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.

13. Merciless Trap - Part I

A low, malicious chuckle resonated from Cesar. He, along with Rogue Zero, were in the lab a few hours after the incident regarding the transporter's destruction, and the untimely mess that was made. Having withdrawn, they found themselves in the sanctum of the mad scientist's lab.

"Welcome, my dubious colleagues." He greeted nonchalantly, with fingers folded so as to look more sophisticate. "I trust that you all know the reason we are gathered here at this time."

Ariella snorted. "Let me guess, it's because of that transporter, right?" She took in a hefty sigh of frustration. "I told you we should've stepped in when we had the chance, and now look at what's been done."

Killian looked nonchalantly away with an eyeroll. Xander snorted back in retort. The others seemed unfazed.

"It was just a minor setback." Hendrix assured.

Ariella shot him a look. "'Just a minor setback' you say? Those brats are still at large in this city because of this 'minor setback'!"

"Well I certainly fail to see how that changes things the way they are now." Xander shrugged. "If Maximus wanted us to intervene, he would've said so from the beginning."

"And you think it's any other reason besides that?" she accused.

Having enough, Killian stepped in the center. "Okay~! Let's just take a deep breath and just pace ourselves, okay?" He faced Ariella. "Ariella, let's just be fair about this and agree this was nobody's fault, okay? I'm sure we can compensate from this."

Ariella crossed her arms with a scoff. "And just what makes you my trail boss? You still lost to that fat bozo and his stupid bug."

"Yeah, and lost to them how many times now?" By the sound of his statement, Ariella was taken back with a low growl emitting from her throat. "Thought so." He gestured towards Cesar. "Cesar, good buddy, please continue?"

The Haos battler nodded. "Why thank you, Killian. Finally, we can get back on track! Now then, as I was saying…" He started to press coordinates into his controller fixed in his armrest. He was making sure that the inserts were all correct as holographic blueprints of the transporter had been demolished. It enlarged in the center, so everyone can see it. "As you all can see, from this 'ordain conflict', we have lost our main communication to our home. As such, we're down to secondary communications."

"You mean messaging with faxes and words?" Xander clarified.

"Yes, but worry not. I should have it fixed as soon as we manage to deal with the mess at hand."

Maximus stepped up with a smirk. "And this mess is precisely why you've brought us together. Isn't that right, Doc?"

Cesar smirked. "Yes."

"So then it would be better to get to the point then."

Cesar shot and index finger to the bridge of his glasses and adjusted them along the bridge of his own. "It's as you've asked. I will be the first to admit that while we've had some leeway about, it's finally set."

Killian raised a brow. "What is?"

Rather than verbally comply, Cesar snapped his fingers. The echoing of the fingers shot all throughout the dark room, where there, six lights shined from right underneath mix massive platforms with cases reaching up towards the ceiling. In each container, to everyone's shock, there were six different Bakugan inside each one.

Altogether, the casing and platforms lighted make the attribute diagram. In front of them all was a black and purple machine-like creature that was looking down, meaning it was offline. On the far end, however, there appeared to be another android or cybernetic spider-like creature with many green eyes and red pincers. The case beside the black machine was another machine, mimicking the appeal of a many-legged spider with a tube-like head and yellow spokes jutting out from behind. In the three remaining tubes, however, the rest seem to look a lot less mechanical, and more organic. One looked a lot like a snake, but with six head attached to the hood. The other looked like an El Condor, but it had a triangular chain around its neck. And lastly, inside a tube of altered, chemical liquid, there was a Bakugan with a trident in hand. It was attached to tubes and breathing bubbles as its conscience was coming around.

Cesar raised his arms and gestured into the air. "BEHOLD~! My creations! Aren't they just lovely?!"

Maximus looked up at the black and purple machine, his smirk beneath his hood evident. "Yes, just as I had pictured it. Well done, Doc."

Cesar flicked his locks. "Well deciphering those blueprints are as easy as lobbing softballs. Now then, I should warn you that they're still adjusting to the enhancement I placed on them. They're nowhere near as potent as the forbidden abilities, but they should be nice backup if you ever need it."

Hendrix nodded. "We'll keep that in mind."

