his face slackened with a realization. "That's it… you didn't improve yourselves on your own. She trained you to treasure me on again, didn't she? Didn't she!?"

"What if she did?", Robin countered casually.

"That's it! Your lives are forfeit!", Gus promised. "I am through with playing around with you! When I'm finished with you, you'll beg for it to end!"

"Then why are you still talking?", Noah demanded, holding his Gate Card. "Stop talking and follow through! Gate Card, set!" He threw the Gate Card centerfield, allowing it to expand and cover the field one more time.

"Bakugan, brawl!", seven Brawlers, from both sides, yelled and unleashed their Bakugan. "Bakugan, stand!"

Merely moments later, the seven Bakugan all rose up onto the battlefield. Infinity Helios's body was steaming slightly, but was otherwise undamaged. But all of the Bakugan were breathing heavily, Helios most of all.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 900, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900, Flare Wilda: 900)=5400

Infinity Helios: 1200

"Wait… look at Helios", Noah said, pointing out a subtle difference in Helios's composure and stance. "I think he's tired."

The others took a closer look at the enemy Bakugan, realizing Noah was correct. "Holy crud. Noah, you're right", Jack awed.

"It must have been from the previous round", Chris rationalized. "Doing that much damage to his machines must've exhausted his body."

"Does that mean he'll go down more quickly?", Soon asked.

"I wouldn't count on it", Robin replied. "Especially if FARBAS Infinity still works at the same pace. It won't matter how tired the flesh is if the machinery makes up for it."

"How right you are, Robin", Gus sneered. "Infinity Helios's flesh might be tired, but he'll still fight at 100% potency! It's why he is greater than any other Bakugan in history. No matter how many times he's knocked down, he'll never wear out!" He flashed another ability. "Ability Activate! FARBAS Infinity!"

Infinity Helios began to fire up a faint black aura, which emitted from the cracks of his metal armor. The A.I. began to speak. "Self diagnostic complete. Total system damage: 0%. Activating preparatory recovery sequence."

"He's not going to give us an inch", Chris realized. "We'll have to fight for every blow we strike."

"You're far too optimistic", Gus growled, generating two more abilities. " You'll never get the chance! 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.

As the cyborg's power surged, it pulsed a single time, creating a shockwave of energy. As the shockwave struck and buffered the six Bakugan, Helios's form disappeared from sight.

Infinity Helios: 1200+300(×7)+600=3900

"You can't hide from us!", Noah called out, bringing out another ability. "Ability Activate! Quake Barrier!"

"God idea, Noah!" Flare Wilda began to glow a bright orange, with his power building in a seemingly defensive aura around him. Then, Wilda's aura began to spread out of his body, spreading out in an energy shockwave.

The shockwave rolled over the field, bypassing Wilda's allies with no notable damage. As it kept going, though, it overcame Infinity Helios, stripping his invisibility, as well as all his amassed power.

"Quake Barrier analyzed", Helios's FARBAS spoke up. "Restoring power." The black aura flared up again, as potent as it was merely seconds beforehand.

"They weren't using Quake Barrier to defuse Infinity Helios", Gus realized. "They needed an attack that affected a large area to smoke him out."

"It's my turn, now!", Ben yelled loudly. As Turbine Dragonoid's eyes fixed onto Infinity Helios, Ben developed three abilities at once. "Triple Ability Activate! Exodus Dragon, Blaze Impulse, plus Fusion Ability-"

"FIRE SURGE!", Ben and Dragonoid called out in unison. Turbine Dragonoid opened his mouth, letting out another roar of dominance before beginning his attack. His mouth began to light up a bright orange color, the maw within both heating up and gathering flames. Within moments of flames appearing in Dragonoid's maw, a massive amount of flaring red energy gathered in his maw, slowly building up as well.

Then, to conclude the attack, the energy and flames began intensifying far beyond what it was before. Turbine Dragonoid's body began to emit a red aura, but it was quickly transferred to his mouth, owing up the attack even further. His eyes blazed red with might.

"I'll… incinerate you! Your FARBAS can't help you here!", Dragonoid promised, before he lurched forward, finally releasing all of the amassed power. Orange and red flames, combined and intensified by red energy, shot out towards Infinity Helios, superheating the air around it as it progressed.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 900, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 900+600+500+800=2800, Flare Wilda: 900+400=1300)=7700

Infinity Helios: 3900

The combined firepower struck Helios had on, the searing blaze hot enough to burn even Helios's armor. FARBAS Infinity maintained Helios's integrity, but Helios was slowly driven back.

