Alice in New Vestroia: Remastered

by ariace613

This is my first story, "Alice in New Vestroia" as a deluxe version. Better battles. Denser story. An alternate version that still works with my other stories.

19. Chapter 19

Hey. I'm back! So glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Sometimes, I only write the battles in my story by obligation, but in reality put my heart and soul into Alice vs Dan. I hope to continue to live up to expectations. So let's get it going!

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

XXX

Chapter 19: Breaking Free

Runo, Julie and Mira were all lounging in the living room of Dan Kuso's home. Julie was standing, looking outside the window, especially the dark clouds outside. Runo and Mira were sitting opposite each other, a square-shaped board game on the table between them.

"Checkmate." Runo said the weird street moving a piece on the board.

Mira looked dumbfounded at the love, then leaned back, resigned to her loss. "Okay, what's your secret?", Mira asked the human bluenette.

"You're honestly just inexperienced at chess", Runo answered. "Do Vestals not have any kind of strategy based games?"

"Of course we do", Mira answered. "They're just not very popular."

"Right", Runo said. "Bet this is nothing compared to the adrenaline of a Bakugan battle." She smirked at the Vestal. "Of course, our version of Bakugan had strategy in it, too."

Mira's face slackened for an instant, but she recomposed herself. "Yeah, I heard that before." She shook her head. "You could've had a Bakugan system so adrenaline-pumping…. Why make it a strategy game? Whose idea was that?"

"It was Shun's idea", Runo answered.

Mira nodded, deadpan. "Yeah. That fits."

"Uh, girls?", Julie called over to them. "It's looking like it's pretty bad weather outside." It was true, the clouds outside were dark and numerous. It looked like a storm was imminent.

"Yeah", Runo said, looking closer. "Where's Dan? He should've been back from his run by now."

"That's what I was about to ask", Julie said with a pout.

"You think he's in trouble?", Mira asked, quickly shifting from leisure to a more serious mood. She sat up, fists clenched and eyes narrowed.

"Calm down, girl", Julie said, holding up her hands to placate Mira. "I meant he might've overdone his run. He might get caught up in the storm at this rate."

As Julie was speaking, the clouds finally started crackling with thunder. Rain began to fall rapidly as the storm began.

Runo frowned. Before, she might have dismissed Dan's continued absence as just that; that he was just overdoing the run, and not even noting the weather outside. He might even consider the less than ideal weather as an added challenge for training.

But something felt off. Every instinct in Runo's body was telling her that Dan was actually in trouble. She turned back to Mira, who was looking similarly troubled. "Maybe we should-"

Suddenly, Julie gasped. "Runo, look!" She pointed back to the window.

"What?" Runo just got the word out when she looked outside, and then she gaped. So did Mira. They saw it, too.

From what was a cloudy, even stormy sky before, literally a second ago, there was now a huge hole in the clouds. They could see the blue sky, and even the sun. The clouds bordering the sudden hole were much lighter and no longer raining.

"How did that happen?", Mira asked.

"I don't know what happened!", Julie said. "I was watching. One moment, there was that storm. The next moment, this! I didn't even see the clouds part. It's like-"

"Time was frozen while it happened." It was Runo that answered it in a hollow voice. "Like what used to happen when we battled on Earth." Her unease didn't just intensify tenfold. It was also just proven right.

"You don't think there was just a battle?", Julie asked. "Who'd be fighting-"

"Dan's almost definitely involved", Mira said. "He was attacked. At least, that's my guess."

"Can you get in contact with him?", Runo asked, very worried once the possibility of an attack was spoken.

"Yes", Mira responded, already taking out her communicator. She rushed in typing Dan's number, but there wasn't a pickup even after several seconds. With every passing second without a response from Dan, the tension grew and grew for all three of them. They all waited longer, until a full minute passed, and there was nothing. "He's not picking up."

Julie started breathing rapidly, but put on a strained smile. "No reason to freak out. Maybe he didn't notice."

"We should still check it out", Runo replied. "He might actually be in trouble."

"Hold on", Mira halted them, waving her newly active communicator. "He's calling back."

The two Brawlers sighed in relief. Dan was fine. He was talking with them. They'd learn what was going on.

Mira accepted the call, and Dan's holo-image appeared on her communicator.

Runo gasped as she saw Dan through the holograph. It was him, yes, but it looked so wrong. For the others, it would take a closer look, but it was easy for Runo to spot it. 'Something's seriously wrong here.'

"It's good to hear from you, Dan", Mira said. "Were you just in a battle…?" She paused when she actually looked at Dan. His eyes were light-less and haunted. There was a blank expression on his face. "What happened, Dan?"

"Drago", Dan replied. His hoarse voice rang up alarm bells for all three girls, who began paying even closer attention. "Drago's gone."

Runo gasped. "Oh, no." She knew how much Dan treasured Drago; it was enough for Dan to leap into hell without hesitation. If Drago was taken…

Mira, however, was more concerned with the actual details. "Was it Spectra? Gus?" As the two most powerful of the Vexos, they were the primary culprits, of course.

"No." Dan shook his head.

'But who else could have taken Drago?', Mira questioned in dread. "Dan… who did this?"

"Alice."

Runo and Julie gasped in unison. "Alice?", Julie questioned, agape. "Oh my word!"

"Spectra had Dr. Michael. She was blackmailed into it", Dan explained, but didn't excuse the action. "Her choice was skewed, but she made it. Spectra's probably got his hands on Drago by now."

That didn't resolve Runo's confusion. Even if Alice was in danger of losing Michael, this went against everything Runo knew about Alice. 'Dan mentioned that Alice seemed different when he got to New Vestroia, but I thought that meant she was a better battler. Battling confidence is one thing, but this? Battling Dan with full power, like she's Masquerade reincarnate? It's like I never even knew her at all.'

Another point for Runo to consider was why Alice would do this much to save Dr. Michael from Spectra, when Michael was already dying. As callous as it sounded, a quick end might have been better than slowly letting the decay finish him off. 'Unless… she wasn't told? Oh, no! Poor Alice.' Runo couldn't even try imagining how devastating that revelation would be, after everything that had happened.

Dan's eyes hardened as he kept speaking. "But we'll get him back. I won't let the Vexos keep him."

"Dan…", Runo said, concerned. "Are you okay? You seem… angrier than usual."

"Of course I'm angry." Dan didn't lash out. His voice was deadly calm, and that made it even scarier to listen to. Dan lashing out was normal; this meant something a lot worse. "I just lost Drago to Alice. Spectra had one of our own friends take him away. It's infuriating." His eyes seemed to promise pain, though the girls knew it was pain for the Vexos. "But… I need some help getting ready, Mira", Dan followed up.

"What do you need?", Mira asked.

"Long story short, I have a temporary partnership with another Bakugan to help get Drago back, but I need some practice with him first."

"So you want a sparring partner", Mira deduced. "It's the least I can do. Who's the new partner?"

The Bakugan Dan was speaking of, with Darkus coloring, jumped onto his shoulder and opened itself up. "Me", said Darkus Leonidas.

