"Hey, it's that punk kid again."
"We better steer clear. One look and you're dead."
"Him again? Ugh, why's he always around these parts? Why doesn't he just go away?!"
The same voices rung in Xander's space as he walked through the decrepit park. Kids that were normally common around here were making sure to steer clear of him as he passed on through. He got the looks of the frightened and annoyed all the time, this was no different. He just kept walking his way like the bystanders didn't even existed, though he did grunt every now and again.
One of the kids looking on frowned. "Hey, who is that guy?"
Another kid turned towards him. "Are you dumb? Haven't you heard of that kid that has that smelly dad with all those bottles?"
"Blek! His dad smells? Bet he stinks, too." Another kid scoffed. "Wouldn't wanna hang with that guy now, that's for sure."
"He's been here a lot recently." The other kid stated. "Ever since last week when my friend's ball hit his face. He stopped coming back because of this guy."
The first kid crossed his arms. "Hmph! Well if he messes with my friends, I'll show him. I bet he doesn't have any. Sucks to be him. Bleh!" He blew a raspberry in the direction that Xander sauntered off to.
Far out of earshot, the adolescent in question kept striding his way through the park, walking towards the very far edge of it. He stopped and looked around to see if anyone had followed him, acknowledging that he was isolated from the degrading public and slowly made way towards the pitch-black opening. He stopped at the entrance before proceeding inside.
Immediately upon stepping inside, it was like stepping into a room of darkness. Very little lighting seeped through the one window of the grounded treehouse that reflected a damaged mirror, in which Xander recognized the certain someone sitting in front of it.
"Hey, you still here, kid?"
As the world's lighting shimmered, the shadow of an adolescent Maximus, his hoodie shielding his face and hair from the world. He seemed unresponsive as he seemed more focused on the mirror in front of him.
Xander sighed. "Figures you'd still be here. You know, you really are a creepy and strange guy, you know that?"
"Can't you see that I'm busy?" The raspy young voice that was Maximus' would have shrilled ears to anyone who listened.
"Yeah, I can tell you're so busy." Xander replied sarcastically. "Seriously, how long have you even been here? Actually, a better question, the heck you even leave at all?"
Maximus grunted, hissing even. He was too focused on staring at himself. Xander stopped to look at the mirror that reflected the demonic eyes and stature that was Maximus. It sent shivers down his spine so much that he turned and shook his head.
"Brr…still giving me shivers." He turned towards Maximus again. "I take that as a no." He squinted. "How are you even alive if you didn't drink water or eat this long?"
Maximus sneered. "Why do you keep talking so much, bug?"
"Hey! This 'bug' has a name, and it's Xander! Remember that, hoodie freak!" He sniped back, but when he met eyes with Maximus, he was challenged with a dread-fueled glare that left him hard-pressed to question his authority. He hesitated to make a violent move against the hooded adolescent, provided reason that he didn't even know what he was doing. He rubbed the back of his head and grunted. "Geez, now you're making me seem like the bad guy…"
"Leave me be…I keep telling you…leave me be, insect." Maximus hissed.
"Hey, I keep telling you that my name is…nevermind." Xander whipped around and eyerolled. "Whatever. You keep playing with that stupid mirror to stare at your little 'monster' that you call yourself." He paused as he frowned heavily. 'Still, this guy is freaking insane, but he ain't afraid of me. Talk about a screw case. What is he anyway? This freaky aura he has, is he even Interacian I wonder? I think I'd better keep tabs on this freak to see what he's up to.' He turned back towards Maximus. "Look pal, Just so we're clear, I'm still calling shots. If I'm gonna be living on this stupid planet much longer, wanna try and feel comfortable. Just shape up why don't you?"
Maximus' response was a bloodcurdling grunt as he stared at himself still. He didn't bother giving Xander another glance. "I don't have any eyes for weaklings…just leave…"
Xander raised his hands up. "Fine, whatever you say." He took his leave and walked out of the darkness.
Maximus resumed his eternal glare down with his demonic form, his eyes shuddering as he hissed at his forever-daunting adversary alone in the darkness.
"Xander, pick it up back there! You're starting to slag!" The raspy voice that was Maximus lead the charge.
"Yes, sir!" Xander sarcastically chimed, filing behind. "Hey, you guys back there, keep up! Especially the old wardog back there! Somebody better pick up his knees for him if he's too tired!"
Jase sneered. "Pardon me, sometimes age has lacks of benefits."
As blue networks channeled their way up, the giant-sized spiral stairwell kept its ascent, as did the remainder of the group that pressed on. While Xander picked up speed, so did the rest behind him. They were going nearly full-speed, yet even so, it was like tailing a car with roller blades, because of how Maximus and Xander were moving, it sure as hell felt like it.
"How do they have that much energy to keep going like that?" Maggie exasperated. "They're moving so fast."
"They're in a hurry. We should be the same." Esther said coolly, her voice deprived of any empathy.
"She's absolutely right." Atmos agreed. "Time is of the essence." He turned towards the open arch leading towards the burning red sunlight. "Evening is approaching. We won't have even a few hours at this rate."
"Feels like we've been climbing forever. The pinnacle must be upon us soon." Verias noted.
"I'm definitely feeling a large sum of negative energy, Verias. And there's also…that." Atchibee looked skywards, noting the ominous dark bog that engrossed the Empyrean's top. Its hazy composition was intoxicating just to look at.
"Beyond that giant cloud, there lies our end goal. We reach that, we're gold." Fly Beetle stated.
"Yeah." Jelldon said, before dropping an inquiry. "But wait, won't it stay like that if all of Hades Pillars isn't defeated? That could be a problem."
"It'll clear." Everyone heard the voice from ahead, resonating from Xander.
"What was that?" Abis pondered.
Xander scoffed. "Is the Verias the only one with ears? I said it'll clear up before we reach Riaan. Now quit your bellyaching, alright?"
"Who said we were aching?" Shuji chided in challenge.
Hearing the tone given off to him, Xander smirked. "Sorry, didn't mean to spark any malice. You should try and take a joke, you don't wanna add to the negative energy and give us a harder time, do you?"
Shuji smirked. "Not of your life."
"We'll hold you to that." He pressed further. "C'mon you lead weights! You wanna piss ole' Max off again?! Hahahaha!"
Luke kept racing, keeping up the head of the pack. His brow was furrowed heavily with a straight face. "…you think he feels anything for what happened?"
Jase frowned. "They say that the best remedy to a loss is to keep moving forward, or that's just one stage of it. Regardless, that's just a testament."
Luke understood what Jase meant. He remembered Luka's death and how they were pushing on. This was no different. "…you're right. The air is getting thinner here, keep it steady!"
Everyone nodded and followed along as more blue networks channeled beneath beyond them. They kept traveling upwards with the same destination in mind.
Higher up beyond the hazardous haze, the Empyrean's pinnacle was overlooking the sun that beamed across Riaan and Armagedoid's faces. They sat patiently as the blue networks channeled into their systems. They sensed what was happening below, including the whereabouts of the enemies afoot.
"I see…so Galilea is dead." Riaan overlooked what he felt from earlier regarding the energy spike he felt, before everything flatlined. "And Killian Miles as well…even though she set some setbacks for us, at least in the end, she was able to give us the time we needed. They're progressing faster than anticipated. Perhaps maybe, at this rate, they just might make me anxious." He meekly chuckled at the prospect.
"The other Hades Pillars…there are only two left." Armagedoid counted.
Riaan's face contorted to be serious. "Yes, Armagedoid, there are. Lucia…Amina…Magnus…Galilea…we've lost much of our assets and favorable allies. To think that they'd be lost under such circumstances. But…it's to be as expected. This is war, and the very definition of war includes the loss of one's side. This is the epitome of that rule. Now let's hope that the remaining pillars can hold on."
The sunlight got a little brighter at that moment. It lowered just enough as more of Interacia's climate began altering once more. Riaan paused so he could feel it beneath his knees. The Empyrean channeled the network energy into his proxy body, transmitting it to the core that was his actually body. He could see it, the lush mountains with snow white peaks forming. The forests with gemstones embedded within the bark. The natural purity of the water all around, even in the darkest oceans. He could feel the bedrock being nothing but sand.
"…our world is coming to fruition. The losses we've suffered, and the lives we have taken up till now…perhaps it may not be worth it to many, but I know where I stand. I chose this path, and with every path you take…"
"There will always be bumps that you will trip over." Armagedoid recited. "Yes, I can see it, too, Master. Interacia, the world that was meant to be every Bakugan's home will come into existence. Our broken home will be united under the usage of the five planets that Eve roosted under her light."
"And yet even now, when it's still so far out of reach, it feels like our goal has reached us instead." Riaan chimed. "When you stop to think about it…all of the worlds really have become one. Below us, those who have been divided; those who were segregated; those who have fought against each other in the past; they have all come under one domain, one cause to ensure their survival. The humans, the New Vestroia Bakugan, the Vestals, the Gundalians, and the Neathians. Beings from different worlds, them and their Bakugan, have all come to Interacia. If one sees it that way, that's considered wholesome enough, wouldn't you say?"
Armagedoid paused to think about it. To some aspect after retrospection, it may seem that way. He felt it before, and have seen all those Bakugan fight as well. Below them, there were so many, even from their own world, who were unified and fighting for their lives. His head lifted at the realization. "Yes…I see it now. To have all Bakugan return to their origins, that means that…we've managed to accomplish part of the dream."
"We've created a beautiful thing under an ugly rouse. But even so, the sun still shines brightly. The day isn't over yet…and that means they still have time. Let's just see this beautiful dream, for just a while longer. It might not be long before our relishing comes to its conclusion…and we'll have to vanquish that beauty ourselves. If they don't make it past Zion, of course. His loyal flame burns brightly…just as the sun. I question, though…just how long can this flame burn?"
The stairwell kept going up, and Xander and Maximus were continuing the climb with everyone behind their backs.
"Looks like we're almost there, Max." Xander spoke nonchalantly, despite his face painted with explicit seriousness. "Getting cold feet on me, are you?"
"Keep your deliriums to yourself, Xander." Maximus sniped back.
"Sorry." He smirked. "Just making sure you were still kicking. It's still a shame with what happened regarding the others, though. They did their roles rather well…including Ariella, as much as I hate to admit it."
Maximus scoffed. "Don't get soft now. You're better than that."
"Who said I was getting soft? I should be the one to tell you that, ole' Max. You're the one who dragged us off our heels in the first place. You feel the shame weighing you down so much you can't admit to what you believe?"
"…" Maximus trailed off in silence. What Xander said would have been something he would have very much taken offense to. In fact, Xander was ready to weave if Maximus slashed at him, but instead the Rogue Zero leader kept his eyes forward with no looking back.
Xander snickered. "Always looking forward your own way. That's definitely you still. That's good." They kept climbing, but Xander picked up on something as his disposition hardened. "Max…"
Maximus glared forward as he felt it. A raging negative energy that was borderline choking. This didn't bother slowing him down as he suppressed his dilated pupils. The energy they were crawling towards was something he fed off of. It took a large sum of his willpower to make him not snarl in bloodlust.
"It's starting to get war, up here." Shawn said. "Can't imagine it's because we're in the sun's path."
"The Empyrean must have some kind of self-automated heating signature." Shuji said. "I heard it gets colder the higher up you go, right?"
"It's true that there's no heat in the upper atmosphere…but I'm not feeling in the slightest comfortable at what this warmth means." Jase noted.
Shawn furrowed his brow. "Now that you mention it, it's getting hotter the higher we go."
"The chamber below up was a ventilation room, and that creates drafts that separates cold and warm air. Warm air rises, that is true. We must be near the next chamber. And if there's this much heat we're feeling…"
"I get the feeling what it might be." Luke said, bracing his sword.
Everyone followed along, bracing themselves as they've ventured farther up. As they kept traveling, they could feel it getting hot to where they were starting to break sweats. They've found the entrance along the veiling and went through.
Almost immediately upon passing the chamber border, they felt an instant rush of heat that felt like their faces were burning. They entered a domain where the tiling was white, but all around, there were deep red accents that glowed brightly. Not by the energy, but by sheer heat conduction. Everywhere, there were various weapons that were carved differently from another that were wedged into the tiling.
"Just look at all these weapons." Shawn admired, turning left and right. He recognized a majority of them from the armory that on Gundalia. "There's even more variety in them than before."
Jase walked over, picking up a weapon that was lodged closest towards him. When he held it up, it was a talwar. He held it sideways to see if anything was midwifed. He noticed there was a switch and pressed it, causing a magenta energy outline to extend around the blade. "It looks as though the weapons have all been enhanced here as well."
He put the talwar back in its place and looked over at a blazer nearby. He looked at a dadao, and a few model 1832 close by. He wasn't too familiar with much of these weapons in person, but he was certain they were Earth-based.
"This isn't like the armory we went through back on Gundalia. Just look at all these, all these weapons have modifications like Jase did to our weapons." Shawn admired. He held up a longsword, in which he clutched it and magenta flames engulfed the entire blade. He flinched at the sight. "Woah!"
Xander frowned heavily. "Max, you think this is who I think it is?"
Maximus' hood shaded his face. Despite the heat, he looked like he wasn't even breaking a sweat. "Yes…I see it now."
Luke perked his head up. "Hey, guys! Look alive!"
"Everyone, take cover!" Esther shouted.
BANGBANGBANGBANG!
Machine gun volleys went off at an alarming rate. Everyone who had weapons in hand immediately went on the defensive and parried them. Maximus activated his energy claws and blocked off bullets that were aiming for his face. Xander, Shuji, and Maggie were quick to hit the floor and cover their heads.
Bullets ran everywhere, and the ones that didn't hit them ricocheted off the weapons plunged into the ground around them. The barrage of bullets sprayed vastly to cover the whole area, even piercing the ground and making small craters upon impact. With the ground so heated, it made the bullets sizzle, and Shuji and Maggie felt like they were touching something out of an oven. Their knees and forearms they were curled up on were starting to burn.