"Intense", Chris remarked.

"If we're going to press our advantage, we'll have to attack with everything we've got", Ben said. "Either put up, or shut up."

"You will never overcome my power!", Gus called out, generating another ability. "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.

Dragonoid's powerful attack began to emanate a red light, being converted into nothing more than red energy. That energy siphoned into Helios's mouth, beginning to incorporate itself into the cyborg's power. Helios's aura began intensifying immensely.

(Phantom Brontes: 900, Cosmic Ingram: 900, Mystic Elico: 900, Alpha Percival: 900, Turbine Dragonoid: 2800-1900=900, Flare Wilda: 1300)=5800

Infinity Helios: 3900+1900=5800

"Your power is mine to take!", Gus declared. "Nothing can beat the sheer power Helios possesses! NOTHING!"

"Shall we put those words to the test?", Soon challenged, uploading three abilities at once. "Triple Ability Activate! Spectral Enhancement, Ghost World, plus Fusion Ability Bright Nightmare!"

Phantom Brontes spread out all eight of his arms, readying the chosen counter to Helios's powerful energy. Each hand began glowing a mystical yellow energy. When he was ready, he sent an energy shockwave outwards, which began rolling over the field.

Once it reached Infinity Helios, the yellow shockwave stripped away a large portion of Helios's black aura, sending it back to Turbine Dragonoid. The dragon lit up in a red aura, being heavily empowered.

"Thank you", Dragonoid regarded his Haos ally.

"My pleasure", Brontes responded, Cibrian his attack. Brontes began by spreading out each arm, elongating them as far as possible. Mystical yellow energy gathered all around Brontes as he charged up his attack. Brontes sent out his mystical power at Infinity Helios, connecting with the target within moments. As the burst struck Infinity Helios, yellow energy then engulfed the opposing Bakugan in a mystical field.

Then, all of Brontes's arms sent out a pulse of yellow energy at the affected target. The pulse struck, intensifying the mystical aura combating Helios. But the cyborg seemed completely unfazed.

(Phantom Brontes: 900+400+400+600=2300, Cosmic Ingram: 900+400=1300, Mystic Elico: 900+400=1300, Alpha Percival: 900+400=1300, Turbine Dragonoid: 900+1900+400=3200, Flare Wilda: 1300+400=1700)=11100

Infinity Helios: 5800-1900=3900

"Ghost World analyzed. Bright Nightmare analyzed. Restoring power level", Helios's A.I. reported. Moments later, the black aura overcame the yellow field. Helios fixed his gaze onto Brontes, forming a look of slight rage.

"You'll never keep me down! So shut up and stop trying!", Gus said, bringing out two abilities at once. "Double Ability Activate! Deep Fire - Block A, plus Ragnarok Buster!"

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. Then, the laser missiles angled downward to strike the Spectres' Bakugan.

As that happened, 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.

(Phantom Brontes: 2300-600-700=1000, Cosmic Ingram: 1300-600-700=0, Mystic Elico: 1300-600-700=0, Alpha Percival: 1300-600-700=0, Turbine Dragonoid: 3200-600-700=1900, Flare Wilda: 1700-600-700=400)=4400

Infinity Helios: 3900+700=4600

"Can someone cover this? Elico's got something to do", Jack requested, reaching out with his hand. "Elico!"

Elico quickly responded, lighting up a multicolored glow as he changed Attribute once again. The alteration was almost instantaneous, ending up with Elico in his Darkus variant.

"I'll draw in his fire", Robin said quickly, forming two abilities at once. "Double Ability Activate! Celestial Whirlwind, plus Armored Triumph!"

Cosmic Ingram suddenly flapped his wings and ascended high into the air. He spread out his six wings as wide as possible, allowing them to glow green as energy was focused into them. And then, all in one instant, the green aura's power was focused into a space directly in front of Cosmic Ingram, which began to glow bright with Cosmic Ingram's Ventus power. The concentrated energy allowed Cosmic Ingram to unleash a large blast of winds, equitable to those of a category four hurricane.

The harsh winds were directed to the laser barrage, pushing them all and adjusting their course. The missiles were all redirected away from the Spectres' Bakugan and exploded in the space between both sides.