Julie was flabbergasted. "I thought he was Alice's Bakugan?"

"Alice made a mistake that I refused to go along with", Leonidas snapped. "I'll worry about that bridge after we get Drago away from Spectra."

"Okay…", Mira trailed off. "When do you want to start training?"

The front door opened, and Dan marched into the room, simultaneously closing his communicator. "Now."

"Right now?", Mira asked. "But you just got back from a battle-"

Dan shrugged, dismissing the concern. "Leonidas is still fresh. He didn't do any fighting."

"But what about you?", Runo asked. "You've gotta be worn out, too."

Dan sighed heavily, letting some of his exhaustion show. "I can't let that slow me down. The Vexos won't care how tired I am."

"Well said", complimented Leonidas.

Mira wanted to argue, but she knew Dan wouldn't accept no training. "We should get started, then."

"Hold it", Runo held a hand up. "Dan, you get one battle, then you get some rest." Dan looked like he wanted to protest, but Runo kept pushing. "You can't save Drago if you burn out beforehand."

It looked like Dan was swallowing a peach pit to concede that, but he managed to nod his agreement. But he quickly got back in track. "We can train in the park", Dan said. "Plenty of space for a Bakugan battle."

"We're going, too", Julie said. "If nothing else, I want to make sure you're alright, Dan."

"And that goes double for me", Runo agreed. "We'll be with you, Dan." She put a hand on his tensed up arm. "I'll be with you. Every step of the way."

Dan smiled the smallest smile, but Runo saw it. "Thanks", he said, before looking back at Mira. "And thanks for agreeing to this. We should get going."

"Then let's get started." Mira took hold of Wilda and her gauntlet. The group started making their way back out of the house, bound for the park.

XXX

It was mere minutes after Alice had discovered Leonidas's desertion from her. In that time, she helped her newly recovered grandfather back to relative safety in their log cabin. As they entered the cabin, Alice contemplated what she had to do to "earn" that safety.

In order to get Michael away from Spectra, Alice had to battle her own teammate, Dan Kuso, and wrest Drago away from him. And she did it. She battled Dan with a level of ferocity she usually reserved for her strongest enemies, and Hydranoid battled with all his strength. And, minutes beforehand, Alice traded Drago for her grandfather's safety.

In all honesty, Alice was surprised Spectra was willing to part with his leverage over her. In theory, this gave her free reign to go back to the Brawlers and work to liberate Drago.

However, in practice, it wasn't that simple. Spectra's Vexos was not only in full control of the Dimension Transporter system in the Gehabich laboratory, they also possessed Alice's miniaturized version. Therefore, Alice had no way to get to the Brawlers, so coordinating with them was next to impossible.

She could theoretically use her communicator to speak with the others, eliminating the need to meet with them in person. However, that could be easily monitored by the Vexos, making it an all but useless form of communication.

But more importantly, she knew Dan would never agree to work with her at this time.

'A bond between battler and Bakugan is precious, even sacred', Alice thought to herself. 'Especially for a duo like Dan and Drago. By taking Drago, I spat on that bond and damaged it more than even Masquerade ever did.' Yes, Masquerade had tried to separate Dan and Drago by sending the latter to the Doom Dimension; but Dan jumped in after Drago anyway. In that regard, Alice had succeeded where her counterpart failed. 'If Dan ever forgives me, it'll take a long time.'

All of this contemplation took place between Alice entering the cabin with her grandfather, and her easing him into the closest chair available.

As Michael leaned back, finally embracing the relative peace, Alice sighed in resignation as she thought over Leonidas's desertion.

In all honesty, she couldn't blame him. She knew as she was doing so that battling Dan like that was wrong; she'd done it entirely for her grandfather. She defied Leonidas's honest advice. She denied her more cold hearted voices telling her to forget her personal feelings and think of the greater good.

A part of her recognized the irony of the situation. All throughout the New Vestroia campaign, Alice had made a few questionable decisions for what seemed to be for the greater good:

She and Shun had kept secret her intention to battle Spectra in Alpha City's Bakugan tournament. The rest of the team had every right to know the full plan, but they'd concealed information in order to prevent dissent. It seemed justifiable at the time, though Dan's reaction left Alice doubting.

But she didn't stop making those calls there. When Alice learned of Spectra's identity as Keith Clay, her first instinct was to hide the truth from everyone, save Shun. She only changed her mind seeing how devastated Mira was over Keith's disappearance, and had only told her. Alice still thought she was right to keep it from everyone else, as it was Mira's own request. Still, Dan was obviously aggravated when he'd heard of it himself.

But those decisions were all concealing information for the greater good. At least there was some rationality to it. But what Alice had just done went against that greater food in every way. She wasn't concerned about her friends or New Vestroia. Her only thought was saving Michael.

Leonidas obviously wasn't agreeable to that at all. He didn't know Michael, hadn't even met him before. Therefore, he was the closest Alice would get to an unbiased opinion. He told her what the right thing to do was, and Alice ignored him. It really was no wonder he ran off.

'Maybe he and Dan can get Drago back', Alice thought. 'In any case, at least Grandfather's safe. I won't let them get him again.'

"Alice", Michael said, a small smile on his face. "I hoped it would be in better circumstances, but… it's good to see you again."

Alice cried a few tears, and gripped Michael in a hug. "It's… good to see you too, Grandfather. I missed you."

"Hello, Doctor", Hydranoid greeted.

"So you did rescue Hydranoid", Michael said. "That's good to hear."

"Grandfather…." Alice knew what Michael was doing: striking conversation to distract them both from the horrid situation.

"Well, I'd love to know what you've been up to", Michael went on. "You seem different from how I last remember you. Less… conflicted with yourself."

"That's because I am", Alice said. "I've mastered my broken mind. I'm not suffering those nightmares anymore."

"Please, tell me more", Michael requested.

So Alice did. She told him everything. She told him how she survived the initial encounters with the Vestal invasion and the Vexos. She told him how she and Shun had grouped together a new team to help free the Bakugan, and of their successes in Alpha City. She told him everything, up till her return to Earth.

All while she was talking, it really did succeed at distracting Alice. She stopped thinking so much about giving Drago to Spectra, breaking Dan's trust, even breaking Leonidas's trust. She began to lose herself in the past, back when she could fight for New Vestroia freely.

And that wasn't the only thing she distracted herself from. As she spoke, Michael's skin began to pale, until it became a sickening color. Although he his it well, his breathing became harsher and more erratic. He knew what was coming.

Still, when Alice was done speaking, Michael had nothing but a wide smile on his face. "You've accomplished so much, Alice." It was a simple fact. "I'm so, so proud of-hurk!"

"Grandfather!", Alice cried.

The elderly scientist began to cough violently, each one louder than the last. With each cough, his blood vessels glowed a more and more distinct purple.

Alice's eyes widened at the purple veins. 'This isn't a normal sickness. This is worse. Much worse!' "GRANDFATHER!"

Hydranoid gasped, surprised and alarmed. The symptoms were familiar to him, although he'd never seen them in a human before. "This is bad. Very bad."