"Gnnngh…!" Shuji gritted his teeth as he hid behind a sword with a flat side, which bunkered him while he tried holding on.
'Bulletfire…this means-!' Jase's thoughts ran to one location.
Xander was holding fast towards the ground. He grunted. 'So it's him after all.'
The bullets fired until the last one dropped. When clanging shimmered to oblivion, a rumbling traveled beneath everyone's feet. Those who were on the ground hurriedly got up as the bright accents shined brighter.
"The heat…it's getting even more intense below!" Maggie realized.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Luke braced. "Everyone, look out!"
The group looked beneath and hurried to escape the growing vibrations in time before a pillar of pressurized fire exploded skywards. The roaring blaze was so hot that it was almost impossible to be close to without their forearms shielding their faces.
"Fire?!" Shuji grimaced. He winced as a few waning embers touched his arms. He backpedaled to cover himself.
Around everyone, the ground vibrated harsher than before. "Everyone, get back now!" Jase shouted.
At that instance, they all backpedaled as the vibrations erupted into pressurized pillars of broiling flames. More spread out and going along the sides; columns stacked and immediately made the chamber's temperature to a broiling point. They looked around at the surrounding flames as they engulfed the surroundings. The arches that enabled them to see the burning sunset view outside has been overshadowed by burning flames.
Getting over the initial shock, Jelldon looked forward. "Guys…"
"Hmph, so the cutthroat appears." Maximus snarled.
All eyes went forward into the flames on the far end of the inferno. They noticed someone familiar walking towards them by stepping through the flames in a flame-retardant armor.
"So it's him after all…" Esther lowly said.
"It's Zion." Luke grimaced. But unlike before, he instantly realized something was different about him.
The atmosphere grew far more ominous than it was before as everyone recognized Zion paving his way through the flames. However, unlike how he normally looked, the warpath gunner had a different attire on. He was covered almost entirely within a full set of black battle armor reminiscent of his old set, with magenta highlights and edging. It looked thicker along the shoulder pauldrons, which were shaped and sharpened like battle axes. He had on a sash that was filed with weapons ranging from daggers, to grenades, to small capsules that had flammable liquid. In one hand, he had a gargantuan battle axe with a black blade and magenta ridging. In the other hand was a machine gun that had several clips of bullets hanging from a belt along his side to reload it. On top of his head, there was a heavily ridged headpiece that was all black. He glared at his foes with his one eye, the other covered by an eyepatch.
"Looks like someone got a makeover. Grenades, too?" Shawn looked at the armor Zion had. He looked more menacing than ever as he stood several yards away.
"Burn." The first words he spoke, were ones followed by him reaching for his belt and sinking his teeth into the safety lever. He nicked it off and flung it across the air towards everyone.
"EVERYONE GET DOWN!" Shawn shouted, jumping and rushing for the hot floor. Everyone followed his lead and jumped out of the grenade's trajectory. They all covered their heads at the heinous sounds of an explosion that blew flooring and forged weapons across the scenery. Metal flung to shrapnel as it rained down with stones and dirt along everyone's backs.
They were all lucky that weapons fell on their flat ends. In Shawn's case, the longsword from before flew atop of his back on its flat end. He made sure to get up carefully to the blade didn't cut into the back of his head.
Zion spared no mercy. With his machine gun in his left hand, he started gunning away. Bullets shattered the flooring as they traveled towards everyone's downed frames. Despite the ringing of his ears, Luke saw Zion's ballistic rampage and rolled his way upfront. Esther copied him and both kneeled to use their spear and swords to deflect the bullet shots. He kept his charge and raised his gargantuan blade into the air, cleaving straight down onto Luke as he kept firing. With himself on the defensive, Luke and Esther were wide open.
Just as he was about to come crashing down, Zion's one good eye glanced at an incoming dark purple graze and used his armored forearm to intercept. Maximus' energy gauntlets slashed into Zion's arm, only nicking the superficial metal. His eyes narrowed.
"HMPH!" With a horizontal swing, Zion counterattacked Maximus. The hooded Rogue Zero member ducked and doubled back to get some distance between them.
'He's got far more durable armor.' He realized.
Zion adjusted his focus onto the others who were able to get up. He snarled at them all with a vengeful passion. Luke and everyone glared him down as embers rained down behind Zion, touching some of the weapons and immediately setting their blades ablaze.
"I am Zion Brace, the ever-burning flame of Hades Pillars." He introduced, gripping a nearby executioner blade. His machine gun fell to his side as he wielded the hefty weapon like it was a stick. "I am the fire that burns in the name of Milord. Any who defies his ideals shall be dealt with by me, his sword that shall cut the path that he so needs to reach said future. Now…" He crossed both axes in front and lunged for them all. "May you all burn in bloody hell!"
Luke gnashed his teeth and dodged in time to avoid Zion's initial downward swing. It cleaved into the ground, leaving Esther to pounce and twirl her spear to slash, but he anticipated this and used his huge axe to overpower her weapon and send her sailing backwards on her feet. Jase and Shawn went in a duo with piercing blows, but the sharp ends of their weapons, no matter how reinforced they were, didn't penetrate hi armor. Zion's blade swung diagonally their way and Shuji, being directly behind them, grabbed their clothing and yanked them away. Zion pivoted and held out both weapons. He spun in place with a howl and swung like a hurricane. As he did, his blades were grizzled by the nearby fire to make themselves hotter. Everyone kept their distance and bobbed and weaved to kept from getting cut. Even from so close, the blades were hot. Maggie was able to use her smaller stature and maneuver around Zion. With her sudden maneuver, he swung his executioner blade over his shoulder with a pivot behind. Maggie was saved when Esther shot at the tip of the blade to throw off its course. It punctured the ground just a few feet away from Maggie's face.
"Maggie, get up and move!" Esther encouraged.
"Right!" Nodding, the 10-year-old hastily got to her feet and moved back in time when Zion used his axe to veer Esther away.
He left his executioner blade in the ground and reached for his machine gun. He swerved around and spouted bullets that rained everywhere, causing everyone to stay low and defend once again. He snarled as he held off on the gunfire and reached for another grenade.
"Incoming!" Shuji warned.
Just as Zion bit down on the safety clip, Maximus swooped in from out of nowhere and slashed the grenade out of Zion's grip. It twirled through the air and went sailing within the distance.
BOOM!
A large explosion clouded the distance, sending debris and scrap metal from hot weapons everywhere. Everyone covered up and stayed low to avoid shrapnel that flew over their heads. The ground shuddered as the wake of the explosion dissipated.
A small wake of dust swept between Maximus and Zion as the two were in a standoff. They glared the other down, the younger and hooded adversary had red cracks at the corners of his eyes. He glared up at Zion with a foul disposition about him.
"Seems that your reputation still upholds you. You must feel so proud about yourself." He sniped sarcastically.
"Maximus Rogue…" Zion sneered aggressively. His one eye seethed with a burning fury. "Not only did you have the gaud to let Milord down, but to have the nerve to show your atrocious self after everything that you and your colleagues have done. You are the very bane that must be burnt away!"
Maximus sniped. "Go ahead and try. It'd be amusing to see you make my evening more eventful."
Zion's anger spiked and he raised his giant axe as high as he could for a swing downwards. Suddenly, a knife sped across Zion's face, piercing the ground between himself and Maximus.
"Sorry, such flimsy hands. Man I'm sure rusty."
Zion and Maximus turned towards the side, revealing Xander as he carried a few knives on him, which he generously used from the many weapons that were scattered about. Everyone used this opportunity to regroup as Xander came between himself and his superior. He had a smug look on his face as he kept his eyes glued on Zion.
"You little bugger…" The warrior zeroed in on his subordinate, gleaming down with a vice-like grip around his battle axe and his machine gun.
Xander sneered maliciously. "You certainly look like you've seen better days. That's a nice look with the eyepatch, makes you look more thuggish than what people say about you."
Zion growled and reached for his belt. He flung a dagger at Xander, but he swung the knife across in time to deflect it. Zion repeated again, only to be deflected again. The whole way, Xander smirked in satisfaction.
"I'll tear those of yours and burn them to a crisp." He swore.
"I invite you to try. Before you want to get to Maximus, you'll have to deal with me first. Those are the rules." He paused as he kept glued onto Zion. One look away and he'd go on the attack. "You should get going now, the top's waiting for you guys."
Maximus glared at Xander. "Do you ever know when to stand down, Xander?"
Xander scoffed. "That's so unlike you. You've never worried about me before, Maximus, so why start now?"
The hooded leader paused for a moment and turned away. "Suite yourself." He started walking away, but if one looked closely, one could see his hood tilted down further. "When will a child learn to grow up? I wonder…" He past the others. "Time to go."
"Alright." Luke started behind Maximus.
As they started for the stairway over the ring of fire, Esther stopped for a moment and looked back. "Xander…be careful."
"Why are you guys always on my back?! I'm the one who's usually on your backs!" He dodged Zion's battle axe and ducked the second swing. He slashed a dagger into the abdomen, but the armor was still too thick. Zion reached for his machine gun and Xander backpedaled so his feet wouldn't be blown away. "Just get going! Now!"
Esther fell silent. She followed the instructions and hurried away with everyone else. She maneuvered over the scattered weapons and slashed her spear to create an opening through the fire that she jumped through.
The wall of fire abruptly shot upwards in a small burst. The inferno and the heat around Xander and Zion signified their mixed emotions as they glared at each other. Anger, hate, pride, and most importantly, passion. As the heat traveled out of the Empyrean's arches to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, Xander held up the appropriate knives while Zion held up his battle axe.
"Xander Hellion…the most meddlesome of Rogue Zero." Zion snarled. "You will soon realize the consequences of these actions, once your limbs are cut off from your miserable body."
"Please, enough with the humble act, Zion. We both know you're above that." Xander retorted, his face showing seriousness. "You think I'm afraid of someone like you? You must be living under a rock if you think I'm afraid of an oversized bug like you."
Zion raised his battle axe high. "You never learn your place…you insignificant punk!" He brought the blade down and Xander promptly veered away. He backstepped and threw two knives in succession of each other. Zion picked up a neighboring bisento and twirled it to deflect the blades. "Sloppy shots."
"I said I was rusty." Xander picked up the nearest dagger that was deflected and quickly veered away from another knife that passed him. He watched it pierce the ground behind him. "Heh, guess being your little target practice after all this time has its perks. I can read all your movements clear as day."
Zion snarled as he reached for a longsword. He raised the blade, activated the switch, and made a magenta laserblade edging to add towards its depth. He started slashing away relentlessly. Xander was smart enough to sweep and lean away from every blow. However often Zion would switch between the axe and the sword, he was always a step away.
Xander backpedaled and leered. "Déjà vu, isn't it?"
"Hmph, do not remind me of such petty times." Zion scoffed, cleaving down into the ground where Xander dodged. "You, and that hooded nuisance, were brought here by Milord, and he entrusted you to me."
Despite the earlier scoffing of the past, neither couldn't help but think back to the days when it all began.
In the depths of Interacia, in the growing city that was Solaris, it was years ago. Maximus and Xander were just taken in by Riaan, and they were all brought towards the castle to help them establish their positions.
Riaan currently sat on his throne, looming down onto Xander, who was walked by two guards towards the center of the room. The adolescent stopped dead center and looked up towards the imperial man that sat with a god-like complexion.
"In the presence of his majesty, kneel." A guard demanded.
"Kneel?" Xander parroted. He was responded by the two guards pointing spears at him. "Okay! Okay!" The kid gradually dropped to a knee, mumbling lowly as he bowed his head towards Riaan.
"To our illustrious creator, we present you, Xander Hellion!" the second guard announced.
The two guards stepped off towards the sides. They stood at attention as Xander went silent.
"Thank you sincerely for being here, Xander Hellion. Once again, you have my upmost gratitude for entrusting yourself as well as Maximus Rogue into our domain."
Xander sighed. "Yeah, sure. I was just following Max along."
Riaan nodded in complete understanding. "I understand. So a spirit of devotion you are. Well, I suppose then, if Maximus is willing to be conditioned as such, I suppose then you will have no objections."
"Not at the moment. Still, though, guess I should be thanking you and all for reaching out to us. We'd been stuck in that treehouse if it weren't for you."
"Think nothing of it at the moment. The concern now is the arrangements. Solaris is currently expanding its domain under the recent hole. Because of that, I've commissioned settlements close by. I believe a few more of your kind can find that place accommodable?"
Xander shrugged. "Anywhere's fine." He paused to consider his options. "So is Maximus…going to have to be inside the castle then?"
Riaan paused to consider the recent inquiry. To a degree, he can understand the plight of security that he felt. He seemed awfully close towards the hooded creature. He closed his eyes.
"Fret not. If it shall ease your discomfort, we can accommodate you as well."
Xander beamed a prideful smile. "You really mean it?"
"Of course. My goal is to bring forth a new world, from which many can thrive in. The first step into that future, is to ensure the trust and the compatibility of whom I wish to hep me make that future a tangible one."
Xander had no idea what he was on about, but he knew he wasn't in the position to ask such pointless and stupid questions. He looked left and right in search of someone. "Um…excuse me, but…where's Maximus?"
"It's nothing to worry about. I assure you, he is fine. He is currently in examinations, he will be done shortly. Now then, if you are going to be within this domain, we'll need to establish some rules. As things stand, having new proteges around can be rather tumultuous if we get an emergency."
Xander raised a brow. "What's that mean?"
"To be blunt, I will be arranging a supervisor for you and Maximus individually. You both shall retain your freedom once Maximus' condition has been assessed, but we will need periodic progress from you by your supervisors in some manner. Zion Brace, enter!"
Xander flinched when he heard the sound of metal clang from the side. He turned his head sharply, following an armored man with a variety of weapons around him. The armored man stepped forward, standing before Riaan before kneeling.