Then, Ingram dropped quickly to the ground, placing himself directly in the black blast. He flapped his six wings powerfully, sending a gust of wind at the incoming energy attack. The energy burst was only slowed by the winds, but kept going after only a moment.

Still, Ingram had enough time to complete his defensive move. His wings folded onto his body and covered every spot on his form in preparation for the impact, even as he charged the energy alone. The black beam connected with Ingram's defense, but was split apart and deflected.

(Phantom Brontes: 1000+1300=2300, Cosmic Ingram: 0+500+1300+500=2300, Mystic Elico: 0+1300=1300, Alpha Percival: 0+1300=1300, Turbine Dragonoid: 1900+1300=3200, Flare Wilda: 400+1300=1700)=12100

Infinity Helios: 4600-700=3900

"He completely deflected my attack?!", Gus demanded, flabbergasted. "No… I won't let this happen! Ability Activate! Cyclone Havoc!"

Infinity Helios 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 energy.

(Phantom Brontes: 2300, Cosmic Ingram: 2300, Mystic Elico: 1300-600=700, Alpha Percival: 1300, Turbine Dragonoid: 3200, Flare Wilda: 1700)=11500

Infinity Helios: 3900+600=4500

"Hey, Chris", Jack regarded, raising his Baku Pod. "Why don't we show Gus some Darkus strength?"

"Good idea", Chris agreed. Both of them formed two abilities each.

"Double Ability Activate! Dark Diffusion, plus Thunder Oblivion!"

"Double Ability Activate! Shade Nightmare, plus Elemental Surge!"

Alpha Percival's body began to exude a thick fog of dark purple energy, which began to spread throughout the area. It obscured him and his allies from outside view. The dark fog was pulled into Infinity Helios's cyclone, slightly lessening the intensity of the Ventus attack.

Then, Percival started to gather his focus, heightening his powers. After a moment, he became cloaked in an aura of purple colored energy. The aura began to crackle like lightning, a couple stray bolts surging in all directions. With an enraged roar, Percival unleashed a huge bolt of purple lightning straight through the fog, right into Helios's twister.

The lightning bolt struck the green twister, and the electricity surged through it, circulating throughout the artificial storm. Moments later, the tornado dissipated, leaving Helios vulnerable.

"Go!", Percival egged on Elico.

Mystic Elico put both of his hands together, channeling his energies into them both at the same time. The concentrated energy only condensed ever more, to the point where the Darkus power spread throughout Elico's arms.

Before he unleashed his attack, though, Mystic Elico's body began to light up a harsh purple aura. The Darkus symbol on his chest was glowing especially brightly. Mystic Elico delayed only a moment, to channel that power into his arms, to fuse the two abilities into one extremely powerful attack.

Then, Mystic Elico spread out both of his arms, which was the needed catalyst to release the dark energy. A power shockwave of dark energy ripped through the air, heading right for Infinity Helios.

"I'm not finished yet!", Percival added, his body unleashing another focused bolt of dark lightning at Infinity Helios.

No longer protected by the cyclone, Infinity Helios suffered a direct hit from the multiple Darkus attacks. The dark entry pummeled his outer armor, and the lighthouse surged through his machinery, causing major damage.

(Phantom Brontes: 2300, Cosmic Ingram: 2300, Mystic Elico: 700+500+500=1700, Alpha Percival: 1300+400+500=2200, Turbine Dragonoid: 3200, Flare Wilda: 1700)=13400

Infinity Helios: 4500

"Every time I attack, they just nullify and counter my abilities", Gus growled. As the attacks finally let up, he saw FARBAS Infinity go to work, restoring the physical damage. But he also saw Helios get increasingly worn out, breathing even harder than the start of the round.

"He's wearing down", Robin said, also noting Helios's tiredness. "It's working!"

"You will not bring me down!", Gus yelled, developing another two abilities. "I'll crush you like the insects you are! Double Ability Activate! Clamor Quasar, plus Quake Impulse!"

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, only to combine with the black aura. With a moment to focus all the power, Infinity Helios unleashed a column of flames directly ahead of him.

Then, 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 earthquake began to destabilize the already ruined chamber, while the fire blast neared the Spectres' Bakugan.

(Phantom Brontes: 2300-400=1900, Cosmic Ingram: 2300-400=1900, Mystic Elico: 1700-400=1300, Alpha Percival: 2200-400=1800, Turbine Dragonoid: 3200-400=2800, Flare Wilda: 1700-400=1300)=11000

Infinity Helios: 4500+800+400=5700

"Well, he's got some bite", Ben growled. "It's time to bite back. Noah, get a nullification ability ready, if he tries anything smart."

