From Depths We Rise

by Insane Dominator

1 year has passed since Dan and the Battle Brawlers saved the universe, and when things were serene, a new group of Bakugan players are sent to New Vestroia when a dimensional interference forces them to meet each other. Caught in the crossfire with aliens seeking resources, Luke, Abis Omega, and new friends must fight using unlikely odds if they're to save all from extinction.

12. Deja Vu

Maggie slumped into her seat. "Oh man, this sure stinks." She sighed.

"Tell me about it." Shuji snorted. "First we see Luke get wrecked out of nowhere, and now this other jerk pops out of nowhere and wrecks our one way home."

"Hey, that wasn't my fault!" Luke retorted angrily.

"Luke's right, guys. Give it a break." Shawn defended. To his relief, Shuji backed off and slumped into his seat tiredly. "That guy just came out of nowhere. What is it about him?"

"The question here is what he wanted, and if he got it." Esther intervened. She glanced down to her shoulder. "Atchibee, what do you think?"

Atchibee popped open on her shoulder. "This mystery is beyond me."

Atmos looked down at the table. "Indeed. We have yet to piece together what Rogue Zero has truly had in mind, and now we have someone added into this puzzle. The pieces at this point just aren't conclusive."

Jase folded his arms with eyes shut. "Well let's take a moment and think from the basics."

"Agreed." Riaan said. "These situations require reflection. You better take note, Luke."

Lazily getting his head up, Luke looked at Riaan. As tired as he was – let alone angry at his loss – from earlier, he had to buck up at this time. He complied and watched with a nod as Jase adjusted his glasses, again.

"Now then, let's see what we have out in front of ourselves. Rogue Zero is an unknown terrorist group that seems to have quite the versatile profile. Since we didn't hear cheers nor scorns from the crowds in Thermosphere, we can deduce that they are well respected individuals. Yet they also appear to have more clandestine approaches to their objectives."

"Why's that you think?" Shuji wondered.

"I think it's obvious that it's those forbidden cards." Fly Beetle deduced.

"Correct. These abilities not only seemed to have altered their Bakugan to maximum levels at their current stages of evolution, but with this massive energy release with each use, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell if this is a life hindrance or a muscle, which gets stronger with every use. If I can guess, I say they experiment in this manner rather than allow public to dirty their own hands."

Esther put a hand to her chin. "That would make sense. If they saw forbidden abilities often, they'd get suspicious." She turned towards Shuji and Maggie, who were nearby. "Shuji. Maggie. Did Killian ever use his forbidden card on you?"

Maggie shook her head vigorously. "Nope, not me. Right Jelldon?" She looked down towards the Pyrus Bakugan, who nodded.

"And you, Shuji?"

The Subterra battler shrugged. "Yeah, once. Pretty much that was the only time he seemed to be serious though."

"Then they seem to be operating also under public health." Jase deduced. "Whether this is a restriction or a moral subject they have is debatable, but if they have been keeping forbidden cards secret for others' sake, then it wouldn't be farfetched to believe they may be hiding other secrets – secrets of which seemed to have piqued a certain someone's interests perhaps?"

Upon getting the reference, Luke's head shot up. "Huh? But wait, how id that guy find out about the cards then? That doesn't make sense."

"Makes you wonder if there's another source o information out there perhaps." Abis Omega suggested.

"That could be my theory. Furthermore, the fact that he also went as far as disrupt the battle and focus on destroying a portal can mean that whoever our acquaintance was happens to have some form of inkling with how transportation goes."

Shuji folded his arms, raising a brow in question. "So, what's that mean? You're saying boxing us in also stops Rogue Zero's means of getting around?"

"Right." Jase nodded. "So, in retrospect, I think the alternative way must have been a setup."

"A what?" Luke shot up in his seat, outraged at the prospect. "You mean we were doomed to fail from the start?!"

Before things got out of hand, Riaan stepped in the center calmly. "Don't go putting words into your mouth that you can't say, Luke." He looked towards the others. "All of you. Perhaps this was indeed a trap we walked right into, but I alone am to blame for this. I know Rogue Zero had its reasons, but in the end, this is nobody's fault. If anything, consider it a fate best left avoided in your case."

Esther folded her arms and closed her eyes to think about Riaan's voice of reason. She held her tongue for some time, before she finally let up. "…alright then, so then it's back to square one then." She stated.

"It would seem that way." Atchibee responded. "So how do you suppose we handle this problem now?"

"Oh! Oh!" Maggie shot her hand up with hopeful eyes. She looked like a child who knew the answer to her teacher. "I know a good plan!"

Shawn looked at her with surprise. "You do?"

Maggie nodded. "Mhm! And it's so simple that even Shuji can follow it without question."

Shuji raised a fist, which had veins popping out. "Why you little…!"

"Well I sure hope it doesn't involve anything like sliding down a vent again." Jelldon advised. "I don't think I'm mentally ready for something like that again."

Maggie winked. "It might."

Jelldon cringed.

She giggled. "Don't worry, silly. All I'm saying is that we do the same as well did before. We can do that again, right?"

Esther blinked. "Maggie, are you suggesting…?"

"We go to the core again and shut everything down?" Shawn finished.

Maggie nodded. "Yup, siree!"

The others took a second to look at the options that were put on them. They had more than enough time to reconsider what it was that they've deciphered, and from the looks of it all, it seemed that Maggie was indeed having another point made. With all of their consideration of finding ways home, they were beginning to digress from another important thing. When Jase looked down to Atmos, the message became quite clear.

After a strong silence, Jase nodded in understanding. "Well Maggie, I can't exactly say your idea isn't the worst, but it's not disagreeable."

The 12-year-old chuckled. "Hehehe, I knew you'd all agree."

Shawn shrugged. "That works with me. We don't have many options to go off of."

Riaan looked at the group with a sense of shock rising. "Are you all so sure about this?" he questioned. "If I remember well, our plan was to return to home first."

Jase frowned with a raised brow. "Well of course we didn't forget, but do you happen to know another interdimensional transport device?" His snark left Riaan with a furrowed brow. "Exactly."

"Master Riaan." Shawn stood up, standing against him with upmost respect. "We still agree getting home is a priority, but the teleporter is broken. If push came to shove. We all would've hopped in when we had the chance."

"And why didn't you?"

"Because some of us still consider what comes first." Esther argued.

Riaan again shot her a look. "And you're saying your own safety isn't priority?"

Luke watched as his master argued. He was looking more conflicted than before. He was all for helping the Bakugan, but at the same time knew that it was all dangerous. Still, when he thought about Rogue Zero, something inside of him was making his fist ball. This made Abis look at him.

"I have my priorities as well." Riaan continued. "I said this before, and that is to make sure Luke makes it back in one piece. And to be honest, I'd rather not be the one to feel guilty knowing that even a little girl was misplaced." He shot a look at Maggie, who puffed her cheeks out in retort.

"Who're you calling a little girl?" she pouted.

"I know this may be seen as selfish, but I'm speaking my mind for your sakes. If you remember, Rogue Zero has those abilities that even Luke was having trouble against." He didn't notice that behind him, Luke's fist were balling tighter. "If I say we should focus on regrouping then-"

"Then it would be running."

All of the attention went towards Shawn. Everyone looked towards him with slight surprise at his outburst against his master. Even Luke stopped for a moment to gaze at him.

"Master Riaan, I don't want to argue about this anymore than you do, but at this point, I've gotta know why you're so against us helping the Bakugan. If this is all about Luke's safety, then you can forget it. He's already been exposed to enough of this as he is."

"Which is all the more reason why I say the line should be drawn here." He reasoned.

"But you also taught us to always find a way around a battle." Shawn reasoned. "This battle has gotten out of hand, yes, but the fact is we're in too deep now. If Rogue Zero can't be counted on, then the act of a peaceful approach to this isn't the option. If they want a battle to decide the Bakugan, or anything for that matter, then it's like declining a sword fight. And what happens when you don't draw your sword?"

Riaan narrowed his eyes. "Shawn…"

A hand smacked the table hard, making a loud sound that alerted everyone there to turn towards Luke. They all looked at him as he was standing up with a shaking fist raised. His eyes were shrouded by his thick head of red hair, making it hard to see what it was he was feeling. "This is all stupid…"

"Luke…" Esther muttered.

"Master…I wanna go back with you, I really do…" In Luke's shuddering form, his head whipped up, showing a green glare of anger. "But they gotta pay! I won't be satisfied until we see this through and we can go back without having to worry later on ever again!"

"You're letting your emotions get the better of you, Luke." Riaan said. "This is not how a warrior behaves."

"But you taught me to always find a way, right Master?! There's gotta be a way! And if we can't go home first, then let's get these guys then and find a Bakugan after that can take us home! They can do that, right?"

Jase adjusted his glasses. "Well, more accurately, Gundalian and Neathian Bakugan can."

"Then we won't give up finding a way like we are now! Please, Master!"