Alice's attention focused on Hydranoid. She picked up on the ominous undertones; Hydranoid clearly knew something about this. "What is it, Hydranoid? What do you know?"

"I think this is a kind of negative decay", Hydranoid explained. "It's rare, even among the Bakugan. Sometimes, when a being is exposed to too much Minus Power than they can handle, it can wear down their bodies. Poison them and cause decay until there's nothing left."

'His time as Hal-G. He was exposed to so much negative power for such a long time', Alice thought, connecting the dots. Her mind flashed back to an exchange they had shared weeks ago:

' "Grandfather…", Alice began. "I was Masquerade. You were Hal-G. I have these nightmares and trauma, but why don't you?"

"I don't remember what Hal-G did", Michael answered. "Masquerade may have shared Hal-G's origin, but I was exposed to a far greater amount of negative energy than you. My body and mind instinctively closed off those memories to survive." '

'I guess that meant Grandfather's reaction to the negative energy was more physical than mine', Alice rationalized in hindsight. "How can you tell it's this decay, Hydranoid?", she asked Hydranoid.

"I've seen it before", Hydranoid said, a dark edge in his voice. "It used to be a regular occurrence in the Darkus world before Michael arrived in Vestroia. The more violent and weaker Bakugan were affected the most. They accepted more negative energy than they could handle. The bodies lose strength, emitting a terrible aura before they shut down. It's a horrible way to go."

"Is… is there a cure?", Alice asked. "Can someone survive it?"

Hydranoid looked somberly at Alice. For a moment, Alice thought she could see glistening in his center head's right eye. "No. I'm sorry."

"Grandfather… tell me this isn't true!", Alice pleaded. "Tell me Hydranoid's wrong. That this is a mistake! That you'll be fine!"

Michael gave Alice a grandfatherly smile. The purple veins had receded, for now. But all Alice could see was how weak and sickly he seemed. "I had only hoped I could see you, before I go." He lowered his head. "Now, I have no regrets. Very soon, I'll be gone."

"No." Alice shook her head repeatedly, frantically trying to deny what she'd just been told. "No, no. That can't be true! No!"

Michael's smile disappeared, a neutral look replacing it. "It is true."

"How long do you have?", Hydranoid asked.

"Days, at best", Michael answered. He let out a loud exhale.

"No!", Alice shouted, crying hysterically. "After everything that happened… after betraying my team… after giving Spectra everything he needs… it was all to save you, Grandfather! And I only bought you a few days?! Was it all for nothing? Nothing?!"

Michael had a look that could only be described as pure sorrow: sorrow for everything his granddaughter had lost. "I'm so sorry."

"No, no, no, no, no." Alice bowed her head in shame and remorse. Everything she tried to protect had just been ripped away, even if it wasn't completely gone yet. All that was left were the bridges she'd burned herself.

Dan, and the Brawlers by extension, might not take her back after this. Leonidas ran off to follow his own convictions and beliefs. She'd betrayed her ideals, and was in no position to aid the fight in New Vestroia. She didn't even have her transporter card anymore! All Alice had left was Hydranoid.

"What have I done? What have I done?!" Alice collapsed on top of a nearby sofa. 'Was this some kind of cosmic test? A way to judge if I could sacrifice a personal connection for the greater good?' If it was a test, she failed miserably.

She only had five more words left to say, and they packed any kind of energy. The words were said in the despondent tone of absolute hopelessness: "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

XXX

On the other side of that same clearing, the large building that served as Michael's laboratory was occupied by four Vestals and their Bakugan. And they were hard at work.

For the moment, the Dimension Transporter system that was their one way back to Vestal civilization was neglected in favor of their current work: a machine the size of a desk, obviously Vestal in origin, but not yet complete.

Lync installed a component into the machine, making it one piece closer to completion, then wiped sweat off his forehead. "Why'd you even bring this stuff to Earth, anyway?", he asked. The frustration in his voice was mostly due to the manual labor he was forced to do.

"I had planned for Drago to be in my possession while here, one way or another", Spectra said. "I must use the time I have to gather as much information as I can. But to do that, I need the proper equipment." He glanced at the mostly completed machine with a sigh. "This version isn't ideal, but it can be easily assembled. It'll do."

"Why not just get that info once we're back on New Vestroia?", Lync whined.

"Because Prince Hydron will take Drago off our hands the second he can", Gus answered in Spectra's place. He cut off any of Lync's followup questions with a sharp glance.

Ace took the last piece of the machine with both hands, and snapped it in its place. "Done", he announced.

The machine was now clearly an analysis and processing machine. In function, it wasn't unlike the containment chambers Professor Clay used; however, since it wouldn't allow the Bakugan to assume it's true form, the data it would provide wouldn't be as precise. To a scientific perfectionist like Clay, that'd be unacceptable, but Spectra was more than willing to accept it.

"Now, we can begin." Spectra grinned with malicious glee, and took out a distinctive Pyrus Bakugan. "It's time for you to serve your purpose, Drago. We'll finally find out what makes you tick."

"I won't help you", Drago protested.

"You don't have a choice." The masked Vestal placed the Bakugan on a scanning dish. "Gus, plug the machine into the energy port."

"Yes, Master." Gus took the machine's power cord, and plugged it into one of the auxiliary power stations to the D.T. system. The Vestal device powered up, and automatically began scanning Drago.

Spectra watched on as the screen displayed a report on Drago's genetic makeup, in the form of a single DNA double helix. "As you can see, Drago, you can't fight this in any way. So just relax, and it'll be over sooner."

Drago merely gave a defiant grunt, not even bothering to use words.

Spectra's grin wavered. "If you resist this next part, it'll take longer for me and be more painful for you. It won't change the outcome, though, so it's really not worth it."

"It's worth it to me", Drago argued.

Spectra frowned at that. "So you're going to be difficult? Very well. It's your funeral." He pressed some buttons on the machine, starting up a different function within it.

Immediately, the machine reacted. The dish Drago was trapped in suddenly lit up with minor electric bolts, all of them striking Drago's ball form.

"AAAAAHHH!", Drago screamed. This amount of power would be nothing to his battling form, but as a ball, it was almost as painful as the backlash of Hydranoid's Merge Shield. His body was alight with pain, and it was only getting worse.

"This doesn't have to continue", Spectra said, trying to coax Drago into complying. "We can move on from this. Just give me some Perfect Core energy. That's all I need from you right now."

Electric tendrils coursed through Drago's body, seemingly more painful with every passing moment. He was quickly getting exhausted, but there was nowhere to run to. It wasn't even enough actual damage to force him into unconsciousness or destruction.

But Drago wouldn't give in. He couldn't. He knew well that whatever Spectra would want from him wouldn't mean anything good for him, the Brawlers, or New Vestroia as a whole. So, he'd persevere as long as he could.

But, if the beginning of this onslaught was any indication, he'd be overwhelmed sooner rather than later. He already felt his body instinctively begin calling on the Perfect Core to protect itself, and had to actively quash that reaction down. 'Dan… hurry! I can't hold out for long!'