"Got it", Noah agreed.

"I've got some bite, too", Jack said. He quickly formed another ability.

"Then let's go!", Ben called out, shining his own ability.

"Ability Activate! Darkus Exodus!"

"Ability Activate! Blazing Twister!"

Mystic Elico began to glow with a dark purple aura, his power beginning to heighten. The aura formed thick tendrils of the substance, which cut through the flame blast and latched onto Infinity Helios.

The cyborg groaned as the tendrils began to swell with excess power, which transferred back to the source. Helios's power wasn't affected, even outside FARBAS Infinity, but Elico's aura surged powerfully as the tendrils returned to him.

After a moment, some of Elico's dark energy was drained away from him, twisting around Turbine Dragonoid and rising into the air. Moments later, Dragonoid released orange fire and fuzed with the energy. It turned into a large fire tornado.

Then, the flames converged in the air, going back down to Turbine Dragonoid. The Dragonoid somehow absorbed the flames into his body, a red aura appearing and intensifying proportionally to the firepower he was absorbing.

(Phantom Brontes: 1900, Cosmic Ingram: 1900, Mystic Elico: 1300+4500=5800, Alpha Percival: 1800, Turbine Dragonoid: 2800+3000=5800, Flare Wilda: 1300)=18500

Infinity Helios: 5700

"This power… incredible!", Elico shouted. His dark energy surged, creating a shockwave of Darkus power.

"I've felt better", Dragonoid admitted. "But it's more than enough!" His blazing aura pulsed, as well, sending out a fiery shockwave.

The two equally powerful energy pulses pushed against Helios's flames and earthquake, and still packed enough force to force Helios several steps back.

"First Elico gained power proportionally to Helios's power increase, then Dragonoid matched that power", Gus growled.

"Warning! Large power output from targets: Turbine Dragonoid and Mystic Elico. Warning! Threat level red!", the FARBAS Infinity A.I. identified. Helios growled in challenge, but his power was, for once, eclipsed.

"That won't help you!", Gus shouted, bringing out another pair of abilities. "Double Ability Activate! Gravity Demon, plus Bolting Breaker!"

Infinity Helios's aura began to fluctuate once again, with his mouth opening and beginning to draw in Turbine Dragonoid's aura of power. His tail began to crackle with black lightning, aiming at Elico to wipe out his ability. "Attack systems operational. Begin attack."

"Oh, no you don't!", Noah countered, putting his readied ability into effect. "Ability Activate! Terran Flare!"

Wilda reached his arms back, turning his body to face Infinity Helios. His glowing red chest began to intensify its glow immensely, with Flare Wilda readying his power for another attack.

"Not… this time!", Wilda exclaimed. The red glow then shone on the enemy, making Helios grunt in pain as his armor was superheated and he was slowly fried from the outside in. His aura stabilized, and the tail's lightning discharged uselessly.

"Not they nullified my abilities before I could even begin to attack", Gus muttered. "How are they still doing this? Even with Gehabich backing their corner…"

"You're finished!", Dragonoid proclaimed. He and Elico let out another wave of their amassed energy, unleashing their power against Helios. Combined Pyrus and Darkus power pushed against Helios, searing away his defenses.

The A.I. kept track of how much cabbage was being done, and it was at a rapid pace. "Total system damage: 48%... 59%... 71%... 84%... 97%..."

"NO!", Gus retorted, shining his next ability. "I won't fall! Not like this! Ability Activate! Battle Warrior!"

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 six enemy Bakugan.

Helios's shockwave only slowed for a single instant, while it was combating Elico and Dragonoid's own shockwaves. Still, Helios overcame his enemies' attacks, and impacted all of them with Battle Warrior.

(Phantom Brontes: 1900-1000=900, Cosmic Ingram: 1900-1000=900, Mystic Elico: 5800-4900=900, Alpha Percival: 1800-900=900, Turbine Dragonoid: 5800-4900=900, Flare Wilda: 1300-400=900)=5400

Infinity Helios: 5700+500=6200

As soon as the black shockwave reached the Spectres' Bakugan, it stripped away all of the power they amassed. Dragonoid and Elico looked shaken from their drastic loss of power.

"All of that work… for nothing!", Elico yelled, frustrated.