Riaan glared down at his pupil, seeing the look of uncertainty in Luke's eyes. It was taking him everything he had to keep himself in check, but his labored breathing meant a big deal that he was getting gutsy against his superior – something Luke from before never did. He looked around him, seeing everyone giving their own looks of willingness. In the end, his decisions were outweighed, much to his own dismay. When he looked back at Luke, who seemed to be shaking still, he frowned heavily.

"Is this really what you want?"

Luke shakily nodded. "Y-Yes!"

Riaan took in a deep breath, then finally sighed heavily in defeat. "…well if this is what you see, then I have no choice but to follow you from behind." He answered.

Luke's eyes widened in shock, a smile creeping onto his face. "You mean, you're gonna help us free the Bakugan?"

"It's not like arguing any further will help any of us. I still say that it's in our best interests to find a way home, but for now, since you seem so intent on this, we'll deal with the present matter and getting Rogue Zero to quell."

Maggie pumped her own fist. "Alright!"

Shawn nodded with a smiled. "Now that's the Master Riaan I know."

Shuji snickered with delight. "Yeah! About time we get a plan of action and send these creeps packing!"

"I second that." Fly Beetle replied.

Riaan sighed at the jovial attitudes going about. "But don't think I'm doing this because I want to, Luke, understand? I'm doing this so I can watch you and make sure nothing happens, are we clear?"

"Yes, sir!" Not minding the bodyguard tactic, he smiled wider and pumped his fists.

Jase snickered at everyone finally having a mutual agreement. "Well now, seems we've come to an understanding, Sir Riaan."

Riaan turned towards him. "So it would seem."

Jase turned towards the window, trying to look out at the domain that was the riverway they dared almost got killed from climbing. Of course, with it being so dark out and the Trailer's lights on, all he saw was his and everyone else's reflections in the window. "Enlighten me if you must, but I'm wondering something. If you've been here in Troposphere, then that must mean you know a majority of the angles and directions around, do you not?"

"If you are implying I know where the core might be, I can tell you now that even I am not 100% certain of its location." He defended.

Jase didn't look away. "But you still have an idea of where it might be, yes?"

Riaan nodded. "That I can say for certain. I've managed to find a map and directions around Troposphere. The majority of the populace and its locations have nothing but waterways as streets, making transportation by boat the fastest means. However, because of the water, there's no solid nor enough ground for the core to be aboveground."

Shawn folded his arms in deep thinking. "I see, so it's underground again."

"But there's no high towers like Troposphere had." Verias pointed out. "If I remember, that was the only way in and out, right?"

Maggie slumped back into her seat, budging it a little with her weight. "Aw, geez. Back to square one, again~."

"Not so." Jase intervened. "Stop and think for a moment."

Shuji raised a hand up. "Yeah, sorry buddy, but I'm out of that stuff."

Jase sighed at the little help provided by Shuji. "Well then picture this: This rock we climbed is rather deep, is it not? Wouldn't it be right to assume that the core is at the center and buried deep?" He allowed a moment to pass to have the group apparent to think and picture the whole thing. "This city also happens to run on a large sum of water, and for it to be recycled for clean usage for the population, it's also believed to have a filter system. And what's one filter system we all know might be familiar with?" Of course he knew well of where this was going, and he was smirking because of the implication.

The others stopped to think about what it was that he was implying. There was no filter like the ventilation ducts they went through back in Thermosphere, but that setback lead them to believe something that sent a chill up a few spines. The answer soon came to some, and they didn't like it one bit.

"The sewers?!" Maggie lurched. "Ewwww!"

"That would make sense." Esther reasoned. "Sewers run on for miles underground. They run on channels and head into a few passageways that also require a lot of tunnels for folk to come down from."

"And there might be a tunnel that can lead to the core down there." Shawn deduced.

Shuji kicked his feet up and sat back in his seat, hands behind his head like a cushion. "Well, looks like we know what we're doing tomorrow…" He looked up towards the ceiling, his face starting to pale in discomfort over the gross approach. "But…seriously…"

"We'll probably need someone to stay behind again, right?" Shawn as Jase.

The Ventus battler nodded. "More or less. We must take precautions as before. Now that Rogue Zero is fully aware of us, we'll be needing more of us to stay guard." He turned towards Riaan, seeing him look at him back. "Please excuse me candor, if you will, but Riaan, do you happen to be familiar with anything around the city where we can otherwise draw ourselves?"

The swordsman put a hand to his chin, thinking deeply in retrospect of what possibilities there were. "Hmmm…" When he caught onto something, he gasped. "Now that you mention, there is an event coming up that is sure to draw Rogue Zero there as well."

"Really?" Maggie gasped. "What is it?"

He turned towards everyone. "Well, it's not exactly good news."

"Why am I not surprised?" Abis scoffed.

"I've heard of TWB back when Thermosphere was in New Vestroia. Coincidentally, there is a battle system here in Troposphere as well that I just recently have been looking into. You've explained before that the core in Thermosphere relies on battle energy, right? Well, it would make sense if the schematics ran for here as well."

Jase sat a wrist against his hip, looking at him with a raised brow. "How interesting of you to piece that together. And here I thought I had this figured out." He snickered at his own comment, adjusting his glasses in the process. "How ambiguous."

"However, there's a catch here." He added. "I'm not sure what the rules are in Thermosphere, but here it just recently came up with a new dynamic. More accurately, the way the battle is aligned. The competition relies on a daily switch."

"What does that mean?" Maggie wondered.

"Every other day, they host a small tournament just in the far north. The tournament's base also doubles at a lighthouse at night, so in retrospect, the battle energy supplies power to the core and generates light to last a whole day. The tournaments for the day work in syllables, or rather it makes it every other day a different rule."

"And was today an off-day?" Esther questioned.

"Thankfully, yes. That means there will be a new all-day tournament tomorrow, and from the released information, well…" He took another moment to gather his thoughts, and allow the group to wait for what it was that he was to say. "…it's a Tag Team Battle, meaning two of you will be battling together."

Hearing this made the group shocked.

"A Tag Team Battle?" Esther questioned.

"Sounds like a fickle trap to me." Atchibee prodded. "That would leave us twice as vulnerable as we were before."

"Not to mention the last time we pulled that off." Shawn noted. "If anything like last time happened, then odds are maybe Rogue Zero had already told the officials to ban us. That is, if they didn't already."

Jase closed his eyes, folding his arms as his chin went downwards. "…no, that can't be the case." Everyone looked towards him now with some sense of wonder. "If Rogue Zero did in fact anticipate us, they would've done something more drastic, such as set up a barrier so we humans couldn't get inside the confines of the city. I think this is their way of letting us walk in with their front door open."

Shawn meekly scoffed at the insight. "Well aren't we so special."

"That indeed." Jase chuckled.

Verias faced everyone. "This seems like a haughty gambit, but we don't have much of a choice it seems. We'll be needing two of us again for the tournament, while the rest of us find ways to get to the core. That's how I see it." He surmised.

Luke stepped up again, this time showing excitement. "Okay then, let me have a go!"

Everyone again was surprised at the boldness displayed. "You, Luke?" Shawn questioned.

"That's pretty bold of you." Maggie scoffed.

"Yeah, what's with the sudden volunteer?" Jelldon questioned.

Luke looked down at his fist, seeing it ball with intensity. The more he thought about Maximus, the more he thought about the fear he was facing constantly, the angrier he got. "I wanna show just how much stronger I've become. If I can get to Rogue Zero this way, it's taking two on at once…they gotta pay. And Abis Omega and I won't lose this time if there's water around now."

The group can see the fire in Luke's eyes, but the blaze was more like a backfire. It wasn't in their best interests to guess why Luke felt the way he did now, but they were aware – by personality traits – that this was again about getting back at them.

Shawn shrugged with a smile. "Good grief."

Jase smirked as well. "Well, I suppose a change in lineup would throw them for a loop." He looked towards Maggie and Shuji. "Maggie, Shuji, would it be alright with you?"

The Pyrus battler chirped with a nod. "Sure. I wanna see just what Luke can do now."

"Tch, man is this gonna suck." Shuji sneered.

"Hey, watch it! I'm doing my part for the team here!" Luke testified.

Shawn stepped up from the side. "Okay, if Luke's doing this, then so am I."

"Now hold on."

Shawn turned towards Riaan, seeing his master and teacher with an inquired expression. "What is it?" he asked.

"No offense, Shawn, but it's not that I disagree that you and Luke are a good team. Rather, I'm more concerned with the liability issue here."

Shawn's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"If Luke wants to defend himself now, then let him prove his medley. I can see he's a capable battler, but I also need someone beside me who I can trust. If that's okay with you, of course." He turned towards Jase. "Jase, I think you should be the one to volunteer as well."

Jase didn't look at all surprised. "Is that so?"

"Huh?! W-wait a second, Master! I don't need a babysitter!" Luke argued.

"But you still need someone of intelligence up overhead." He reasoned. "I have information on the city, and if I'm not mistaken, the Colonel here has experience with the B.I.F. It wouldn't be unwise to consider that fighting two of Rogue Zero requires your offense and someone for defense. It's common battle knowledge."

