Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Invasion Core

by Switch - On - 97

Two years after Dan and the brawlers saved Bakugan City from Mechtavius Destroyer a lot has changed. New battlers have appeared on the scene and will discover what it is like to brawl. Watch as the Neo Brawlers will team up, and fight with and against the newest generation of battlers, and a against a race of aliens that seek to invade Earth and all other Dimensions.

58. Assault on Neathia

The Bakugan Battle Brawlers in:
Assault on Neathia

As the bright blue sun was slowly rising over the purple horizon, a tired Garfield was lying down on the sand. He gave a tired look at the transitional sky. "Garfield? Are you ok?" he didn't give a response to the question. "Garfield?"

He saw the ball form of Aquafibian in the sand. He righted himself onto his knees. "Yes… I'm fine," he replied as if he was in a depressed trance. After staring at the sky, he looked down at the water. "Did I really sleep here last night?"

"You had us fighting each other in our Reversion Forms into the night, then you passed out on me."

"Right… I vaguely remember that…" he held his head as he felt a headache coming on.

"Garfield, you've been running yourself ragged. You shouldn't do this to yourself."

"You… don't understand." he rose to his feet and wobbled around. "I guess I better get back before the others decide to worry about me."

"You should confide in the others, they are your friends and they want to help you."

He let out a deep exhale and turned to the slowly waking city behind him. "I suppose… but would they even understand what I'm going through! We've seen how 'serious' Cameron is. Akira got herself hurt, Aisha is… ugh she's nosey. Jayden is… Jayden."

"So that leaves…?"

"Cera… As insightful as she might be… I'm not looking forward to that." He started to move towards the city to reunite with the others.

---

An alarm clock went off in Yurina's room. She kicked off the covers and she had a childish smile on her face. The next moment she was in the bathroom, in front of her sink, brushing her teeth. After gargling, she spat and took a look at her shining fangs in the mirror. She entered the shower and began washing.

The door opened minutes later and steam poured out of the shower, she walked back into her room and she turned on her monitor to immediately start a call with Aurea who was already in her office going over some paperwork. "Yurina, you're finally awake."

"Duh… you doubted me didn't you?!" she asked while putting her hands on her hips.

Aurea looked down. "I hardly doubt your abilities… but… I am still trying to wrap my head around you being our new leader. It... is a change that many are still trying to wrap their heads around." she saw Yurina giving her a thumbs up.

"Appreciate the honesty! Now about who we're bringing with us to Neathia. We've lost the last time we went there, so I've thought long and hard about it. I've always been eager to defeat Fabia, and we're not going to lose a second time! So I'm going out there, and so is Darius, but I'll make sure he stays out of his Reversion Form, he's going to need to recover. Then we'll take Daro since he's chomping at the bit and I've got a gift for him that I think he'll like. Then on the Battle Brawler's side - We'll bring…"

---

Inside one of the tents, the Fabregan technician who was kidnapped slowly stepped out, the rising sun was heating up the area and he could see everyone else was waking up as well.

"Ah, a fellow Fabregan?" he turned to see the Fabregan who had joined the previous night. "How goes it? The name's Devin."

"D-did these savages capture you too?"

"Savages… that's not the vibe I get from them. I joined them of my own accord. I think they have a good thing going here. Why? Were you kidnapped?"

The technician had grabbed the straps of the man's apron. "You've got to get us out of here. These people are going to use us as bargaining chips, that's what they did with me. The person who leads them is a turn-coat! And he's in league with these animals!"

"Ugh… shut up!" they heard Andreas moan as he passed them. "You want to leave so bad? Be my guest, but you're not going to survive out there on your own. I don't think you know how to navigate the desert very well do you?"

"Um…"

"Right, so if you want us to take you back to your family, you're gonna need to be a little patient. Because as you can see, we're not exactly close to urban civilization. So if you want my advice, swallow your pride and just be tolerable around others. It's not going to kill you! I was locked in a prison with these guys, they are decent people, not beasts in waiting." With that Andreas left him as he had other matters to deal with.

"Um… well…"

The old man shook his head at the technician who decided to retreat back into his tent. Andreas meanwhile was near their new transport and he was talking to the weapon-smith.

"So how well do you know these things?" Andreas asked the bulldog. "Um…?"

"Oh, you want my name? I go by many names, I'm known as the fixer around here, but I'd be like to known as Gunmetal." Andreas rose his eyebrow in doubt. "Right. You can call me Paul…"

"That's better, now back to my original question. Do you have any idea of the machinery we're dealing with?"

"Indeed I do, this is the MK-7 Support Tank. Not meant to be a weapon, but a means of transporting soldiers and brawlers to the battlefield. They don't see much use these days since this planet isn't at war so they are really used as a means of transporting important people. It's heavily armored so it can withstand attacks from even Bakugan."

"Huh, that's useful."

"Indeed, however, it does have one downfall. It's a war vehicle but it isn't meant for long days in combat, it is meant for dropping off support and picking up the wounded. Then getting out and running back to base. And because it is heavily armored, it needs to push more weight, requiring bigger, more powerful engines. Which leads to less fuel economy. What's the fuel gauge say for this thing?"

"I think we're at just over 40%."

"Hmm." Paul thought. "We'll need to find a place to refuel."

"What about Relic City, there is a mine here, surely there can be a place where we can refuel this thing."

"You think that but we'd need a refinery, and this city doesn't have one. No, we're going to need to head to a Fabregan base. Preferably the base where this vehicle came from, which means there might be a big city nearby. They would have the fuel needed to resupply us. I'm sure the electronic logs in the vehicle have the history and the locations where it was resupplied last."

"Shoot, I never thought of that."

"You people would have run out of fuel if not for me, haha!"

"Help me round everyone up, we need to get to that Fabregan base, if there is a city close by, then that will help."

---

That early morning, Alice had slowly gotten up, she started to rub her eyes and she found herself back inside a wooden, cabin-like room. "How did I end up here? What's going on here?"

She rose out of her bed before she eyed Hydranoid who was waiting for her to wake up. "Morning, Alice…" he greeted.

"Hydranoid… ngh. My head is fuzzy. How did I get here?"

"That boy, Garfield. He managed to restore your memories after the Fabregans got into your head."

"Oh… it's all coming back to me now," she said as she rose to her feet. She heard a knock on her door. "Hello?"

"Ah are you awake, are you decent?" the voice on the other end asked. "I have your morning meal for you." the door opened, revealing Bones standing in the doorway with a tray of what looked like warm porridge.

"Oh… thank you."

"How are you holding up?"

"My head feels… muddy if that makes sense. When I try to remember something, things become foggy," she said as she sat the tray on her lap.

"What can you remember?"

Alice thought to herself. "All I can remember is…" her eyes shrunk as everything suddenly came back to her. "That's right… the Fabregans took my memories… and the rest of the Battle Brawlers are fighting with them. The only reason I was able to escape was thanks to Masquerade…" Bones gave her a curious look. "Long story short, he is my alter ego of sorts."

"Ah… so what do you want to do now?"

"There is only one thing I want to do now is to rescue my friends. Right now they are just puppets that are being used."

He chuckled. "Well, we've got a couple of battlers that would be happy to assist you."

"Great!" Hydranoid exclaimed. "Those people are going to pay for what they did to Alice!"

Bones made his way to the door. "I will be in the cabin all day, find me when you're comfortable and on your feet."

She looked down at her food, and she remembered her visit with her Grandfather right before she made her way to Fabrega. "Once all this is over, I'm going to visit him again."

---

Walking by himself to the hospital was Cameron, he remembered that Zaria told him to see Xaramesi. He barely knew her and she used to be in the High Council so he had no idea what to expect.

He entered into the main lobby in the hospital and near the front desk, he could see Akane signing what looked like discharge papers for Akira. As for her younger sister, she looked to be putting on a bright green ribbon which put her hair in a short ponytail. She noticed him entering the room and she gave a meek wave to him.

The woman at the front desk took back the clipboard as she read through the information Akane provided.

"Hey, Akira…" Cameron greeted. "How are you holding up?"

"Better for the most part. As long as I don't do anything strenuous… again."

"I wonder if Fabrega has any day spas?" Radion asked. "I'm sure that would be perfect for ya, partner."

"Unfortunately, we don't have the time for that. And Akane has me for the whole day, and you just know she is going to watch me like a hawk."

Cameron chuckled. "I think that's sweet. She's just trying to look out for you."

"I guess… but…" she shook her head. "N-no forget it, I've been separated from Akane for so long… I keep taking the time we have for granted, maybe it will be good for me." but she still looked concerned about something. "I am still worried about that fox woman." she thought back to the King and Yurina's battle. The focused look Yurina had when she faced the king, how she was able to draw from her own power and use that to decimate the former leader of Fabrega. "If she could do that to Fabrega's leader… who knows what she could do to us?"

"It's pretty scary to think about… but hopefully we don't have to face her! If we can save Fabrega, then maybe we can avoid facing her."

"She looked like she had an axe to grind with a lot of people… she even imprisoned all those people. Something else is up…"

"Hey!" they both saw Akane walking up to them. "Are you two talking about downer stuff again? C'mon, we agreed we're just going to be positive today." she noticed Akira looking down. "And no! Don't apologize!"

"R-right…" she looked at Cameron as her older sister wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "I'll see you around."

Cameron waved at the pair as they left the hospital. "She seems in better spirits," Blazeon said. "Good for her."

"Yeah… now we've got to find Xaramesi."

...

In the hospital room, Sakuya stared up at the ceiling with a lot on her mind. Since her battle with Xaramesi, Reiko has gone silent. She certainly was there but was choosing not to say anything. She could also feel Xaramesi giving her occasional stares, making her uncomfortable. Her ears flattened as she turned away from Xaramesi. "P-please don't s-stare…?" she stuttered.

"R-right… sorry!" Xaramesi stared at the ceiling. "B-but are you ok though… you know, after yesterday?"

Sakuya remained silent her whole body was shaking, she wasn't used to talking she couldn't sign to Xaramesi considering she couldn't understand sign language. She hugged the sheets closer to herself.

"You want me to leave you alone?" she saw a very subtle nod from her. "Ok…" she looked up into the ceiling. "I'm just… I'm-" she eyed her flattened ears and got the message. "I'll stop talking now…"

The door opened up, and Xaramesi saw Cameron walking inside. He walked past Phoenix's bed and he was sound asleep. "Hey…" he said looking at Xaramesi as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. "Zaria said that you would be a good person to talk to?"

"Me? Why?" she curiously asked.

"I'm not sure… she mentioned you might have a better perspective."

Xaramesi nervously laughed. "I'll certainly try my best." Cameron took a seat on the chair, next to her bed, he had his back to the window. "So… what's on your mind?"

"Well… I just don't think I belong here. Like I don't know if I was cut out to be chosen by Draconoid. I mean I can battle as best as I can, but saving people… having your life on the line. It hasn't really set in yet. I really only battled to have fun, but now…" he turned to the window. "Akira got hurt, badly. Like if the battlers come after me physically, I'm not sure what to do," he remembered when he fought Garfield the night before. "I've only fought in my Reversion Form against Bakugan and my friends. But not against enemies before, I've never gone to actually physically fight someone before that was out to kill me. I think I'd freeze up if it was me and not Akira in that Daro situation. I've been told that I don't take things too seriously… and it's been getting to me with how right they are."

Xaramesi thought about it. "Oh man… well I've fought in my Reversion Form too. And I've had my fair share of experience fighting others in their Reversion Forms. But you want my advice? Forget about what everyone says, just do you! As for the fighting… you're a brawler… and you've fought in your Reversion form. Trust me, it will come naturally. And well, you've gotten this far right? Why doubt yourself now? Cause some people said you're not acting as you should. Look, if you can battle your hardest, and save people at the same time, then how you act is none of their business if you ask me. I mean look at me, I made it into the High Council, and… well look at me." she rose her tail from behind to drive her point home. "As long as you're not a jerk, you can conduct yourself however you want, and no one should have to change that."