"We're still in this!", Dragonoid encouraged his allies. "Keep going!"

"I can't let you do that", Gus said. His frantic tone disappeared, replaced by one of cold rage. "I know how good you are now. If you're given an inch, you'll take back the lead." The pupils of the mask shrunk, mirroring his real eyes underneath. "That's why I won't give you an inch. It's time to show you my brand new trick." His Baku Pod developed that said ability. "It's time to finish this! Ability Activate! Mauser… IMPACT~!"

Like it would have gone with Ragnarok Buster, the plating on his 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.

This time, however, the energy began to intensify beyond any Ragnarok Buster. The black aura enshrouding Infinity Helios disappeared, the power diverting to the cannon. The FARBAS A.I. spoke up: "Transferring power from all systems. Back cannon offline. FARBAS Infinity system offline. All abilities offline." The black energy's charge reached critical mass, sending out pulses of energy. "Chest cannon charge at 3000% capacity. Ready to fire."

(Phantom Brontes: 900-600=300, Cosmic Ingram: 900-600=300, Mystic Elico: 900-600=300, Alpha Percival: 900-600=300, Turbine Dragonoid: 900-600=300, Flare Wilda: 900-600=300)=1800

Infinity Helios: 6200+600(×6)=9800

"Mauser Impact… is Helios's strongest attack", Gus declared. "This time… YOU WON'T SURVIVE!"

"You've got to be kidding me!", Chris exclaimed.

This ability can't be nullified or absorbed in any way, Gus thought. There's nothing they can do to stop me this time. "Infinity Helios, FIRE!"

Helios roared mightily, finally releasing the compressed energy. The black blast shot out, the size and intensity almost unheard of. It was almost the size of half the chamber. The only comparison from before would be Helios's Battle Gear.

"We've got nothing to match that", said Ben. He balled his fists. "Dammit… we've got nothing!"

"Not exactly", Noah muttered.

"What do you mean?" Soon's voice had an edge to it.

"There's one move we've got. If our Bakugan can take it, it'll totally trump anything he could do hereon." Noah's tone was melancholy. "If they can't… they're finished. And so are we."

"We don't have any other choice", Wilda called to his partner, sensing the nearing energy blast. "I know what you're planning. We can take it! DO IT!"

Noah fixed onto Helios's blast with a determined glare. "All right!", he called, reaching out with his hand. "Gate Card Open! Ego Meinzer!"

The Gate Card glowed seconds before Infinity Helios's attack would hit it's marks. A split second before the blast would strike, it went into effect. It erupted into a storm of energy, imbuing each of the Spectres' Bakugan with a monumental amount of energy. They were all consumed in all of that energy, making them glow with bright and harsh auras of energy.

The six combined auras were enough to repel all of Helios's attack. The black energy was nearly entirely scorched away by the combined power the six contained.

"Impossible…", Gus whispered, wide-eyed, watching his final battle gun prove spectacularly inferior.

"This… POWER!", Alpha Percival roared. His purple aura pulsated powerfully.

"KROOAAHH!", Turbine Dragonoid exclaimed. Not even he had this much power before.

"No way…", Gus murmured. "How did they… no. Ego Meinzer increases each of the user's side's power levels to 200 over the highest opposing power level. That means-!"

(Phantom Brontes: 300+9700=10000, Cosmic Ingram: 300+9700=10000, Mystic Elico: 300+9700=10000, Alpha Percival: 300+9700=10000, Turbine Dragonoid: 300+9700=10000, Flare Wilda: 300+9700=10000)=60000

Infinity Helios: 9800

The six auras began to spread around the battlefield, altering the arena in a monumental way.

Percival's aura leached into the upper atmosphere, covering the sky in dark clouds, much like how Hydranoid's power would. "RAAGH!"

Brontes began to shine a bright neon yellow color, the epicenter seemingly brighter than the sun itself. "GRAHH!"

Ingram's Ventus aura began twisting around him, creating a massive twister that was powerful enough to even uproot trees half a mile away. "KROOAAHH!"

In the midst of his titanic power surge, Elico's Attribute change had canceled, transferring back to Aquos. His power, therefore, rose up like Ingram's, liquidating into a massive hurricane. "YEEAASS!"

Wilda's orange aura sapped down into the ground, shaking every bit of earth in the battlefield. The ground below his feet cracked, sending up an avalanche's amount of rocks. The rocks and debris shot away from Wilda in all directions. "OOAAGGHH!"