"Milord." Even after meeting him, just hearing his voice was enough to make Xander feel uncomfortable.
"Xander. This is Zion Brace. He is a close associate of mine. Whatever I say, he shall consider it to be his duty." Riaan turned towards Zion. "Zion, I believe that you were filled in on the situation the soldiers have explained before, right?"
Zion dutifully nodded. "Yes, Milord." He turned towards Xander, giving him a glare that could burn holes through his eyes. "And what of this boy do you want to do?"
"He is one of the two associates that I have spoke of. I know it may very well be a hassle, but I ask you to supervise him. He is free to do as he sees fit, but if he becomes too troublesome…at most, go easy."
Zion turned from Riaan, towards Xander, giving the unnerved adolescent a glare that he gave back. In Zion's case, he had absolutely no desire to play babysitter. He'd much rather drive a knife through this kid's chest just for wasting his time. However, he was aware that Riaan needed him for this operation. So for the time being, he could stomach the idea of a protégé. Might not be what he had expected, but he could provide his uses no less.
He glanced back at Riaan. "Shall I be allowed to act as I see fit?"
"As his supervisor, I give you a limited exception. He is to be kept alive, even if he steps out of line. If he doesn't fight back, that's fine, but if you feel that it's obligatory to teach him a few things, make sure that it's sensible."
Zion bowed. "As you wish." It would do for now. Zion was satisfied with the circumstances.
"I believe that is all for the time being. I must make my preparations to return to Earth. We will meet again very soon." Riaan lifted himself from his seat and walked off, leaving the throne vacant. He walked with two more guards that were waiting beside the throne to direct him towards his chamber to ready for his venture.
Once he left, there was an awkward, but equally as unsettling tension that came from Zion and Xander. The two glared at each other until the former walked up and looked down at the new disciple. "Milord instructed me to hold back on you…I will not fail him, but…" He held up a dagger. "Do not think that you are here for pure leisure. If you have survived this long out there, then we must ensure that you continue to get basics. Come." He walked past Xander. "We have work to do."
Xander stood up and turned around, but he lowered his head in slight regret. 'I have a bad feeling about this…'
"You were never the warrior type. You were never able to properly hold a sword, and could barely learn how to throw a decent knife." Zion gripped his blade tighter. "I was inscribed by Milord to hold back for your safety, but seeing as how we are under different circumstances, you are no longer safe from me."
"I was never safe around you of all people." Xander scoffed back.
"And yet you kiss up to that fool of a hooded man. You fear him as much as much as me, yet at the same time you're willing to remain by his side. I dare say that is insistent as it is annoying."
"You don't hear Maximus complaining." Xander chimed. He fired the same dagger Zion threw before and was batted away by his battle axe. "I may haven't been gifted with weapons like you, but I already know when force is necessary rather than all the time."
Zion scoffed. "Well then, little delinquent, allow me to tell you…the reality of this situation." He reached for one of the bottles of flammable liquid on his belt and bent a cap open. "The reality is…that if you do not fight back now, you will die." He slathered his battle axe with the liquid, like an oil that drenched its coating. "So do you intend to mouth of your pitiful life no one cares about…or fight for that pitiful life?!"
With a solemn swing of his axe, he grinded it against the ground, igniting sparks that got onto the oil coating of the blade. The sparks ignited it into a magenta fire that coated the edging of the axe. Zion held the burning axe blade up, his one eye glaring with a blaze of fury. "I shall cut the reality so deep, that you will feel it in hell."
"Fine by me! Let's go, Ultra Dragonoid, and teach this guy what it means to be targeted!"
Zion: 100% Xander: 100%
Another fume of flames expelled around the duo, making a bright flare that shrouded them in harsh burning light. Neither looked fazed as they focused on each other. Zion held his magenta-enflamed battle weapon with one hand, with his other hand reaching for a black, magenta, red, and silver Bakugan.
'I'm certain that he's going to attack almost immediately to keep me on my toes. I know Zion, he'll use warfare to keep me aware of my surroundings. If I'm going to get through this, I better keep my eyes open.' Xander reached for a Gate Card and threw it out. "Gate Card, set!"
The Gate Card flung out towards the center between them, fading into a red glow that traveled beneath their feet.
"Let's just see what your weapons do against this kind of firepower! Bakugan, brawl!" Xander threw his Bakugan into battle. "Bakugan, stand! Come on, Pyrus Ultra Dragonoid!"
The Bakugan popped open, and everything exploded into a black inferno that swirled around an epicenter. Due to how massive the dark flames were, Zion used his enflamed battle axe to carve into the oncoming explosion wave. He was able to stand his ground as his flame-retardant armor kept him from serious burns.
The spiraling cyclone of flames revolved into a plume skywards. The flames dissipated into black embers that sizzled around Ultra Dragonoid. The draconic Bakugan's wings fanned out, covering a large area as he careened his neck around with a wild, bloodthirsty cry.
"Alright, now let's see what you've got." Xander challenged.
Zion looked forward, completely unfazed by Xander's threats. "You shall know your place…and once you do, you…will burn! Bakugan…BRAWL!"
'Here he comes.' Xander braced himself.
The ball in Zion's hand was lobbed upwards instead of outwards. Similar to baseball, he batted the Bakugan with his burning axe blade, sending it flying in a magenta fireball towards Xander. It moved too fast and hit his armored knee. The blow didn't leave any dents, but it was so hot that Xander had to recoil away while the ball form ricocheted and popped open on the ground.
"Bakugan, stand!"
The ball form opened, revealing four curbed tops that flipped open, with a set of large arms and small legs jutting out. The capsule's eyes shined magenta before an eruption of magenta spouted skywards. The magnitude that the flames made traveled beneath the combatants. Ultra Dragonoid flapped his wings and remained airborne as he watched the smoldering pillar of sheer flames that had more impact than his own. His eyes visibly narrowed.
Zion glared daggers as his axe blade arose. "Come forth…Pyrus Assailis!"
The smoldering pillar of magenta fire swept off to the sides like curtains, revealing magenta eyes that glistened within a mask. The Bakugan that he was using had a very strong resemblance towards a Laserman and a Robotalion crossed together. Despite being a mechanized creature, it was still an organic entity. Assailis had a segmented red facial mask with two silver projectors with green focus lenses in their centers. He had a black helmet that curbed along the backside inwards. On the helmet rested a magenta visor with a magenta lock-on screen on the forehead. He had broad red shoulders with black armor pauldrons along their tops. Each shoulder had a single compressed cannon with four cylindrical, silver cores. He had bulky red, organic arms with black battle armor with silver strapping; said armor having a single magenta bump on each side. The black armor on the forearms looked flat and edged to house weapons. On the left side was where a silver, triangular dagger was tucked inside, and the right side was a huge gauntlet that tucked away a blade with magenta outlets on either side, possibly for more cannonfire or projectiles. He had huge hands like a Laserman would, with red palms and black armor on the back and the fingers. The nails were replaced by silver holes for more cannonfire. The black chest plate was flat with silver fibers on the corners to keep it all hooked together. A magenta core was in the center, sitting just above the rectangular, curbed, silver waist that connected to a dark red bottom with black armor guarding every inch of it. The bulbous knees had a shield with silver edging and magenta accents on the left-hand side, and the right side had a black and magenta blazer tucked away. Silver armor covered the underside of the bright red legs. The shins and knees had black guards with silver fibers along the top and two canisters on each side, with red rings around the tiny holes. The hells downwards were like a Laserman, too, but highlighted in red, silver, black, and magenta. The toes were three: two in the front, and one in the back, all having small cannons on their ends.
However, that was just a part of him. What was staggering was the huge cannonade set mounted on his broad shoulder and back, which had black plating. It started on silver mounts on the shoulders where black bodies of two cannons rested. The cannons were magenta colored, and supported by silver plating that curbed downwards and connected to the black bodies with dark red supports. To help adjust these cannons, levers of bright red on the top and black on the bottom were created with silver railing in between. Set in between these huge cannons were two smaller cannons with silver beamers between them, filled with a deep red plating between. Gears were set in place to help move these cannons forward and back to help with attacking from behind without having the need to turn around.
Assailis' magenta eyes brightened as he let out a loud roar that shrilled ear canals. The surroundings ring of fire bordering their battlegrounds flared with magenta fire that bolstered skywards to no possible end.
Assailis: 1000 Ultra Dragonoid: 800
"An armed Bakugan?" Xander raised a brow. "Figures. A one-man army."
"Come!" Zion ordered. He got into a battle-ready stance; as he did, Assailis let out a low, synthetic howl as his left arm pulled back, the gauntlet on it jutting out its massive spear dagger. The cannon gears turned and adjusted to aim for Ultra Dragonoid in the air.
Xander held up a dagger. "Fine by me!" He held up his Bakumeter as he swiped his arm. "Let's go, Ultra Dragonoid!"
"I'm all in for this one!" The dragon flapped his wings to gather momentum, before breaking into a steep dive for Assailis.
"Ability, activate! Stroke Blaze!"
Ultra Dragonoid's maw opened wide as he careened his head back. The temperature around his space spiked tremendously as he compressed firepower into a large fireball that he fired at Assailis. The fireball turned and spun with tremendous force and velocity, bordering to become a tornado of flames that ignited the entire chamber.
Assailis: 1000 Ultra Dragonoid: 800 (+500) = 1300
The high-speed fireball closed in on Assailis as he tilted his head up. The monstrous attack engulfed everything in a white flare before an explosion of flames billowed everywhere. It caused enough force to completely melt the nearby weapons to metallic liquid. Shards lit ablaze as they scattered. Zion used his battle axe as a defense for his face, as opposed to Xander, who used a single forearm.
Ultra Dragonoid flapped in the air, overlooking the inferno he created. "Hahaha! That all this thing can take?"
The inferno brushed away, revealing a silhouette inside that steamed. But more or less, he seemed completely unaffected. Assailis had his shield up that he pulled up with his dagger through an insert. The shield had some char, but was otherwise ineffective.
Ultra Dragonoid gasped.
"I believe we shall show you our firepower now!" Zion declared, holding up an ability. He jutted out his blade as well. "Ability, activate! Gunfire – Force Flame!"
Assailis' eyes glinted brightly for a moment and let out an unintelligible growl. Xander remained wary as he saw the legs spread apart and the four cannons aimed at him and Ultra Dragonoid. Without warning, Assailis' eyes glimmered before four highly compressed jets of broiling, white fire shot like laserbeams from the four cannons at them.
Assailis: 1000 (+600) = 1600 Ultra Dragonoid: 1300
The white infernos were something that Ultra Dragonoid knew better than to take head-on. With his aerial mobility, he jettisoned skywards as the attack continued its trajectory, melting clean through the walls and the open arches. The air superheated high above to make visible distorted shockwaves all along the Empyrean.
"Keep it moving!" Xander shouted.
Ultra Dragonoid growled and dodged another cannonfire. He used his speed to keep out of range, but the laser-like inferno blasts didn't stop. He barreled rolled through the air, shifted, and spiral climbed to keep himself out of reach. Although, one cannonfire barely grazed his wing.
Xander gnashed his teeth. He looked up and realized something wrong. "What-?!" While the big cannons were firing at Ultra Dragonoid, the smaller middle cannon tilted downwards, unleashing a broiling fire laser across. Realizing he had to move, Xander jumped back as a line of fire passed in front of him. The ground looked like magma for a split second before it combusted into a wall of flames.
He uncovered and looked at the flames, noticing something coming his way. His eyes widened before he veered left in time to escape a slash by Zion's blade.
Time slowed down for a moment as Xander met Zion's eye. The flames he carved through were superheated, yet he walked through them like nothing and went to cut him down.
Xander managed to get his feet underneath himself and ducked below another slash. He chopped down, again dodging away from. Zion gleamed over and watched Xander backpedal and reached his left arm for his belt to flick a dagger. Xander parried it with the knife he had in hand and stepped back further from the blade.
'No good. At this rate, I'm gonna get thrown off balance!'
Assailis' smaller cannons angled higher and he fired another blast of fire in Xander's direction. The twin infernos went behind him, exploding in the distance. The eruption created shockwave that pushed Xander forward into Zion, who had his blade ready for a horizontal slash.
Xander was quick, though. He deliberately tripped so that he would lean forward a little more and tackle Zion. His momentum gave him the edge as Zion buffered back, his swing momentum completely blocked out.
With the added room, Xander was able to back away from Zion, but Assailis' cannonfire kept raging. Quadruple firepower was coming his way as he inserted an ability. "Ability, activate! Tiberius Flame!"
Ultra Dragonoid stopped his ballet and opened his maw again, this time unleashing a blast of fire that he used to intercept the blazes from reaching Xander. Zion, who was getting up at the time, saw the fire streaming his way and backpedaled a distance away. He was so quick that he seemed like a cat. The inferno blocked off the four fire jets from Xander, and Ultra Dragonoid craned his head and pushed back the flames until he engulfed Assailis in another explosion of flames.
Assailis: 1600 (-600) = 1000 Ultra Dragonoid: 1300 (+500) = 1800
The blaze swept around the flooring, melting weapons that were too close. However, a lance was thrown clean through a wall of fire. It barely missed Xander and pierced a longsword wedged in the ground, splitting the metal in two.
Zion glared through the fire, initiating an ability. "Ability activate, Scorn Pyre!"
The fire engulfing Assailis suddenly diffused as Assailis' posture changed. He let out a deeper groan as he raised his right fist high and struck the ground with it. Fissures of glowing red appeared in front before a towering wave of fire appeared. Several columns of fire shot from the erupting ground and split apart the ground as it traveled towards Xander and Ultra Dragonoid.
Assailis: 1000 (+500) = 1500 Ultra Dragonoid: 1800 (-500) = 1300
Waves of energy moved underneath the tiling to create fissures that constantly burst towards Ultra Dragonoid. The draconic Bakugan swiftly moved over the explosive pillars that were engulfing his surroundings, quickly finding his and Xander's movements blocked off.