Cameron smiled slightly at Xaramesi's words. In truth he didn't get there with dumb luck, he got there by being himself, so why should he change that? He understood the gravity of the situation, but that didn't mean he should beat himself up about not being serious all the time. "As long as I can help people that need me… then that's all that matters, right?" he eyed the half Leopard Alursian. "Thanks, Xaramesi, I'm feeling a bit better."

"Glad I could help…" she said with a smile before she turned to Sakuya who has still turned away from her. "At least I've helped one person here… well two if you count Zavanna. At least me coming here wasn't a total loss…" he lay on her bed and tried to hold in all her emotions.

"Are you alright?" Cameron asked, noticing a downturn in Xaramesi's mood.

"M-me? Yeah… just something in my eye is all." she tried to put on a fake smile. "You should probably go…"

"Uh sure, all right." he got to the door and looked back at her. "I owe you one."

"Think nothing of it!" the door shut and she lay back down on the bed, she turned to the window seeing as Sakuya wasn't interested in talking with her for the moment. She tried to take her mind off her situation involving Sakuya. But she remembered how hostile Reiko was and thought back to Zaria's warning. "The experience shocked her so badly that she developed a second personality." Xaramesi felt her chest getting heavier and her arms lay limp on her sides. "And that's my fault. I hurt her…" she remembered how furious Reiko looked throughout that whole battle. "I damaged her… I should leave as soon as I'm ready to… I'm only going to make things worse if I hang around… I should have listened to Zaria. No apology will fix this."

---

A Fabregan Warship was up in space and it was slowly moving out of Fabrega's planetary orbit. Sitting on the bridge were a couple of technicians operating the ship. The main door opened and Yurina walked into the bridge and she stretched her arms. "Ah… let's get it right this time. We don't gotta plant a city here, we can just use the resources they already have. She was looking at the very shiny, chrome surface of Neathia that was on the main screen of the bridge. "Wow! So shiny!" she excitedly exclaimed, she was quick to regain her composure. "Right… the very second they see us, they will try to shoot us down. Fabia might be the queen and there is no doubt she and her Castle Knights will assist her in battle. Since most Neathians are weak battlers, they aren't going to resist once we take over."

Walking into the room was Marucho and he looked to be fiddling with his gauntlet that was already on his arm. "Yurina! You called?"

"Marucho, great! I just wanted to find out how reconnaissance is going on your end?"

"Going great," he replied as he typed on the display on his gauntlet. "My tiny drone was able to mark the entire area around the palace for any entry points."

"And… what have you found?"

"Why don't I show you?" the map hologram on his gauntlet then appeared on the ship's main holographic display in the middle of the bridge. "The royal palace is that big, chrome spire in the middle. Then behind it is the Neathian City, but in front of it are wide forests. We could use that to sneak in. But that might not be an option. The moment our warship appears their defense turrets will fire at us.

"Is there any way we can disable those turrets?"

"I don't think so… they are controlled from the palace… and considering you guys attacked this place last time, getting in again won't be so easy."

One of the ship's operators stood up. "Um… well I don't know if this is useful or not… but we have a Mobile Assault Vehicle in the hangar of every warship. If we dropped that to destroy the defense turrets-"

Yurina snapped her fingers. "Oh right... the one I brought aboard. Then we could destroy them, and this can also act as a distraction… allowing another force to head straight to the palace!"

"That could definitely work!" Marucho said. "Only thing is which Bakugan will pilot the Mobile Assault?"

Yurina smirked. "Oh don't worry. I know the perfect person in mind! Right… prepare the dimensional portal!" The ship's portal appeared in front of it and it warped right into it.

…

Within one of the rooms, Daro was working on Cybertross as he was swiping through green, see-through monitors. His door opened and he saw Yurina walking in. "Daro~ I've got a gift for you."

He turned to her angrily. "You want something!?"

She sighed. "I get you're not warming up to the whole - 'Alursian being in charge thing.' But I want what's best for everyone. Both Fabregans and Alursians."

"All I want is to perfect my Cybertross. If the King lost to you. Then he was weak. As for you taking over, as long as you don't stab me in the damn back! Then we're fine I guess." he eyed the object in her hand. "Is that your 'gift'? What is it?"

"It's something I'm sure you and mechanical creation can utilize." Daro picked it off her hand. "You're going to be an important part of this invasion!" after he eyed the circular object, he smirked. "Is it to your liking?"

Daro eyed the fox woman. "How long before we end up in Neathia?"

"An hour."

He turned away from her. "That's enough time to properly integrate Cybertross's specs and properly calibrate this. I'll want to maximize the power level that would be added to Cybertross when they are combined. Give me privacy." he turned around and started to work on the extra attachments that were given to him. Yurina smiled to herself as she turned to leave.

---

Within the Fabregan support battle tank, it was going through dry grasslands as it would appear that they have gotten out of the deepest parts of the desert. It looked to fly over a small rocky hump and it bounced off the ground before it started to hover again. "Wooohoooo!" Paul exclaimed as the dog Alursian was gripping the wheel of the tank.

"You tryin' ta kill us back here!?" Lola asked.

"Oh please? You guys have no idea what this baby can do!" he rode over another hump, making everyone on the inside reach for something to grab.

"I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" the kidnapped technician exclaimed. "Why did you let him drive?" he asked, eyeing Andreas who was seated on one of the seats near the back. He and a couple of others occupied all the seats as there were not enough for everyone.

"Then take mine you baby." he rose out of his seat and was moving to stand near the middle of the interior. "Once you've been trained to ride a Bakugan, then is just nothing." he grabbed onto one of the leather straps for standing personnel. Once there was another bump, he could feel Tammy falling onto his back. "Hi."

"H-hi… t-that was totally by accident by the way!" she stated with a blush.

"You didn't claw me so I suppose that's fine," he said. Tammy looked at Rogue who winked at her with a knowing smirk. She glared right back at him.

Vesta was sitting at the passenger seat and she was holding the map. "Hmm… the map we got says we're in Jaya Territory… Whatever that means…" Vesta stated.

"Uh-huh... just tell me if we're close to a city," Paul stated as he rode over a bump.

"Um…" Vesta noticed a landmark - A large tree in the shape of a vague, thin woman. "Whoa… we gotta make a right turn here! Like hard right!" Vesta instinctively clicked on her seatbelt in anticipation of what was coming next.

"Haaaard right!" he threw the wheel to the right and the tank swung to the right and the passengers were being forced to the left.

"AHHHH!"

"Son of a-" Lola exclaimed. "Hey! Don't make me come over there!"

"Hahaha!" Paul laughed. "That's what you get for not being prepared!"

Andreas had a defeated face. "Great Kishu… why…?"

…

After their wild ride, they were outside the tank and Lola was hunched over a dry bush, vomiting.

They all stood outside a city that didn't look as futuristic as the capital, but still had high-rise buildings. Some sky taxies flying through the air with more flying freight vehicles, and a singular monorail system that was meant to transport people. They were looking at a beaten road that had no vehicles on it.

Andreas looked out into the city. "That looks like Unison City. Hmm, there must be a military base there. Unfortunately, I don't know it too well, so we have to stick together. If we're going to split up, then we need to stick to groups." He looked to the group. "Do we know anyone in the city? We'll need a location to store this thing," he said. "Unfortunately we can't freely drive a tank through the city without attracting attention to ourselves." Nobody rose their hands. He let out a sigh. "Right we need a plan… and hopefully find a secret entrance into the city-"

It wasn't long before a spotlight was shone down onto them, and they could see a Fabregan Quadcopter that was hovering over them. As it lowered, there were two Bakugan that landed on the ground. They were Robotalions of Aquos and Haos attributes, and they landed hard on the ground.

"Oh boy…" Solaria was freaking out as her ball form was leaping up and down on Vesta's shoulder. "What do we do!?"

Tammy, also got ready with her Bakugan but Andreas held his hand in front of her. "There is to fight and a time to observe… now isn't the time for fighting." As the quad-copter landed on the road in front of them, the hatch opened outward to form a ramp. On cue, a couple of soldiers wearing silver and red, robotic-like armor appeared, stood in a line on each of the sides of the ramp, they had futuristic rifles aimed at them. Andreas stood firm but made sure no one on his side made any rash moves. "They aren't surrounding us…" he noted. "Nobody. Move. A muscle!"

After the soldiers got out they made room for the last passenger to leave the ship. There was a metal clanking sound and they saw someone in a wheelchair who was being pushed by someone who had dark skin, was middle-aged, and wore a whitish-green robe. The person who was being pushed on the chair was a woman that was in her late teens. She wore a pale pink, buttoned shirt with frills on the shoulders with a brown skirt and she had green heels. Her hair was long and messy and had pale blue eyes with white Fabregan eye-rings.

The soldiers saluted as soon as the wheelchair had rolled onto the road. Andreas glared at her. "So…"

The woman who still smiled nodded as she was wheeled closer to Andreas. "Might you give me your hand, please?"

Andreas eyed her. "These theatrics seem pretty overkill if you just wanted my hand. But fine, I'll play your game. Everyone no matter what, do not engage unless I say so!" Every one of his allies nodded. He walked to the woman, bent down. "So… like this?" he stretched his hand to her and she softly touched his hands. Her eye rings shone bright pink and there was a pink glow under her hands. She looked right into Andreas's eyes.

"Hmm… my, my, my." the woman said. "You have gone through so much, I suppose my vision wasn't very far off. Andreas, right?"

"Yes… thanks for asking by the way." he sarcastically said. "Now might I know yours before we get mowed down by your firing squad?"

"My name is Valerie… my caretaker behind me is Oscar. You have to forgive my methods… I knew you weren't hostile, but you can't be too careful." she looked at everyone. "Now… anything you want to say?"

"I'm sure those questions will come… but how about we keep them to a minimum. Why did you come here to find us? Right when we arrived at the city limits no less. As if you knew we were coming."

She giggled. "I wonder…"

Tammy walked next to Andreas. "Wait… are you trying to say you're psychic?" the woman tapped her own nose and smiled. "I knew it!" she exclaimed.

Andreas looked at Valerie. "Really?" he asked while the woman nodded. "So you're psychic, as in 'see into the future and can read minds' - psychic?"

"It's more complicated than that, but essentially - yes. You see I knew you would be coming here. And you can't do anything with that giant tank around. Union City is easy to get lost in, you need someone watching your back."

"And you're going to recommend your army."

"Oh no… we're not an army. We're a small fighting force dedicated to protecting Union City, we act independently of the rest of Fabrega and we welcome anyone. Fabregan, Alursian…" she eyed Vesta. "Even humans." the girl shyly looked away.

"So… basically, you're here to watch our back… but also make sure we don't cause any trouble… such as how you would have predicted us going into the base in a more… forceful nature." she winked at him "Right… so what happens now?"

"I can arrange for fuel to your tank, but you can't use it to roam around the city. And if you play nice, we might even assist you in further endeavors."

Andreas rolled his eyes. "Translation: we do a few favors for you, and you help us in return."

"My oh my… it's almost like you've done this before. But my favors are completely optional."

Tammy examined her particularly her wheelchair. "You can't walk?"

"Sadly no, nor can I see."

Vesta looked shocked. "You're blind…! but if you can't see? How could you tell I was hu-" she stopped when she saw Valerie smiling at her. "Right... psychic powers."

"Now how about we head into the city. We have a lot to discuss, I have a place where we can hide your 'liberated' tank." she turned back to her soldiers protecting her. "It is ok, they are friendly!" they stopped aiming at them and started to move back into the ship.

Rogue walked over to Andreas. "Think we can trust her?"

"Trust her or not... she knew about our plan to attack the base head-on, and she put a stop to it. We'd rather have her as an ally, than an enemy. Let's do as she says for now."

---

Meanwhile, in Unison City, there was a diner and there were motorbikes that were in the parking lot. Inside was the crew of Tad - the hyena Alursian. Next to him was the Meerkat Alursian - Verona, and the Rat Alursian - Kortra.

Liz was sitting next to Kortra as she had a cherry pie in front of her. She was wolfing it down with her hands. "Ah man, this is awesome! I guess Fabregans are good for something if the chef is one. Still don't like 'em."