Luke looked down at his feet, his hopes dashed with what he had in mind. "W-well…" He would've reasoned, but he had all the fight out of him when he declared to stay when all else failed. Ultimately, he sighed in defeat. "Fine."

Riaan looked towards Shawn. "Shawn, is that alright with you?"

The Haos battler gave him a look. "Don't get me wrong, I think Luke could definitely have some backup…" He looked at Luke again. "But I see what you mean. Jase."

"Yes?" He turned towards the blonde.

"Watch out for Luke. He can be a real handful."

The Colonel smirked mischievously, chuckling at a low volume. "Duly noted."

"G-Guys!" Luke cried out in embarrassment.

Jase grinned towards him. "Now, now, Luke. Calm down. Think of this as a team building exercise. Besides, your master does bring up a few good points. An intelligence of our caliber on equal footing can be of some help." He reasoned. "And also…" he looked at Esther. "You two seem to have a nasty habit of finding trouble together."

Luke's face flushed red. "What the hell are you saying?!"

Esther kept a straight face, despite how embarrassing it was. "…if it'll benefit the team, I can allow this."

"Hey! Just who're you to call me your property!"

"Her, apparently." Maggie snickered.

Grabbing his head and ruffling his hair, the frustrated Luke gritted his teeth in anger and frustration. Everyone either laughed or snickered at his immature expense.

---

With the plans having been formulated, the group had chosen to retire for the time being. It was another long, and once again, very complicated day. There was a lot that happened that even Shawna and Jase had to process, and frankly, no one could blame them for what they can perceive as a lack of tolerance for more questions. Of course, since time was short for the night, others were already sound asleep. Esther and Maggie had already went to bed, and Shuji was laying on his side, snoring wide and loud to mistake for a trash compactor. It was a miracle that Fly Beetle was able to fall asleep so leisurely.

With it being dark in the hallway, a closet slid open, revealing Riaan with a frown. He remained ever so casual as he scrolled through the cabinets and racks. He was trying to find some sheets he could use to sleep on, but with the beds already being occupied at their maximum, he had nowhere else to sleep but Luke and Shawn's room. He didn't mind really, and he most certainly didn't look the part. He can handle them both, but Luke wasn't exactly the light sleeper.

"I trust that you found them, right?"

Once grabbing his folded sheets, Riaan turned away from the closet towards the voice. Standing there like a silent ghost was Jase, and he was as ever so unexpressive as could be. "Jase, you startled me." He admitted.

He smirked. "Did I?" he snickered. "Sorry, wasn't my intention to be so naughty."

Riaan shared his own means of chuckling. "Were you just on your way from the bathroom perhaps?"

Jase adjusted his glasses. "Yes. I was just about to turn in. I do hope bunking with your students won't be deemed as crossing unwanted boundaries."

Riaan shook his head. "It's no trouble, really. The only issue here is getting Luke to get up in the morning." Once again, a smug tease fell between the two adults. They looked at each other is a distilled silence, whereas the nighttime river flow seeped from outside. Their pause was swept with the current, and Riaan frowned at the Ventus battler. "Colonel…"

"Yes?"

"I'll have to apologize once again for my behavior before. It wasn't my attention to be so against the idea of leaving Bakugan like this. I was just being selfish is all."

Jase's expression didn't seem to fade at all. "It's not like that's anything new we haven't gone through."

"Hmph. I suppose so."

"But you know, I can't lie when I say I do hold some form of query for you."

"And do you hold this true for Luke and Shawn as well?"

Jase turned towards the window looking out at the nighttime sky. "The ever-consistent questioning can only be answered with so many verbal answers that in the end, it may just be seemed fruitless. We can debate about it until morning, but that's just running around the base. Admitting that we don't truly trust each other is a start." His gaze went towards the patio and railing outside. "A soldier can question the trust of his superior and his own followers, but their own judgment is what matters. And even that holds no tongue to the voice of action."

"I see." Riaan turned away, looking intrigued but not showing it to Jase. "You hold yourself high in my regards of wisdom, Jase. So you admit you don't trust me, and yet you still agree to battle alongside Luke. Why is that?"

"Well it's not like I don't have any personal motif of my own." Jase pointed out. "If I'm being honest, I'd allow others who can handle their own concerns to do just that."

"…but Luke is incapable, is what you are saying?"

Jase closed his eyes in low guilt. "It's not that decisions are his strong point, but he has yet to have a guiding hand of his own. Personally, I think your decisions are the ones who he shows the most respect to."

Riaan grieved in a sigh of his own. "So then I take it this is beyond trust and babysitting, am I right?"

"I'd prefer to refrain from comments that could harbor our cooperation if possible…but about yourself…"

"You think I have another motive other than making sure lives make it out?" Riaan's tone was more along the kinds that perceive in defense of their own actions. "A guardian is someone who is willing to keep the prosperity of those who he governs. Military and arms that you bare is a show of confliction. Shows of powers like those give off the wrong impression, and in my case, home is a place where I prefer to not see soldiers overshadow a guardian."

"And what's home to you?"

The question caught Riaan by surprise. "Beg your pardon?"

"You seem to be quite fond of 'home', wherever it may be. Are you really that attached to it that you would go so far as to consider everything else nothing but ill-respect?"

Riaan shot him a calm look, but underlying that was slight anger. "Of course not. I hold my regards well for others and their own paths. If they had their own way, then let a guardian guide them to that path."

"And what's the difference between a guardian and a soldier? They both protect, don't they?"

"If you're getting personal with this, then I understand. To me, a guardian is willing to make the choices he makes, even at the lives of others. I'm sure the Battle Brawlers Dan and Drago rings bells, do they not?" He turned ahead to look out towards the stars, seeing them twinkle vibrantly. "They saved the universe, and at the cost of whatever it was they had to give in order to do so. They protected us; they're guardians. They are not soldiers who were told to do so and risked themselves for others simply because of destiny or what others told them otherwise. If the world they created and shaped is what they see fit to protect, and are willing to make the tough choices for better, then that, in my opinion, is a guardian. A home."

Jase fell silent at his words, but even he looked intrigued. Slowly, a half-grin crossed his face. "…interesting." He muttered. "That's quite a philosophy."

"We both want to protect a world worth saving, and whatever lives we want to share it with. But I'm carving my own path, one day at a time. I just wish Luke can try and be his own guardian, otherwise he'll be nothing more than a mindless soldier."

"We'll keep that in mind."

As both wise men were talking, they were unaware that the doors weren't exactly soundproof. The nearest door just on the left pass the closet was Luke and Shawn's room. Luke and Abis Omega were already sound asleep, but leaning against the wall, Shawn had his arms folded, frowning at his Master's spoken philosophy. In a way, he had something in the back of his saying something felt off, and he aimed to find out what.

---

Morning soon arose in the New Vestroia world. The morning was met with the serene flow of water flowing like gentle streams throughout the land. The island and city alike was alive and refreshed. Like filtered nutrients taken in, it was breakfast that fueled everyone for the day. The last of their rations was all that they had let, and like that, they were to thrive on what energy they had left.

After breakfast and hygiene purposes, everyone reconvened in front of the Trailer, where there, they began to discuss.

Shuji belched, signaling his fine breakfast. "Man, well that sure wasn't a letdown!" he laughed.

"Shuji, what do you say?" Maggie scolded in a motherly tone.

The Subterra battler did an eyeroll and looked annoyed. "Ugh, fine. Excuse me."

"Better."

"Now then, it seems we're all settled and rested, are we?" Jase looked over the group, seeing how they all looked to be having some shuteye.

Luke stepped up, ready for the operation. "Yeah, I'm good. So, we ready or what?"

Riaan chuckled at Luke's enthusiasms. "Well Luke, I'm surprised you're really into this? Did you really get rest?"

Luke looked at his master with a raised brow. "Master, of course I did!"

Again, he chuckled. "Relax, no need to get so worked up." He looked towards Shawn. "And you, Shawn, are you well?"

The Haos battler nodded. "As well as I can be."

"Excellent, then we shall begin the mission at once."

Esther turned towards the city, seeing the populace all ready to go and looking to be up and about. "It looks like we'll have to be just as careful as we were in Thermosphere. If not more so."

"You really think the sewers are such a good idea?" Maggie grimaced about going into somewhere so dirty, not to mention the stench could make her puke. Just the thought of it was unsettling her stomach. "Uh, i-is it too late to switch places?"

Shuji moved to her side, bumping her arm with his elbow. He had a smug look on his face. "What's the matter? Can't handle a little raw sludge?" Now it was his turn to finally poke fun at Maggie, and he was savoring every bit of it.

She looked at him with another pouty face. "No! I am not afraid of sludge! Nothing can possibly be grosser than you!"

"Say what?!" Shuji glared down at Maggie at her own defense. The two were gritting their teeth with red and brown electricity colliding from their laser glares.

"Oh geez, it's too early for this." Fly Beetle groaned.