Gus had a delighted grin on his face, watching the Dragonoid slowly cave. "It won't be long, Master."

Lync glanced away from Spectra and the machine, not out of disgust, but disinterest. He simply didn't care about the current events being undertaken.

Ace, however, watched the torture with an emotionless face, except it was a mask. Inside, he was a mess of satisfaction, morbid fascination, and horror. 'I should feel satisfied; we're on the cusp of claiming the ultimate power. But why does this horrify me so much?'

"I'll give you three guesses."

Inwardly, Ace cursed. 'You. It's you.'

"You're talking like there's a difference between us", the other voice said. "There isn't. We're the same. My disgust is your disgust. This feeling of horror is all you."

Ace tightened a fist, the only sign of his increasing rage and frustration. 'Shut up.'

"Look, your priorities are screwed over, but you know this isn't right", said the other voice. "What's the point of torturing a defeated Bakugan? How could this be worth anything?"

'Power.'

"Is that enough? Is it?!"

Ace felt an extreme temptation to answer that yes, it was. But he couldn't get the words out, even in his own head. It was as the other Ace said: he just knew this was wrong.

But this wasn't an isolated incident. It was the latest part of a continuous moral decline that he'd been complacent in. And he knew that it would only get worse and worse.

'I… no. I can't do this anymore.'

With that, the floodgates opened. In an instant, he relived everything he had done on Spectra's orders. A lot of it hurt him emotionally, now that he was reviewing, but the worst of it all was his total betrayal of Mira. He led her down the path of saving the Bakugan, only to turn against her and spit on her for convictions he'd given to her.

And then, he felt unabashed shame at that realization. 'What have I done? What have I become?'

The other voice didn't answer; Ace didn't feel it anymore. But of course he didn't. That voice was just his own conscious screaming at him. Now that he'd broken free, it went back to his subconscious.

He took a glance at Drago, who was still screaming in pain. 'I could try to grab him. Get him back to Kuso, try to apologize for everything-'

"Ace." It was Gus's voice, and he was looking at the Darkus battler warily. "What's wrong? You look… shaken."

Ace schooled his face back into the emotionless mask, knowing full well it was too late. 'I didn't even realize I slipped. Damn!'

Gus's words drew the others' attention. Spectra didn't avert his focus from Drago, but Lync seemed interested in the development. Both he and Gus were tense, waiting for Ace's next move.

"Aren't you going to answer, Ace?", Lync's voice was full of dark mirth.

Drago, somehow, was cognizant enough to not only notice that exchange, but realize the most likely implication: that Ace was no longer his enemy. So, he voiced a single, desperate word. "H-help…"

Gus took a step to his side, moving himself in between Ace and Drago. He kept a critical eye on Ace the whole time.

Ace cursed himself again, even as he backpedaled away from the Vexos. "I… I'm sorry, Drago." And he ran to the lab's entrance, tears falling as he escaped. 'I'll be back, Drago… I swear, I'll do whatever I can to get you out of there… please, forgive me!'

For a second, Spectra turned his head away from Drago, and towards the fleeing Ace. Though the mask largely covered his scowl, his sneer was still very visible. Despite them not being his natural pupils, the mask's eye glowed red with rage. "Lync. Follow him. Make him pay for this betrayal." He turned back to Drago and waved a hand at Gus. "Gus, you stay. I need you as backup in case something goes wrong here."

"You're the boss", Lync said mockingly, running after Ace. "After being cooped up for this long… time to let out some steam! Hahaha!"

The two Vestals ran out of the laboratory, into the cold outside. The wind howled, singing them both with an enhancement to the wintery conditions outside.

Focusing more on the act of getting away than anything else, Ace was halfway to the other side of the clearing before he realized Lync was following him, and then he turned around. He snarled at the Ventus Vexos. "Go run back to Spectra, Lync."

"Now, why would I do that?", Lync jeered, unimpressed with Ace's bravado. He'd seen more impressive acts from more impressive battlers. "You're not really that scary. Just another of Spectra's lap dogs. And at least Gus has some skill."

"I broke my leash", Ace commented. "And I've got nothing to prove to you. Back off. Final warning."

"Yeah, really scary. I'm shaking in my boots." Lync began an over exaggerated shaking movement. "Or, wait… it could just be the cold."

"I don't have time for this", Ace growled.

"Didn't you hear Alice? Time freezes on Earth battles." Lync loaded up his gauntlet. "So I've got all the time in the world to thrash you for betraying the Vexos."

"The Vexos?" If Ace wasn't so disgusted with himself, he'd have laughed. "I've done a lot of betrayal recently. I betrayed Mira when I lost my mind to Spectra. I betrayed Spectra just now. But the Vexos? I was never on their side." He picked the power card inside his gauntlet. "You have no idea what he's planning, do you?"

"I don't really care", Lync admitted. "Spectra can do what he wants. I care more about crushing people like you!"

"Then let's do this." Ace raised his left arm, with Lync doing the same. Then, they called out the same words.

"Gauntlet, Power Strike!"

The immediate second after their gauntlets lit up, the sky above shone a bright multicolor, before fading back to the natural colors. Then, the world around them froze in time, with even the chilly wind becoming completely still, and providing both Vestals a modicum of relief as a result.

"Gate Card, set!", Lync shouted, throwing ahead his Gate Card. He then drew a green and silver Bakugan in between his fingers. "I'm not much of a teacher, but you're about to learn what it means to mess with the Vexos! Bakugan, brawl!" He threw the Bakugan into the Gate Card. "Stand, Ventus Altair!"

A green flash, accompanied by a blast of lukewarm winds, was the only warning given. Moments later, the mechanical Altair rose into the sky, crying out its ear splitting screech.

Ace raised Percival up to speak with him. He didn't know if his Bakugan broke free from Spectra like he did, and he didn't know if Percival would forgive him if the Bakugan was of sound mind. But Ace had to try. "I need you, Percival. Please, forgive me."

"You've got nothing to apologize to me for." Percival surprised Ace with both the intelligence and the forgiveness he offered. "I was brainwashed, too. Spectra chained us both."

'Percival….' Ace smiled, knowing their partnership would survive this. "Then let's break free." He threw Percival into the field. "Bakugan, brawl! Percival, stand!"

When Percival's ball hit the ground, a sudden and powerful twister of light purple energy rose up. The tornado didn't disperse any winds, but emitted a concentrated power indicative of the energy contained within. The tornado raged on for a few seconds before it dispersed, revealing Percival at the same elevation as Altair. "I'm ready."

Percival: 450

Altair: 500

Ace quickly took the initiative, loading up his first ability card. "Let's get this started, Percival! Ability Activate! Darkus Driver!"

"Just what I had in mind", Percival agreed. He flew up high, leaving Altair far below him. He kept up his ascent until he disappeared in the clouds above.

In the cover the clouds provided, Percival raised up his cape, covering his body with it. Wrapped up in the cloth, he started to spin with increasing speed. He began to shoot back down, spinning faster than a high performance drill.