Tad smiled. "Well kid… what do you plan to do after the coronation?" he asked.

"Well hopefully help out Yukiko! I'm a good battler!" she swallowed after she wolfed down the pie. "Tell 'em Marvellion."

"U-um…" she muttered. "Liz is a great battler… though, I'm not sure about my own skills, however."

Tad relaxed in his seat. "Ah, don't sell yourself short Marvy."

"Marvy!" the Bakugan exclaimed in a flustered state.

Once Liz finished, the group got back up. "So… you ready to head out, firecracker?"

Liz quickly stood up. "Yep! Let's head out quickly, we've got to get to the capital before the coronation starts!" she excitedly said.

"Um… Liz… can I talk to you, alone?" Marvellion asked.

…

The two were outside while the other three were getting their bikes ready. "Liz… you shouldn't have run away like that. Bones is going to be worried sick about you."

Liz folded her arms. "Ugh, this again. Why are you taking his side? You don't think I can take care of myself too?"

"I never said that!" she argued. "But still… can you really trust these strangers to keep you sa-"

"I can keep myself safe!"

"Liz… you're only twelve!"

"SO!?"

"You're too young to be making decisions like this! I know what happened to your parents hurt you. And that since then you want to prove that you can go through everything by yourself."

"I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone!" she exclaimed.

"I think you are…" Marvellion said. "But you have to understand that you shouldn't shut people out just because they want the best for you."

"Oh knock it off will ya!? Bones doesn't know the best for me, Shino doesn't, and those humans sure as hell don't! I… this is about more than seeing the coronation. Yurina must know about those scientists that did that to my parents. I want to hunt them down! And get revenge for what they did!"

"Liz… even if you do find those people… what will you do?"

Liz folded her arms. "I don't think I need to finish that for you to figure it out!"

"Liz… vengeance will do nothing but-"

"YES, IT WILL! I have to do this, those… those bastards have to pay for what they did! They destroyed my life…" tears were starting to fall from her eyes. "And this is my chance! If I told this to Bones, he wouldn't let me, and I don't think he'd talk to me ever again! So if Yurina can help me, then I can finally get revenge!"

"Liz… listen to yourself!" Marvellion exclaimed. "Even if you do all this! What will it prove? What will it do for your well-being? You're only adding to the cycle of grief!"

Liz turned away. "I already grieved, now it's time for action." she folded her arms.

"Liz…"

"We're done talking about this!" she walked over to the bikes where Tad and the others were waiting. "Don't ever bring this up… ever again. Got it!?" she angrily glared at her partner.

"Liz… please…"

"Ever again!"

Marvellion decided to close her ball form because Liz wasn't going to listen. When Liz got over to the bikers, they noticed her looking a little frazzled. "Whoa, you good Liz?"

She rubbed her eyes and dried them. "I-I'm fine…" she looked away from them. "Can we just go? I want to get on the road already!"

"Well if you say so." she got onto Tad's bike, held on to his back and he started to ride off with his two friends following him.

---

Meanwhile in Eden City, Leiya was sprinting as fast as she could with Royal Fabregan guards chasing her. "Jeez… these people have been following me all night!" she thought as she was sprinting through the second half of the Royal Capital. She could see she was standing on an overpass and she had Raptorexx in her hand. "Ok… I think he's had enough time to recover!" "Bakugan Brawl!" she tossed him down onto the highway and he stood on the hard rocky road and roared. Many cars had stopped instantly and some crashed while trying to stop. Leiya was seen jumping onto the Raptor. "SORRY!" she exclaimed as she commanded Raptorexx to continue her escape.

"No matter what… I've got to get out of the city!" she thought as she commanded her Bakugan to run on the Highway. "Raptorexx! As fast as you can, we need to escape!"

---

On the planet Neathia, the sky was distorting slightly before a portal appeared in the sky. Yurina's warship was slowly moving out of the portal, and it was hovering high over the planetary defensive systems. The rear hatch opened and there was a black figure that stood at the foot of it. Suddenly there were beams of light firing at the ship from the ground cannons below. Daro was standing at the hatch and he had an earpiece and he pressed into it.

"Good, you can hear me." he heard. Marucho's voice was heard over the earpiece. "Now the first thing we need to do is disable those defenses. This will attract the attention of the Castle Knights… hopefully, this will leave the palace with lighter defenses," he said.

Daro looked down. "Whatever, Yurina has dibs on the Princess, which I can accept. Just don't leave me with sloppy seconds. Cause it won't take me too long to wipe those cannons out!" he placed his power card into his gauntlet and once it was activated he aimed it downwards. "Mobile Assault Launch!" his gauntlet shot out lines of purple that looked like a landing strip. "Scorblade…" a mobile assault managed to build itself on top of his gauntlet, and it was in the shape of a circle with space for a Bakugan to be placed in it. He aimed his gauntlet down at the ground. "Fire!" the circular mobile assault opened and it waited for a Bakugan to be attached to it. "Bakugan Brawl! Bakugan Stand!" he tossed Omni Cybertross who stood and he attached itself to the mobile assault. The eyes of Cybertross and Scorblade shone bright red. Daro leaped out and fell above them.

A giant mechanical scorpion that had circular four rotatory blades that were spinning at of its arms that, replaced its pincers. The scorpion tail had huge cannons and on the center of his back had a cockpit that Cybertross sat in. In front of that cockpit was a much, much smaller cockpit for Daro to sit in. The Fabregan who had held onto Cybertross as he stood had jumped inside the smaller cockpit.

Scorblade-Cybertross landed hard on the ground and the defenses had taken aim at the Mobile Assault. "Ha… looks like I got their attention." there was a transparent interactive display in front of him. He started to type on it. "Alright… let's see what this can do!" he could see a list of Abilities in front of him. He dragged it down onto the activation part of the display. "Ability Activate, Blast Stinger!" the sides of the Mobile Assault opened up and they fired bright purple energy missiles that managed to destroy one of the turrets. "Haha, isn't this lovely!" he exclaimed. He placed his finger on the earpiece. "You guys better get to the palace quickly, those weakling Neathians are going to figure out our plan pretty quickly." Daro then grabbed the dual joysticks that were in front of him. "Time to raise some hell!" he threw his joysticks forward and both the eyes of Cybertross and Scorblade shone.

…

In the palace, there were alarms going off and they could feel tremors vibrating underneath them. Queen Fabia joined Spectra, Gus, and Mira in the war room which had a holographic view of Neathia and the large fields around it. "We got an alert near the defense turrets!" she exclaimed.

Spectra had his arms folded and he was looking out of the window. "So… the Fabregans have made their move," he stated. He eyed the holographic map. "There is only one attacking force near the turrets… that can't be the bulk of their attack force. But that's something we can't ignore!"

Helios opened on the shoulder of his partner. "Well, Spectra… are we going to turn them to ash?"

"Not a good idea… they would want most of our defense to head there."

"I can send, a few Castle Knights to investigate," Fabia suggested.

Mira saw that on the map, they could see that the turrets were being destroyed in a quick fashion. "Whatever is attacking the defense system, it's doing it very quickly!"

"That means we can't sit around!" Gus exclaimed before he calmly turned to Spectra. "What do we do, Master Spectra?"

"It is a threat and if we don't take it out, it will eventually reach the palace." he eyed his sister. "Mira… do you think you can hold off that threat?"

The Subterra battler placed her hand under her chin as she thought. "Possibly, but not alone. I haven't battled seriously in years."

Fabia eyed her. "Then I'll send Linus to accompany you. Between the two of you, you should be able to neutralize whatever is out there."

Mira gave a serious nod and she eyed Magma Wilda who stood on her shoulder. "Wilda, are you ready?"

"You just leave it to me, Mira!" he assured. "I've got your back."

Spectra looked out the window. "Queen Fabia, prepare for the worst. The Fabregans lost here once before. This time, expect them to bring their all."

…

Meanwhile, the warship had landed somewhere in the forest, Darius and Marucho were standing outside it. "How are your injuries?" Marucho asked as he was typing on his gauntlet.

Darius chuckled. "Oh no… I'm good… a few pained muscles, but nothing that will slow me down! Plus I don't plan to go all out, I've got date plans tonight."

They watched Shun leaving the ship along with them. "Are we ready? We shouldn't linger around. They will send forces to take out Daro, we need to strike while their defenses are weakened."

"C'mon Shun!" they all saw Yurina dancing out of the ship. "You've gotta have fun in life. Kyubis and I are going to enjoy today, but also take the spoils… Oh man, my schedule is packed, and we still have my coronation coming up." she eyed the team in front of her. "Well… how are we going to do this? We don't know what we're up against, apart from a couple of Castle Knights and the Queen, who I'm sure I can beat. But we should assume they've got powerful backup."

Marucho thought for a second and he eyed Darius. "If I may make a suggestion, Darius and I can lead the attack. We'll distract them. Shun, you and Skyress can fly overhead and open the door for Yurina." he eyed Yurina with a smirk. "Then you can do your thing!"

Yurina smirked. "Hmm… nice plan little guy! You lead the line and we'll take them down." she gently patted Shun. "Now let's move guys!"

---

Within Gundalia, there was a city that was being built by many, flying drones. Construction equipment was everywhere. Hiding behind one of the buildings outside of the city, proper. Was Baron and Kimiko. They were trying to avoid the security cameras that were around the entire city.

"So are all Fabregan Cities built this quickly?" Baron asked.

"Well, cities can take from a week to several months. The Capital city was built the old fashioned way." Kimiko asked. "But later it was improved with the technology we have. This city is going to be a connecting point between Gundalia and Fabrega, so they want it to be built as fast as possible."

"Is there any way we can stop it?" he asked.

"Well no… but I think we should wait until we hear from the team on Neathia before anything else. We need to get as much information as possible on what we are dealing with. The best place to do that would be the city's main terminal… unfortunately it's going to be heavily guarded."

"Why don't we make a distraction?" Baron asked.

Kimiko shook her head. "Any peep here will get back to the King, and he'll send his forces down here to check. I want us to be in and out without alerting anyone."

Baron thought about it. "Man I wish Mira or Dan was here, they would know what to do."

She looked upward at the tower that served as the city's terminal. "She looked to many of the construction Bakugan." those Bakugan are our way in. Only construction Bakugan is allowed into the terminal section. "If we can get our hands on an authorized Bakugan, we might be allowed to enter the construction zone. We just need to find one that we can steal." she looked at Baron. "It will be tough for you to freely roam the city since, y'know… you're a Vestal," she said pointing at her eyes.

Baron chuckled. "Haha… that's right, ok. I'll leave it to you."

Kimiko looked outward. "Let's go out there, Lykie! Obviously, we can't battle here! So we've got to be sneaky. Where do you want to start?"

Kimiko eyed a trailer where every one of the construction workers would temporarily live. "Wish me luck!" she ran into the city to start her improvised plan.

…

Once she was in the city proper, there weren't a lot of people around, and as she walked inside. "Hey!" she could see a Fabregan with a yellow hard hat eyeing her. "What do you think you're doing here!?"

Kimiko shivered to herself. "U-um… well…?"

However, the man had a construction hat in his hand. "You can't come in here without a helmet! You know that!" he tossed it to her and she clumsily caught it.

"Oops… hehe I forgot mine. Thanks, dude!"

"Hey… you look familiar…" the man said trying to recognize where she saw her from. Kimiko quickly put the hat over her head to deter him from recognizing her. "Hmmm?"

"Hehe… let me get to work!" she ran into the city.

…

Kimiko managed to get inside the city, the cameras that passed by didn't seem to pay her any attention. "Whoa… weird, I kinda figured I'd have to duck and dodge all over the place."

She could see a large electronic poster on a building, on it was Yurina's winking face. "Huh… that's Yurina… but why is she up there?" She saw people dressed in casual clothing walking in and out of the terminal building. They didn't look very stressed out like the construction workers normally would.

"Hey… you down there?" she saw a buff woman and she was holding a metal girder over her shoulder. She leaped off of her Subterra Juggernoid and landed hard on the ground. She wore a durable outfit and she had a white helmet over her head. "What are you doing here?"

"M-me… um?"