"Hey, a little help here!" Ultra Dragonoid shouted through the explosions. He was bobbing around, almost getting one of his wings grazed in the process.
"Oh no you don't!" Xander showed an ability. "Ability activate, Spire Flare!"
Ultra Dragonoid spun out of an explosion and extended his wings. He careened his head up and created an orb of fiery energy. From it, he launched three orange fireballs that spun in a helix formation upwards until they collided at a high point. An explosion of fire came down in several fire bolts around Ultra Dragonoid. Each one collided with a different burst of flame from the ground, causing splattered explosions that he dove and maneuvered through. He weaved and maneuvered with gusto, crossing his arms and letting out a shrilled cry as he jettisoned straight ahead, not minding the large explosion in the background behind him.
Assailis: 1500 (-300) = 1200 Ultra Dragonoid: 1300 (+300) = 1600
The huge explosion wall kept going off in font of Assailis, making him momentarily blind of Ultra Dragonoid until he suddenly sped through and tackled him head-on. "Come get some, tin can!" The Dragonoid collided with Assailis head-on. The impact was so intense that it actually made Assailis slide back a few feet.
Zion reached for a nearby lance and threw it with all his might. It spiraled after Xander, but again, his aim was off and it pierced the ground past him. His eyes narrowed. "Slippery punk."
Xander frowned angrily. "You just have bad aim." He picked up a nearby dagger, which had no blade. He clicked it, making an energy blade out of it. He smirked. "Picked right after all. Guess I'm not a sore eyes after all, unlike you."
Zion's one eye narrowed in disgust. "I…am fumed at your petty comebacks!"
Assailis grunted as he was locked on with Ultra Dragonoid, who was trying to force him back. The inner cannons atop changed their gears and blasted behind, acting like rockets to give Assailis his momentum back. Ultra Dragonoid gnashed his teeth together and raised his swaying tail, bringing it around with its scythe-like end. However, Assailis' shield bunkered the blow. With the tail exposed, he suddenly seized it with his left arm.
Xander looked up. "Ultra Dragonoid!"
"Those who dare say they are right without full conviction to glory…shall always fall!" Zion swung his flaming axe, forcing Xander to ball onto his shoulder with a grunt. "I may have lost an eye, but you seem to forget here who is outgunned." He held up an ability. "Ability, activate! Molten Blazer!"
With his opponent pinned down for the time being, Assailis brought his right arm back, the huge gauntlet suddenly jutting as to signal something. There was a click, and a long sword jutted out from the insert. The twin magenta cannons along the side suddenly spewed fire that burnt the edges of Assailis' blade.
Assailis pivoted into Ultra Dragonoid and stabbed the blade into the Bakugan's gut. A searing pain with steam flares erupted from the impact as Ultra Dragonoid unleashed a cry of sheer, unadulterated pain from the stab wound.
"Ultra Dragonoid!" Xander stammered up to his feet, gazing up at his struggling Bakugan.
"GAAAAAH~!" The dragon hollered and shrieked as he tried to get away, but the searing pain was too much.
Assailis: 1200 Ultra Dragonoid: 1600 (-800 -500) = 300
Assailis let out a low, seemingly detesting, snarl as he kept his hold onto Ultra Dragonoid. He brought the blade back as the dragon dropped to a knee, clutching his abdomen with a claw. That blow alone was brutal to take.
"We are far from finished with you fool!" Zion declared. Assailis understood and dragged Ultra Dragonoid by his tail in a circle. The poor humanoid dragon was in too much shock to do anything as he was slammed into the ground harshly, enough force to make a crater upon impact.
With Ultra Dragonoid on his back, Assailis' toes projected out tiny cannons, which fired tiny red projectiles like bullets. They fired into his side, which Ultra Dragonoid could barely recover from. It was only thanks to his wings that he could cushion some of the projectiles.
"They say he who barks most is the weakest biter. I may have been your superior, but the only thing you could ever be superior about…" Zion raised his machine gun and fired away. Bullets rained away as Xander rolled behind the executioner blade and brought it up. Its sturdy side provided an ample amount of bunkering.
Zion ceased his bullets, the ammunition running out with a steaming end. "…is your precarious mouth."
Xander couldn't risk looking over the blade. 'No good. I'm completely cornered.'
Assailis kept firing, not giving Ultra Dragonoid any room to recover.
"Ability, activate!" Zion shouted. "Reload – Gundam!"
The toe bullets ceased firing, and all the cannons within Assailis' body retracted. The silver bolts on the sides shined a bright red, as did his eyes. The flaming blade kept burning though. The silver fibers and the cannons all flashed red, signaling charged firepower.
Assailis: 1200 (+500) = 1700 Ultra Dragonoid: 300
"Because of Reload – Gundam, Assailis is also immune to ability effects for a short time." Zion started for Xander. "Words alone will not save you. Reality is that those who take action with their words create the reality they seek…that is the difference between us. You do not possess that quality. Which is why you paddle behind your so-called leader."
Xander gritted his teeth. He had to get pass this guy, and fast. 'He's right, though. What the heck am I supposed to do? Think, Xander, think!'
"Suite yourself." He started walking away, but if one looked closely, one could see his hood tilted down further. "When will a child learn to grow up? I wonder…" He past the others. "Time to go."
For some reason, that same sound went through his head. The sound of Maximus' final words pressed onto him. Fr the weirdest reason, it gratified him to where he smiled. 'If he believes that way, then why don't I follow along. It's just as he said…' He gripped the energy dagger tightly. 'This'll be fun.'
The ground shuddered with each step Assailis took towards Ultra Dragonoid. The Bakugan was on his hands and knees as he tried to recover from the pummeling he took just now, of course that was easier said than done. The Dragonoid grunted as the warrior drew closer with the flame-coated blazer.
Zion approached the executioner blade and raised his huge axe blade. Without a word to say in retort, he let out a strong battle cry as he brought the axe down. The smoldering blade had so much force behind its impact that the executioner blade shattered into two. As it split, there was a brief moment's worth of time slowing down to reveal Xander to not be behind there.
"Hngh? He vanished…?"
He heard swift movements rom the side and immediately picked up on the visage of Xander, who picked up a knife and threw it at Zion. He easily guarded with the axe while Xander used the chance to activate an ability.
"Ability, activate! Molten Valkyrie!"
Ultra Dragonoid looked up just as the blade was coming down for him. The sharp edge was just about to make impact, when suddenly, the dragon's claws reached out and seized the blade for himself. Assailis stopped cold as the Bakugan found its ability to stand up again.
"What?" Zion grunted.
The red glowing bolts all across Assailis began drawing into waves that traveled from his body, all the way into the blade. With Ultra Dragonoid still gripping tightly, the red energy transferred into his claws, making his body ignite in a Pyrus aura.
"We just absorbed your little ability, which means…" Xander held up another ability. "We can do this! Ability, activate! Fault Crimson!"
Ultra Dragonoid's body was coated in a crimson aura-like gloss that had a strikingly high temperature content. He snarled heavily as he gripped Assailis' blade so tight that it was starting to crack. "Gngh…you like to hit hard…" He pulled back a fist. "…but so can I! HRAH!"
With a punch of gusto, the fist smashed into the blade, causing it to shatter to pieces. Assailis was taken back by the attack and felt too distracted when a crimson scythe-like tail snapped around and struck him. He grunted as he took a step back to recuperate.
Assailis: 1700 (-500) = 1200 Ultra Dragonoid: 300 (+1300 +500) = 2100
Zion looked back at his Bakugan, seeing how he was taken back by that blow by a small margin. "He nullified all of my abilities." He cursed lowly, gripping his battle axe tighter and turning towards a smug Xander.
"Hey, you okay?" Xander asked Ultra Dragonoid.
"Don't worry, I'm just fine." The dragon scoffed. "A little close, I admit. But I'm ready for more!"
His smirk widened. "That's what I wanna hear. Get him!"
"With pleasure!" The dragon extended his wings and got off the ground. Assailis rebound just in time to catch wind of Ultra Dragonoid's advances and saw him coming at him with another tail swing. He brought up his shield again to deflect the shot.
The dragon snarled as he got above the shield, opening his maw wide as Assailis readied his cannons. Both their partners readied abilities at the same time.
"Ability, activate!"
"Stroke Blaze!"
"Gunfire – Force Flame!"
Fire swirled in the maw and four cannons. They charged in rapid succession of each other and fired at the same time as Assailis and Ultra Dragonoid's power escalated towards 1800 and 2600 respectively. Both Bakugan lurched forward, unleashing a broad fireball and four pressurized cannons of flames that met at point-blank. An orange flash speckled the air all across the Empyrean chamber before a huge eruption of fire exploded everywhere. It spiraled out of control, searing the ground and melting away almost all the weapons within the area.
As the eruption subsided, smoke clouded over everything. Ultra dragonoid shot skywards to get an aerial view. He looked straight down, knowing Assailis was down underneath.
Xander quickly used the energy dagger he still kept on hand and deflected another knife thrown at him before his counterattack. "Time to go kaboom! Ability activate, Exploding Flare Dive!"
Ultra Dragonoid engulfed his entire body in explosive flames that burnt up the atmosphere. The grunt he gave off roared out with the lames that constantly exploded. He balled both his fists tight and spun in place to gather momentum before spiraling into a breakneck meteor streak down through the smoke.
Assailis: 1800 (-400) = 1400 Ultra Dragonoid: 2600
"I'VE GOT YOU KNOW!" Ultra Dragonoid shrieked as he bolted straight down, beaming into something incredible hard that the fire combusted against. The smoke spontaneously sparked and exploded outwards, sending flame clouds above Xander and Zion. The shockwaves made the two cease their advances as they looked at the move hitting its mark.
'Bet that threw them off.' Xander sneered.
Zion glared ahead, far from amused with Xander's efforts. "Think again! Ability activate, Helios Armament!"
The fire cloud gradually dispersed between them, revealing Ultra Dragonoid above Assailis, who was revealed to have his shield up long before the impact that stopped Ultra Dragonoid cold. The ground was engulfed in embers around him, yet Assailis looked completely unharmed as a red aura engulfed his body.
Xander stepped back in shock. 'He stopped my attack cold!'
Assailis' glow intensified as he reached for his right hip, which was the massive knife inside of a chamber. He held it in his right grip and clutched tighter to make the twin cutters open up to reveal a wavy blade that immediately caught on fire. He waved it at Ultra Dragonoid, forcing him to draw away. The dragon managed to touchdown several meters away in front of Xander as he looked at his opponent being empowered by the harsh red aura.
Assailis: 1400 (+400 +1800) = 3600 Ultra Dragonoid: 2600
"What?!" Ultra Dragonoid snapped.
"His power level just spiked on the spot!" Xander yelled.
Zion reached over and slowly grabbed for ammunition. The bullet canister was being locked into place while he glared at Xander. "Out of options so soon?"
Xander glared. "Be quiet! Nobody tells me how to battle!" He reached down towards the field. "Gate Card, open! Element Merge!" The Gate Card shined beneath, igniting everything within a large field of light. Assailis' power gradually waned away, while Ultra Dragonoid gained even more power.
Assailis: 3600 (-200) = 3400 Ultra Dragonoid: 2600 (+200) = 2800
Xander grimaced at his standpoint. 'We're not going to get anywhere using our base moves. We're gonna have to go big.' He braced himself. "Alright then, time to step it up."
Zion sneered as he raised his loaded machine gun once more. He began firing at Xander, but thankfully, Ultra Dragonoid stood in between them and used his legs to bunker Xander from any projectiles.
"Ultra Dragonoid, were going hard on this next one! Get ready!"
"I'm always ready!" He urged.
"Alright then, let's go!" He held up his Bakumeter, which showed a forbidden ability. "Ability, activate! Incinerate-X!"
A purple core enveloped Ultra Dragonoid's chest as he stood his ground, purple chords entering his body and fading. A pulse ran deep within his body that caused him to lurch. He snarled as the temperature around his body magnified into a magenta inferno that suddenly erupted outwards. An expulsion of superheated magenta flames blinded everything. He opened his maw wide, as roaring flames of magenta energy compressed to a single point.
Assailis: 3400 Ultra Dragonoid: 2800 (+2000) = 4800
Zion narrowed his eyes in deep distaste. He braced his blade as he glared at the threat before him. Assailis took a fighting stance to brace for the compressed nova about to be fired.
Xander swiped his arm forward with a bright smile. "See how you handle this firepower for size!" Ultra Dragonoid opened his maw as wide as possible and bent his knees. He let out a monstrous shriek as the magenta flare centered in his maw flickered before firing a glossy magenta laser that traveled across the ground. Waves of fire surfaced around the wake of the attack that fanned outwards while the beam blazed past Zion, who ducked directly below it and shielded with his battle axe from any stray embers. The airspace rumbled as it continued towards Assailis, who balled his fists and stood his ground.
"Ability, activate!" Zion shouted. "Battle Lock-On!"
As the laser closed in, Assailis' visors on his helmet dropped down in front of his eyes and shined brightly along its rims. The lock-on screen on his helmet glowed brightly as the beam was analyzed. He raised his arms and crossed them to block.
The laserfire ultimately made impact, hitting Assailis' bulky gauntlets. The impact was extreme, but it was far from enough to deter him. It separated into several smaller stray beams that went around and struck various walls and the tiling below, creating landmines that erupted pillars of flames all around. The ground and air violently shook, yet Assailis blocked with the lock-on screen still shining.
Xander's confident smirk vanished as he gasped. He and Ultra Dragonoid were taken back by the blockade set afoot.
Assailis' visors shined brightly before he swung his arms around, clearing away the attack. It dissipated as shockwaves from his swings blew into Xander and Ultra Dragonoid, buffering them both and stepped back.