Killian slowly walked around the El Condor Bakugan in its case. He looked up with shock, but in a good way. "Not bad…not too shabby at all." He reached into his pocket, holding up his Moskeeto. "What do you think, Moskeeto?"

The black and green Bakugan hissed for his answer.

"Are you still trying to communicate with your Bakugan?" Xander questioned. "You can push that to the back of your mind, because those odds are as good as you scoring that hottie Ms. Vergo back home."

"Shut up! You know nothing!"

"Just saying."

Hendrix looked up at the six-headed serpent before turning towards Cesar. "And they'll be ready by tomorrow?"

Cesar nodded. "Yes, without a doubt. I trust that they'll suffice when the time fits."

"They better, because I'm getting sick of losing to those Earth brats." Ariella exasperated.

"Now, now, no need to start fires yet." Maximus stepped in front of everyone, looking ahead as if peering into meaningless space. Everyone turned towards him as he had centerfield to the game. "In time, my friends. We'll all get what we desire most. Killian, I trust that in a little longer, our Bakugan will come around. And Ariella, we shall make them pay. We just need to bear with the resources we have for now is all." He held up his Goblinball in his palm. "Now isn't that right, my fearless pet?"

Inside his ball form, the Darkus Bakugan was stirring. He groaned and grimaced, but his hisses were becoming more vocalized. It was like a child learning to speak.

"…Ma…ster…?"

Ariella's brows furrowed. "What was that?"

"EUREKA! It's already beginning to work!" Cesar joyfully exclaimed. "The Bakugan are beginning to awaken from their subconscious states! Their bodies have dug deep into the adaptations! It's only a matter of time before the others are awaken!"

"Alright, we get it! No need to blow a fuse over it." Xander stated. He turned towards Killian, giving him a distressed frown. "Guess I owe you an apology."

Killian waved him off dismissively. "It's fine. At least now we can communicate to some extent."

"…creee…." The Ventus Moskeeto hissed.

Maximus smirked in delight, a small chuckle escaping him. With his hood still down, he seemed more intimidating than before. "Looks like we'll have time to play with our trapped mice after all."

---

"Gate Card, set!" Ariella threw the Gate Card out towards the battlefield. It slid into place, fading into blue that spread across the ground. She brought her arm back with a smirk and threw out her Bakugan first. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"

Popping open on the battlefield, a massive claw was raised. It punched the air tightly, and arising with it was Aquos Clawcer, groaning angrily.

Esther narrowed her vision, knowing what she had to do. "Bakugan, brawl!" She tossed in her Atchibee, who popped open on the battlefield. "Atchibee, stand!"

Arising in a purple light, a pair of wings with a scary pattern flapped, and arising next with a burst of screeches was Atchibee.

Clawcer: 450 Atchibee: 400

Ariella lifted her arm first, readying her ability. "Ability, activate! Shield Crust Delta!" Her Bakugan lowered his pincer and pinched the claws together. The claws began to shimmer a bright blue shade, charging up energy for a blow that started with the arm being reeled back and then thrust forward, ending a blue, deep, shredding crescent at Atchibee.

Clawcer: 450 Atchibee: 400 (-300) = 100

"Let's go, Atchibee!" Esther lifted her arm, readying an ability of her own. "Ability, activate! Scan Blaze!"

Atchibee's eyes began to brighten in deep shimmering red. She let out several screeches as the crescent went right for her, but red, heated energy waves expelled in all directions from her eyes. As the attack closed in, it fizzled out.

Clawcer: 450 Atchibee: 100 (+300 +200) = 600

Atchibee remained stationary as Esther glared at Ariella. "You're as predictable as before when we battled in the past." She retorted.

Ariella smirked maliciously. "That may be, but you still aren't anywhere near the level of power that I possess. I'll prove it, with this!" She lifted her arm showing off another ability. "Ability, activate! Aquos Cyclowave!" Her Clawcer opened his claws again, this time instead gathering up energy to manifest into a charging sphere of bright blue. As the energy swirled in, his power level bumped all the way from 450 to 850. Once charged, his arm jutted out and he opened the claws a little wider. Shooting at Atchibee, a beam aced with so much intensity that the made the ground beneath shudder.

"Esther!"

Hearing Atchibee's call, the Darkus girl nodded. "Right, let's do it! Ability, activate! Darkus Stream!"