"Cause you look a bit young to be working construction." she saw a Bear Alursian pushing a wheelbarrow and he waved at the duo.

"An Alursian… but I thought only Fabregans were allowed to work construction."

"You live under a rock or somethin'? We're under new management. Alursians can take any kind of job they want. Gotta say, it's about time, we're able to get stuff done a lot faster!"

Kimiko tilted her head. "Um… but there is no way the King would allow that!"

The woman let out a hearty chuckle. "You definitely live under a rock. The leader of the High Council destroyed the King in a battle, so she's the leader and the King is in a prison somewhere I think. Rumour had it that she wanted to launch him into space. Everything is a lot more relaxed now. The High-Class Fabregans are pretty nervous these days, and many of them are imprisoned."

"Whoa…" Kimiko gasped. "That's… I don't know how to feel about that? So what about the Terminal, is that guarded or-"

"Weird question to ask, but no it is not. That information is free to access, Yurina wants to prove that she has nothing to hide. So if ya need to know anything, have at it."

"Um… sure." the woman walked off.

"Ay! Stop slacking off, we've got to get to the work on the Gundalia Spaceport." she pointed at a sleeping Sloth Alursian.

"Poor choice for a labor worker, if ya ask me," Kimiko said with a giggle. "Now… let's see what we can learn..." she walked into the tower and she could see many hovering screens of green color. She walked over to a flat, green, see-through keyboard. "Nurzak wants to know what we are dealing with? But I wish I knew where to start." she thought for a second. "I guess the High Council is a good place to start." she searched for information about the High Council. She saw that of High Council, it mentioned that Maximus was 'terminated', and Xaramesi had resigned. Yurina was said to have been promoted. "Whoa… so Maximus finally bit it, huh? Wait!" She typed 'Daro' and it mentioned that he was still in their ranks of the Royal Guard. "At least he's still alive…" she thought. "And of course he's still on that stupid Cybertross project." she looked around and she thought about the situation. "So what now? But the city is loosely guarded, I think we can take over it and hopefully get Spectra's help when they are done on Neathia. We can let them complete the city, but it will be under our control. Nurzak is the Prime Minister of Gundalia, right? He would have a good time keeping things under control for the moment. Then we can use that as a launching point."

Lycanine opened on her shoulder. "So do you have any ideas?"

"I think…" she said. "I just hope the others will be able to do this! Lykie… the plan is we take the city… hopefully get the people here on our side. So that we can plan further and if we get jumped by Yurina and the High Council, we'll be ready for them."

"Then we should return to the others quickly."

She exited the terminal and looked up to the dark skies of Gundalia. "To be honest… Lykie… I'm not sure if this is going to work. If anything, the worst thing I'm scared of is fighting Daro if he is part of the fighting force that will come to see what's up if we take over this city."

"I know he's your brother, but he is a lost cause. You can't hold back, not against anyone, and especially not against that monster."

"He's not a monster!" she then back-pedaled after she rose her voice at Lycanine. "I mean… he wasn't at first..." she returned to her thoughts while she tried to find Baron who was outside the city.

---

Standing outside of Utopia City were the Neo Brawlers looking out at the forests that they were going to travel through, Zavanna, and Akane joined them. "Hey…" Akira noticed Aisha giving her a bit of a concerned look. "Will you be ok?"

"Yes, the wound is mostly healed… I just can't do anything crazy for the moment. But I'll be fine, thanks." she gave Aisha a smile which then made the Subterra battler pat her back.

"Great!"

Standing by them were Bones, Shino, Alice, and Zaria. As they looked outward. "So… are all of you ready?"

They all gave nods of agreement. "We should leave as soon as possible just to make sure we don't get tripped up on the way," Cera said.

Jayden threw his hands over back. "Well, since we're ready, think we can head out already?"

"Hold it!" they all turned around to see Maia speed walking to them. This got the attention of Garfield as well. She stopped in front of them. "You think you can leave without me?"

Garfield looked at her, still feeling awful and guilty about losing Hikari, but he also looked… irked by her presence. "Why would you want to come with? You're already free from their control you know."

"And what you think I'll just ride off into the sunset? Sorry, that ain't me?" she sighed. "Between learning of what the Fabregans did to me and Liaru, and my now dead Mother. I've got a lot of rage I need to work out."

"Y-your mom is dead!?" Cameron asked incredulously while Aisha and Jayden also looked shocked.

"Kazarina - Gundalia's mad scientist and formerly part of the Twelve Orders. Turns out she created me as a weapon to be the ultimate brawler."

"Oh man… sorry to hear that!"

Maia put her hands on her hips. "It's whatever, not like I knew the woman. I only met her Bakugan and he seemed pretty torn up about it, even though he tried his damn best to hide it." she eyed the rest of them seriously. "But I'm not here to share my origin story, you want to survive, then you'll need as much help as you can get. And I ain't taking no for an answer."

"Having bigger numbers would definitely help," Akira said, her sister walked next to her. "Given what we are up against… we'd need as many people as possible."

Cameron walked over to her. "Well you're welcome to come with." he shook her hand and they both noticed Garfield's frown. "Everything ok, Garr?"

He simply walked away from them and was leading the way through the forest. "Whatever… are we going to leave any time soon or are we just going to just keep burning daylight?"

Zavanna looked forward. "Actually, we should probably get going actually… something doesn't feel right…"

"Is it Draconoid related?" Cera asked.

"It might be… I can feel her presence... fading. I'm not sure what will happen once I can't feel her anymore."

"Then we better not waste any time!" Garfield said. "Either come with or stay behind."

Alice eyed Maia. "Did something happen to him?"

She folded her arms. "He's got his own issues to deal with, and he's probably frustrated at me 'cause I'm not the person he was hoping I'd be. It's complicated to explain…"

Bones was looking at the group that was leaving. "Zaria, Akane, take care of them. I'll watch over the others," he said. Both girls acknowledged him before they all started to leave, but Zaria slowed and turned to face Bones. "Hmm… something wrong Zaria?"

"Not with me… just… occasionally watch over Xaramesi and Sakuya for me? Those two came back from fighting each other and I'm worried about them… and make sure Cooper doesn't get too lonely since he'll be separated from Akane."

Bones smiled. "I shall… and please keep an eye out for Liz? I am really getting worried about her."

Zaria playfully saluted. "I'll make sure we keep our eyes peeled. But my gut says she's trying to get to the capital… maybe you can check there as soon as you get a search party together. If I happen to see her, I'll hold her down and drag her back to you kicking and screaming if I must."

"Thank you, Zaria. You should know, you're a good friend."

She shook her head. "If I was a good friend, I would have done something to prevent Xaramesi and Sakuya from trying to tear each other apart."

"Don't say that. You did your best, and they are alive. I will keep them safe, you just focus on making sure that you get the others through the ritual. Cooper and I will make sure your friends are safe."

Zaria gave Bones a brief hug before turning around. She walked past Garfield and took point. "Anyone with Bakugan that can fly, bring them out! We'll get there a lot faster that way."

Radion, Lunaris, Blazeon, Dragness, and Hanami all appeared and the gang all climbed on the Bakugan closest to them. Zaria sat on Dragness with Maia and Alice sitting behind her.

"Time to head out gang!" Dragness led them and they flew in the direction of the tower. Bones looked out into the distance and saw they looked to be flying into a storm.

Bones still had a pit in his stomach, after seeing Yurina manage to unleash her Limit Break, he feared that if they got in her way at all. There would be no one to save them from her wrath. "Hmm… I hope for their sakes that they can face what challenges that might come their way."

---

Sprinting through the Neathian jungle were Mira and Linus. "So what do you think we'll be dealing with?" Linus asked.

"No clue, but my brother already fought against the Fabregans once. He mentioned how powerful they are. It would be wise to be ready for anything."

They arrived at the clearing and they saw lots of twisted metal all over the place, that metal was what remained of the defense turrets, as well as a few guard posts that were taken down. "W-what could have done all of this!" Mira asked herself.

Linus pointed out something in the distance. "Um… I think that answers your question." In the distance they could see Scorblade with his Cybertross as well as Daro himself in two separate cockpits.

"You've got to be kidding!? A Mobile Assault Vehicle!?" Mira's blue eyes were shaking as they eyed the sight.

The hulking machine suddenly eyed them and its red eyes shone. "Oh!" Daro exclaimed, his voice was projected through the loudspeaker. "Look what we have here? Is this the best the Neathian broad could send?"

Both of them had glared at the hulking machine.

Daro smirked. "Haha, I can see the two of you are sweating with fear. So… since I'm sporting, I'll make it easy for you." Both Daro and Cybertross launched out of the cockpit and they landed hard on the ground, shaking it. He pointed at them. "I am out here to test my mechanical creation to its limits." he then noticed Mira in particular. "You… you're a Vestal, aren't you?"

"Yes. Why is that your concern?"

"Because as far as I'm concerned, both Vestals and Fabregans are adept at constructing Mechanical Bakugan, right?"

"If I was part of the Vexos, that might have been the case. But my partner Wilda is flesh and blood! And even if you use a Mechanical Bakugan, it wouldn't be the first time I've had to battle them."

"Vexos… Vexos…?" Daro pondered. "Heh, doesn't ring much of a bell. Not that it matters, you're going to be crushed anyway!"

"That's where you're wrong!" Linus said.

Rubanoid then stood on his shoulder. "I'm sick of all this banter, can we get to the battle already?"

Daro sighed as he clicked his fingers. "Yes… can we? I'd like to crush the two of you before the day is over. You two are just the starters, I'm hoping to get a good main course later on." Mira equipped her gauntlet while Linus… in his castle knight uniform took out a card.

"Gate Card set!" he tossed it on the ground and a red sheen spread all over the field. "Bakugan Brawl! Rubanoid Stand!" Rubanoid stood on the field before his green eyes shone and he cut the air with his crystalline claws.

"Alright… haven't done this in a while! But here goes… Bakugan Brawl! Bakugan Stand! Let's show him how it's done, Magma Wilda.

Omni Cybertross: 1050

Rubanoid: 900 / Magma Wilda: 700

Daro didn't look impressed at all after seeing Rubanoid and Wilda, in fact, he looked to be underestimating them as there was no expression on his face other than what looked like boredom. "Alright… this isn't going to take long." Daro figured. "Ability Activate, Dark Expungement!" Cybertross charged up dark energy within his maw immediately raising his power level by 600, putting him at 1650. "Decimate them!" he fired the beam as it was speeding to Rubanoid.

"Hold on, Rubanoid! Ability Activate!" he activated a card and it let out a bright red shine. "Crimson Defence!" Rubanoid was surrounded in a bright red sheen and he stepped forward to take the brunt of the attack. But as the dark energy crashed into him, he stood tall.

"Ha! That barely tickled!" Rubanoid jeered as Cybertross's power fell back to its base of 1050.

"Crimson Defence is a defensive ability that nullifies the power of any opponent's attacks!" Linus said.

"Huh, not one minute in and you're already playing defense. Can't say I'm surprised, you Neathians are used to fighting with your backs against the wall."

"I can't wait to shut you up!" Mira said as ability was placed in her gauntlet. "Ability Activate, Gallows Punch!" the portholes on Wilda's feet had ignited, making thick smoke shoot out of them. He was seen flying to Cybertross and he threw a punch to the mechanical Bakugan's face, making him slid back. His power dropped by 300Gs

Omni Cybertross: 1050(-300)= 750 / Magma Wilda: 700

"Oh wow, I'm impressed…" Daro dryly said.

Linus held up another card. "This guy! Ability Activate, Scarlet Plate!" there were bright, ruby red hexagons that spun in a circle in front of Rubanoid. In the middle of the circle, a white/red sphere of electrical energy was being generated as the plates spun faster, providing an electrical boost to the attack.

"Can you take this?" the beam exploded into a thick beam that looked to engulf Cybertross completely

Omni Cybertross: 750(-300)= 450

Rubanoid: 900(+300)= 1200 / Magma Wilda: 700

As the beam ended, Cybertross was seen backing away on his feet, still trying to get his bearings. "Ok, ok… You're giving me a lot to think about for the moment." Daro said.