"Uh, n-now just calm down…" Jelldon tried to ease up the two, but being a nervous peacemaker really wasn't going so well. As that happened in the background, the others started to discuss the matter further.

"We'll make sure to keep in touch in case anything happens." Esther said. "We can use our Bakumeters, same as before."

"It's unlikely that there'll be much security within the sewers." Jase explained. "You all should be able to get by, at least until you reach the core. Expect some resistance."

"More accurately, Rogue Zero perhaps." Shawn deduced.

"Precisely."

Luke stepped up with confidence. "Well I say I'm ready to kick their asses! Where do we go from here?"

Jase folded his arms behind his back and looked down at his partner in crime. "We'll have to head to the battle colosseum. It doubles as the lighthouse as I presume correctly from the debriefing." He looked northward, noticing something large up on the far side of the city. It was so far back at night that it couldn't be seen before, but now they can see what looked like a large dome-shaped domain with a prolonged top, much like a radio tower. At the tiptop, see could see a white orb still shimmering weakly.

"So that doubles as a beacon at night." Esther deduced.

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Riaan said. "However, the energy they use here is supposed to be less than frequent than Thermosphere. This place also uses water as a means of low energy conservation, so they don't rely on battle energy as often as needed."

Shawn folded his arms. "So then that's how it works out."

"Evidently. We'll enter the sewer when the coast is clear. Then, when we find the right tunnel, we'll take course from there." Riaan turned towards Jase and Luke. "In the meantime, we can count on you to make a name for yourselves in the arena, can we not?"

Jase adjusted his glasses. "Rest assured, I'll make sure that if anything goes wrong, you'll be sure to know." He turned towards Luke. "Now Luke, are you ready?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah I am. I wanna get ready as soon as possible!"

"Well I say quit yacking and not lacking!" Abis Omega retorted. "Rogue Zero, you better hope you sleep well after tonight, because this time we're not running off."

"Evermore, Abis. Evermore." Atmos preached.

The groups gave one last parting towards the other as they went their separate way. Luke and Jase hurried off towards the northern side, where the sun was beaming at his and Jase's backs. Meanwhile, Esther's group was taking the western ways. The two groups walked together north until they reached the same spot as they did last night before the mystery fellow bumped into them. With nods, they all chose to part, with Jase and Luke taking the bridge north, and the others turning the corner. As they all split up, they were unaware of the certain someone who was tailing behind a few pedestrians some ways away. He seemed to be minding his own business, but as he followed to the spot where they all split, he stopped in place, glaring ahead with a frown. "Idiots." He muttered.

---

Luke and Jase made way through the city northward, albeit making sure they had little to no distractions adverting them from their objectives. They were certain to be getting closer, as per by the direction set into place.

As they went along, Luke had hands on the back of his head. He seemed to be minding his own business, but otherwise he seemed ever so casual, if not bored.

"What's the matter, Luke?" Jase questioned, trying to make some sense of conversation. "You seem a little distressed. Is there a problem?"

Luke looked beside him. "Huh? Oh, no. Just thinking is all."

"I'd hardly call that a thinking face. You look like someone who'd rather read through a phonebook."

"They don't even make those things anymore!" Luke retorted.

Jase snickered at the insight as his hand was put to his chin again. "Perhaps so. There's a lot evolution going on n the world that even I'm having trouble keep up. Oh woe is me."

Luke slumped his shoulders forward. "If you're trying to tease again, you might wanna try a little harder."

"I assure you, I'm not teasing you. It really is a shame we got teamed under circumstance you wouldn't appreciate."

Luke shot him another look. "Well, yeah! I'd get Shawn probably. And I definitely wouldn't mind Master Riaan." He looked down at the ground as he walked on, very annoyed. "But man this sure stinks."

"You were the one who volunteered. If you wanted a say in who you thought would've sufficed, then you should've spoke your mind when you had the chance."

Luke shot him another irritated look. "What?! I can't just pick and choose. Usually Master Riaan's the right one when it came to this kind of thinking…"

"So you trust his judgement but not your own?"

"W-well I can fight by myself. I got what it takes on the battlefield!" he defended.

Jase kept walking beside, but his pacing was a little slower, getting him a few feet behind. 'And yet, Luke, you still fail to make your own decision thoroughly. It'd only complicate things for you and I if you don't realize this on your own. For now, I'll just watch…both you and your Master.'

Abis Omega floated beside the calmed Luke. "And do you add Esther to that small list?"

Luke raised a brow at his Bakugan's question. "Huh? Uh…" Looking back at it, the two have been hitting it off…in a way. Luke still didn't know what it was she was or is; in fact, he didn't ask, nor cared. Really, he didn't want to pry since he'd rather keep his business to the battle and get home. But, as he started to think about it, the two have battled alongside each other more than a couple of times. "…hm, yeah, I guess she counts."

"Oh, so you wouldn't mind having her instead?" Atmos inquired.

Luke shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Interesting." The colonel smirked in interesting delight. "Hope she doesn't hear any of this."

"W-what?!" He stopped for a moment in his tracks, looking on with a dumbfounded look as Jase went on ever so casually. He was pink in the cheeks while he was feeling embarrassment creep up his spine. "Hey, wait a minute! What does that mean?!"

"Nothing now. Come." Jase resumed his walk, leaving Luke to stagger behind.

"Gnnngh! Hey! Wait up, would ya?!" Luke hurried beside him again, choosing to dismiss what he meant by the implication…for now that is. He and the Ventus associate went on towards the northern sideways and got closer to the domain that was to be the colosseum.

---

"Right, here I go!"

Shuji gripped the manhole cover with all his might. He gritted his teeth as he bent down and hunched over to grab the hefty piece of metal. He was straining incredulously while the others were cheering him on.

"Come on, big guy, put some muscle into it!" Maggie cheered. "You can do it!"

Shuji's face went red as a pained look fell on his face. He knew manholes were heavy, but he didn't think they'd be this heavy.

"Well if this keeps up, this will just get sad." Esther grimaced.

Shawn folded his arms. "You hear that, Shuji? Sounds like you're being made fun of. You gonna take that?"

"Just…SHUT IT!" Shuji mustered whatever strength he had and gave one final scream. Arching back and behind, he stood right up, lifting the heavy cover right over his head like a crown. With a massive, triumphant smile, he looked up over his head. "You see?! I got it…!"

However, he spoke too soon when the manhole's momentum slowly brought him back. Blinking once, he didn't process it until he finally fell backwards, hitting the ground with a pained thud.

Verias popped open on Shawn's shoulder. "Well, at least we have a way in now."

"True." Shawn said as he looked down at Shuji. "Thank you, Shuji."

As Shuji laid on his back with a dazed expression, Maggie walked over to his side, tilting her head with a disappointed look. "Boy, Shuji, you really need to work out some more."

Shuji slowly came to and sat up. He groaned as he slowly came fully upwards and sighed. With a tired expression and sweat on his face, he only glanced at the girl from the side. "What do you know?" he panted. "Like you can lift better."

"As argumentative as we can get, I think we should be getting along our ways now." Riaan suggested.

Esther nodded. "Right." Without hesitation, she moved towards the cover. "Everyone, come on!" She jumped feet-first into the hole, disappearing into the darkness.

Moving next towards the hole was Maggie. As she drew closer, she could already smell the sewage that was making her stomach churn. With one more shudder, she took a deep breath like he was going to submerge and jumped.

"Please don't let it be so dark~!" Jelldon whined as he sank with his partner into the hole.

Without much to complain about, Shawn shrugged nonchalantly. He stepped in front and took a small leap. The next to follow was Riaan, and then lastly was Shuji, who had to gather his strength again and lift the metal over his head again. Wobbling a bit without much momentum, he struggled to keep good ground. With shaken legs at the front, he took a deep breath and made one small leap. He instantly sunk into the hole, with the manhole cover clanging back into place.

Down underground, there was what looked like a dark tunnel, which had so many lamps lined up along the sides. In the center that ran a long ways was a dark river of contents and smells nobody even wants to know about. On either side were thick concrete walkways that had a number of channels flowing everywhere up ahead.

Landing was everyone in the order they fell in. Esther landed on a knee, while Maggie landed on her feet before falling onto her butt. Shawn fell to a knee, as did Master Riaan. Shuji, being the last, fall on his stomach, his face landing on the cement. He groaned weakly in pain.

Up already, Esther took a look around, seeing the large domain of cement roads that connected like bridges. All around, and with lights on the walls to illuminate the way, everything was surprisingly kempt for what they all perceived it to be. "So these are the sewers." She took another look to the walls, seeing how they were all dark and smooth. She reached her arm out to graze the wall, noting how much her fingers glided without much restriction. "Stainless lamentation."

"Looks like this city's sewage system isn't as atrocious as we thought it was." Jase said.

Maggie sniffed the air, immediately recoiling with both her hands on her nose. "Uuugh, no, but it sure smells like one!" she muffled.