Dragonoid found himself in the center of a powerful inferno, fueled entirely by his Pyrus aura. It sent fiery shockwaves in all directions. "THIS… IS… fine…", he managed, taking the power better than his peers.

The six auras fused together, making a rainbow aura that was equality stunning and powerful. A single pulse of the combined energy ripped throughout the arena, decimating everything in sight. The back walls of the chamber was almost entirely broken down. At the other side, the forest was almost entirely uprooted, even a mile away.

"All of that power…", Robin murmured. "I get the idea, but this is higher than any of us have gone. They may not be able to take it."

"Come on, guys!", Noah called out. "You can do this! Once we do, there's nothing even Infinity Helios could do!"

Wilda breathed hard, barely containing his new power surge. "We… we can take this!"

"This… he's right", Ingram voiced agreement. Slowly, each of them started to settle with their power, stabilizing their auras.

They're still immobilized by the power gain. Now's my chance-!, Gus thought, about to use his Battle Warrior. That's when he realized Helios's current circumstances.

The cyborg was standing completely still, the black aura completely gone. His chest cannon was smoking, but spent. "Error! FARBAS Infinity system offline. Error! All attack systems offline. Rebooting…"

No! That won't work!, Gus despaired. Mauser Impact drains power from all other internal systems to charge it. Now that they've survived it, it's left Helios completely helpless! He can't activate any more abilities! How did this happen?!

"No! I've still got one more chance!" Gus took out the Battle Gear, throwing it swiftly at Infinity Helios. "Battle Gear Boost!"

Moments later, Helios had Bombaplode fully equipped and primed for battle. The cannons aimed at each of the opposing Bakugan team. "Battle Gear system online. Fire when ready."

(Phantom Brontes: 10000, Cosmic Ingram: 10000, Mystic Elico: 10000, Alpha Percival: 10000, Turbine Dragonoid: 10000, Flare Wilda: 10000)=60000

Infinity Helios: 10000

"GO DOWN!", Gus shouted, along with his last, final effort. "BATTLE GEAR ABILITY ACTIVATE! BOMBAPLODE CATASTROPHE~!"

The five cannons of Bombaplode all focused onto the two enemies, while 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 beyond anything he'd ever experienced before.

(Phantom Brontes: 10000, Cosmic Ingram: 10000, Mystic Elico: 10000, Alpha Percival: 10000, Turbine Dragonoid: 10000, Flare Wilda: 10000)=60000

Infinity Helios: 10000×3=30000

"Even with that kind of power… we're still ahead!", Noah called.

"HOLD NOTHING BACK, INFINITY HELIOS!", Gus yelled, desperation forcing itself into his voice. "REDUCE THEM TO DUST AND ASHES! GO!"

All five of Helios's Battle Gear's cannons released a titanic beam of black energy ahead. The five beams closed in on each other, fusing into one even more monstrous attack, threatening to hit all six of his opposing Bakugan at once.

Once it hit the multicolored aura, however, the beam stalled heavily. Black energy pushed against the combined powers, sending ripples throughout the air.

"You will not…", Percival groaned, "... surpass us again! Not this time!"

Chris and Jack both loaded another ability. "Let's take him down!", Chris called.

"Music to my ears", Jack agreed.

"Ability Activate! Primal Gunner!"

"Ability Activate! Aqua Impulse!"

Alpha Percival opened up his mouth wide, slowly gathering energy within his maw, though he couldn't be seen in the thick fog. That energy consolidated into an orb of purple and white energy, growing just ahead of Alpha Percival's mouth.

Meanwhile, Mystic Elico raised his right hand, pointing and out stretching it directly at the center of the black blast. He then began to focus his power into that hand, as moisture gathered there at the same time. The entire arm began to glow blue with the compressed energy, all focused in one arm

Then, after a moment to charge up the power, they released their respective attacks through the combined aura and into the black blast wave. The Darkus beam and intensified water blast were shining especially brightly with their Attributed colors, obviously being supercharged by their sources' excess power.

(Phantom Brontes: 10000, Cosmic Ingram: 10000, Mystic Elico: 10000+400=10400, Alpha Percival: 10000+400=10400, Turbine Dragonoid: 10000, Flare Wilda: 10000)=60800

Infinity Helios: 30000-400-400=29200

The two attacks cut through the black blast, Helios's attack proving insufficient against what he was up against. The purple energy and high pressure water eventually reached Infinity Helios, blasting him back into the ruined chamber's far wall. He let out a roar of rage and pain.