Assailis: 3400 (+2000) = 5400 Ultra Dragonoid: 4800
Xander managed to regain some of his footing, but looked ahead with shock. "He added power equal to my ability?"
Zion stood tall once more, raising his battle axe and swinging it forward. "Ability, activate! Scorn Pyre!" Assailis groaned as he balled his right fist and plunged it into the ground. Waves of burning energy erupted beneath the surface and traveled in spontaneous bursts of flames into Xander and Ultra Dragonoid.
Assailis: 5400 (+500) = 5900 Ultra Dragonoid: 4800 (-500) = 4300
"Ability activate, Tiberius Flame!" Xander yelled.
Ultra Dragonoid opened his maw towards the ground and spat out a large range of fire that erupted into a blast wall before him. The shockwaves ran deep through the ground as Assailis' attack made impact, creating a swirling rush of fire that blossomed skywards between them.
Assailis: 5900 (-500) = 5400 Ultra Dragonoid: 4300 (+500 +500) = 5300
The explosions of flames billowed everywhere, but it still wasn't enough to deter Zion. The majority of the blast wake pushed into Ultra Dragonoid, causing him to falter backwards.
"Still so strong…!" Xander grunted while covering up. He gasped when he saw something being thrown through the fire, being a polearm with an energy outline. It shot into his spiked shoulder decoration, shattering it, while at the same time. The energy outline barely cut into Xander's cheeks, making him yelp in pain.
"You are weak. You've always been weak." From the wall of fire, Zion gracefully walked though. "You have far too much arrogance to consider yourself straightforward. You may be adult in stature, but in mind, you are but an adolescent who refuses to accept reality."
Xander grunted as Ultra dragonoid regained his balance. "Double ability, activate! Stroke Blaze, plus Spire Flare!"
Ultra Dragonoid spread his wings and jettisoned into the burning atmosphere. He looked past the wall of fire bordering him and Assailis and saw his opponent standing perfectly still in waiting. His eyes narrowed as he generated a massive, burning fireball and fired it with three smaller spinning firebolts propelling it with enough force to make it rotate into a spinning missile of fire.
Assailis: 5400 (-300) = 5100 Ultra Dragonoid: 5300 (+500 +300) = 6100
The inferno lit up the skies dawning upon Assailis, but he stood there with his visor still covering his face.
"Ability, activate!" Zion held up his counterattack. "Deep Red – Cannonade!"
The four cannons on the shoulders adjusted and began a charge of red energy. It wasn't just the cannons though. The shoulder projectors jutted out the compression cannons as well. The knee pauldrons opened the hatches where the red rings kept in more compression cannons that jutted out. His cannon-like hands also shined bright red.
Just as the swirling fireballs was about to hit its mark, all of Assailis' cannons unleashed loads of firepower that he projected onto the hemisphere, completely destroying it. The attack kept going, shaking the air as the multitude of cannons closed in on Ultra Dragonoid.
Assailis: 5100 (+600) = 5700 Ultra Dragonoid: 6100 (-600) = 5500
Xander's cape flew madly as he backpedaled with shock. It was like several bright suns beaming for him. Ultra Dragonoid got down in front and drew his wings up as a bunker for the oncoming attack.
"Your endeavors…shall cut no skin!" Zion declared.
The cannonade drew close, eventually reaching Ultra Dragonoid. Without even a chance to buffer, everything was engulfed in a grievous explosion of red energy. The entire chamber exploded with red flares and smoke billowing past Zion and Assailis. The ground shined blue as the energy transmitted from their battle up towards the top. The shockwaves generated by the blow sent shrapnel of blades and other weapons that Xander eventually succumbed to. He screamed as he double backwards, tumbling to a roll along his side until he laid sprawled along the ground.
Ultra Dragonoid screeched as he fell backwards, reverting to ball form and dropping to Xander's side.
Xander: 60%
Assailis glowed red and reverted back to ball form. Zion seized him and watched as Xander managed to get to his knees.
The beta of Rogue Zero struggled to move, let alone feel his hands on the ground. He had a deep cut on the side of his cheek that wouldn't stop bleeding out, but that wasn't as important as the draconic gloves he wore were worn down significantly. His cape was all but destroyed, leaving its length half its size. He took a moment to catch his breath.
"Get up." Zion raised his machine gun, firing a few bullets in front of Xander's feet to jerk him up. "I've taught you better than this. You bring everything and yourself to shame. Did you really come here to kill me with such a pitiful boast?"
Xander eventually caught his breath, glaring daggers back at him. "Whoever said…I was through yet?" he sneered. "We didn't just come here to stop you guys. We came here to give you our regards. One way or another, you're going to die! Even if it means I'm going down in the process!"
"Kill me? Kill me, you say?" Zion paused. He stopped his advances and lowered his axe blade. The fire it had going before diminished as the oil was used up. He seemed to be deep in thought about something. "You blatant fool…you truly say…that you will kill me…?"
"…" Xander frowned. He didn't know why, but seeing Zion cause like this made him feel excessively unnerved.
"You bloody fool…you do not get that privilege, you see?" He raised his head, giving Xander what could have been his most grueling glare yet. His one eye looked so focused as the flames surroundings them expanded with his rage. "I shall never be killed by the likes of you! I give none the divine honor! They are not worthy of such a task! The only one whom I give permission to kill me…IS MILORD HIMSELF!" He hastily brought up a Gate Card and threw it down on the field, making a red shockwave pass underneath both of them. "UNTIL HIS BLADE DRAWS OUT MY BLOOD, I SHALL BURN AND BLEED OUT ALL WHO STAND IN HIS WAY!"
Xander grew anxious as the heat intensified. 'Well that pissed him off. Guess he isn't gonna give me an edge. Better snuff him out once I get an opening of my own.'
Zion held up Assailis and tossed him skywards. "Bakugan…" In a span of a few seconds, another oil canister was opened and drenched the blade. He swung it along the ground to generate sparks that ignited it into another magenta inferno that he cleaved into his Bakugan. "BRAWL!"
This time, when the axe hit Assailis, Xander held up the energy dagger he kept on hand and parried the ball, making sure that it didn't hit and burn him like last time. "Bakugan, stand! Pyrus Assailis!"
In a magenta pillar of fire that incinerated the ground, Assailis arose once more, leaving scorch marks at his feet as he glared down Xander.
"We're not out of this yet!" He threw in Ultra Dragonoid. "C'mon, Ultra Dragonoid! Bakugan, brawl! Ultra Dragonoid, stand!"
Black fire erupted from his ball form as Ultra Dragonoid shot up and flexed his wings. He stood before Assailis, scowling menacingly.
Assailis: 1000 Ultra Dragonoid: 800
"Your disloyalty towards the wrong person shall be your undoing!" Zion held up an ability. "Ability activate, Deep Red – Cannonade!" Assailis calibrated his cannons and readied another round of cannonfire against Ultra Dragonoid.
The giant armed warrior compressed all his firepower into the projectiles he was about to launch and stood his ground as monstrous cannons and gunfire rained ahead, tearing the ground apart as it traveled towards the dragon.
'Gotta block him, pronto!' Xander held up an ability. "Ability, activate! Fault Crimson!" Ultra Dragonoid's entire body became glistened in a crimson-coated energy. He crossed his arms and braced for impact.
The cannonfire made impact, erupting bombastic fire around Ultra Dragonoid. The Bakugan grunted harshly as even his nullification ability effects were still not enough. The claws on his toes dug into the ground to help keep traction, but it proved futile as the cannonade wasn't stopping.
Xander crossed his arms to keep himself up. "Too many cannons…!"
Assailis' toes projected twin cannons on each foot before firing round into the earth. Xander's eyes widened when the ground erupted from bombastic energy, sending him doubling over as well with screams of agony.
The cannonfire failed to recede, even as Ultra Dragonoid backpedaled. Suddenly, Assailis appeared before him with his right gauntlet pulled back.
"Ability, activate! Molten Blazer!"
The sword jutted out of with twin flame jets burning from either side, making the flaming sword once more. Assailis slashed with a vengeance across Ultra Dragonoid's chest, leaving a streaking gash of flames that left the dragonoid screaming as his power level dropped towards 300.
Xander got to his hands and knees in time before Ultra Dragonoid slammed on his back close by. He looked over in shock, then felt a shadow looming above. He immediately drew his attention up as the blade coming down right for him and fell on his back to avoid getting sliced in two.
The raise arose to sit on Zion's shoulder. "I will never criticize the wishes of Milord, but to bring in someone like you…it makes me burn with such ire." He walked forward. "From the moment I laid eyes on you, I saw who I was dealing it. Someone…who has been put down by those older than him, cast aside from his peers to become the disrespecting wallower he is. You have no path of your own, so you stray and sulk until you find something to pick you up. That's when you found Maximus…that was your grievous mistake. You can never hope to accomplish anything on your own. You've been held back…and that misplacement will cost you everything."
Xander was left in complete freefall. His eyes were wide as he seemed morally shocked at what he just heard, but more so with how it processed. He just looked and saw the glare within Zion's eyes. They said everything that he needed to know: Everything.
And yet, at the same time, what he said sparked something surprisingly genuine inside of him. He lowered his head, pausing to consider his choices for a second. Yet when the answer finally came…all he did was smirk.
"Heh…hehehe…hahahahaha! HAHAHAHA!" Xander reared his head up, laughing uproariously, much to Zion's blunt confusion. "You really are a dull knife, aren't you, Zion?" Xander smirked maliciously. "You see, I know that better than anyone! I've always been put down by everyone around me, always! So what if I can't drive myself forward without a lead, is that so wrong?! You're a hypocrite for saying that! Have you looked in the mirror recently?!"
Zion's brow twitched at Xander's retort. "What?!"
"Face it, you wouldn't be anything without Riaan! Yet even now, you're just a soldier following Riaan like I am to Maximus! You don't get to criticize Maximus being at fault…because believe it or not, our bond has paid off!"
"You want us to what again?!"
The Doom Dimension fell silent at Ariella's sudden outburst. She, along with the rest of Rogue Zero, stood with mixed confusion and shock at what Maximus said. The hooded leader glared ahead with his tattered hood shading his eyes from everyone as he looked intensely at them
"So…let me understand this correctly." Ariella paused. "You want us…to help those guys?"
"Yes, Ariella…I believe that's what I just said. I thought I made it clear that I wouldn't repeat myself again." Maximus hissed, his raspy tone kept at a stable level.
"…" Killian kept his arms crossed in silence. Hendrix stood beside him with a similar stature.
Cesar tossed a lock to the side. "Well, this is certainly something I didn't calculate. What a rather…posthumous reception."
"Max, what happened? Are you absolutely serious about all this?!" Xander snapped. "Do you know what you're asking us to do?! We're risking a suicide mission with those guys! You have any idea on what this could mean for us?!"
Maximus gave no verbal reply. He just kept his gaze forward as he slowly sauntered closer towards them.
"…yes, I know."
"You know? So then why are you telling us this?!" Ariella angrily scoffed. "If you hadn't lost your marbles before, you must have by now. Why should we go out of our way to kiss up to those Earth brats after everything that's happened between us? I'd rather be forsaken here than bare any shame towards them."
Cesar gracefully sat his right hand's fingers on his temple. "Personally, I deplore them to such a level as well. They were the ones who have shamed my genius. To do something so intrusive as to aid those who have wronged us feels so…indisputably stupid."
"Mmm, we've lost. That's as shameful as it can get." Hendrix admitted. He glanced over at Killian, who seemed lost in thought as well. "Do you have a problem?"
"It's just…I don't have anything against those guys if I'm being personal. But still…" He clutched his forearms tighter. "It feels so humiliating, to expose ourselves again if we do go through with this."
"Really now? Humiliating? This coming from someone who was actually bold enough to get in bed with Galilea." Xander teased.
Killian angrily groaned. "My point is that while I still don't like what's happened…why now to go against the world we're trying to build, a world that went longer belong in. We were cast out, and then we were dragged here…I'm just trying to get what the end goal here is."
Ariella approached Maximus with a smug look. "For once, Killian's speaking reality here. What do you hope to gain from this little mission that you have no hope of getting back?"
Xander an everyone went silent as they expected an answer from their leader. They were on pins and needles so to say. They wanted answers now that Maximus stepped forward with this proposition, now they want a damn good reason to get roped into this mess.
"…the answer…" He reached for his hood. "…is simple."
He slowly pulled back his hood, revealing his face towards his peers. Everyone's eyes widened when they saw the look on Maximus' wrinkled face. They were left frozen in awe as Maximus' usually deluded bloodlust was compromised by a completely calm look.
"Because…this is for me and you guys."
"Max…" Xander hiccupped.
"We've been put down by Riaan and Hades Pillars. This whole time, we've been beneath them, that's why we didn't get anywhere with them. When you stop to think about it…did we just misplaced ourselves?" Everyone stayed silent as he turned towards Killian. "Killian…you asked what the endgame is here…this is the endgame…for us, anyway. I dragged you guys into this…allow me to take responsibility."
Cesar perked his head up in honest shock.
"I've been thinking a lot…of who I…am. I…am my own…monster. Monster…that I accept. I will be nobody else but me…I heave no use for fear to drive me back…now, I want you all…to take the fear that Hades Pillars has plagued on you…and make that your drive. If this is what our lives have become, then perhaps we should make them understand their place when power gets to their heads…"
"Max…" Xander was dumbfounded. He saw Maximus turn towards him directly.
"I won't allow you all to suffer like this. If I wish to make my life move forward…then this is how it must be. This will work." He paused. "I know this, because…I…I believe in you all."
"That was the first time…the very first time, that Maximus meant something so genuine." Xander continued. "That alone was enough to rally us out of that hell, and follow him to here. You say that my bond with that mad freak is misguided, but I don't see Riaan motivating you with anything, yet you still follow him. If that Interacian reject could rally a group of misfits like us, then I say I'm in the right place."