Lync took a small inhale to deal with Percival's speed. "Okay. He's fast." He loaded up his first card. "But he's got no power. Ability Activate! Mega Shield!"

Altair screeched out its mechanical caw, and angled it's semi-avian head to the incoming Percival. The purple visor glowed green as the head opened up its mouth.

"Too late!", Percival called out, coming dangerously close to Altair in his spin. He was merely a couple dozen meters away.

But he wasn't quick enough. Seemingly out of nowhere, a hexagonal shield made up of smaller transparent green hexagons appeared, successfully intercepting Percival's attack. Percival forced himself against Altair's energy barrier with all the power he had, yet the only progress he made was chipping off a few particles from the shield.

Percival: 450+200=650

Altair: 500+200=700

After it was clear to him that his attack was deflected, Percival broke off his attack and made some distance. "This won't work, Ace."

"No, it won't." Immediately, Ace could tell a difference from this and his latest battles. Back when he was Spectra's servant, Percival was little more than a feral animal; he'd never willingly back off an engagement without orders.

It was up to Ace to prove that this change was for the best.

"You won't escape me!" Lync loaded up his second card. "Ability Activate! Spinal Saucer!"

Altair let out a loud screech, the pitch high and sound mechanized. The base of each wing began to glow a green outline, which grew brighter every passing moment. After a few moments of charging up the attack, a pair of halos of green energy dropped from Altair's wings, remaining in their place a few feet below.

Altair fixed its visor on Percival, and the visor glowed green for a brief moment. The halos went to work, slicing through the air towards Percival.

Percival: 650

Altair: 700+200=900

Percival stayed stationary in the air, keeping his eyes on both of the green rings. When the closest one approached him, he bent in midair and evaded it. He then ascended a bit, enough so the second flew underneath him.

"Percival! They're circling back!", Ace warned.

Percival glanced back, to see it was true. The rings were already curving their flight path to aim at him again. He swerved out of the way again, but the rings began corning back on him again.

Ace growled in annoyance. "Enough!" The gauntlet in his card glowed purple with its activation. "Ability Activate! Tri Gunner!"

Percival quickly thrusted his arms out, keeping them straightened and aiming forward. His head opened up, as did the gauntlets on his wrists that resembled miniature versions of his own head. Within each maw charged up light purple energy, which began to overflow and shoot out.

At once, all three mouths blasted the energy out in thin beams of light purple power, which fused into a single blazing blast. The combined purple energy struck the two green halos, and it incinerated them almost immediately.

Percival: 650+300=950

Altair: 900

"Got you now!", Percival announced, averting his stance in order to unleash the rest of his attack directly at Altair. Darkus energy blasted out like an inferno, directly threatening Altair this time.

"That's nothing!", Lync boasted. "Gate Card Open! Ventus Reactor!"

Before Percival's blast could impact Altair, a large green tornado rise up around the mechanical Bakugan to intercept the attack. Despite the power Percival had put into his Tri Gunner, the energy dissipated before penetrating the intense winds the tornado was giving off.

Percival: 950

Altair: 900+400=1300

Seeing his Tri Gunner wasn't working, either, Percival canceled the ability with an annoyed growl. "He countered that, too?"

"I don't get it", Ace protested. "Lync was always one of the weaker of the Vexos. This shouldn't be this hard. Even with that fancy android…"

"I'm still Vexos", Lync retorted with a smug smirk. "Even a 'weaker' member is still leagues beyond someone like you. At least we are when we're playing for keeps."

"That may have been true once", Ace said. "But it's different now!"

"Please!", Lync scoffed. "You only got relevant once you got on Spectra's bandwagon. Without Spectra calling your shots, you're nothing." He swept his hand. "Even I'm too much for you. Take them down, Altair!"

The avian mech screeched loudly, before charging through the air for Percival workout even bothering with an ability. The speed of his flight was maximized by the power boost the Gate Card granted him. Therefore, Percival found himself entirely too sore to evade the charge.

"I never said you were too much", Ace retorted, knowing full well that there were other options. He placed the appropriate cards inside his gauntlet, and snapped it shut. "Ability Activate! Misty Shadow!"

"Good choice, Ace. We'll show Lync up yet." Percival's body spirit glowed with a faint purple outline, the ability beginning to alter his physiology. He smirked at the incoming Altair, not afraid at all. "Come and get it."

Altair crashed into Percival, his metal body making an excellent projectile in its own right. Yet there was no impact noise, or any impact at all. Altair simply kept flying, like he'd charged through a simple illusion.

Percival was seen, an Altair-shaped hole in his chest, before the rest of his body dissolved and transformed. What was over Percival became a large swarm of dark purple bats.

Percival: 950

Altair: 1300-800=500

Lync gasped. "No way!"

The swarm began charging after Altair bats, picking at every piece of Altair they could. Altair, after analyzing the threat, tried batting them away best it could, but Percival was relentless in his attack. The swarm just evaded Altair's wings and tail, continuing their attack on its main body.

Lync snarled. "No one gets one over on me. Ability Activate! Thunder Booster!"

Altair's body began to glow green once again, except it was a far stronger hue than before. It intensified so much, bolts of green electricity sparked off in all directions. Altair's visor lit up a bright purple, and it let out another screech. The lightning became even more frequent and focused.

Lightning bolts struck the entire swarm, almost entirely simultaneously. With the lighting surging through them, the bats all began to converge back into Percival.

Percival groaned loudly, obviously still affected by the lightning. "I'll admit it. That hurt."

Percival: 950-300=650

Altair: 500+300=800

"Percival!", Ace called.

"Like I said, you're no match for the Vexos", Lync mocked. "This time, when you lose Percival, we're not giving him back!"

Seemingly emboldened by Lync's enthusiasm, Altair redoubled its attack. Lightning surged in every direction, as powerfully as every. It seemed Percival's defeat was sealed.

"That'll never happen!", Ace yelled, loading up his next card. "Ability Activate! Night Explorer!"

Without missing a moment to time, Percival shot up into the air. The lightning missed his body, if only barely.

Then, Percival began to spin himself like a top, picking up speed and momentum with every rotation. The rotations started to pick up wind currents, which began to encircle Percival in the same direction he was spinning. After a moment, Percival lit up a bright purple, igniting the winds around him into a twister of dark energy.

Percival: 650

Altair: 800-300=500

The lightning did strike Percival's tornado, yet the Darkus energy seemed unaffected at best. And Altair was dangerously close to it.

In reaction to the danger, Altair tried to fly away from the twister. But it was already too late; the twister drew in the mechanical Bakugan by its wings. When Altair got too close, the bombardment of Darkus power overwhelmed its defenses.

Altair glowed green and shrunk down to ball form. The ball then shot back to Lync, landing in the snow by the Ventus Vexos.

Lync: 70%

"Ha!", Percival laughed, stopping the spin of his twister. Delaying a moment to show Lync his triumphant smirk, he then shrunk to ball form and returned to Ace's hand.

"Still think I'm nothing?", Ace taunted. "Vexos aren't all they're cracked up to be. That's part of why I want literally nothing to do with you."