"It would make sense." Riaan started off, taking a few paces forward the way they looked in the first place. He stopped when he was several meters ahead of the group. "This city is a reservoir of water, or rather an impasse where waterways come together. If all their clean water is filtered, the residue and backwash would obviously end up down here."

Shawn put a hand to his chin. "That would be ideal. Essentially, this would mean that wherever this city originated from, it must've meant as a filter for the rest of its liquids to flow inland."

Shuji slowly sat up again, looking with a frown like nothing happened. "So wait, you're saying that this dump is also a filter for water." He looked around, raising a row in growing curiosity. Wherever he looked, he noticed the many walls and corridors that were having open ways sliding from upwards, but even there was railing and safety dividers to make it seem like a subway.

Fly Beetle crawled onto Shuji's shoulder. "Huh, does anyone feel that?"

Verias moved on Shawn's shoulder as well. "How strange. I can feel something."

"Like what?" Shawn asked. Suddenly, before the question could've been answered, there was an odd spike in energy that made the blonde stop dead in his tracks for a period. He could've felt something tingle on the back of his neck, and he w]knew it wasn't an insect or rat.

"Did anyone feel that?" Maggie asked, still holding her nose.

Esther's eyes narrowed. "Yes. I recognize that energy as well. It would seem that the battles have begun."

Riaan looked towards the ceiling, frowning heavily as he saw the light right above them glow just a little. "The battle energy is filtering through as we speak. This city's functioning core must have a quicker rate of charge than we thought."

"Then let's get going." Atchibee advised. "If we zero in on the concentration of energy we feel, then we must home in on the right tunnel."

"But how will we know?" Shuji questioned. "There's gotta be like a million of them around here!"

Shawn began to walk. "Well, then we'll know we're close when our skin can't stop tingling."

"Uh…I'm tingly already if that means anything." Jelldon reasoned.

Maggie faced her partner and winked. "Relax, big guy. The lights aren't gonna go out on ya if that's what you're afraid of." Like the others, she started to pace.

"Uh, I-I'm not worried about that. I'm just sensing a lot of energy all around is all. It's-It's not like I'm trying to say it's not that late to call switchies yet, right…?"

"Jelldon." Maggie warned with a motherly tone.

The Pyrus jellyfish whined and sulked.

"I feel that spike that. It's down this way." Esther guided them, with all in tow and trekking through the linked subway of filtered substances. They all made sure to stay away from the railing as well, not wanting to know what waves of sludge got on them. Can never be too careful anymore.

---

The colosseum itself was a huge collaboration between what looked like a dome, and what is sought as a radio tower with a white orb at the top. The exterior of the massive domain sat with the shape of a fancy restaurant dish cover. It had stainless silver arches to border the white walls on the outside. It was as big as Thermosphere's dome, and yet surrounding the borders and the dome from four sturdy corners were the legs of the lighthouse. It was all white towards the top, where it had a conical spiral-like chrome twist up towards the beacon. Surrounding the whole colosseum was a massive moat, which was so large that it would've taken forever to find parking in nearsighted spots.

Inside, the stadium rattled from the wake of an attack launched. The wails of a Bakugan even reached the tunnels, which were well lit and chrome, shimmering light blue everywhere.

Walking down the passageway, Jase and Luke were still surprised at how easily the registration handled itself. They just had to give their first names, what Bakugan they had, followed by a few more things that Jase filled out for Luke, and that was all there was to it. Shockingly, they even offered a variety of merchandise, but unfortunately, currency was something they had little hold of at the moment.

"Well, looks like we'll have our turn next." Jase said. "Are you ready to go, Luke?"

Luke pumped his fists, looking at him with an angered expression. "Of course I'm ready! I've been waiting since we got here!"

Jase scoffed as he adjusted his glasses. "Then save your attitude for battle. Remember the task at hand."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Generate battle energy to make the core implode as before."

"Are you ready, Abis Omega?" Atmos questioned.

The serpent Bakugan turned towards the falcon on Jase's shoulder. "Dream on if you think I'm backing out of this now. Let's do this thing!"

Soon enough, two boys around Luke's age were coming into view. They both seemed to have had defeated looks on their faces as they passed the Aquos and Ventus battlers. They could tell they had a rough time, but that didn't matter now. They knew it was their turn next, and that's when Jase proceeded, with Luke walking behind.

They had straight faces as they closed in on the sealed chrome door, which looked a lot like the design of the shields they had to face back in Thermosphere after that close call. Once they were in the all clear, they stood stiff for a few moments before the lights above the door flashed green.

Slowly, the door opened, revealing light.

"Let's do this!" Luke walked in.

"As you say." Jase followed.

They walked out to be immediately greet by a large group of audience. As shocking as it was to see, the layout was a lot like Bakugan Interspace, with seats on high grounds like second-level floors behind invisible forcefields to ensure safety. They all were screaming and hoping or a battle as the four competitors were making way to the two circular light blue crystal boxes where they stood.

As Jase and Luke stood in one box, the two competitors had light skin, both being girls. They each had a purple and white dress on, looking similar to high-class folk. The red-eyed woman had purple hair in a bud, and the blue-eyed woman had yellow hair hanging down from a high ponytail.

"Well don't they look fruitful." Jase teased. "Do they, Luke?"

He shrugged. "I've seen better." Suddenly, the two podiums they stood on began to rise up, startling Luke. "W-woah! Hey!"

The two podium's levitated higher and higher, until they stood about twenty feet off the ground. Looking down, Luke couldn't believe that they were defying gravity. He was at a loss for words. Jase, however, didn't seem to even notice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please." From an overhead intercom resonating from a man high at the top box hanging from the ceiling, there was a man in a white suit with an orange visor. He had an intercom incorporated into his Bakumeter as he acted as the ref. "The first round 5th battle shall now begin. In this battle, we have on the one side, the two sisters who cast out bland and make purple and yellow mix, Citrine and Violet! And opposing them are first-time runners of the tournament, Jase and Luke!"

The audience cheered and clapped for the two teams. The sisters looked smug while the guys seemed disinterested.

"Now, for today's battle format, allow me to reiterate. The rules are two-on-two. It shall be said that as long as one of either side's Bakugan is able to continue and still has enough points, the team shall advance. So then, let's have the battle, begin!"

The blonde known as Citrine pulled out a Gate Card, smirking as she pulled a fast one. "Sorry guys, ladies first! Gate Card, set!" She sent the Gate Card out n the battlefield, which was a clear white island surrounded by a body of water. In the center of the battlefield was a small pool of water, which connected to beneath and around the outside. The Gate Card landed on the island section, where it faded into yellow and spread across the battlefield.

With a smirk, Citrine threw her Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go, Haos Rafflesian!"

Rising into battle from green vines, Haos Rafflesian gave a low growl as its white body with yellow closed petals were shown.

"Bakugan, brawl!" Violet shot her Bakugan next, which popped open beside Rafflesian. "Bakugan, stand! Go, Darkus Freezer!"

Rising into battle, a black and purple Freezer arose with menacing red eyes. The gem on the head, front and back, was yellow.

"Luke." Jase said. "I trust that you will follow my lead."

The Aquos battler shot a look at him. "What the?! Hey, who made you the boss of me?!"

"Why nobody. But, do you happen to have any strategy?" To this statement, Luke fell short of a comeback. "As I thought. Now then, I shall focus on nullifying their attacks. Meanwhile, but look for an opening, understand?"

He nodded. "Sure, let's just get this over with."

Together, both threw out their Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"

Appearing in green and blue lights, one creature shot into the air, spreading his wings and cawing. Atmos shrieked loudly as he flapped in place, while the blue light underneath revealed Abis Omega, who stood in the pool of water. His slithery body sunk into the water, his upper body and a few arches sticking out as he hissed.

Rafflesian: 350 Atmos: 400

Freezer: 350 Abis Omega: 350

Citrine reached up, slowly arching her arm down to make it look like she was reaching towards them. "Gate Card, open! Haos Reactor!"

The Gate Card opened beneath, making a bright shine that radiated everything. All around, crystals that shimmered and illuminating planets and stars twinkled in space. It was like a majestic land of fantasy, and Rafflesian's body was enveloped in a bright glowing aura around its body.

Rafflesian: 350 (+150) = 500 Atmos: 400

Freezer: 350 Abis Omega: 350

Violet held up her purple Bakumeter, which already showed an ability that glowed purple. "Ability, activate! Brain Freeze!" From the yellow glass on the forehead, Darkus Freezer shot a beam of violet energy at went at Abis Omega.

Rafflesian: 500 Atmos: 400

Freezer: 350 (+200) = 550 Abis Omega: 350

"Atmos!" Jase encouraged.

The Ventus Bakugan nodded in understanding. "Right, just as we've followed!"

"Ability, activate! Winding Winds!" Atmos' body glowed a bright green aura as an outline. With one flap of the wings, a green gust blew downwards, expanding out and dissipating the incoming attack before it surged too far. The draft reached even Rafflesian and Freezer, who cringed at the sudden backdraft.