"Wait… something isn't right", Noah identified. He noted the blast marks from the two most recent attacks. They weren't being repaired. "Why isn't he healing? Why did his power level go down? It's like FARBAS Infinity was canceled."

"It must've been that other ability. Mauser Impact", Robin identified. "Remember what that A.I. said? It really did cancel FARBAS Infinity."

"All the easier for us!", Soon called out, bringing out another ability. "Spirit Halo!"

Phantom Brontes spread out his arms, channeling energy from his chest into all eight of his hands, and outward. The energy consolidated into eight identical copies of glowing rings, which he took hold of. Those rings were glowing much more brightly than any version before, being enhanced by Brontes's current power level.

Then, he spun all of his arms through the air at once, building up momentum. Moments later, he let go of the rings, launching them all at Infinity Helios.

(Phantom Brontes: 10000+500=10500, Cosmic Ingram: 10000, Mystic Elico: 10400, Alpha Percival: 10400, Turbine Dragonoid: 10000, Flare Wilda: 10000)=61300

Infinity Helios: 29200

The energy rings sliced through the air, impacting the five cannons of the Bombaplode Battle Gear. The were all sliced apart, resulting in a massive explosion that almost flung Helios face forward to the ground. His power level degraded to 29000. "Warning! Battle Gear system offline. Reboot process: 47% complete. Damage sustained: 51%. Threat level orange. Odds of survival: 39%."

"The Battle Gear!", Gus shouted. "No! Just fall! Stop fighting back and go down!"

"No way", Noah said, having his Baku Pod utilize another ability card. "Ability Activate! Quake Barrier!"

Flare Wilda's bright orange began to intensify by the slightest degree, with his power building in a seemingly defensive aura around him. Then, Wilda's aura began to spread out of his body, spreading out in a shockwave.

(Phantom Brontes: 10500, Cosmic Ingram: 10000, Mystic Elico: 10400, Alpha Percival: 10400, Turbine Dragonoid: 10000, Flare Wilda: 10000+400=10400)=61700

Infinity Helios: 29000-27800=1200

Wilda's shockwave reached Infinity Helios within seconds. He once again let out a pained roar. Any semblance of remaining power was stripped away, leaving him with practically nothing left. "Reboot process: 54% complete. Damage sustained: 67%. Threat level red. Odds of survival: 20%."

"No…", Gus muttered, the fight draining out of him. After a second, the ferocity rushed back in. "GO DOWN!"

"We're not done yet", said Ingram, who suddenly appeared directly behind Helios.

"He used Wilda's attack as a cover!", Gus realized.

"You've got that right", Robin confirmed. He looked to Ben. "I'll force him to your Bakugan. Then, you can obliterate him."

Been cracked a brutal smirk. "I'd like that."

Robin generated his ability. "Ok. Do your thing, Ingram! Ability Activate! Celestial Whirlwind!"

Ingram spread out his six wings as wide as possible, allowing them to glow green as energy was focused into them. And then, all in one instant, the green aura's power was focused into a space directly in front of Cosmic Ingram, which began to glow bright with Cosmic Ingram's Ventus power. The concentrated energy allowed Cosmic Ingram to unleash a large blast of winds, equitable to those of a category four hurricane.

The powerful hurricane was more than enough to propel Helios ahead, right into the other Bakugan. The cyborg was completely out of control of his movements.

Turbine Dragonoid flew ahead, meeting Helios head on. The two dragons locked their gazes onto each other. "Now!"

"HELLFIRE!", Ben and Dragonoid called out in unison. Turbine Dragonoid reared up his head and let out another roar, the sound echoing throughout the area, being the loudest and most furious so far. Turbine Dragonoid's body then began to glow red at an even greater intensity, the harsh aura blazing around him. Within a few moments of the higher intensity, the aura erupted into furious flames. The flames spread to Infinity Helios, scorching his body.

"You're the one… that's going DOWN~!" The last word came out as a furious roar. His fiery aura exploded outwards in an atomic level shockwave, rolling out in all directions. And Helios was in the epicenter of the blast.