"Get off your high horse!", Lync yelled. "You haven't won anything yet, so stop declaring victory!"

"Who said I'm declaring victory?", Ace pressed on. "I know you can still beat me. I also know you won't beat me." He took a card in his left hand and threw it down. "Gate Card, set!"

"Oh, you little twerp!" Lync snarled, holding Altair in his hand. "Wanna make this personal? Okay. It's personal now."

"Bakugan… brawl!" Ace and Lync the their Bakugan at the exact same time. "Bakugan, stand!"

Percival and Altair opened up on Ace's Gate Card and glowed their respective Attribute colors. An instant later, the two Bakugan had assumed their battling forms, glaring each other down.

Percival: 450

Altair: 500

Ace and Lync loaded in their opening cards at the same time, and even announced them in unison. Their gauntlets board with activation simultaneously.

"Ability Activate! Thunder Fire!"

"Ability Activate! Darkus Thunder!"

Altair's body tilted upward and left its underbelly exposed to Percival. Right afterward, Altair's tail pointed at the Darkus Bakugan, reaching underneath Altair's barrier, and crackled with bolts of charging green lightning.

Meanwhile, Percival growled lowly in challenge, not willing to be easily outside by his robotic adversary. "My turn!" He raised his right hand's pointer finger, pointing it straight up in preparation.

Dark clouds began to gather overhead. As they centered above Percival, the clouds started to spark up purple lightning. Then, a single bolt of intense dark energy shot down to Percival, who caught it with the pointer finger of his right hand.

Percival: 450-200+300=550

Altair: 500+200-200=500

The two Bakugan attacked each other at the same time. Altair's tail released the energy it had charged up, and it went in the form of a concentrated green lightning bolt. Percival responded by assuming his pointer finger forward, channeling the purple lightning at Altair as a counter.

The two lightning bolts clashed against each other midair, causing a loud thunderclap. Both the purple and the green energy surges in all directions, dispersing as a result of the two forces countering each other.

Lync covered himself with his arm as green sparks flew past him. "Think you're so clever, huh? I'll show you!" His left arm bent upwards, the gauntlet flashing green. "Ability Activate! Thunder Booster!"

Altair's body began to glow green once again, except it was a far stronger hue than before. It intensified so much, bolts of green electricity sparked off in all directions. Altair's visor lit up a bright purple, and it let out another screech. The lightning became even more frequent and focused.

"I'm taking Percival, now!", Lync yelled. "Altair, attack!"

Altair shrieked loudly, the green bolts becoming less numerous, trading the quantity for higher quality. The fewer bolts not only stretched out longer, they were focused on Percival.

"Bring it on!", Percival taunted, unafraid of the powerful attack. He didn't even try an evasive maneuver.

Green voltage struck Percival several times, the initial impact alone sending green bolts all over the area. It was one of Altair's most powerful attacks, and it hit Percival head on.

Yet Percival didn't even seem phased. He stood in the same position, almost smirking at the attempt. "Is that all?" A purple hue began lifting up over his body. "It's not enough."

"How about this!" Lync pointed at Percival. "Give 'em another shock, Altair!"

Altair followed the directive, sending out more green thunderbolts at Percival. They were as powerful as ever, yet Percival still seemed unaffected at best. Despite all the voltage he was up against, he didn't even need a defensive stance to withstand the power. He outright chuckled. "Not even close!"

"W-what?!" Lync took a step back, in shock. "It can't be!"

"It's Black Maiden." Ace lifted his gauntlet, which was already depositing the card he'd activated. "I nullified your ability. You could keep trying that all day and not get anywhere."

"You've gotta be kidding!", Lync groaned.

"Aren't the Vexos supposed to be the indomitable champions?", Ace mockingly asked. "You're not that powerful, really."

"Well, we'll see about that!" Lync jerked his hand upwards, sending up another green and silver Bakugan. "Stand, Ventus Wired!"

A few moments later, the somewhat simplistic form of the mechanical Ventus Wired appeared. The large beak gazed at Percival, it's eyes glinting purple.

Ace tensed as he processed Lync's escalation into using Bakugan Traps, though not for long. He almost immediately threw upwards a rectangular purple box. "Bakugan Trap, Darkus Falcon Fly!"

Seconds later, Ace's own Trap Bakugan appeared. The oversized purple dragonfly flew speedily into the air, until he was directly above Percival.

(Percival: 550, Falcon Fly: 350)=900

(Altair: 500, Wired: 400)=900

"Just because you've got a Trap, doesn't mean you've closed our power gap!", Lync yelled aggressively. "You're nothing! Ability Activate! Shower Harpoon!"

Wired didn't move at all, but the ability still initiated regardless. Two large orbs of green energy shot from its wings, one orb per wing, and flew straight upwards without any kind of angle.

When the pair of orbs were both high enough, they broke apart into a vast array of lasers, blasting apart and aiming for the Darkus duo of Percival and Falcon Fly.

"Nice try." Ace snapped an ability into place. "Falcon Fly, you're up! Ability Activate! Fly Enemy!"

Falcon Fly hissed at the incoming storm of green lasers, his mouth glowing purple with energy. Before Wired's barrage could get too close, however, Falcon Fly started firing his own barrage of small pellets of purple energy.

Although the pellets were nowhere near the size of the laser storm, any impact between the two still resulted in an explosion powerful enough to wipe out both at once. With this, Falcon Fly didn't stop until each and every one of Wired's lasers were blown up and subsequently neutralized.

(Percival: 550, Falcon Fly: 350+200=550)=1100

(Altair: 500, Wired: 400+200=600)=1100

Lync began gritting his teeth in frustration. "Time to pull out the big guns. Altair, Wired! Combination formation!"

Acting instantly, Wired began to alter its own body. It's wings folded inwards, and it flipped itself upside down. Without any issue, Wired flew on top of Altair, where the tail met with body, and clicked itself into that part of Altair's body.

The fused mechanical Bakugan glared at Percival and Falcon Fly, and screeched at them both with intense volumes. Meta Altair's body began to emit green light as it's fusion generated a massive amount of power.

(Percival: 550, Falcon Fly: 550)=1100

Meta Altair: 1650

Ace's eyes widened as he saw Meta Altair's newly united body, and all the power it gave off. With the 550 power increase against him, he started to feel like the battle was slipping out of his control. 'No. We can't lose this battle. Especially not to him!' "That won't scare us! Gate Card Open! Darkus Reactor!"

The Gate Card that Ace prepared glowed as it went into effect. As the purple rectangle kept up its glow, the rest of the ground was covered up in a dark purple mist that went up to the Vestal's knees. Although neither Darkus Bakugan was touching the mist, they still started up their own purple glow, that were together almost as bright as Meta Altair's.

(Percival: 550+300=850, Falcon Fly: 550+300=850)=1700

Meta Altair: 1650

"That little Gate Card of yours isn't going to save you!", Lync boasted confidently, a single card in his gauntlet. "Time to wipe you out. Ability Activate! Shock Cannon!"