Rafflesian: 500 Atmos: 400 (+200) = 600

Freezer: 550 (-200) = 350 Abis Omega: 350

With the two Bakugan unable to react thanks to the winds, there was a delay in the sisters' Bakugan. They were still covered up and recollecting, and that's when Luke shouted. "Now, Abis!"

"Right!" Flying out of the water, the splash alarmed the two Bakugan. They both looked up in shock as Abis was in midair, ready to attack.

Luke pulled out an ability card, which glowed in his Bakumeter. "Ability activate, Fin Melee!" Abis Omega slashed his tail at them both in one large swing, making a large blue streak follow an archway around. The two Bakugan recoiled once again as they were overpowered.

Rafflesian: 500 Atmos: 600

Freezer: 350 Abis Omega: 550

Both Bakugan landed on their sides, thudding hard in pain that echoed. "And a strong comeback from Luke and Jase!" the announcer commented. "The Gate Card powered up Rafflesian, and Freezer went to attack, but Atmos countered, and afterwards, Abis added insult to injury."

Violet narrowed her eyes with a growl. "Tch, alright then. I see how you wanna play it." She made another ability show. "Then we can play hardball, too! Ability activate, Freeze Jail!" Freezer pointed one of its tentacles at Abis Omega, shooting black ripples with a distorted frequency around them. As they closed in, the air around Abis began to slow down.

His eyes widening in shock, Luke knew what was to go down. "Wait, I know that ability, too!"

"Then we'll take care of it." Jase intervened. "Ability activate, Storm Chase!"

Atmos let loose another loud shriek as he began to spread his wings. With momentum gaining from the wingspan increase, he began to spin, much like a drill. With one loud caw, he spun faster with ever second, creating a green cyclone behind him like a tailwind. He went low across the battlefield, spinning so close that the green shredding backwinds were ripping through the crystal and the stardust. The shockwave zipped pass Abis Omega, leaving him to dive back into the water while the shockwaves ran across the battlefield. Atmos zipped pass Freezer and Rafflesian, ripping through the distorted waves and making the Gate Card fragments alike get caught in the turbine.

As Atmos arched skywards, the green tornado following him followed in his arch. When he straightened out, the winds stopped. "Not on my watch you don't cause such a ruckus!" he declared.

Rafflesian: 500 (-150) = 350 Atmos: 600

Freezer: 350 Abis Omega: 550

"What?" Violet gasped.

"No way! Our ability and Gate Cards were stopped?!" Citrine exclaimed.

Atmos cawed as he sailed overhead, keeping the two Bakugan occupied as they rebounded from that shocking surprise. However, down below, they were unaware of something that was long and slithery that passed beneath them.

Jase looked towards Luke. "Now Luke, if you would."

Luke narrowed his eyes. "I know already. Ability, activate! Osmosis!"

As Rafflesian and Freezer were looking up, they were rendered open as the pool in front of them suddenly splashed. They jerked forward to see what it was, but to their surprise ten-fold they saw nothing. It was like the wave was created by some odd eruption of water beneath.

Within their confusion, Rafflesian was caught off guard when a talon came from above. Before it had the chance, it was kicked hard in the front by Atmos, making it falter backwards. Meanwhile Freezer was caught in a two-way shock as the Bakugan beside it was struck, and it felt a wind. Looking ahead, an invisible force smashed into its face. It felt like a tail that bashed across the face, sending it sideways into the ground.

Rafflesian: 350 (-200) = 150 Atmos: 600

Freezer: 350 (-200) = 150 Abis Omega: 550

Both Bakugan struck the ground hard, creating a painful shock that morphed them into their attribute colors. They withdrew into their ball forms, retreating as the round was won painfully. Violet and Citrine looked down in sock as their respective life gauges dropped to 20% and 10%.

Abis Omega and Atmos morphed into ball form next. They went back towards their partners, with Jase showing no emotion, whereas Luke showed overjoy. "Alright!"

"And what a clean win that was for Jase and Luke!" the announcer exclaimed. "Both Rafflesian and Freezer's abilities as well as strength was completely sapped by the likes of Atmos, while Abis went in for the attack. What a combination."

Luke showed a bright smile as he held Abis Omega tight. "Alright, that was worth it!"

"Perhaps so…but stay sharp. There's no telling what they might do next." Jase warned.

"Huh? Wait a minute, aren't you supposed to be the smart one?" Luke argued. "I thought you already had a plan."

Jase feigned shock. "Why, are you saying that I know everything?"

"No, I'm saying we need to beat these guys, so let's just pull out the card and get this over with!"

"Alright, alright. Relax." Jase turned towards the battlefield. "We'll do the same as before. However, Luke. If they come after me this time, I expect you to return the favor, understand?"

Luke nodded. "Got it, let's do this already!"

"Very well then. Gate Card, set!" Jase threw down the Gate Card, which vanished into the battlefield with a green wave. "Let's go, Atmos! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Atmos once again shot into the air, standing with readiness.

"Bakugan, brawl! Abis Omega, stand!" Following Luke's throw, Abis Omega appeared in the water, rising up like a dragon and roaring as his head craned about.

The two sisters looked towards each other and nodded, as if they understood what it was they needed to do.

"Come on, let's stop them before they even have the chance!" Violet declared.

Citrine looked towards the battlefield with diligence. "You don't have to tell me twice!"

Together, both shot their Bakugan out. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Together, Rafflesian and Freezer arose.

Rafflesian: 350 Atmos: 400

Freezer: 350 Abis Omega: 350

"Ability activate, Glow Shield!" Citrine's Rafflesian gave out a low growl as its front eye petal shimmered a bright light. It expanded until it became a forcefield that surrounded it all the way around.

"And there it is, Glow Shield, one of Haos Rafflesian's unique abilities." The announcer informed. "With Glow Shield, Rafflesian is immune to abilities, making him an untouchable Bakugan."

Jase adjusted his glasses, showing a serious frown. "I see."

"Now, it's my turn!" Violet shouted. "Ability, activate! Zone Bleach!" Freezer's four red eyes glowed for a moment before returning to normal. Slowly, a bright purple aura enveloped its body, encasing it with great power. As it roared, its power level began to rise to 400.

"And another unique Darkus Ability! With Zone Bleach, Freezer's power level increases to the same level as the highest power level Bakugan on the battlefield!" the announcer exclaimed. "And furthermore, with each ability activated by anyone, Freezer's power level will go up by 50 Gs! A brilliant move! Now, it looks like it's up to Jase and Luke to turn the defense back to their side!"

Luke's brow furrowed. "Wait, what?"

"Stay calm. There's no need to panic yet." Jase advised.

Luke began to quell some. "So then we can nullify them?"

"Yes. I didn't intend for them to be so arrogant this early on…but it seems we have an opportunity here." He turned towards Luke again. "Once I open the Gate Card, go for Freezer. I'll handle Rafflesian again."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Luke said. "You hear that, Abis Omega?"

The Aquos Bakugan let out a hiss of his own. "No problem."

Jase reached his arm out, pointing his index and middle fingers straight ahead. "Gate Card, open! Evil Clear!"

The Gate Card's illusion appeared on the battlefield. As the ground shimmered vibrantly, the bright energy around Freezer dissipated, and the forcefield around Rafflesian suddenly dissipated into nothing. Once again, both Bakugan were essentially defenseless.

"Say what?" Violet gasped, with Citrine following.

Jase adjusted his glasses again. "I'm aware that those Bakugan have a strong case of defensive abilities. You should've been more adept to offense and defense alike. Take that to note the next time you choose to battle someone. Luke!"

"Got it!" An ability showed on his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Dry World!"

"Ability, activate! Green Talon!"

Abis Omega raised his head and emitted a loud shriek. In the next instant, the water beneath him shot straight up in a pillar, gushing like an erupting volcano. The water poured skywards at such speeds that it was making the stadium shudder some. As the water morphed, Atmos flew in from the side of it, cawing loudly as he arched his way into Rafflesian. The shocked Bakugan was anchored good with his vines, leaving him an open target for Atmos to aim for. The red gems on Atmos' chest shimmered brightly, and then once charged, fired two green laser beams that shot like arrows at the front petal. In one big blast, a green explosion enveloped Rafflesian, making its shouts fall on deaf ears as a smoke cloud or fire and smoke dispersed in its spot.

As Freezer was in shock of its own, it was unaware as a liquidy shadow appeared over it. Looking up, it saw a swift image of Abis Omega in a massive water bubble darting in a steep dive right into the face. He crashed head on, making a massive explosion of mist and water that erupted like a geyser of its own right. Together, both eruptions made a magnitude that shook up the entire battlefield.

Everyone inside looked surprised as the battlefield was sprayed with smoke and mist that quickly dissipated as it did with this battle. Both Violeta and Citrine watched in shock as their Bakugan rolled to their feet, their life gauges falling down to 0%.

"It's over! The match is over!" the announcer shouted.

The audience clapped and yelled out in various expressions as the smoke and mist dissipated. In place of them were Atmos and Abis, the former flapping and the latter on land. Both morphed into ball forms and shot back to their partners, caught with ease.