"How can you be so confident when you've taken so much damage?" Mira asked.

"Well my dear, Vestillian. That's easy, I haven't even begun to show you the potential that Omni Cybertross has." he threw a card into his gauntlet. "I'll show you, right now! Ability Activate, Pyrus Weapons Mode!" Omni Cybertross let out a roar before his armor colors changed to red and silver. After this happened, his power only rose up by 50Gs, which put him at 500Gs.

"He can change attributes?!" Mira exclaimed in shock.

"You haven't even begun to see what he is capable of! Ability Activate, Sentry Regeneration!" there were floating mini-guns that were hovering above Cybertross. They aimed at Rubanoid and Daro had a sick grin on his face as they aimed downward. "Fire!" the guns started to fire and red energy beams were being pelted at Rubanoid who was taking tremendous damage as the blasts were forcing him back.

"Rubanoid! No!"

Omni Cybertross: 500(+700)= 1200

Rubanoid: 1200(-700)= 500 / Magma Wilda: 700

Rubanoid was screaming out in pain as the beams continued to pelt him. Mira thought quickly and put a card in her gauntlet. "Hold on, this might slow things down! Ability Activate, Land Minder!" Wilda made a bright orange energy hemisphere cover both himself and Rubanoid as the beams were bouncing off of it. Both their power levels increased by 300Gs. Putting Rubanoid at 800 and Wilda at 1000

The guns stopped firing as it looked as if the barrels were overheating. "That barrier won't protect you, Wilda! Especially not against this! Ability Activate, Maximum Fire!"

The gun barrels as well as all the beam ports on Cybertross's body were powering up as bright red energy beams were charging in the ports. The targeting reticule focused on Wilda and once it shone red, there was a beep and it fired twelve thick, beams that were targeted for Wilda. His power level immediately dropped to 0 as Maximum Fire had sapped 1000Gs from Wilda.

"WILDA!" Mira exclaimed. "If that hits him, he's finished!" she thought as the beams got closer. "Ability Activate, Atlas Shield!" a fiery aura covered Wilda as he looked to flex his muscles. He then held his hands in front of him and the twelve beams crashed into his body and he was pushed back and he slid on the dirt and crashed into some trees behind him.

"AHH!"

Omni Cybetross: 1200

Rubanoid: 800 / Magma Wilda: 1000(-1000)(+300)= 300

The beams stopped firing and Wilda was down on one knee. "What's the matter? Are you out of practice or something?" Daro mockingly asked. "Because if you are… then you've picked a real bad time to get your bearings again."

Linus held his card up. "Hey, have you forgotten about me already? Ability Activate, Red Deeper!" Rubanoid made red glowing hexagon mirrors appear in front of his maw and he fired a white/red energy blast from his mouth, which went through the mirrors, amplifying the attack as it passed through them, adding electric arcs to it.

Omni Cybertross: 1200(-400)= 800 / Rubanoid: 800

The attack crashed right into Pyrus Omni Cybertross, but as the smoke was clearing. He appeared to be standing tall, not even being staggered from the attack. "Is that it? This is the best that your queen can send after me… frankly, I'm insulted!" Linus was shocked that his attack didn't even faze Cybertross. "I've had enough of this… you two, have dragged this out long enough, time to bring this pathetic show to an end."

Mira glared right at him. "Wow… I had no idea Fabregans were so smug. But giving up isn't an option, not when so much is at stake!" she looked to carry another Bakugan with her, only it had spikes sticking out of it. "You're not going to get away with what you've done here!" she tossed it up in the air. "Come Bakugan Trap, Subterra Baliton!" the spiky Bakugan opened in the air and its green eyes shone. Once he appeared in his real form, he appeared to be a rhinoceros Bakugan with spikes all over his body that made him resemble an Ankylosaurus and a Stegosaurus at the same time.

Omni Cybertross: 800

Rubanoid: 800 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 300(+350)= 650

"You must be joking… a Bakugan Trap? Not even Battle Gear? You know what, I take being insulted back. I'm being pranked… because there is no way you are that weak, not unless you really are that pathetically weak.

Linus didn't look affected by Daro's words. "You sure do talk a lot. But keep talking, cause I'm sure you'll have plenty of excused after we beat you!" he started to type on his diamond faceted display on his castle knight uniform, and a bright glow was seen emanating from it.

Ready: Destrakon Gear

The gear built itself before Linus caught it and he reeled his arm back to toss it into battle. "Battle Gear boost!" after tossing it in, the gear rested on the back of his ball form and it opened, shining bright red as soon as it attached itself.

The gear took the form of what appeared to be many ruby-colored snakes on his back, replacing his ruby wings. His power was increased by 100 due to the addition of the battle gear. Putting him at 900Gs.

"Even with your battle gear… it won't be effective. Ability Activate, Haos Sabotage Mode!" his armor turned yellow and sliver, and there were glowing yellow circuit lines that were glowing all over his armor. His power increased by 100 and his power level matched Rubanoid's at 900Gs.

Mira threw her arm up as an ability card was already slotted into her gauntlet. "I'll show you why I'm using Baliton! Ability Activate, Apollo Head!" Baliton growled and the two largest spikes on his back, launched like missiles and they there were thick tendrils that kept them tied to his body. They wrapped themselves around the arms of Cybetross and kept the Haos machine trapped.

Omni Cybertross: 900

Rubanoid: 900 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 650(+200)= 850

"Haha, oh that's rich. And what are you going to do? Cybertross can lift that horned monstrosity easily."

"She wanted to keep you busy so I could do this!" Linus held up a card that made Daro gasp a little. "Battle Gear Ability Activate! Destrakon Gear Brinel!" all of the heads fired red beams at Cybertross. One of the heads above him let out red shockwaves that managed to scramble Cybertross's systems. The attack had sent him flying back to Daro.

Omni Cybertross: 900 / Rubanoid: 900(+400)= 1300

Mira glared at him as she saw her chance open up. "Wilda, Baliton. Here's your chance do some damage!" she had two ability cards in her gauntlet. "Double Ability Activate, Clay Roller plus Bygrock!"

Baliton was covered in an orange flash and morphed into a spiky ball and rolled to Cybertross who was slowly getting up.

"Not so fast!" Wilda said as the portholes on his shoulders were glowing with magma energy inside them. "Take this!" he fired an explosive blast of magma from both shoulder ports and they were speeding to Cybertross faster than Baliton and he took the hit, making him stumble back even further. He was hit and the mechanical creation had slid back after Baliton crashed into his stomach. The clay roller had transferred 200 between Cybertross and Baliton while Wilda's Bygrock had added 400 to Wilda.

Omni Cybertross: 900(-200)= 700

Rubanoid: 1300 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 650(+200 +400)= 1250

"And guess what, we're not stopping! Gate Card Open! Ruby Storm!" as the command card opened, a large dome made out of ruby red glass dome covered them. The individual large shards appeared to have ruby-cut facets to them. Immediately he saw Rubanoid's power increase by 400Gs, putting him at 1700.

"And now… not only did Rubanoid's power level increase but now I can use his Level 2 battle gear ability." Daro glared at him.

"Interesting… thanks for telling me that bit of information, cause now. I can do this! Ability Activate, Hollow Doom!"

Still, in his Haos Sabotage Mode, he threw his hands down on the ground, and there looked to be bright stars that carpeted the entire field and the stars were eating away at the Ruby Storm command card, and the hemisphere that surrounded them was completely consumed. Rubanoid's power dropped by 400, putting him back down to 1300 and he wouldn't have access to his level 2 ability. "And you say I talk a lot, yet you blew your chance to do any real damage to my creation. You see there was a reason I switched to his Haos Mode because I figured you two would try and pull some teamwork crap, so I figured I should put myself in a position to shut it down quickly. And look where we are, now. Time for another demonstration of Cybertross's power! Double Ability activate, Ventus Attack mode -" Cybertross's armor transformed again, turning it into a green and silver color, and he seemed to have green circular wings that had turbines in the middle of them that allowed him to lift himself off his feet.

Omni Cybertross: 700(+150)= 850

Rubanoid: 1300 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 1250

"H-how can that large thing fly!?" Linus asked with a gasp.

"You should worry more about what's coming next, you Neathian fly! Plus… Static Dance!" the turbines on the back of his wings fired up while bright green electric bolts surrounded his limbs. He shot to Rubanoid and was throwing tremendous punches and kicks that did a lot to hurt the Bakugan.

Omni Cybertross: 850 / Rubanoid: 1300(-900)= 400

It took a hard slash to the face of Rubanoid to make him retreat as he was surrounded in a red flash of light and he shrunk to his ball form and bounced back to Linus who's life gauge fell down to 55%.

"So… have you got anything left, Vestal?"

Mira glanced at Cybertross who hung in the air. "Plenty! Ability Activate, Chest Burn!" Wilda flexed and the steel plate that went over his chest was glowing orange and it shone a magma light upwards that covered Cybertross who saw that he was changing back to his Darkus mode, the turbines that kept him in the air disappeared. After he shifted back, his power decreased by 150Gs.

Omni Cybertross: 850(-150)= 700 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 1250

Mira then raised her hand. "Double Ability Activate, Earth Seeker plus Heavy Assail!" Wilda then raised his fists and he threw them down onto the ground, Baliton transformed to his spiky ball form accept this time he had a silver sheen over him and was rolling to Cybertross for the second time. Heavy Assail had added 300 while Earth Seeker had added 400 while taking 200 from Cybertross.

Omni Cybertross: 700(-200)= 500 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 1250(+400 +300)= 1950

Baliton rolled into Cybertross and his metal spikes were grinding into his armor. When he was forced back. The ground was heating up underneath him, then a wave of lava exploded outward from the ground. Cybertross was engulfed in lava while Baliton rolled back.

Mira let out a chuckle as the light from the Magma shone brightly. "We got him, great job guys!"

But as the lava wave was calming down, Cybertross was still standing, there were sparks all over his body. Daro smirked at her. "Looks like you're not as bad as I thought you would be." he raised a card. "Congratulations… now you're making me have to push Cybertross closer to his limits." he raised his gauntlet while Mira was still shocked that Cybertross survived the attack. "Ability Activate, Star Core Limit Release!" after the core shone purple. Cybertross's eyes glared forward and they shone bright purple. His body was shining bright purple as his core could be heard spinning faster.

'Limiters released… shutting down emergency backup systems, Re-routing all computing functions to offensive battle systems. Star Core operating at 75%. Add 100 to current power level.'

His power level was increased to 600Gs Cybertross had a bright purple electrical aura surrounding his body. "Now I get to test out this Cybertross's Limit Release. It disables his limiters and emergency functions allowing the Star Core inside him to operate closer to 100%. Because of this, the effects of his abilities now will double!" Mira gasped. "Oh yes… you just realized how screwed you are? Didn't you!" he placed a card into his gauntlet. "Here is your first demonstration! Ability Activate, Trojan Tackle!" the purple electrical arcs surrounding him turned dark purple as he shot forward to Wilda and Baliton. Seeing that he had to buy Wilda time, Baliton stepped in front of Wilda and Cybertross caught him shoulder charged into Baliton, sending him flying above Wilda.

Omni Cybertross: 600(+350x2)= 1300 / Magma Wilda - Baliton: 1950(-450x2)= 1050

Baliton was seen flying high in the air and he shrunk to his ball form and he bounced in front of Mira. Bringing her life gauge down to 75%. Now that Magma Wilda was alone, his power level decreased to 700.

"If you ask nicely, I'll make it as painless as possible!"

"As if! I can't give up! Even if you're this strong! My brother is counting on me!"

Daro chuckled. "Huh… interesting. An older brother I assume, cause guess what, just like your brother, I too have a younger sister. The only difference is that I've recognized that all she's done is hold me back from my true potential! So I kicked her to the curb!" Mira and Linus gasped at how callous he was, even worse - he looked proud of it! "It was for the better, turns out she's a betraying leech. But even so… she still tries to win back my love. As if that'll ever happen. I don't associate with weaklings."