Lync outstretched his left arm, the one holding the gauntlet, and aimed it at the opposing Bakugan. At the nose of Lync's gauntlet, a green holographic targeting screen showed up. The targeting software locked onto the four opponents, transmitting the data to Meta Altair.

Meta Altair's mouth opened up wide, charging the largest amount of green energy yet. The intensity of the energy buildup became so great, Meta Altair's entire body started glowing with the charge.

Ace sucked in a breath, alarmed by the peel attack, before he readied his next ability. "Ability Activate! Tri Gunner!"

Percival quickly thrusted his arms out, keeping them straightened and aiming forward. His head opened up, as did the gauntlets on his wrists that resembled miniature versions of his own head. Within each maw charged up light purple energy, which began to overflow their sources.

(Percival: 850+300=1150, Falcon Fly: 850)=2000

Meta Altair: 1650+500=2150

Meta Altair and Percival stayed like that for a few moments, each one's energy shining away the mist on the ground. After a few moments, the two fired off at the same time. Meta Altair's single mouth shot out a massive green beam, and Percival's three mouths unleashed their purple blasts and let them converge into a single beam.

When the opposing energy blasts met center field, they began a stalemate that maintained itself for a few moments. However, the stalemate was broken as the green energy started pushing itself through the purple energy, and back towards Percival.

"See! You lose!", Lync yelled, highly enthusiastic over his advantage. "No way you'll beat me now!"

"There's this." Ace shrugged as he placed a distinct card in his gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Misty Shadow!"

"NO! NOT THAT ONE!", Lync howled, panicking.

"Yes, this one." Percival grinned with the new ability, canceling his Tri Gunner in the process. Meta Altair's attack rocketed forward, unchallenged, but it was already too late.

Before the attack could reach Percival, however, he began to glow bright purple, his body transforming itself. The distinct features melted away into a cadre of dark purple bats, which began to break away from each other. As Meta Altair's attack blazed past them, the bats continued on to swarm Meta Altair's body.

(Percival: 1150, Falcon Fly: 850)=2000

Meta Altair: 2150-1250=900

Meta Altair began screeching as dozens of bats began picking at it. It's sensors were being overwhelmed with the input, and the bulky mechanical body wasn't quick enough to get away.

"This can't be happening!", Lync yelled, in denial.

"You actually believe that?", Ace ridiculed. "Being on the Vexos doesn't matter. On the battlefield, the only thing that matters is your abilities."

"You're one to talk!", Lync yelled back. "Where would you be without Spectra? At least I made it to the Vexos by myself. If Spectra wasn't holding your hand, where would you be now?!"

"I'd be fighting to free the Bakugan", Ace answered. "I wouldn't have betrayed Mira. Who knows, maybe we'd never have gotten to Earth in the first place." He fixed his gaze on Spectra. "I'll admit it. Spectra showed me where my battling skill was lacking. He showed me how to improve. But I'm done letting his ideology hold its back. The only direction to go now…"

"... is forward!" The bats collected around each other, forming Percival's body directly above Altair. "And you won't stay in the way!" He descended onto the metal Bakugan's back as fast as he could, the power he'd generated denting the metal in the process.

Altair's cries sounded alongside the sound of strained metal, even as Percival drove him into the ground. When Meta Altair impacted, each component had a different reaction.

Wired, who wasn't hit directly by Percival or the ground, got off easy. It split off of Altair and reverted back to ball form. Wired's ball was drizzling with electricity, malfunctioning at the very least as it landed at Lync's feet.

Lync's attention, however, was drawn to Altair. The primary Ventus Bakugan was utterly destroyed, its parts in so many pieces, reverting to ball form was an impossibility. "No… no way…." He glared at Ace's victorious smirk. "You turned Altair into a scrap heap!"

Lync: 0%

Percival and Falcon Fly both have their exclamations of victory, then shrunk down and went back to Ace's hand.

Ace smiled, putting Falcon Fly back in his pocket and placing Percival on his shoulder. "I don't really see much difference", he said nonchalantly. "That thing was junk either way."

Lync flinched. "How'd this guy get so strong?", he whimpered to himself. He shot Ace one last glare, then retreated back to the lab.

When the Vexos representative entered the lab, Ace let out the breath he was holding. "We won. Percival, you were great."

"As were you", Percival replied. "Time to keep moving-"

"What… what happened here?" Alice's shocked voice rang out behind Ace, cutting off his conversation with Percival.

Ace turned around, seeing that the other Darkus battler was dumbfounded at the carnage. Alice's face showed signs of slack, though she mostly kept her composure.

Mere moments ago, she was trying to collect herself after her grandfather had left her know of his condition. Her face was still red with crying. She only went out after feeling several consecutive shockwaves roll through the cabin, only to find Ace amongst a pile of silver and green wreckage.

"What is that?" She waved over at the mechanical wreck littering the field.

"Well, it was Ventus Altair."

'He and Lync battled?', Alice reasoned out, having been frozen for the battle's duration. 'Why would Ace fight this hard, unless…' "You're free from Spectra."

"Knew you'd figure it out", Ace said, smirking. "Gotta hand it to you. Our little talk helped me finally break free. So, thanks."

Alice hesitated. There was still the miniscule possibility that this was another setup from Spectra, but she forced herself to disks that thought as soon as it had come.

For one, Spectra had already done with her what he needed her for, so it wouldn't make sense to waste more time on her.

For another, Ace legitimately destroyed Lync's Bakugan. While Spectra was more than callous enough to order Altair's destruction to help Ace lower her guard, Alice knew that Lync would never go along with it.

Meaning, in all likelihood, they were once again on the same side.

"You're welcome." Alice held out a hand to shake, and Ace acquiesced.

When they let go, Ace went on. "Still, I need another favor."

"Name it."

Ace put a hand in his pocket, drawing a rectangular card that Alice was very familiar with. "Can you get me over to wherever the other Brawlers are?"

Alice reached out gingerly, taking the card off of Ace. Examining it a bit led her to the conclusion that it was the very transporter card that Spectra had taken from her. "I'll get you to Wardington."

"Then we'll all work together to free Drago." Ace raised a thumb.

"No." Alice shook her head. "I… I can't. You weren't in control of your actions, but I was. I could've chosen to protect Dan and Drago, and this all happened because I didn't. They'd never forgive me this soon."

Ace chuckled at the word choice. "I honestly do understand." He held up a hand to stop her protest. "I know I wasn't in control when I betrayed Mira, but that's not what it feels like. Can you honestly tell me that you didn't feel 'in control' when you were Malice?"

Alice paused, considering the question. She didn't like thinking about that brief time in that way, but Ace… wasn't wrong. After Spectra "convinced" her, she seemed to have made her own choices.

"I did feel in control", Alice admitted aloud.

"So you can understand where I'm coming from", Ace continued. "I know what it feels like to betray your closest friends. It's all I can do to hope and pray Mira will forgive me. And that's all you can do, too." He held up a hand. "So, why don't we both beg for forgiveness?"