"The winners are Luke and Jase! And with a dazzling and shocking display of strategy, they move onto the next round!"

Both their opponents sunk to their knees in shock and dismay at their loss, but Luke jumped in glee. "Yes! Yes! I knew this would be easy!" He kept jumping up and down, happy of his sound victory.

"Well, seems fighting Rogue Zero's been proven the bare benefit after all." Jase said. "But we still have a long ways to go."

"But we'll make it, right?"

Jase snickered. "We'll see Luke, we'll see. For now, let's just focus on the next round at hand."

"A sound idea." Atmos agreed.

As they spoke, the light high above shined, taking the battle energy once again.

---

"You think it's down here?"

"Yes. I'm positive."

"Well if you say so."

"…look, up there! I think I see it, don't you, Jelldon?!"

"Yeah…at least I think so."

The group had been trekking for a short while now, and Esther was taking the team for the long ride through the vast sewers. By now, even Maggie had gotten accustomed to the smell it had, but that could also mean her nasal cavities might need to be looked at. Everyone had been following the battle energy that their Bakugan have been keeping track of. And so far, its lead them down to a tunnel where they all congregated a point where their skins were shriveling with small pulsations.

Reaching the prolonged end to where the railing connected in front of a large, circular doorway, the four noted how chrome it looked, and beside it was a padlock.

"Looks like another padlock." Shawn commented. "It looks the same as the one in Thermosphere."

"So you think this is all intentional?" Verias questioned.

Shawn shrugged. "Probably. So far, this city seems more in line and follows a certain theme. Thermosphere wasn't like that, it had a bunch of jumbled themes in one place. But compared to here, it had more security measures."

"Bordered walls…massive vents…tournaments for power…and yet here, it's open water, clean sewers, and finally a more functional power system every other day." Atchibee was listing off everything each city had, but even she was at a loss for what to do. "Something about these two systems is more than just coincidence."

"Perhaps so, this couldn't be a coincidence to begin with." Esther said. "They even have similar styles to an extent. Which means…" She turned her attention towards the padlock, where there, she stepped before it with a serious expression.

"Oh! Oh! Do you have an idea of what the combination might be?" Maggie questioned.

"I just have an idea."

"Heh heh, this oughta be good." Shuji smirked, having a snobbish tone in it. "Getting all that stuff in Thermosphere is one thing, but I bet here it'll be-!"

Esther pressed a multi-digit code that went by the only number that she pointed at: 6. Once she hit enter, the padlock gave off a glint, forcing Esther to move back. Shuji froze in place with his mouth open, but his expression was that of one gawking in disbelief.

"There, just as I thought." She said. "It did work."

The circular chrome frame in front of them slowly opened up, rippling like water towards the ends. There, they could see down the open corridor.

Shawn grinned. "Well I'll be damned."

"Impressive for a first try." Riaan complimented.

Shuji stammered back, pointing in disbelief. "W-wait, hold on! Time out! You mean you already figured it out?! How'd you even do that?!"

"What did you even type in anyway?" Maggie wondered. "I bet it was some random code that you studied, right?"

Esther turned back towards them, smiling ever so casually. "Actually…it was something Luke showed me."

The others were taken back by her casual statement. As they were like statues behind her, she faced the open doorway. 'Luke did what now?' they all thought.

"You see, it's a long story, but Luke typed 666 on the doorway in front of the core. If they were that similar, then it would work this time, supposedly."

Shuji sulked forward. "You mean Luke taught you that?" he grimaced.

"Well that's a surprise." Fly Beetle said.

"Yeah. Makes you wonder what else he taught her." Maggie smirked. It wasn't meant to be so crude in thought, but the little girl's implication crept through everyone's mind like a parasite. The question was better left unanswered as Esther marched on without an emotion to spare.

"Come on." She ushered.

"Right!"

The group went on their way down the chamber corridor. As surprising as it was, the core's corridor was a lot more bright blue than they perceived it to be. In fact, the walls were nothing like the sewers; even the smell was fresh, much to Maggie's relief. Even the ceiling was shining so bright that they thought the sun was peering through the water above. It was like walking through a glacier and an aquarium alike, only with a strong, pulsating feeling all around them.

They all ran along the bright blue chrome floor, making quick time towards their destination. As they ran, Shuji kept the guard held well. "Okay, so where do we go from here?!"

"Beats me, but we'll find out once we get closer!" Shawn exclaimed.

"I've been expecting security around here to be more intensive, but it seems we've had our guards down for nothing." Riaan said. "Does this mean we're going the wrong way?"

"All this battle energy I feel says otherwise!" Verias shouted. "Look, up there!"

Everyone trekking caught sight of something up ahead. Esther ran up to where she stood in front of it, looking up with a dreaded and serious expression as the others carried that over towards them. They all looked surprised somewhat as they stood before an enlarged domain, where the lighting above the tunnel ahead seemed to be yellow instead. It was also there that there were several guards posted, all of them wearing the same armor as those in Thermosphere.

A guard turned towards the group, reaching outwards with his arm. "All of you! Freeze!" The other guards turned and looked ahead with hostility, some of them even unsheathing their weapons.

Shuji stepped back in shock. "Uh…uh~…"

"Uh oh, looks like we got trouble." Maggie grimaced.

Some of the guards poised their weapons, ready to attack. "Identify yourselves at once!" one shouted.

"This is a restricted area!" another exclaimed.

From the looks on their faces, it looked like they weren't taking anything lightly. In fact, they looked rather hostile. The others had to hold their guards rather tightly, otherwise it was going to look bad for them, if not worse. Shawn pulled out hi fencer, while Riaan pulled out his own blade. Together, master and student stood before their friends, ready to defend.

"Everyone stand back." Riaan ordered. "This can get ugly."

"We know." Esther said. "Everyone, stay together and…" She fell short as she felt something off about herself. Feeling her body get light all of a sudden, she thought there was another change in gravity. "What…?"

"Huh? HAAAAH!" Shuji freaked out as he was looking at his hand, which was starting to disappear. "My hand!"

Maggie was looking down at her feet and skirt, seeing her body and Esther's beside her slowly fading from the ground up. "Is this teleportation?!" The Darkus battler exclaimed. She was met with a shocked Maggie and a wailing Jelldon beside her, and together, they vanished.

"Maggie! Esther!" Shawn reached out to them as they vanished, but he was too late. When he looked at his hand, he was wide-eyed upon seeing his hand starting to fade. He gasped louder as the teleportation crept up his arm. When he turned towards his other side, he saw his other arm was visibly fading away.

Shuji raised his hands to his head as he watched his stomach fade. He shrieked loudly in panic as he and Shawn vanished at the same time, leaving their spots with only four glints that soon dissipated.

Riaan looked back towards them, his eyes wide in disbelief. What he had just seen was unorthodox, but even more so, it rendered him astonished to where he was caught off guard before a shout forced him to turn ahead.

"Hey!" A soldier pointed his blade ahead. "You! What happened to your friends?! Answer me!"

His brow furrowed in detest over the situation. As annoyed as he was and as confused, he regrettably had to force that to the back of his mind. 'This isn't good. They were teleported away.' He poised his sword, ready to take action against the small legion by himself. He bent his knees, leaning forward in readiness. He didn't know what happened to them, but he had to answer that after he claims victory. 'I'll have to worry about them later it seems. Rogue Zero…just what kind of ambiguity are you at this point?'

The soldiers moved closer to surround him, and Riaan stepped forward to slash his blade.

---

Appearing in a bright flash, Esther and Maggie had their eyes closed. When they felt their bodies getting heavy again, they opened their eyes. Together, they found themselves looking at the brown ground, blinking once. When they processed it, Maggie was the first to speak.

"Are we dead?"

"No, it can't be that." She stood up, gazing up at the area all around her.

As her head craned, she and Maggie looked around to find that they were all alone. The domain had a black ceiling, much like the one in Rogue Zero's transport room. The ceiling lights were bright, with four huge bulbs joined in the center like an overhead ceiling lamp. The border was all circular like a battlefield was intended to be, yet the arched walls were bright blue chrome. Looking at now compared to the schematics of the city, they were more confused than ever.

"Were did we end up at you think?" Maggie questioned.

"You're in a secluded battle area that's restricted."

The familiar voice alarmed the two girls and their Bakugan. Gasping, they whipped their attention towards the front. There, appearing and standing beside the other several meters out was Killian and Ariella, the latter having arms crossed with a smug look on her face at the looks on their faces.

"Ariella! Killian!" Esther exclaimed.

The Aquos woman chuckled. "Well hello to you, pest."

Maggie stepped forward, glaring at Killian. "Hey, wait. I know you!" She pointed an accusing finger towards the Ventus battler of the bad guys. "You were that guy who I fought back in Thermosphere!"

Killian nodded his head. "Guilty is charged."

Atchibee glared from Esther's shoulder. "What is this all about?" she growled.

"Uh…yeah! You just teleported us without warning!" Jelldon timidly stated.