"Enough!" Zion brought his burning axe down, but Xander got his feet underneath and scooted backwards. "Your rebellious flame shall be snuffed out, one way or another."
"I'd like to see you try, but if Maximus believes that I can end you here, then I guess we'll see just how far I can go to make that happen." He looked over at Ultra Dragonoid, who was stuck beneath Assailis' foot. "Isn't that right, Ultra Dragonoid?"
The dragon craned his neck up, his eyes fixed on Assailis. "Don't worry…I have…plenty more…!"
Xander smirked. "Good…then let's give them a taste of our firepower. Get ready!" His face grew deathly serious as another forbidden ability activated. "Ability, activate! Hellfire-X!"
A purple core appeared directly beneath where Assailis was stepping on Ultra Dragonoid. With its unbreakable core extending tendrils across the body, they faded as the Bakugan stayed perfectly still beneath Assailis' inferno-induced blazer. Assailis drew his blade back, as did Zion, before going for piercing blows at their respective foes.
As Xander watched carefully, suddenly the ground burst beneath Assailis. Bombastic magenta flames erupted outwards, burning every weapon in the area. Shards were melted in an instant. A roaring explosion of swirling magenta flames rose several feet before exploding further sending bright magenta flares overhead. The rumbling ground and unstable land made Zion step away and cover up from the eruption. The entire chamber's temperature escalated considerably. It was like a sun that burnt in front of their faces, but instead of outright burning them, Zion and Xander gradually arose to their feet and glared the other down.
When Assailis uncovered, everything around him was engrossed in a broiling inferno that expanded with every flap of Ultra Dragonoid's wings. The Bakugan hovered above the flames, bis skin coated in the broiling inferno like scaly armor that burnt to the touch.
Assailis braced himself as he glared at Ultra Dragonoid, but he flapped his wings again to project a gust of flames that barely buffered him. The residue reached out to Zion, who kept his forearm up to block and swat away the flames. He snarled at the comeback made by his opponent as a magenta inferno blocked their way.
Assailis: 1000 Ultra Dragonoid: 300 (+4700) = 5000
'He's using a forbidden ability to create shock enough to keep distance.' Zion realized. He picked up his machine gun and aimed for the midsection of the flames. "But your flesh is still soft, boy."
"So is yours!" he yelled.
At the notion, Zion's heightened senses picked up on the oncoming tail of Ultra Dragonoid and doubled backwards to avoid a vicious blow that plumed flames skywards. He got his feet beneath him and looked up at Ultra Dragonoid.
"So close." He snarled.
"Assailis!" At the call, Assailis clutched his fists. "Ability activate, Battle Lock-On!" The heavily armed Bakugan lowered his forehead visor as the lock-on screen on his forehead shined bright pink. His power escalated towards 5700 as he took heavy strides towards Ultra Dragonoid.
"Just what I thought!" Xander readied a counterattack. "Ability activate, Molten Valkyrie!"
As Assailis drew closer, his left gauntlet jutted out the stinger blade as Ultra Dragonoid rushed in towards him. The dragon was much faster and gripped the visors on his face so hard that the nails left small cracks.
"You've got quite a lot of power there, mind if I have some of it?" His still burning scales shined a burning shade that engulfed the claws. Assailis' glow that primarily came from the visors faded as the power he had gained vanished into the claws, eventually working into the body.
Suddenly, a rush overzealous power erupted from Ultra Dragonoid. His eyes widened as the magenta inferno around him suddenly exploded in double the size. The explosion of heat at point-blank range sent distorted shockwaves across the chamber, burning the walls and floor.
Assailis: 5700 (-4700) = 1000 Ultra Dragonoid: 5000 (+4700) = 9700
The added flamed created so much backfire that it became waves of flames that had a force like tsunamis passing right by Zion. A heat wave pushed against his armor that blocked the brunt of it all, but it was still so powerful that it made his traction shorten.
'He absorbed all of the power to increase his firepower!'
Xander remained completely calm as he glared at the magenta inferno wake before him.
As the others kept running higher above, blue networks streamed above them. The walls were painted with a magenta glaze from the inferno beneath them. They all kept running despite the extraordinary heat levels that felt borderline volcanic.
Shawn stopped and looked down at the inferno blazing far beneath them. They couldn't even see what was happening because of the bright flare. "Their battling is so intense that it's making heat waves go up to these heights now?!"
"That's a lot of negative energy fueling those flames alright!" Shuji noted, just before a stray solar flare went skywards past them before fizzling away.
"That power…there's no doubting it's Ultra Dragonoid." Jase deduced. "They must be breaking themselves to sustain this large scale of an effect."
"I don't know if that's supposed to be a good or bad thing." Maggie said. "But I'd rather not stick around to find out."
"Yeah, let's hurry so we don't fry up before we get to the top." Luke urged. "Let's go."
Luke and everyone pressed on upwards. As they did, Maximus stopped to look down at the roaring inferno spewing flares every now and again. They highlighted the wrinkles and pale complexion he had, but more specifically, the dark eyes that reflected the blaze that was set into stone.
"That's so unlike you. You've never worried about me before, Maximus, so why start now?"
Silence looming, Maximus turned away from the scene and grunted. He slowly made his way upwards, his tattered long cape whisking as a flame wave arose.
Zion snarled as he held up his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Molten Blazer!"
Assailis' right arm jutted out the same huge blade and flame jets expelled from the side. The back toe pistols fired flames that pushed him forward as he carved through the inferno towards Ultra Dragonoid.
"Ability, activate!" Xander shouted. "Tiberius Flame!" Ultra Dragonoid opened his maw wider and unleashed a roaring jet of flames when Assailis jutted out for him. He screeched out a large-scale fire blast that backfired the sword that was supposed to carve into him. The flame's force was enough to stop the adversary in place, while Ultra Dragonoid's power escalated towards 10,200.
'With this big of a gap, he won't know what hit him.' He reached back for something.
Zion switched tactics and reached down towards the enflamed terrain. "Gate Card, open! Flat Power!" The Gate Card shined brightly, but it didn't last very long.
"Not so fast! Ultra Dragonoid!" Xander raised his Bakumeter high, the same instance that his Bakugan jettisoned skywards out of Assailis' reach. "Ability, activate! Exploding Flare Dive!"
Once again, the air erupted in explosive energy that resonated from Ultra Dragonoid. The inferno engulfing his body compressed into small explosions as he shot down directly onto Assailis. Faster than what the Bakugan could trace with his cannons, Ultra Dragonoid's foot collided with the plating, creating a large eruption that sent Assailis further into the ground. The eruption sent flaming shockwaves through the Gate Card, shattering it into shrapnel that burnt away within seconds.
Assailis: 1000 (-600) = 400 Ultra Dragonoid: 10,200
Assailis' fallout caused random fireballs to expel across the area. When some were heading his way, Zion picked up his machine gun and unleashed blistering bolts to diffuse them. It took almost all the ammunition in his last pack to beam through fire until ended up as embers that sprinkled down around him. He turned towards the direction where he heard Xander's voice last.
'There!' He tightened his grip on his battle axe on the right hand and made a breaching leap through the flames. His axe swung upwards to come down for a killer blow, when he realized that in place of Xander, there was a grenade.
Time slowed down as he was processing what was happening. His right arm was already cutting down on the grenade that had its safety lock pulled off.
'Why is a grenade…no! Don't tell me…when he tackled me before…!' Zion thought back to Xander lunging at him to force him back. He wasn't targeting him specifically. It was for his belt. 'He snatched one of my grenades and used his shout to lure me in! NO!'
Too late to pull back his swing, Zion's inferno-crusted blade came down and cut into the grenade.
BOOOOOM!
A large explosion rampaged through the area when the grenade went off. The sounds of the explosion alone quaked the ground, if not for Ultra Dragonoid landing behind Xander, who stood a fair distance away. It would have been lethal if the flames didn't provide cover, but thankfully they did. And he watched as the explosion a short distance away diffused.
From the smoke, Zion was thrown several yards back, slamming and grinding his armored back into the ground. He stopped on his stomach and laid there, while pieces of his weapon scattered everywhere.
From that blast alone, it caused incredible damage that Zion suffered from. Xander watched him struggle to a knee as his extremely durable armor took a majority of the impact, but it looked like the armor had suffered dents inwards and the brunt of it was blown off. His axe blade was completely blown away, and his right arm was bent in a very uncomfortable fashion. It looked destroyed. Even though the armor saved the insides, the impact messed them up big time. Even Zion's helmet was heavily cracked.
'Now!' Xander rushed with the energy dagger out after Zion. Without even a moment's hesitation, he jumped through the dwindling magenta flames.
Zion gagged out as he was trying to come around. He felt excessive levels of pain, but through it all, he was hanging in there. He only had time to glance at his deformed right arm before the flames severed, revealing Xander pouncing through.
"How's this for a helpless guy?!"
STAB!
Blood splattered lightly as Xander held out the dagger towards Zion, who looked on with absolute disbelief as he felt something wrong from below. He stood completely still as he gingerly looked down and saw the blade that he held in his hand had made several chips around the opening the dagger had made. It went straight into his midsection, a clean hit.
Zion looked puzzled for a moment, before he felt another gag reflex come up, but this time instead of saliva it was blood.
Xander grunted as he pulled the energy dagger away, tossing it aside with metal clangs along the ground. He backed away as Zion used his left arm to clutch the wound and curl over to gag more blood. "Not so helpless now, am I?" His tone was dead serious as his chin was high. "Yeah, so maybe I do rely on a motivation like you do, but look who got farther. I got this far not because I was kissing up to anybody…but because someone genuinely believed in me."
Zion coughed, his one eye opening slightly. "Damn you…!"
Xander's eyes narrowed before he activated an ability. "Ultra Dragonoid, let's wrap this up. Ability, activate! Incinerate-X!"
A purple core appeared on Ultra Dragonoid that extended tendrils around his body and faded into the burning body. Another pulse ran through him as the skin steamed once more. His maw opened as he concentrated magenta flames into a swirling maelstrom that focused on the wounded Assailis.
Assailis: 600 Ultra Dragonoid: 10,200 (+2000) = 12,200
As Zion and his Bakugan were slowly standing up, , all they could see before them was a bright magenta light from the dragon's maw that brightened their faces. Their cracked headpiece and visor made their eyes exposed to the light that would be their end.
"Looks like you've underestimated your chances here. Are you that disillusioned that you can't see the reality that's in front of you?"
Zion's eye widened when he heard a familiar voice. 'Milord…?'
"Then let me ask you this. If you were given the chance, would you be willing to 'enforce' my part if they do not see reason? Consider it an extended gesture, and a reason for you to hold up your weapon. Sounds more practical than aimless choking, doesn't it?"
Zion slowly turned back towards the dagger embedded into the ground and kneeled to pick it up. He gripped it the imperfect way and studied it for a moment. He adjusted his grip on it and felt a much sturdier hold. It took a long time before either said anything, but at that instant, an understanding was made.
Zion eventually turned towards him. "Tell me more about this 'reality' you speak of."
Riaan smiled. "As you wish."
'Milord…he pulled me out of that faux reality that I lived in. Gave me…reason to hold my blade.' Quelled by his own thoughts, Zion was able to stand once more, albeit slowly. He was completely silent.
"Tell me, do you enjoy killing that much that it brings you pleasure? Is so, then if you're going to kill, at least do so with some measure of dignity mind you."
Zion straightened himself with his head down. His right arm was out of commission, but even so, his left arm slowly reached for the dagger sitting on his thigh. The first dagger ever bestowed to him by Riaan.
"You're holding it wrong. If you intend to stab someone…" He twirled his sword and pierced the ground. He his grip fastened with a new hold. "It's best to make the end face downwards."
As he did in the past, Zion twirled the blade and held it in its most suitable position. He slowly glared forward, his one eye burning with a passion so fierce that it gave him a burning vibe.
"NOW, ULTRA DRAGONOID!" Xander reached out with the strong cry.
"HRAAAAAAAH~!" Ultra Dragonoid lurched forward, unleashing a voluminous blast wave of beaming laser-like flames that jettisoned across the ground. They bolted over the tiling, reducing it to molten bits as it closed in on Assailis and Zion, who stood there and watched the attack draw forward.
'The only person…' He thought of Riaan holding his blade. 'The one true man not deluded from reality…' He thought about him on his throne, his eye getting cracks. 'He…who is the only one who can lead my way…'
He couldn't hold it back anymore. His pupil shrunk as he screamed outwards. "The only one who is hall fall to…IS LORD RIAAAAAAAAN~!"
Xander's eyes widened as a chill ran down his spine.
"Ability activate, Helios Armament!" Assailis was up on his feet again and stood before Zion. He brought up his shield from his left hip and his entire body shined bright red. The energy beam that beamed for him made impact with the shield, causing the blazing streaks to go around and hot various parts of the Empyrean once more. Bombastic explosions went off as the stream kept going, yet Assailis refused to move.
"What?!" Ultra Dragonoid gasped.
"He's still surviving?! Even after that?!" Xander was left completely stunned. He watched as Ultra Dragonoid's beam dissipate, leaving the shield all but dented in, melted thoroughly with little fragments lingering around. The rest of his body, the cannons on his back especially, were dented inwards, but still mildly operable. He levered himself upright and gave an auto click to anchor himself into the ground. He wasn't intending on moving from his spot.
Assailis: 600 (+600) = 1200 Ultra Dragonoid: 12,200 (-2000) = 10,200
Xander backpedaled, his fists balling tight with anger. "He survived the Incinerate-X again…"
"I told you before, fool…the only one that I shall fall to…is Milord. You do not deserve such luxury. Instead…you shall fall to this." Zion held up his next ability, which was a forbidden one. "There is no better way to see a scum like you die…than your own blood broiled away."
Xander and Ultra Dragonoid felt a change in the burning atmosphere they've created. The already burning dragon was exasperating breaths as he tried to stay standing, despite every limb on him cramping profusely. Even so, those attacks worn him out.