Alice took his hand, but shook her head in denial. "You felt like you were in control, but you weren't. You didn't have a choice, and you ran away when you did. I had the choice. And I made the wrong one." She brandished her card. "I'll get you as close to Mira as I can, but I won't stay. I need to think things over by myself."

Ace nodded, before noticing something odd. It was harder to tell in the cold and end, but Alice seemed to have tear marks. "You okay? How's the old ma- er… Michael?"

"He's resting", Alice whispered, her voice hollow. Alice went on before Ace could detect her lie, and act on it. "Let's get going." Her card began to glow, taking both Darkus battlers away from the area.

XXX

On another section of the planet, three humans and one Vestal were all at work in Wardington's main park. The tension was thick between them all.

Dan Kuso was on his feet, breathing hard after some harsh rounds of Bakugan battling. Runo was standing behind him, agonist ready to catch Dan should he begin to drop.

Standing opposite them were Mira and Julie, and neither of them were nearly as worn down as Dan Kuso was.

But that only made sense. Not only was this Dan's second battle of the day, which was ensured to be mentally exhausting, he was battling with a Bakugan and Attribute he had no experience in. It combined into a nearly prefect storm of exhaustion.

After a few more seconds, Dan started to drop, losing energy by the second. Luckily, Runo rushed up and helped him stand back up.

"Okay. You're done", Runo declared. "No more battling today, Dan."

Dan wanted to protest. He had to work hard to win Drago back, after all. But he had to know his limits, and he couldn't even stand up without help.

"Guess you're right", Dan said tiredly. "Time to call it a day."

"Agreed", Mira said. She and Dan took off their gauntlets, eliminating the possibility of more battle, before beginning a slow walk back to Dan's house.

"At least you've got some skill", Leonidas said. "Still, we've got to get a lot better than this."

"I know", Dan agreed. They would've kept going, but the group was blinded by a sudden flash of light. It came out of nowhere, and disappeared as soon as it came.

They all recognized that light, especially Leonidas. He turned to where the light came from, snarling violently. "You've got some nerve, showing your face now- wait… what are you doing here?" A closer look told him it wasn't his orange haired ex-partner, but a mint haired Vestal male he also knew, on some level.

"Ace?", Mira gawked, shocked at his appearance. "What? How? Why?"

Ace turned his head to Mira and bowed it. He was very thankful that Alice had kept her word. "I came to apologize. Apologize for everything I've done under Spectra."

"Whoa, wait a minute. Who's this guy again?", Julie asked.

"He's Ace. My boyfriend", Mira said. "The one Spectra brainwashed into his second lap dog."

"I'm not his lap dog anymore", Ace said. "I came here to help. However I can."

"How can we trust this?", it pained Mira to be so skeptical, but she had to be sure. "This wouldn't be the first time Spectra used you to lure me into a trap."

Ace nodded, remembering that day. It was one of the worst days of his life, if he was being honest. But he had to find a way to prove he wasn't that guy anymore. Suddenly, it came to him. "Percival's awake now. Percival?"

Percival opened up on his shoulder. "I broke free the instant that Ace did."

Mira nodded - that was a definite point in his not being brainwashed. But she wasn't completely convinced yet. She looked Ace right in the eye for a few seconds, finding nothing but regret, righteous anger, and hope.

Mira smiled. "It's… it's good to have you back, Ace."

"Good to be back."

Dan walked up to Ace. "Great. Glad you're on our side now." He started guiding Ace to his home, and the group kept moving. "We'll restart training tomorrow. I'll be fighting Spectra for Drago soon."

Ace suddenly looked very worried. "Alone? No, that won't work."

"Why not?", Runo said. "If it's because Dan doesn't have a Bakugan to battle with-"

"That's not the problem", Ace interrupted, a wild look in his eyes. "I don't think any Bakugan could take Drago back alone. Except maybe Hydranoid."

"Ace…." Mira's face went serious. "What do you know?"

Ace took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, and began to tell them:

XXX

"Spectra wasn't just trying to get Drago for his raw power. He's developed an interest in the Perfect Core energy that Drago commands."

Back in the Gehabich lab, Spectra and Gus were eagerly observing Pyrus Drago, as their machine continued to shock him in a most painful manner. Lync's defeat, which he'd reported to them, was casually disregarded by them both.

Drago was still in agony, his body screaming in protest as electric tendrils wore down what little stamina he had left. With his body drained of all fight, there was nothing left to stop him from calling the Perfect Core. "No…", he groaned, knowing he'd lost.

His ball form suddenly lit up a bright multicolor, outshining the sun in brightness. The pain he'd felt immediately receded to tolerable levels,but he was miserable. He knew he'd just lost.

Spectra's grin grew maniacally as he and Gus began working the controls. Gus quickly isolated the gene in Drago's new genetic makeup that was compatible with the Perfect Core, and smirked when he succeeded. "I've done it, Master Spectra. We finally have what we need."

"Excellent, Gus." Spectra stopped working as well, as he'd also accomplished his objective. Drago's Perfect Core glow receded, the glow draining to a nearby container.

"What's… no!"

"They'll take that energy, claim the power, subvert it however they can for their own purposes… no matter the consequences."

Spectra looked at the container, transfixed as the contained Perfect Core energy began to darken. Bright multicolor corroded away to a neon purple, that seemed to emit a taboo kind of energy.

"Fascinating." Spectra was amazed by the transformation. "It seems that, without Drago as a catalyst, the Perfect Core energy shifts into this." He took Drago's ball off the dish, and put it near the container. "I wonder… what would happen if I give you this energy back, Drago."

Drago tried to struggle, but it was useless. He knew that the now purple energy had come from him; he also knew he didn't want it back. The energy had already corrupted into something foul. Evil. Forbidden. "No, don't-!"

"A wonderful idea, Master Spectra", Gus said. "Let's find out."

"After they get what they need from step, he'll be expandable to them… or worse."

Spectra missed in agreement, and dropped Drago onto the container. As soon as he made contact, the foul energy started flooding back into him, causing him to scream incoherently in pain.

Yet the painful cries weren't the most interesting part. His ball form started to shift color. The head, feet and lower winds changed from red to black. His pained cries devolved into animalistic howls, and further altered into titanic roars.

Spectra remained transfixed as he saw Drago's change. And he saw, once it was done, that there was still plenty of energy to store for later. "What an amazing discovery we've come across." He took Drago back, careful not to directly touch the container. "I wonder what you can do now, Drago." The Dragonoid gave no response, intelligent or otherwise. He simply remained there, in ball form.

"He's a madman who has to be stopped. If we can't get Drago back… he'll inevitably become invincible."

XXX

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

LEGOBRICK13: Such a battle was implied in this chapter, if not done outright. Not to worry, though. More training that will actually be shone is to come.

Enigmus-288: To clarify, Supernova Helios is what happened when Helios's genetic evolution was "impaired" by absorbing a foreign energy. Orbit Helios is the natural evolution, what Helios would've evolved to if he would've grown at his own pace.

Tony Anderson: I'll see what I can do about that link.

Until next time, goodbye!