"So sorry about that." Ariella's facetious tone made her sound just the right level of sarcasm. "But we have a little debt that we came to collect from you. Seems you've done a lot in our transporter, have any shame to bare?"

"For the record, that wasn't our doing." Maggie deadpanned.

"Whatever. You and your little friends have done more than enough to cause trouble, so we're just going to keep you in this secluded place. The only way you'll be able to leave is if you can defeat us. Sounds simple, right?"

Esther's glare hardened. "You fiend…!"

"Oh what's the matter? I thought you'd be pleased to battle against us this time around. After all, that so-called friend of yours held up against Maximus for a short while, did he not? If he can pull off that, then I don't see why you can't either."

"Ariella." Killian interrupted. "No more talk."

The Aquos woman arrogantly snorted at her comrade's expense.

The Darkus and Pyrus battlers of the group were giving off looks of annoyance with how low Rogue Zero went in regards to teleporting them against their will…for the second time now. They were getting very tired with them, and now they were only allowed out if they defeat Rogue Zero here and now.

"This a trap, it has to be." Atchibee said. "Something's very wrong here."

"Yeah." Jelldon agreed.

"Maybe so, but it seems we don't have an option at this point." Esther told them. "It looks like only the winning team will be getting out of here. If we want to see the others again, we'll have to push through!"

Maggie raised her fists with a scowl of her own. "Those Rogue Zero jerks are playing dirty now! This is so unfair!"

Esther's blue eyes glared ahead at the foe. "Maggie…"

With a sigh and sulking over, the girl hung her head down. "Yeah, I know." She instantly perked up, glaring at Killian. "Let's get this over with! I got a score to settle with bug boy over there, and I'm not passing this opportunity up!"

Killian got into battle position. "That so? Then bring it!"

The four had a heated deadlock; Maggie and Esther, against the smirking Ariella and serious Killian. The battle to decide who was to leave the secluded domain has begun.

---

In another similar battlefield, the layout was very much similar to the texture and construction Esther and Maggie were transferred to, only instead of dirt on the ground, there was solid white. The ceiling was also much darker in tone, and the lights were vaguely dimmer

Materializing in its circular domain, a fragment of particles shimmered, giving illusions that had a hue coming into solidification. Appearing in place were Shawn and Shuji, the latter still cringing from what he thought would be his demise.

Opening one of his eyes, the Subterra battler realized he was still alive. "Huh?" Getting his footing together, he looked around, seeing that it was just him and Shawn and the others gone. "Wait, Shawn?"

"Yeah, Shuji?" the Haos battler questioned. Like him, he looked around in questioning of his own. "Looks like we were teleported somewhere."

"Seems so, but where exactly?" Verias inquired.

"I can't be sure just yet."

Shuji shivered in place, his teeth chattering from the chill that went up his spine. "Man, I really gotta get used to this whole teleporting thing…"

Fly Beetle turned on his shoulder. "Huh?"

"What? What is it?" Shuji turned in the direction where his Bakugan was facing. He and Shawn alike looked towards the other side of the dome-like domain, their shocks rising on their faces. They gasped in surprise.

Standing was a pair of boots belonging to someone, while on its left was a floating chair's antigravity contraption. The person sitting on the chair was cackling up a laughter. "Welcome, flies caught in my web. You may now bask before the genius that is what you can call, an 'ambush'."

Both Shuji and Shawn's glares hardened. "You…" Shawn grimaced.

Far on the other side, Hendrix was standing with arms folded beside Cesar, who was smirking while adjusting his glasses. They seemed to have been waiting for some time. Cesar bowed his head in courtesy. "The great Cesar, in the flesh."

"Okay, what's the big idea?!" Shuji barked.

A tick mark grew on Cesar's face. "Heh? What was that?" He whipped his head up from his bow, looking peeved. "You dare ignore my introduction?! Why what an impudent dead brain species you are! Why I have the right nerve to-"

"Cesar." Hendrix's quiet yet calm tone was what broke of his ranting. The Haos Rogue Zero member snorted with another adjust of his glasses.

"Right…better to save my breath for a more refined audience I suppose." He huffed. "Typical humans."

Shawn swiped his arm. "What's the meaning of this?!"

"Is this a setup?!" Shuji exclaimed.

Hendrix didn't bother changing his stance. He was a stone-cold statue, one that seemed intimidating the more they looked at him. "No one is leaving this domain unless one of us is left." He said. "If you intend to advance, then know the consequences you are about to face."

Shawn's eyes narrowed, his fists balling. "…so then if we win, we get back to where we started."

Hendrix nodded. "Yes."

"BUT!" Cesar interrupted. "Only if you can beat us." He smirked with his ever so high confidence. "Sounds like a fair deal to me. So what do you say?"

Shuji and Shawn looked towards the other with serious, but also painfully unnerved expressions. They had a feeling something was wrong, but now that they were away from Master Riaan, who knows what was going to happen to the others. Knowing the circumstances, this was their one shot. They both looked back ahead, their feet stepping up.

"Ah~, so then we have a deal then." Cesar guessed. "Splendid."

Shuji raised his knuckles, cracking them with a fixed smirk on his lips. "I'm gonna wish you wore contacts pal, because those glasses are gonna fly off that pretty face of yours."

"If it means seeing the others make it out of this, then you've left us no choice." Shawn said. "We accept."

Hendrix rolled his neck to one side, cracking the bones it held. "Then so be it."

The Subterra and Haos battlers of the two opposing groups readied themselves for their own scuffle to come.

---

As Luke and Jase were in the corridor, both were sitting on an eccentric white bench, which had a dark blue cushion that was surprisingly cozy. They both frowned as they were waiting for the first round to be over. They were cut off from their thoughts when they heard loud shouting from the stadium.

"What?" Luke wondered.

Jase looked up at the monitor that was adjacent to them. It was ovular in shape, projecting an image of what was going on at the moment. It was a projection showing a familiar Hyper Dragonoid and Goblinball roaring as they were standing triumphantly over a fallen Stug and Subterra Hynoid. Both looked battered and beaten, and the audience was clapping like crazy.

Luke shot up from his seat upon recognizing the two Bakugan. "Wait, those are…"

"And that's it, battle fans! The match is over!" the announcer exclaimed. "The winners of the last first-round match is…Maximus Rogue, and Xander Hellion! A big round of applause for them and their show of domination!"

Once again, Goblinball and Hyper Dragonoid roared up towards the ceiling, exerting louds shrieks that distorted the air around them. Behind them, both Pyrus and Darkus battlers were unfazed.

"Well, well, an easy crowd here, too." Maximus smirked.

Xander had a smug look as he crossed his arms. "What a bunch of lightweights."

Looking at the screen, Jase showed visible annoyance. "So they're the challenge now. This is far from fortunate for us."

Atmos popped open on his shoulder. "What should we do?"

Jase put a hand to his chin, thinking deeply of the situation. "We'll need to rethink this through. This won't be easy. We'll need to stay many steps ahead if we hope to win against Hyper Dragonoid and Goblinball alone."

Beside him, Luke and Abis Omega were another story. As they looked up at the monitor, they were seeing the Bakugan that were damned by a man who seemed to be taking hidden delight. It was like hell was but a beach party, and the sun was fire that burned everything, even in their background. The bitter scorn he was feeling upon seeing Maximus' face was making him grit his teeth in anger.

"Maximus…"

In the arena, Maximus snickered as he continued smirking.

---

A sword slash was followed by the sound of tearing. Another loud shriek from a guy wailed through the corridor's vaults. With one more body falling backwards, Master Riaan held his mighty sword in a horizontal swipe position with a straight face. As seconds past after the last body fell, he calmly straightened back up and sheathed his weapon of choice.

Looking around, he saw that many of the bodies that were already on the ground all around were groaning, and others were silent. In some instances, bits of red were sprinkled. He knew the consequences, as well as the risks upon doing what he had to do in self-defense, but he offered no apology to an enemy.

"Blame your own lack of reasoning against the choices you've pinned upon yourselves." With that, he looked on, staring ahead at the orange tunnel that was sure to lead to the core. He could see just how far away it was, but it shouldn't be that great of a length if he started moving now.

"I'm sorry, Luke, Shawn. I'll do what I can to help. Hang in there just a little longer."

He started off towards the tunnel's entry, leaving only his footsteps to hollow and echo throughout the domain.

Far behind, way far behind the tunnel and bodies, there was a pair of boots that clanged. Slowly advancing to a stop, the green-eyed man with red hair stared ahead with a frown. He glared daggers as he watched Riaan's back like a hawk.

"…" Time slowed down drastically as he began his first step towards the scene ahead, his long red hair shifting like a wave behind him.

The hunt was on.

---

Here's chapter 12 and all of its glorified glory. Sorry if the chapter was more or less lackluster in battles. It's really more of a buildup chapter for the all the rumbles to come next chapter. Depending on how much I fit in next chapter with all these preluded fights, it may take 2 chapters, but we shall see. Hope you all enjoyed the conversations and the insight of the characters again! Reviews are appreciated as always!