(Phantom Brontes: 10500, Cosmic Ingram: 10000+500=10500, Mystic Elico: 10400, Alpha Percival: 10400, Turbine Dragonoid: 10000+600=10600, Flare Wilda: 10400)=62800

Infinity Helios: 1200-500-600=100

Hellfire incinerated Helios's outer armor, even melting it's way inside and scorching everything. Helios exclaimed a weak roar, flames leaking out of his maw. "Reboot process: canceled. Damage sustained: 120%. Odds of survival: 0%." His head began to crackle with electricity, then it let out a plume of smoke. "Artificial control system: offline."

When Turbine Dragonoid finished his most powerful attack, he let go of the cyborg Bakugan. He dropped down to the ground, completely limp.

Gus: 0%

As soon as Gus's Life Gauge emptied, each of the Spectres' Bakugan began to release their energy steadily into the air. Six different pillars of light shot into the sky, carefully controlled to avoid any more damage.

"We… we did it!", Chris cheered. "We got him!"

"It's finally over." Soon let out a ragged sigh of relief.

Gus took a step back in shock. He let out a shuddered gasp. "It can't be", he insisted. "It just can't be. It's absolutely impossible."

"You thought we were immature", Ben chuckled, cracking his knuckles as he approached the masked man. "Look at you now. You can't even see the reality in front of you. So why don't I spell it out: you lost."

"Sh-shut up!", Gus stuttered. He drew out a metallic hilt from his cloak, igniting a black laser blade from it. The blade sizzled the air around it. "This doesn't change ANYTHING! I'll skewer you myself!"

As the frontrunner, Ben crouched down into a fighting stance. He let out a taunting smirk. "Come and get it."

"THAT'S IT! YOU'RE MINE!", Gus roared, running ahead. He gripped the laser blade with both hands, charging to impale Ben. "DIE!"

Completely out of nowhere, a dragon's tail slapped down onto the ground behind Gus, shaking the very earth itself. With Gus being substantially closer to the impact point, the rumbling was enough to knock him off his feet. His laser blade flew out of his grip and bounced away.

Ben's stance was still stable after the rumble, but he stood up from his fighting crouch and stared at the Bakugan that caused the rumble. "What's going on now?!"

Infinity Helios glared down at Gus with nothing but rage. He snarled with what little of his mouth was undamaged.

Gus stared back with utter confusion. "What is this-?!", he began, but stopped abruptly. No way. Did that last attack incinerate my control program for Helios? He took a breath in. "Helios… stand down. Now!"

Helios didn't respond. His snarl only grew more enraged.

Oh, shit, Gus thought.

Helios then moved his head towards the Spectres. His mouth opened up. "The mask…", a hollow, metallic voice rang.

Soon let out a shocked gasp. "How in the world-?!"

Ben snapped his head towards Infinity Helios. "Stop Spectra… get the mask…", the cyborg groaned.

Ben realized two things at the same time. One, that voice came from Infinity Helios. Two, the mask was the control system. He charged ahead, racing towards the still downed Gus.

Gus slowly raised himself up, getting onto his knees. Then, Ben reached him, slamming down on him with all his strength. With a weak groan, Gus slumped down, unconscious.

Ben reached down and plucked the mask off Gus's face. He stared at it for a moment. "Nope. I'm not putting this thing on."

"Why not?", Robin asked.

"Would you want to wear the control system for a universe destroying Bakugan army?", Ben shot back. "I don't want to be anywhere near this thing."

None of the Spectres spoke up for a minute. Then, Noah stepped up. "You're being ridiculous. I'll do it." He walked up to Ben and took the mask from him. Tentatively, as if handling a nuclear bomb, he placed the object into his face.

The eyes of the Spectra mask flared up, the mask turning back on. "Enter passcode."

Noah looked back at the others in worry, but before he could say anything, Helios's hollow voice spoke again. "Fallen… Mask…"

Without any other leads, Noah repeated the term. "Passcode accepted. Awaiting orders."

"Stand down", Noah practically yelled. "Cancel all orders! Order all Bakugan to stand down indefinitely!"

"Acknowledged", the mask spoke. "Processing… message sent."

A collective sigh of relief came out of each of the Spectres and their Bakugan. They'd finally reached the end they'd been working so hard for. Remaining questions still plagued them, such as how did Infinity Helios gain speech, or just what to do with Gus now that he was finally down. But the hard part was over, now.

The present was overflowing with dark waters, but the future was beginning to brighten up once again.

XXX

And that's it! 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. Until the next, and last, chapter, goodbye!