"You're a monster…" Mira said as her voice was barely audible over a whisper. She remembered back in her days when she led the Resistance when she would fight against her Spectra - Keith, her brother. That on its own was tough on her, she already felt sorry for the poor girl that was this man's sibling. In the end, Keith eventually came around (After Dan finally beat some sense into him). But he was a lot like Spectra, he too was near obsessed with perfecting Helios, to build the Ultimate Bakugan, and it seemed Daro was on that path as well. "It isn't too late!"

"Huh?" Daro questioned. "What are you on about? Gonna get the last word in before I pulverize you?"

"My brother was a lot like you! The definitive word being 'was'! As obsessed you seem with this - this machine. He was also obsessed with perfecting his own Bakugan to create the Ultimate Bakugan."

"Really? Must be a smart man."

"But in the end… somewhere deep down, he did care for me! And I know that is the case with your sister. Cybertross is a Bakugan you're obviously proud of… but what if he gets destroyed? What will you have left? My brother realized that there are more important things than chasing the impossible dream of the Ultimate Bakugan."

Daro let out a tired sigh. "Let me stop you right there… if you're going to go on some notion that my sister is still somehow important to me… That isn't the case, she's a crybaby that I'd have to babysit for eternity if I didn't cut her loose. That's why she's holding me back - Maybe if she could show me that she isn't a weakling crybaby anymore - then I'll think of letting her back into my life. However, until that day, I'll just swat her away like the rest of you roaches."

"How can you say that about your own sister?" Mira asked in a low but angry tone. "You think you can just… toss her aside like she's nothing!?"

"If your brother had some common sense, he would have done the same with you."

Mira felt her fist clenching, but she knew he was only trying to get to her, she decided not to give him the satisfaction. "I don't know why I'm wasting my breath on you. You're clearly too far gone! I can only hope that your sister realizes that too!"

"Are you done talking?"

"Wilda… time to bring that machine to scrap!" she threw up her gauntlet, hoping this would be the final blow. "Ability Activate, Hyper Earth Ball!" Wilda raised his hands above his head and orange electricity had formed a small power core made of magma in between his hands. He pulled them back and the core was only growing bigger.

"You're finished!" he said as he tossed the ball of electrified magma was flying to Cybertross.

Omni Cybertross: 1300(-500)= 800 / Magma Wilda: 700(+500)= 1200

Daro didn't flinch at the projectile sped to Cybertross. "So you've chosen the harder path… dumb, but expected…" he raised his gauntlet. "Enjoy your final moments with Wilda, because this is the end! Ability Activate, Merciless Slash!" his hands were spinning like drills and there were bright purple arcs of electrical energy surrounding them. His back-mounted, rear boosters ignited and he shot towards Wilda's Hyper Earth Ball. He slapped it out of his way, sending it skyward to his left side where it made a tremendous explosion in the sky.

"He took it on and beat it away like it was nothing!?" Wilda exclaimed.

Mira noticed that Cybertross was getting closer and closer. "WILDA WATCH OUT!" Cybertross drilled right through Wilda's iron chest plate making him fly back.

"Cybertross finish the bastard!" Mira's pupils shrunk as Wilda took drill shots all over his body, making cracks and dents in his iron armor. Then he took a drill shot to the face and Wilda's flame eyebrows and his horns shattered as he fell to his back.

Omni Cybertross: 800(+500x2)= 1800 / Magma Wilda: 1200(-500x2)= 200

Mira had tears ejecting from her eyes. "Wilda!" she cried as she ran to his downed body.

"Mira… even though this may be it… never stop… fighting." brown energy covered him as he shrunk to his ball form and he slowly landed in Daro's hand. After he was taken he tightly gripped his newly acquired Bakugan.

"And to the victor go the spoils…" Daro retorted as he watched Mira fall down to her knees in dejection. Linus could only glare angrily at the Fabregan. "A word of advice… never return to the battlefield after a long absence. Or else, this might happen." he noticed Linus glare. "Oh, what is it, Neathian. You want to keep going… despite seeing how I decimated the Vestal here."

Linus looked down at Mira. "Get back to the palace quickly, and update Queen Fabia of our situation. And, don't worry about Wilda… I'll get him back."

Mira rubbed her tears… and as painful as losing Wilda was, she couldn't mourn. Not when the Fabregans were right on their doorstep. "He has to be the strongest of their attack force… Only Keith might be able to beat him." she got up from her knees and took off the direction of the palace.

"So it's just you left? You should have gone with her!" Daro said.

Linus looked forward trying his best to stay strong. "There is no way I can beat him… not by myself. But I have to buy time for Mira and the others to come up with a plan! I've got to try to win… He's strong, but not invincible." He opened his mouth to speak. "Are you done? Because I want to make a deal with you. If I beat you. You have to give Wilda back!"

Daro smirked. "Fair enough… but if I win, I get your Rubanoid… Well, to be fair I was planning on taking him from you anyway. But fine, I'm a man of my word, if you can somehow, some-way defeat me here. You can take Wilda. But just so you know, heh… battles like this really get me going! You're going regret staying behind you Neathian fool, your sacrifice will be in vain." he tossed a gate card which disappeared into the ground in a dark purple sheen. "Bakugan Brawl! Omni Cybertross stand!" his ball form stood up and he roared angrily as his mechanical body shone in the Neathian sunlight.

"Rubanoid… it's all or nothing!"

"As if I would hold back! Let's show this punk that his machine is no match for the real thing!" he closed himself and Linus caught him.

"Bakugan Brawl! Rubanoid Stand!" Rubanoid stood on the field and his green eyes shone as his hand swiped the air. "This is it… I've got to beat him here… or at the very least… hold him off for as long as I can…"

...

Darius and Marucho were speeding through the forests, where they found a huge clearing that was outside of the forest. They could see the palace in the distance.

"Looks like we aren't too far!" Darius said. "Think we'll get there without running into trouble?"

A blue Bakugan flipped onto Marucho's shoulder and she opened up. "You really think we won't? You clearly haven't done this before, have you?"

Darius chuckled. "Ha, snarky aren't you?" He turned to Marucho. "Didn't you have another partner? At least that's what the last data logs read."

Marucho remembered the moment where Alice/Masquerade had taken both Preyas and Tigrerra from him and Runo. "You can blame Alice for that!" he then had a very scared look on his face as he remembered Masquerade. "Something about that guy makes me very uneasy."

"So you are…?"

"Aquos Minx Elfin!" the Bakugan announced. "And I'll make sure I'll get Preyas back from that three-headed, dragon-demon thing!"

"I think you mean Hydranoid."

"Yeah! Him!"

"Oh don't worry. We'll make sure we get Preyas back from her the next time we see her. And Tigrerra too!"

They heard a squeal, they could see Skyress flying to the palace while both Shun and Yurina were on her back. "Looks like Shun and our new leader are on their way. So let's hurry up and be their backup in case something happens. I'm pretty sure Daro is having the time of his life at the moment.

Marucho pointed forward. "Look, over there!" they could see Captain Elright and Gus they looked like they were patrolling the area. "You think they are allied with Queen Fabia?"

"Definitely, just look at that one guy. He's a castle knight for sure." Darius said. "Let's say hi."

Marucho flinched as Darius walked forward. "Hey!" he grabbed his arm. "Take this seriously!"

"Hey… we're going to battle them eventually, stop worrying so much, kid."

"Kid?! I'm nineteen you know?"

Darius did a double-take. "No way… why are you so tiny, then? Like you're a year older than I am dude. Dating's got to be hard." Marucho folded his arms in slight self-conscious frustration.

"I'm going to pretend this conversation didn't happen."

Darius looked forward. "Hey, you two?!" Gus and Elright turned in their direction. "Looking for us?"

Elright had a serious expression while Gus was surprised by seeing Marucho. But he quickly remembered that they were made aware of Shun appearing in the last invasion, so it made sense to him to see Marucho there on the opposing side.

"Gus, we've got to beat them to weaken their invading force. Marucho may have been our ally in the past, but he's with the Fabregans. We can't hold back."

Gus placed his gauntlet on his arm. "Didn't cross my mind. Vulcan, you ready?"

"Always, Gus. Those Fabregans won't stand a chance." Vulcan replied.

Elright had lifted a card out of his pocket. "Gate Card Set!" he threw it down on the rocky plains and a bright yellow shockwave had spread wide across the plains. "Bakugan Brawl, Raptorix Stand!" his Bakugan popped open, and once he opened. Raptorix stood and he hovered up after he appeared.

"Bakugan Brawl! Rex Vulcan, stand!" Vulcan's heavy frame appeared on the field and he looked down at Marucho and Darius through his red-tinted visor.

Darius smirked. "Guess it's our turn…"

"Remember to take it easy." Marucho reminded.

"Yeah, yeah… no need to mother me." he looked at his partner. "Ready partner." Spinark hissed from inside his closed ball form. "Um… alright, no need to be so grumpy. Bakugan Brawl, Spinark Stand!" Spinark rose to his feet and hissed loudly.

Marucho had Elfin on his hand. "Get ready, Elfin."

"Don't worry, Marucho. I'll send these guys packing, and cryin' all the way back to their little Queen!" she closed herself and Marucho closed his fist and his glasses glinted in the light.

"Bakugan Brawl! Elfin Stand!" her ball form opened and as soon as it did, there was a storm of petals that appeared.

"Sun, wind, and rain combine, Aquos Minx Elfin is here for revenge! So don't waste my time!" as soon as she finished her line, her eyes grew wide. "Hey, I finally made a rhyme this time!"

Spinark: 1000 / Minx Elfin:800

Raptorix: 700 / Rex Vulcan: 800

Darius eyed Elfin. "First time I've seen you in your real form. Is it wrong that I'm attracted to you?"

"Yes…" Marucho and Elfin droned in unison while giving the Fabregan a pair of dry stares. "On so many levels…"

Elright took a card from his back and held it up. "Right… I'll start, if they beat us here, there is little stopping them from getting to the palace! Ability Activate! Electron Stream!" he readied his attack as he leaped up high and fired a bright energy orb down to Elfin and Spinark. This was enough to increase his power up to 1100. As the orb fell, it broke down into bright yellow energy beams that were raining down to the Aquos duo

Darius smirked. "Hey, Spinark you want a recharge?" he threw his gauntlet up with a card already inside it. "Ability Activate, Admiral Shield!" Spinark looked up and made a bright blue liquefied shield above both him and Elfin. The bright yellow blasts rained onto the liquid shield and as they fell, they looked to be being absorbed by the water.

Elright was shocked while a bright yellow aura pulsed around Spinark for a second before it faded. "B-but how!"

"The better question is, how are you going to deal with this!" Marucho exclaimed, throwing up his gauntlet. "Ability Activate, Leap Frog!" Elfin had a bright blue aura surrounding her as the energy was bright blue and Elfin glared at both Raptorix and Vulcan.

Spinark: 1000 / Minx Elfin: 800(+400)= 1200

Raptorix: 1100 / Rex Vulcan: 800

Gus kept his serious stance as he placed a card into his gauntlet. "We need to defeat you right here, so you're getting no mercy from me! Ability Activate, Hammer Knuckle!" Vulcan aimed his right fist at Elfin and it launched right at the Aquos Bakugan.

Minx Elfin: 1200(-300)= 900 / Rex Vulcan: 800(+300)= 1100

The rocket fist was speeding to her and she eyed it carefully. "Get ready Elfin… Now Go!" She sped to the fist and she suddenly swerved to her right, but as the fist followed her, she leaped, pressed her hands on the fist, flipped forward, and sped to Vulcan.

"H-huh?! But how!?"

"Haha, you're too slow for Elfin. Leap Frog doubles Elfin's speed for a limited time, but it also allows me to do this! Ability Activate, Ding Dong Ditch!"

Elfin giggled as she closed in on a vulnerable Vulcan

She ran her shoulder into him, making him lose his balance. "Ding!" Elfin quickly turned on her heel and crashed into Vulcan just a second later and shoulder him again. "Dong!" She turned once more and appeared in front of him. "Smell ya later!" she kicked Vulcan, sending him flying back and he landed on his back while he missed his right arm.