"Ability…activate." Zion clutched his left fist tightly as his Bakumeter shined magenta. "Volcanic-X!"
The bright purple core appeared on the magenta part of Assailis' front chest plate. It faded inwards, along with the tendrils around his body. Everything at that moment went dead silent as the negative energy within the atmosphere suddenly pulsed everything. In an instant, the magenta flames that engulfed the terrain simmered down to mild flames, no bigger than campfires.
Xander felt this rush and went wide-eyed. He looked at Zion as the man's grizzly, one-eyed glare was stopping him in his tracks. It was like looking at a beast that wanted to burn him alive.
Rumbling was heard beneath Assailis as his eyes shined brightly. He growled angrily, ne, ferociously, as he was stemming with power so intense that it was making the ground shudder.
"What's happening?!" Ultra Dragonoid questioned, looking around.
"I don't know!" Xander yelped. He looked at Assailis, his pupils shrinking upon seeing something happen. Ultra Dragonoid looked just as shocked.
"KRRROOOOOAAAAHHH!"
Assailis spared nothing as his boisterous cries caused his gargantuan cannons on his shoulders to erupt clouds of magenta plasma. Intoxicating clouds spewed out from the vents on the cannons, billowing skywards and giving the hue above them a stormcloud-like atmosphere. Magenta energy crackled as the eruption spewed magenta fire and lava from the cannons. They shot skywards into the atmosphere, like geysers that were so hot that the ground melted inwards around Assailis. They projected straight up, vanishing into the sky before vanishing.
"Was that…lava just now?" Xander quipped.
"Huh?" Ultra Dragonoid looked upwards. "Gah!"
Assailis let out one more horrific scream that shrilled through the atmosphere. The sound barrier exploded into madness as the plasmatic cloud of lava came down like a blanket. Its range was so enormous, covering the entire Empyrean perimeter.
Assailis: 1200 (+9400 +1200 (x3)) = 14,200 Ultra Dragonoid: 10,200 (-9400) = 800
"Burn…no melt, ALIVE~!" Zion chanted.
Xander gaped in shock before realizing what he had to do. He raced up towards Ultra Dragonoid, who stood over him. "Ability, activate! Fault Crimson!"
As the blanket of magenta lava came down, Ultra Dragonoid curled up over Killian to protect him with a crimson aura concealing him. The blanket of lava finally touched down across the Empyrean's chamber, making a giant splatter that ruptured the entire domain. Plumes of lava erupted around Assailis, but as they blanketed sprinkles onto him, he wasn't at all bothered. He glared at Ultra Dragonoid, who was putting up a futile defense.
Zion stood still as he watched with a burning, furious passion at the destruction afoot. The chamber erupted into bondless explosions of molten negative energy. Engrossed in plasma, gave it a crackling appeal that magnified its destructive explosions every now and again. The blanket's huge proximity caused it to expel lava across the arches still intact. They pooled down the walls like waterfalls, going down for miles on end.
Far out, miles on end, the Empyrean looked like it was on fire from far above. It was burning so bright with a magenta flame inside its base that nothing seemed anymore stunning, expect for the molten magenta lava that stretched down towards the bottom. The cool, high atmosphere rapidly cooled the lava as it rushed down, making it turn into liquid obsidian that ran down and stuck to the lower levels. Arches were blanketed by darkness by dark obsidian with molten magenta.
Far below at the base, everyone was trying to stay alive the best they could, but they found that task surprisingly difficult with the enemy Bakugan coordinating against them. When Betakor used his Abyss Grander, he swirled into the Kimera-Jelldon, only to go straight through when it turned into plasma, making momentum turn onto Magmafury. Both Bakugan floored hard, much to everyone's shock.
"Guys, get up!" Marucho pleaded.
"Marucho! Look!" Shun warned.
Marucho took an instant to look towards the outside, but to his shock, a strange magenta substance was hardening and piling up around the base of the Empyrean. It wasn't going inside, but when it touched the walls, while they were regenerating, the obsidian stuck to it, making more piles like ropes falling from above constantly.
"What's going on now?!" Paige snapped.
"Is that…lava from above?" Rafe inquired.
Nurzak frowned heavily as he looked at the lava gradually crusting and hardening at their base source of lighting. He could feel the heat even when it was so far out of reach. He looked skywards, looking concerningly at the ceiling. 'What kinds of creatures did these Hades Pillars create now?'
As the battle went on, more molten obsidian fell from the sky, blanketing the others from the evening sunset beaming upon them.
On the floor that Zion looked over, he could see that none of his weapons he's spent countless hours on would be still intact, not after this ability. "Assailis!" The Bakugan trudged through the molten lava, stepping in front of Zion. He looked dead at the Bakugan's eyes with a warning. "Do it."
Assailis groaned, responding with some semblance of compliance. He held Zion in his hand tight and brought his arm back slowly. He cried out once more as he reeled his bulky frame forward, throwing Zion over the bursting lava with the dagger in his left grip.
"GNNNGH…GAAAAAAH~!" Ultra Dragonoid let out pained cries as the magenta lava was burning through his ability. He couldn't defend, not against something like this. Even for a Pyrus Bakugan, the lava was burning through his armored scales.
Drips of the lava seeped through his wings, physically burning through them and leaving gaping roles. Xander looked up and dodged a lava drip. It splattered with a sizzling flame attached to it. "No! Not even Fault Crimson can work against this?!" He grunted in frustration. "It must be an ability that's immune to defensive ability effects then…"
A burst of lava appeared in front of Ultra Dragonoid, releasing drops that seared his face and snout. He flinched and let out a vile cry of agony, falling onto his back in pain.
"Ultra Dragonoid-!" Xander looked forward at the lava burst, "I've gotta breach that power level, fast!" He held up his Bakumeter. "Alright! Ability, a-!"
SPLOOSH!
Something swift and sharp went flying right past him. Before he had time to process it, Zion slammed to a knee behind Xander, his dagger poised straight outwards. On the bare tip of it was blood that stained from what he just cut through.
Xander blinked, trying to understand what he just felt. He slowly looked towards his left arm to see why his ability didn't activate…and what he saw left him horrified.
"GAAAAAH~!" With a mixture of pain and horror, Xander realized that Zion's dagger and velocity made him cleave clean through his left forearm, leaving only a few inches of it from the elbow. The red cloth that was his shirt made it so that he couldn't see himself bleed out, but sitting a few feet from him was his amputated arm with a shattered Bakumeter on it.
"You dared to let your guard down…around me!" Zion hissed.
Xander stumbled around until he could no longer stand. He fell onto his back onto the hot ground. Immediately he felt his back and butt burning from the battle's heat did into conducted battlefield. It was like being on a stove. He let out a cry of pain at everything hurting.
"Gnnngh…!" He grimaced as he flinched at the pain he felt. He didn't know which was worse. His arm cut off, or his back burnt. "Damn…that hurts!" He saw a shadow and opened his eyes. He looked up and screamed once again.
Assailis closed in, his huge gauntlet sword active. Instead of spewing fire from the sides like he would normally do, he walked with its tip grazing the lava. He walked through a burst of lava, before reaching Xander and held the blade high for a killing blow.
Xander knew this was it. He couldn't escape. He closed his eyes and prayed this misery would be all over. "I'm sorry, Maximus…but this was the best I could do-!"
STAB!
A harsh stab was heard loud and clear, but Xander didn't feel dead. His body was numb, definitely, but he was still alive. "Gah?!"
Looking up in utter disbelief, he saw Ultra Dragonoid on his hands and knees, using his charred, burnt-out back and destroyed wings to shield Xander from the blade. However, the blade's magenta lava tip impaled his back instead. The Bakugan kept his eyes set in Xander the whole time.
"Ultra Dragonoid!"
Assailis' eyes glowed brighter as he thrusted deeper. Ultra Dragonoid lurched, but he didn't give in so easily. His shoulder scales started snapping, and cracks ran all along the horns of his body.
Xander, struggling a knee, looked up with genuine concern. "H-hey, buddy! You don't have to do this! It's not worth it!"
"'Not worth it'?!" Ultra Dragonoid sniped back, lurching again. "Just as you have never given up on Maximus, so am I, to my partner to death!" Mustering all his strength to stand, Ultra Dragonoid gradually arose to his feet.
"ULTRA DRAGONOID!"
"GRAAAAAH~!" With all the might he could muster, the dragon flexed his wings and snapped around, swinging his scythe-like tail into the blade and across Assailis' face, gashing deeply. The cannonade Bakugan let out a wild roar as he fell back into the lava with a large burst.
Ultra Dragonoid reached down and grabbed Xander, He hoisted him onto his right shoulder to allow his right arm to hold onto for balance. The two glared ahead as Assailis stirred in the magenta lava before rising up once more.
"Xander Hellion…you understand what shall happen to you. This is your end. When you are burnt away, nothing will be left of you to remember by." Zion sniped.
"Nothing to remember me by, you say?" he broke out into a mocking cackle. "I highly doubt that! No matter what happens, nothing of this existence was meaningless, as long as you have that one special someone. The bond that ole' Max and I have, is something that will never be burnt out." He glanced at Ultra Dragonoid. "What do you say about that, partner?"
"Definitely so."
Zion snarled, having accepted the circumstances. "Then the price you pay…will be a burning hell! ABILITY ACTIVATE, DEEP RED – CANNONADE!"
Assailis let out one last grunt as all his cannons opened and targeted for the two adversaries. He dug his heels into the lava and unleashed large-scale red beams and gunfire that blitzed into them like a giant wave.
The wake of the oncoming beams and bullets became to close that it looked like one giant mass beaming with the force of a meteor. It made a bright that made Xander's remaining cape sway through. Despite the pain he was feeling, despite the haze, and the experience…he still smiled proudly in the face of death. He spared a look at his partner Bakugan.
Ultra Dragonoid glanced down at his partner as well, his smirk widening with no regrets left.
Xander felt honestly proud with how far the two of them have made, despite knowing the results that were made clear to them long before the battle had begun. He lowered his head and glared at the oncoming blast wave without a flinch.
His mind flashed multiple images of himself and his experiences throughout his life. From having the drunk father dismissing him, to being picked on and bullied, to becoming a bully, to finding Maximus; that's where it all started. He found his purpose, and someone to show genuine care for, even if it wasn't easily reciprocated. He remembered the times they battled together on New Vestroia, to the talks they would have. There plenty of low points, but no matter what, in the end, he still wasn't alone in this world in the end. He had Ultra Dragonoid by his side. And he had Maximus' genuine concern on his shoulders."
"I know this, because…I…I believe in you all."
Assailis: 14,200 (+600) = 14,800 Ultra Dragonoid: 800 (-600) = 200
With a proud, rebellious smile on his face, Xander took solace one final time. "Goodbye…Maximus! I'LL SEE YOU SOON~!"
His echoes went mute through the red blast that engulfed him and Ultra Dragonoid. The dragon let out one last roar with his own prideful smile as the cannonade engulfed him as well. The two faded into oblivion…leaving nothing left behind as the former's life gauge dropped to 0%.
A beaming explosion of red energy erupted from one side of the Empyrean. The tower rumbled as red projectiles echoed throughout the air and faded into the sunset.
Maximus kept trudging up the stairway, his focus solemnly forward. From high above, it was still extremely hot, but it was still tolerable.
Suddenly, his back crawled with an aching feeling. He jerked his hood up and shifted towards the arch looking out towards the sunset. It couldn't be seen easily, but his gaze looked to be like he's seen a ghost.
'Was that what I think it was…?'
"Maximus, what is it?" Luke asked.
"…" The hooded maniac went dead silent as he watched the sunset directly across from him. Far out at sea, the array of colors washing over the shores faded ever so slowly. The last embers of the burning sun of Interacia had set before him.
Deep down, he knew exactly what this meant. He slowly gazed forward, looking as though nothing happened. "…it's nothing. Let's go. Your little worlds don't even have a couple precious hours left."
The others fell silent. More networks went up past them as more energy was transmitted. They all looked back down where Xander stayed behind, getting a grim feeling of why he stopped.
Though mourning, Esther soldiered on. "Come, everyone." They all followed behind as the rumbling gradually dismissed.
The sunset that made the chamber burn brightly had long since faded. The molten lava that kept pouring from Assailis' forbidden ability had started cooling, enabling a solid enough platform for Zion to stand on. He stood there, laboring in breath as he saw that where Xander and Ultra Dragonoid were supposed to be were just a few red sparks of energy that glistened skywards.
"It…is done." He grunted.
BA-DUMP!
His body suddenly froze as an aching pain happened inside of him. With his left arm, he clutched where Xander had stabbed him before. He dropped to a knee and reeled forward to gag up even more blood.
'My body…is failing me.' He thought. He kept coughing, causing his headpiece to fall off from the jerking. Once it hit the ground, it shattered like glass. 'That blasted delinquent. He got me. He must have struck my liver. The blade he used was energy…so the heat it gave off will carbonize the cells around the wound…I doubt they'll heal in time…' Struggle as he might, he still was able to stand…barely. "I won't…allow myself…to be killed in such a manner like this."
The sound of teleportation happened behind him. In a magenta light, Riaan appeared with a serious face. "Zion."
Zion turned around, looking at Riaan with earnest surprise "Milord…?" He hurried to a knee, but he felt his insides burn so much that he couldn't stand it. "Gnnngh…! Milord…please forgive me…for I have…let my guard down."
Riaan stepped forward, looking down at his kneeled confidant. "Don't move so hastily. Your wounds will open further." He looked at the dagger wound, it was deep. 'His armor was fortified to have a defense that could survive atomic bomb shockwaves. To think that he was inflicted with this much damage…and survive.' He stood tall. "If we are able to pace ourselves, I should be able to get you to the Artificial Chamber. The Gundalian and human medicinal are set there. We'll need to stabilize your condition before anymore blood is lost."
Zion frowned heavily. He looked at Riaan deeply and looked back down at his body. The metal on his armor was all but tarnished. He looked down at his right arm dislocated, broken, nee, destroyed. He could already feel his body getting shivers from the energy going towards the wound to keep himself alive. But even so, there was no way that he could survive another battle. He knew better than that.
Taking a pause, Riaan could see Zion's contemplated expression. "What is it?"
"…" Zion reached for the dagger that he still had on hand. Though in his left hand, he gave it one last look longingly before coming to a decision. "Milord…" He held up the dagger in his quivering palm. "Forgive me…but I am afraid that there is only one fair way this must end."
"Zion…"
"Milord…you once asked me…if I was so disillusioned that I couldn't see the reality before me." He raised his head as he tried holding back his gagging. "I…shall never stray from reality again. That is why…it must be this way."
Riaan kept a straight face as he looked down at his suffering ally. In truth, he wasn't entirely certain that getting him to the chambers in time will save his life. He was already a mess, but unlike Amina and Magnus, he knew his moral limits. He knew where this was going.
"Milord. I have pledged my being to be your blade…and yet even I know, that blades dull in the end, until they are no longer useful. If I am unable to sustain myself-!" He threw his head forward and gagged out more blood. "…even after this, then what use shall I be?"
"I understand." Riaan looked down at the dagger and quietly picked it up. He clutched the blade tightly and closed his eyes. "Hmph…it seems that I have taught you well, all too well if you ask me." He opened his eyes. "Still, as a fellow warrior myself, I deserve no death more dignified than metal to thy flesh…but I have no intention on allowing that fate to fall deliberately on me. But for you, Zion, I see now what must be done."
Zion closed his eyes. "I am…exceptionally honored, Milord."
Riaan shook his head. "No, old friend. The honor is all mine. I wished that it would have come under better circumstances…but I suppose this shall do nicely enough." Riaan turned around and stepped away. Using his left arm, he gripped the dagger for his strike. "Zion Brace, you have demonstrated the reformed actions that a man can take, using his bloodlust for the greater cause. Because of that, you were able to reach heights far above the older Interacian world we once lived in. I hereby grant you the wish that you so desire. You shall not die in suffering…I will take this responsibility, and let your death be of honor by thy blade."
Zion was ready. His body was growing colder by the second, but even so, he was on his knees, looking with his chin high and a straight face with his one eye fixed on Riaan. "I bid you farewell, Milord."
"Aye…as do I. For you, my blade, I will ensure that your reincarnation upon this land will be for the greater good. Until we meet again, in the new life. For now, this is my thanks…please accept it."
A long silence fell amongst the two warriors. With the sun having set, the evening sky was setting in. Zion looked ahead, resolute and accepting. He had no regrets in his life.
Riaan suddenly opened his eyes and let out the loudest grunt he has ever given. With the dagger in hand, he pivoted around, spinning in a full circle as blood splattered from Zion's face. The gash ran deep from the chin to above the eyebrows. The Interacian deity posed with shut eyes away from his comrade.
THUD!
The body that was Zion made a clang so heavy that it was like an earthquake. Riaan stood up straight and slowly turned around, seeing Zion on his side, his mark landing solid on his face. Yet, at the same time, Zion looked dignified as he laid there, never to move again.
"Armagedoid!"
At the command, the battered Assailis heard the cry of a draconic roar from the surrounding atmosphere. He didn't have a chance to look up before photon stars whistled down from above. The Bakugan that was already decimated was impaled by several fast-moving stars aided by gravity's doing.
As Armagedoid landed, he stood before Assailis as the Bakugan was unable to process anything. It was better this way. Armagedoid opened his maw and expelled dragonfire that struck the impaled Bakugan. Assailis' screams of anguish faded into the dragonfire's wake, his body and spirit becoming a red-magenta sparkling energy that faded way.
Riaan sighed out through his nose and kneeled before his corpse. He used four fingers and brought the two eyelids down. Seeing his closed eyes for a moment, he looked at the dagger that had his blood on it and back at him. He gently put the blade into Zion's limp left hand and applied a firm grasp, so that his corpse would never have to let go.
"Old friend…you did well. Very well for my sake…I only wish that you could have lived to see the new land with me." He reaffirmed himself. "But it's fine. I shall not allow another ally's death sway me from what I feel must be retribution. But now…there is only one pillar left. The pillar of darkness…I do wonder, will Cyrus be able to maintain his control?"
The others continued the climb, immediately feeling the temperature from the battle having diminished. "The heat has gone down. The battle must be over." Verias pointed out.
Esther took a moment and looked out towards the evening that closed in. The sky was still a ruby shade, but around the edges from afar, it was apparent that night was drawing closer. "At least for the time being, enough stalling was made to hold off Zion. For now at least, we should be out of range."
"…" Maximus stayed silent as he kept on his trail skywards. He ignored the bystanders behind him as he cared little for what they had to say…but that didn't mean he wasn't listening still.
Luke watched Maximus go on, seeing his staunch disposition unchanged. 'Maximus…I think he's taking all of this really hard. First Cesar, then Hendrix and Ariella, Killian…now Xander. They all left themselves behind for him…'
"Luke…" Hearing the familiar voice, Luke glanced at Shawn. "I think it's best we keep our distance for a little while from Maximus."
"Shawn-!"
"Believe it or not, I'm pretty sure that deep down, he must feel responsible for letting this happen. After all, he is a leader if he brought them all together like this."
Luke turned towards Maximus to see him continue his path without looking back. "…yeah, you're right."
His spiked cleats stabbed the ground with every step he took. His hood remained down as he kept trudging towards the darkness that lied overhead. Meanwhile, he thought about something that piqued him, just for a moment.
...
In the Interacian underworld, it was all too quiet. Xander was moving casually through the park, carrying with him a boxed lunch in hand. For a moment, he stopped in the dead park and looked left, then right, and realized that he was all alone.
'Okay, I've managed to sneak away. And nobody comes out at this time. I've already had my share, let's just get this over with before dad wakes up again.' He quietly continued his way towards the shabby treehouse's direction, being sure to look every now and again for bystanders.
He eventually reached the entrance to pitch-black shadows. He looked inside, being mindful that perhaps Maximus might be asleep. "Psst…psssst! Hey, kid. You up in there?"
"…!" Something shifted inside, which of course was Xander's signal.
"Listen, look what I got." He held up a fresh meal in a boxed lunch bag towards the entrance. "I've managed to snag this from home. Serious, kid, you gotta try this."
"…" Silence came from inside. It looked like whatever was inside wasn't responding.
Xander lowered his head, sweatdropping with a sigh. "Yeah, figures this would be a challenge."
"Hey! Where the hell you at boy?!" an aggressive shout came from afar, but it was loud enough to alert Xander.
He whipped around, eyes wide at the direction he came from. "Huh?! Hold on! I thought he was sleeping, what gives?!"
"Xander, boy! The hell you…there you are, you little punk!" Staunching right up to the adolescent was a much older man who was along the heftier side. He wasn't by any means bulky, nor lean. But he had messy orange hair that was the same shade as Xander. He was dressed rather crudely with a stained shirt and sagged pants. In his hand was a flask that had long since been empty.
Even from afar, the stench this man with a beer gut gave made Xander cringe in disgust. "Dad! The hell are you doing here?!"
"I got the munchies, so I thought I'd try and snack on some more of that fried rice." He wheezed, before aggressively glaring at his son. "But when I opened the fridge, guess what? I didn't find anything in the fridge. Boy, you better tell me if that rice be in that bag. If it ain't…!"
Xander furrowed his brow in defense. "Tch, oh, so just when you decide to look out for me, it's the only time when it's food around! Really!"
"Hey!" Without warning, the beer bottle in hand went flying towards Xander. It completely missed, instead going into the treehouse's dark flooring.
CRASH!
Glass shattered along the floor behind Maximus as he was a few feet away from where the bottle struck. Its remnants and opened, dry casing didn't scatter far; it didn't even deter him as he kept glaring at his reflection without much care.
Xander's father came up and grabbed Xander by the collar and pinned him to the wall. The fire in the boy's eyes only grew. "Hey! Get your hands off me, old man!"
"You better give me a damn good reason, boy!" He pressed against the wood harder than before. "Just because your Momma ain't around ain't mean you gotta take off whenever you feel like it! Who be getting me more beer anyway?!"
Xander's orange eyes sharpened with a defiant glare. He coughed. "Oh yeah?" he gagged. "Well old man, what if I wasn't around?! Pretty sad for you, huh?! Mom left you to die, and I can see why!"
"You always be running off always with that damn attitude of yours! You give smack about me, but what about you! No wonder why you don't be having friends, boy! Everyone be running from ya!"
A smirk crossed Xander's face. He seemed…elated, for a lack of better word. "Heh…not everyone."
His father raised a brow. "What?!"
"Why do you think I come this far out? As it turns out, I have someone who doesn't run from me. Sucks for you, huh?"
The father pressed his son against the wood harder than before. "Then where is he? So he came come out and watch me beat your sorry ass!" He pulled his son back and slammed him harder than before. He stepped back as he watched his son slouch down to the ground, gagging some more. "Well?!"
Despite the pain, Xander kept a malicious smirk on his face. "Go ahead…old man…you ain't nudging him. That crazy kid…is a hell of a lot scarier than you." He straightened back up. "But at least he's a loner that doesn't have to rely on someone!"
Inside, Maximus' hood shifted a little. He heard what he said loud and clear.
"Yeah, somehow he makes it through the day and night, just staring in isolation, not needing anyone! You on the other hand, you need me to go get everything, because you're too fat and ugly to be seen in public!"
"GRRR!" In a rage, the father punched Xander straight across the face. The impact caused his cheekbone to bruise up.
Xander cough a mixture of saliva and blood, but despite the swelling on his cheek, he kept confident. "Heh…that all you got? I don't think that I'm shaking in my shoes yet."
"You stupid boy! I'm gonna-!" He raised his fist to smite him once more, but suddenly, he heard shifting from inside the opening to the treehouse. "Huh…?"
Something shifted through the shadows, sauntering like a zombie. The degenerate could feel his spine crawl when he saw a grizzly stare on him. He saw dark pupils that looked at him like prey. Just the eyes alone was enough to paralyze him in fear.
"Gnngh…huh…?" Xander looked over, hearing footsteps. 'Hold a second. Is that…?'
Footsteps came out of the hut, bringing the hooded child out in a glare down with Xander's father. The old man quivered as he stepped back at the child's appearance. "T-the hell is this freaky thing…?!"
Maximus raised his head slightly, his eyes wide as he opened his wrinkled mouth. A primal hiss as sinister as monsters of the night prowling about emanated from him throughout the area.
"The hell-?! Forget this! Boy, don't come back home!" The father turned away and hastily scooted back to where he came from. His smell was still so bad that the area sounded horrific.
Xander watched his father take off, before looking up at Maximus with shock. "Kid…you just…?"
Maximus lowered his head to glance at Xander. Again, a very dark chill ran down his spine, but he kept eye contact despite the poor Interacian's lack of charisma.
"Xander…"
He blinked. "Huh?"
"That's what you keep saying, isn't it…you're pitiful. You have such a poor judge of character, and you talk way too much. It's annoying." He turned away. "Why bother me instead? There are plenty of other helpless bugs that you can crawl with…"
Xander used the wall to support him. "B-Because…everyone hates me…so why bother anyway?"
Maximus glanced over at Xander again, meeting eyes again. They both were children thathave been forsaken by society, scraps of mistakes that were under terrible circumstances. And here they are, meeting eye-to-eye with one another under circumstances that aligned.
Soon, this stalemate of fate came to and end as the hooded kid sauntered back into his den. "…Maximus." He quipped.
"Maximus…?" Xander pieced it together. "That…your name?"
"Yeah…just don't get too comfortable, alright?"
Xander blinked several times as a huge smirk came across his face. "Heh! We'll just have to see about that." He held up the boxed lunch in his hand and walked inside. "Mind if we try something new? It's called fried rice. Wasn't cheap either."
"…if it'll make you shut up."
"We'll see, won't we?"
"…tch." Maximus sniped under his hood, but his usual heavy frown at that instant, if one looked ever so closely, they could have seen the lips curve up a little.
...
Maximus kept walking, his hood down as a warm wind passed by him. It was enough to shift his cape, but at the same time, it dampened his hood to hide his heavy frown from the world. "…that moronic bastard…"
"Lucia. Magnus. Amina. Galilea. Zion…it appears that the mighty Hades Pillars has crumbled."
In a sea of pitch-black, everything was invisible. It looked to be total darkness. It was an insufferable haze that radiated from the highest chamber of the Empyrean, right where the hazy cloud separated the top from the rest. Inside his bog of darkness, something crawled around with large footsteps as Cyrus' frame was barely seen through this haze.
"They've all succumbed so easily. They allowed fear of death to delude them. To eat them…they have lost control and allowed the darkness to cage them."
Something with a long tail with a cloth-like decay swayed around as something moved about.
"Then I, the pillar of darkness, shall have to punish them all. The dead…and the bold." Everything went silent as a pair of dull, bloodthirsty eyes gleamed with an envy. "They shall all feel fear…that will leave them scream to the netherworld!"
Behind him, a large, draconic frame craned its head up, spreading wings that looked grotesque and messy. Its magenta eyes shined as it expelled a roar so sinister that it echoed into the pitch-black.
Here's the next part! Hope you guys enjoyed Xander's last rebellious stand. I wanted to dive a little bit into Xander like I did with everyone else before they all died. I hope that this explains a bit of the chemistry between him and Maximus.
And thus, we come down to just 1. All of Rogue Zero and Hades Pillars had their time before the sunset. Now that it's set, darkness is upon the horizon. And what better way for Darkus to shine brightest than in the dark? Lol
Hope you guys enjoyed! I'll make the next chapter to the best of my abilities! Thanks again for reading, and feedback is very appreciative!