Spinark: 1000 / Minx Elfin: 900

Raptorix: 1100 / Rex Vulcan: 1100(-500 -200)= 400

Elfin quickly sped back to Marucho, leaving Gus flabbergasted. "I suppose you'll want an explanation. Ding Dong Ditch takes 500 from the enemy, oh and remember Leap Frog, well not only does it increase her speed, but also adds 200Gs to her next ability."

"Now stay down, Viking dude. We're going to take care of your other friend!" she then looked at Spinark. "Let's get him together!" Spinark only growled at her. "Geez… you ever consider giving him a muzzle?"

"Hehe, Spinark doesn't really like making friends. He's all about hunting… speaking of which!" he held his gauntlet up. "We're tagging in buddy! Ability Activate, Dark Water!" suddenly, tremendous spouts of dark water were shooting out of the ground and the field looked to be flooding.

"Eww…" Elfin groaned. "Does the water have to be this dark?"

"How you can all swim, cause everything is about to get dark!" Spinark hissed as the water spouts exploded and covered the entire field in water, engulfing both Vulcan and Raptorix!"

"Whoa…"

"Vulcan!" Gus exclaimed.

Everyone was engulfed in the dark water and the field was completely covered with dark water that no one could see in. Inside the water, Spinark was swimming through like a shark. And he saw Raptorix in his view. He bit down on Raptorix as soon as the Bakugan surfaced and he was dragged into the water.

Elright saw this as soon as he swam up to the surface. "Raptorix! No!"

Spinark: 1000(+400)= 1400 / Minx Elfin: 900

Raptorix: 1100(-400)= 700 / Rex Vulcan: 400

Gus threw up his gauntlet to try and improve his situation. "Vulcan if you can hear me… Ability Activate, Hyper Aegis!" under the water Vulcan's gauntlet fist reattached itself and he fully stood up and started to spin his fists on the gauntlet and somehow it looked as if it was suctioning the water, draining it essentially. This also transferred 500 between Vulcan and Spinark, putting Spinark at 900 and Vulcan at 900.

When Vulcan fully sucked up the water he looked right at his opponents. "Now take this!" he shot a torrent of water from his gauntlets which engulfed Spinark, making him let go and he slid back on his feet and hissed at the Viking.

"Whoa… did not see that coming…"

Gus gave a slight glare to Elright. "If you're done holding back, perhaps you can help me finish them off!" he thought back to his previous encounter. "No way I can strike Elfin… not unless she's close enough! So Spinark it is!" "Spinark is mine! Ability Activate, Heatblast Cannon!" Vulcan's fists slid back into his gauntlet and he laughed at it looked like there was orange energy being generated behind them.

"Haha, time to heat things up!" he shot a tremendous torrent of flames that were speeding to Spinark who was still recovering.

Spinark: 900(-600)= 300 / Rex Vulcan: 900(+600)= 1500

"Ah, Crap!" But he saw Elfin standing in front of his partner.

"I'm ready Marucho!"

"If you say so! Ability Activate, Ripple Trap!" Elfin stretched out her hands and they fired blue energy ripples that spread out to the rapid flames and they quickly dissipated. Bringing both Spinark and Vulcan to 900Gs.

Elfin winked at Vulcan. "Nice try sweetie!"

Elright held up a card as Elfin was left open since she already used a defensive ability. "Ability Activate, Lumix Impact!" his shoulder wings shone with bright light as they shot right yellow rings to Elfin.

Spinark: 900 / Minx Elfin: 900(-200)= 700

Raptorix: 700(+200)= 900 / Rex Vulcan: 900

"Whoa boy!" Elfin leaped up into the air, but the rings looked to have followed her. "Oh come on! Do we have a plan, Marucho?"

"Yes, change to Ventus!"

Elfin winked at him. "You got it!" she took out her magic wand and she quickly drew a ring around herself as she was in the air. "Time for a quick wardrobe change… I'm feeling like Ventus, how about you?" After she changed attributes her new wings extended and she was able to fly up higher. The rings however continued to follow her, she stopped and watched them speeding to her.

"Quick Elfin, Ability Activate, Sky Hearty!" her wand shone as she danced in a circle, allowing green sparkles to surround her. The rings were covered by the green sparkles as they passed Elfin and they circled around her and they turned bright green. It then looked as if Elfin herself was manipulating them.

"B-but how!?" Elright exclaimed.

"Sky Hearty reflects an opponent's incoming ability, it was just a case of buying Elfin some time."

The rings flattened into disks and Elfin smirked. "Sorry, turns out I'm a cut above the rest! And it's time for you to split!" she threw the cutting disks down to Raptorix.

Minx Elfin: 700(+200)= 900 / Raptorix: 900(-200)= 700

But before the disks could cut into Raptorix, Vulcan got in the way and took the attack with his thick gauntlets.

"Ugh, you again!" she shot down to the ground below, hoping to hit Vulcan. "Power me up Marucho!"

Marucho placed a card into his gauntlet. "Then take this, Ability Activate, Wing Harrier!" as she shot down like an arrow, her wings shone bright green and got closer to Vulcan who was lying in wait.

Minx Elfin: 900(+400)= 1300 / Rex Vulcan: 900

Gus didn't look fazed. "That's right, come closer! Ability Activate, Mega Viblow!" Vulcan threw his palms forward and his metal bracers were spinning, creating a clear barrier in front of himself. Elfin bounced off the barrier as it left a clear ripple.

"OW that hurt!" Elfin's power level was brought back to 900 as she fell on her backside and transformed back to her Aquos attribute. "Well, I'm stumped… any ideas?"

Elright threw his hand forward. "This is it! Gate Card Open, Land Pressure!" the command card activated.

Once the command card activated, both Spinark and Elfin immediately felt heavier and they weren't able to get up from the ground. On top of that, they each lost 200Gs.

Spinark: 900(-200)= 700 / Minx Elfin: 900(-200)= 700

Raptorix: 700 / Rex Vulcan: 900

Gus glanced forward. "Now we end this. Double Ability Activate! Hyper Impact plus Fusion Ability, Drill Booster!" Vulcan launched both his fists and they spun quickly as they closed in towards Elfin who was struggling to move.

Minx Elfin: 700(-500)= 200 / Rex Vulcan: 900(+500)= 1400

As the drills spun, they became sharp drills and sped right to Elfin. "Marucho… I ain't ready to give up yet!" she exclaimed. "Not till I've saved Preyas from that Alice girl, so no matter what! Don't you dare give up on me!"

As she roared Marucho placed a card into his gauntlet. "Not a chance, We never give up! Ability Activate, Mega Blue Shield!" Elfin weakly rose one hand and she bubbles formed in front of her and they made a large circular, bright blue barrier in front of her.

Spinark: 700(+400)= 1100 / Minx Elfin: 200(+400)= 600

Raptorix: 700(-400)= 300 / Rex Vulcan: 1400(-400)= 1000

The gauntlet impacted Elfin's shield and they hit the solid surface, Elfin was struggling to hold them back as she could barely get onto her feet. But thanks to the power boost from her ability, Spinark slowly got up and he slowly walked beside her.

"Thanks for doin' your part Marucho. Now it's my turn!" Darius said as there was a card in his gauntlet. "Ability Activate, Ancient Ripple!" The weight around Spinark grew heavier and he sunk into the ground as the orange gems in his limbs were glowing bright blue, and they made blue ripples that were echoing, as they reverberated around the field. Suddenly both Aquos Bakugan could feel themselves getting lighter.

"Whoa… I'm nimble again!" Elfin cried as she pushed harder against Vulcan's drill fists that were still trying to break through her shield. Spinark roared and suddenly Raptorix found himself falling to the ground hard while Vulcan's body dug into the ground suddenly.

"What's going on!?" Gus exclaimed.

"That's Ancient Ripple, a useful ability that Reverses Gate Card effects onto the enemy… oh but you're missing the best part… It reverses it at double the power!" Gus and Elright gasped as they watched the power level exchange take place.

Spinark: 1100(+200)= 1300 / Minx Elfin: 600(+200)= 800

Raptorix: 300(-400)= 0 / Rex Vulcan: 1000(-400)=600

Elfin pushed her barrier to deflect Vulcan's drilled fists back to him and his gauntlets re-attached themselves to his thin arms.

Elright watched in horror as Raptorix had succumbed to the intense gravity and he fell down to his feet and down to his stomach as he let out a pained screech as he retreated to his ball form, but instead of going to his rightful owner, he instead went over to Darius.

"Aaaand your Raptorix is mine…" Darius chirped as Elright's life gauge fell down to 0%.

Elright dropped to his knees in defeat. "It's over… I failed."

Gus growled as he saw it was just down to him and Vulcan, he bit his lip when he saw Elfin speeding to Vulcan.

"Time to end this!" she roared as Marucho put a card into his gauntlet.

"I'm hearing you Elfin. Ability Activate, Shooting Fury!"

Minx Elfin: 800(+300)= 1100 / Rex Vulcan: 600(-300)= 300

Her red heart chest plate was glowing bright blue as the frog on her head had an angered face as well. She threw herself forward and unleashed endless punches and kicks that were peppering Vulcan all over his body and she ended it with an angered kick to his chest which sent Vulcan flying in the air right over Gus and Elright.

Vulcan was covered in brown energy and he retreated back to Gus, bouncing on the ground in front of him. His life gauge fell down to 20%.

"YAY! WE DID IT!" Elfin cheered as both she and Spinark returned to their partners in quick fashion, their ball forms shot to their hands.

"Way to go, partner," Darius said as Marucho leaped up to high-five him. "One down, one to go. And with Yurina and Shun closing in on the palace, we're looking pretty damn good! And we've gotten a Raptorix for good measure."

Gus glanced at Elright, get to Fabia and Master Spectra immediately before the enemy can get to them! My gut says these guys aren't the main attackers."

"Hey! You don't know that!" Darius cried.

Elright got up to his feet, he looked down into his Neathian diamond display on his wrist. "Attention! ALL Castle Knights. There are still enemies closing in on the palace, regroup and defend it at all costs!" after he made the announcement he looked at Gus. "Hold them off as long as you can!"

Gus nodded and he allowed Elright to make his exit to get back to the palace. Once he was gone, Vulcan was on Gus's shoulder as he glared at his enemies. "Bro… you know you can't win this!"

Gus smirked at his words, and Vulcan grunted. "We're not ones to give up so easily," Vulcan said.

"I promised Master Spectra that I would hold off your invasion plans, and that is what I intend to do! Right down to my last breath! So stop talking! Because we have a battle to finish. I am far from done!"

---

Andreas was inside an apartment in Unison City, within the apartment, there were wind chimes that sounded as the wind blew on them. The room had scented candles on the shelves along with many books.

Andreas and Tammy were in the room and they stood looking at the woman in the wheelchair who faced away from them. The older man - Oscar, behind them stood by the door with his eyes closed.

They were quiet for a while and Tammy looked nervous while Andreas had his eyes closed and his arms were folded. "So… are you going to tell us why we're here? Or are you going to jerk us around before stabbing us in the back?"

"Hmm…" Valerie turned around. "I have no intention of betraying you. But at the moment, Fabrega is out of control. Despite the new leadership, I see that Yurina will continue the invasion… while leaving Fabrega to die. Though considering what happened to Alursia, it would make sense. But at the moment... Fabrega doesn't have long to live."

"Wait… what!?" Tammy exclaimed.

"Look outside… what's the weather like?"

Tammy looked outside and they could see storm clouds with red lightning in the distance. "Whoa… I've never seen red lightning before. It's pretty… scary…"

"I've heard rumors of an Arc being made that can allow us to find a new home among the stars, hence the reason for the invasion… but it will be impossible to fit everyone into them. So there will be a time where we will have to fend for ourselves. The underground shelters will be packed, and those in the wilds won't survive."

Andreas kept his arms folded. "You're saying we're all screwed, basically."

"Well, I believe there are a select few people that are trying to put a stop to this… I believe you have met them, Andreas."

"Good Kishu! Stay out of my head!"

"All we need to do is find as many survivors as possible, and bring them here to Union City. You see the Fabregan Cities, in an emergency are designed to dome themselves and blast off into space. They only have enough fuel to make it up into orbit. The citizens will be later collected and transported to their new homes. I assume the arcs will be doing that. But we also have to hope our oxygen supply doesn't run out while we're here." she turned her blind eyes to Andreas. "You see I need your help to bring people from around the wilds. There is a tribe to the West of here, they are one of the Jaya Tribes. And they aren't very keen on city living from what I've heard about them."

"And you want me to use my 'Powers of Persuasion' to bring them here!" she winked at him. "Just because I somehow got Alursian prisoners to follow my lead, doesn't mean I'm very good at getting people to follow me."

The woman giggled. "Oh, I think you are yourself. They will listen to you, for sure!"

Tammy walked to Andreas. "Please Andreas… we've got to do this otherwise people outside the city will die."

Andreas still didn't look pleased. "Sounds like I'm doing an errand for a blind girl with a surprising amount of influence."

"That's exactly what it is, Andreas, dear. As the old saying goes, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. I can organize trade routes that can help you when you decide to make your tribe."

Andreas smirked. "So I get a bunch of stubborn Jayas out of the boonies, and you help me with my tribe when this is all over? I've taken worse deals… alright Valerie. We've got a deal, I'll do my thing, and you organize the trade routes for us after all of this!"

"I am a woman of my word."

"You sure you don't want to read my fortune… find out how it's going to go?"

"I'd like to be surprised every now and then, I don't want to be spoiled."

Andreas eyed Tammy. "C'mon Tammy looks like our crew has another job."

"Right behind you!"

Tammy was the first to leave with Andreas following. Oscar opened the door for the pair, once Tammy was outside, Valerie opened her mouth. "Also Andreas… before you leave. How do you feel about black cats?"

Andreas rolled his eyes. "You think you're cute, don't you? You're lucky I need those trade routes." he left the door and Oscar closed the door behind them, leaving them to their new task.

---

Zaria led the crew on Dragness as they continued forward. Zavanna who was sitting behind Cameron suddenly felt weak and felt a sharp pain going through her entire body. "AAH!" Her entire body was covered in a white outline.

Cameron heard her scream and he looked down at her. "Zavanna! Are you ok?"

She saw both him and Jayden looking down at her. "S-so c-cold!" she hugged herself tightly as she could feel a rush of cold going through her body. "I-It's D-Draconoid… It's g-getting harder and h-harder to sense her presence," she said as there was a cold mist escaping her mouth. She saw Cameron taking off his jacket and putting it over her. "T-thank you… I-if lose my connection to her… I'm not sure if I can draw your Reversion energy directly to her. Agh!" she pulled Cameron's jacket around herself and zipped it up. "I-I need to focus on Draconoid and give what little of my Reversion energy to her. If anything to keep the connection."

Cameron ran to the front of Blazeon. "Blazeon… I need your help."

The dragon smirked. "I read your mind!" fiery auras covered Blazeon and Cameron.

"OW!" Jayden exclaimed as he stood up to his feet as the flames had burned him.

Cameron touched Zavanna's hand and she instantly felt warmer. "Whoa… thank you, Cameron…"

"Give this to Draconoid. I can share my Reversion energy too."

Zavanna kept her focus and as she and Draconoid received Cameron's Reversion energy. "Thanks, Cameron…"

They could see dark storm clouds over them and red lightning was shooting through the clouds. Cameron looked forward at Dragness who they were following. "Zaria… how long do you think it will take to get there!?"

Zaria eyed them. "It's pretty far… a couple of hours still. 5 hours at best if we really push it!"

Cameron turned back to Zavanna and sat closer to her. "Is five hours enough?"

"I don't know… but I'll try. Just… don't let go, please?"

He nodded to her. "Not going to happen, hang on for as long as you can. Tell me if you're feeling cold again."

"I shall…"

Akira was sitting on top of Radion and she looked to be meditating, Aisha sat behind her and she looked a bit awkward because she wasn't used to it being so quiet. She wanted to start up a conversation, but she didn't want to break Akira's focus. "Something on your mind?"

Aisha flinched as she heard Akira talking to her. "H-how did you-?"

"Don't ask me how… I somehow sensed it, like I'm more aware of my surroundings and the people around me. Like I can somehow even feel the heat Cameron and Blazeon are trying to put off, and Garfield's…"

"Ugh…" Aisha groaned. "He's being negative, he tried to push me away. And he's being very irritable like he's got this chip on his shoulder." Aisha looked back at Garfield who was sitting on the back of Lunaris with Cera in front of him. He looked extremely deep in thought while looking out at the stormy weather. "He's really torn up about Maia…"

Akira let out a sigh and she turned around. "I let him come onto the team and his one focus was saving Hikari… but since her condition is irrecoverable… He might have lost all hope, he's lost that drive. All that I see in him now is… Darkness…"

"Should we be worried?"

"I highly doubt he would want to back-stab us… he gains absolutely nothing from that. But with how he is now. I wonder if he will hinder us in any way."

"You don't think he's going to battle well, is he?"

"I can imagine his mind will be all over the place, I see him now, and it feels like he's just got nothing left to give. But instead of despair, he's trying to replace that with anger. Problem is, who can he blame? Other than the Fabregans who did this to her in the first place. He's not at that point yet, but I worry. If he's pushed too far in a battle, he'll either snap or crumble."

"Well, what can we do?"

Akira looked forward. "He needs an outlet for his emotions, it does nothing for him if he holds them in like this."

"Soooooo what you're saying is-?"

"He needs to do something to get rid of that rage. Like I said before, he's mad, but he doesn't know who or where to deflect that anger at… other than at himself…" she looked at Maia who was on top of Dragness with Zaria. "I think I need to have a chat with Maia."

Aisha put her hand on Akira's shoulder. "You let me take care of that, I think you've already got a lot on your plate, Kira."

Akira smirked. "'Kira'? We doing nicknames now?"

"I don't know… it sounded cooler in my head."

"Get on my good side, and maybe it will stick…" Akira then turned away. "Nope forget it, it's an awful nickname."

Aisha had wavy tears going down her face. "You're ice cold you know that. I dare you to come up with a cool nickname for me!"

She shook her head. "Nope, cause it will either be horrible or too mean-spirited." she turned around.

"Want me to leave you to your meditation?" she saw Akira nod her head and the Subterra battler zipped her lips. And she gently smiled while sitting behind her companion.

---

Within the Bakugan research facility in Vestige City. Aurea was overlooking one of the Arcs and she had a concerned look on her face, she could hear the raging thunder from outside. "So it is finally happening…" she had one of her assistants standing next to her.

"We've performed the final checks on the Arc, ma'am."

"Good, I'm going to give the order to launch. Vestige City will launch into the atmosphere. The Arcs will focus on collecting those that are in the wilds. The Queen will be issuing evacuation orders. Those closest to the main cities will head there. Then then the cities will launch into orbit, hopefully, they will get out of range of the chaos that will take place.

"Do you think the Arcs will be able to move quickly through the wilds?"

"I don't know. And even then, they will need to escape the atmosphere… but that will only become easier." she had a tablet in front of her. "When Draconoid's energy continues to fade, the planet's core will spin slower and slower. The planet will break apart soon after." The tablet showed Fabrega cracking and pieces of the planet looked to be breaking apart. "The force of gravity will become weaker. Once that happens, the arcs should be able to more easily escape Fabrega's atmosphere. But we need to be quick and collect every person, Fabregan and Alursian from the Wilds. The arcs will unite with the domed cities in the upper atmosphere."

"Do you know where to go?"

"Yes… I mapped out all the routes that each of the three arcs will go through. This will make sure they can collect as many people as possible before they attempt to leave the planet. Are their final checks complete?"

The young woman saluted. "Ma'am, 1 and 2 are fuelled and ready. We are still finishing off the third Arc for its voyage."

Aurea started to leave the hangar and looked forward with a focused expression. "Whether Fabrega can be saved or not… we need to save as many people as we can. Even if we are going to have to migrate to a new home. We already have Gundalia under our control so we can move some of our smaller cities there, once we figure out how to move them from orbit." She stopped walking. "Launch Arc's 1 and 2 immediately!"

---

'Everyone, this is an emergency announcement. All citizens are required to be within the city immediately and wait out the coming storm! Citizens are advised to stay indoors and follow further instructions on this channel, and from evacuation personnel. All those outside the city that can hear this message must immediately head to the safety of the city immediately and follow instructions of our evacuation personnel!'

Near the Capital of Eden/Valhalla City, alarms were going off all over as the red thunder was seen dancing in the cloudy skies. Queen Rena's message continued to play over and over throughout the city and outside it.

People were panicking, and there were lines of running people getting themselves into the city. On one of the main highways leading out of Eden city, Leiya was on her Raptorexx and the Darkus Bakugan was sprinting on the shallow water along the road. She knew she would be caught in the storm, but she wanted to find shelter outside of the city since she was wanted by Yurina.

She could see the traffic of hovering cars that were speeding to the capital. "What's with all the panic… I get they don't want to be caught in the storm. And storms in the Wilds are rough, but there is no reason to panic this much!" She looked on her gauntlet for any close villages. "I need to find a village to hide from the storm."

…

Tad and his crew were slowly riding their bikes through the traffic. "Is there always this much traffic to the capital?" Liz asked.

"Not really… but I heard murmurs of a terrifying storm coming. They want people to get into the cities as fast as they could." they both saw Leiya's Raptorexx, though Liz's vision focused on the person riding that Bakugan.

"HER!?" she tugged on Tad's jacket. "STOP!" the bike stopped and Liz leaped off. "That Bakugan… it's being ridden by a girl that I battled before! She must be up to something." she grabbed Marvellion. "I'm going to get her, you guys go on ahead."

"Uh, you sure kid?"

"I'm not a kid!" she exclaimed. "Marvellion can help me get to the city, just leave me!" she tossed out Marvellion and she rose in the water.

Marvellion didn't like where this was going. "Liz… are you sure this is-"

"Yes! Just please listen to me for once… I know she's up to something bad if she's out here from the city."

Mavellion looked out and she honestly pitied Liz, but she didn't like how Liz was treating her recently. "Right… let's go." she picked up Liz and put her on her shoulder. The aquatic Bakugan was slithering in shallow water in order to catch up with Leiya and her Raptorexx.

---

Back on Neathia, Skyress was flying through the orange Neathian skies. On top of her were Shun and Yurina, however, there were lines of Haos Bakugan that stood guard in front of the palace. As soon as they were spotted, all the Bakugan along with their Castle Knights had fired bright yellow energy blasts at them.

Skyress was managing to swiftly avoid them. "Whoa, these guys aren't messing around!" Yurina said. "Then neither will we!" she leaped off of Skyress looking down at the gang of Haos, Neathian Bakugan. The Castle Knights pointed at her as she fell down towards them.

"ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Shun exclaimed.

"I shouldn't have to answer that~!" she sang back with a yell. She had Kyubis in her hand. "Go Kyubis!" she tossed her out and he stood and she let out a howling roar. Yurina hung onto her fur tightly as she landed safely.

Kyubis landed hard on the ground and she growled at the Bakugan that were firing at her. Yurina also looked to transform into her Reversion form and she landed to the side of her Bakugan. "Kyubis, get ready. Burning Demise!" Kyubis opened her mouth and Yurina aimed her hand forward.

Both of them fired a large stream of white fire that completely engulfed the wall of Bakugan in front of them. They swung their fire streams to hit more of the Bakugan that fired at them.

As soon as the flames stopped, there were many bright yellow orbs floating around the castle knights. Those orbs were the defeated forms of their Bakugan. They all landed on the ground and Yurina transformed out of her Reversion form and slowly walked forward with Kyubis to her side. She unsheathed her long katana. "Any of you come close… and you know what happens. Now… I have a date with your Queen so if you don't mind…" she smirked as she looked to the doors of the palace. "I shouldn't keep her waiting."

---

Finally, I should have got this chapter done sooner. But it's finally out. I really liked how Cybertross vs Rubanoid and Wilda looked in my head. So let me know what you thought and I'll see you guys in the next update.