As Atchibee fluttered in place, a lavender, if not bright purple, whirlwind surrounded her. It acted like a veil that twisted and turned, slowly enveloping into a tornado that encompassed Atchibee clearly. The blue blitzing beam sailed right at the shrilling whirlwind, but instead of ploughing through it like Ariella thought, it dispersed into thin blue streaks around it, hitting various parts of the battlefield.

"What happened?!" she panicked.

At the top of the tornado, it began to bend downwards, pointing right at Clawcer. He looked up, seeing that in the center's top was Atchibee. She was as clear as crystal in his red eyes as she dove down, the purple tornado surrounding her. "Here's a coupe de grace! Hnnngh!" She arched skywards into an uppercut, the tornado's edging sending Clawcer flying backwards in agony. He slammed against the ground hard, so hard that the tremors made dust beneath stir up.

Clawcer: 850 (-300) = 550 Atchibee: 600

The tornado veil fizzled out, revealing Atchibee in one piece.

Maggie balled her fists with a cheery smile. "Alright! Yes!"

Ariella's distaste was evident on her face. Her patience wearing thin, she turned towards Killian, swiping her arm. "What are you doing, waiting for dinner? Get in there!" she barked.

"Alright!" Killian retorted. "Keep your pants on, alright?" He looked down towards Moskeeto, the back at the battlefield. "Alright, Moskeeto, you know what to do."

"…rea…dy…" he hissed.

"Easy, save your strength for the fight big guy…Bakugan, brawl!" he threw him in. "Moskeeto, stand!" Popping forth from a bright green light, Moskeeto exerted a strong wind as he arose into battle. He hissed loudly in sheer intimidation.

Clawcer: 550 Atchibee: 600

Moskeeto: 450

Killian moved his arm up, readying an ability card. "Ability, activate! Needle Diffuse!" With his Moskeeto's needle sticking out and ready, he folded his wings and went diving at Atchibee.

"Here it comes!" Esther warned.

"That's our cue!" Jelldon gasped.

Maggie nodded. "Yup, sure is!" She grabbed Jelldon and readied herself. "Let's get in there, Jelldon! Bakugan, brawl! Jelldon, stand!"

Popping out in a red glow, tentacles shriveled as the walking jellyfish arose for battle. He stood at 350 Gs.

Maggie popped in an ability card, making it glow red. "Ability activate, Morphed Deflect!"

Jelldon shriveled and shuffled in front of Atchibee, maintaining a guard as Moskeeto came in. He dove so fast he couldn't stop, and when he thought he was going to skewer Jelldon, instead, he bounced off him like a trampoline. The insect hissed loudly in shock as he went bolting at Clawcer instead. To everyone's shock, Clawcer was struck hard in the center by Moskeeto. The impact was enough to make him fall over again, thudding against the dirt.

Clawcer: 550 (-300) = 250 Atchibee: 600

Moskeeto: 450 Jelldon: 350

"Aw yeah! Way to go, Jelldon! That's showing them!" Maggie cheered.

Jelldon's body jiggled some from the shock, but it was a good vibration that went through him. "Teehee, that kinds tickles."

"Nice save, Jelldon. I appreciate it." Atchibee praised.

"Don't mention it."

Clawcer struggled to stand, but his body was feeling a numbness take over it. He could barely move; it was like a parasite was taking over and numbing his nerves. He weakly moved his claw, but that didn't do any good.

Ariella growled in vivid frustration. "Gnnngh…what are you doing?! Get up!" Her orders were harsh, but try and he might, it was no use. Clawcer only weakly moved his arms about, getting little to no help.

"Forget it." Killian said. "With Needle Diffuse, a numbing toxin prevents you from activating any abilities."

"Gnnngh…"

"I'll deal with them. Ability activate, Frequency Shaker!" Moskeeto began to vibrate and move his wings in high beats. The hissing he emitted was loud as shrilling green shockwaves expanded from his body, enveloping both Atchibee and Jelldon alike.

Clawcer: 250 Atchibee: 600 (-200) = 400

Moskeeto: 450 Jelldon: 350 (-200) = 150

Killian watched as his opponent's Bakugan were shriveling in pain from the high frequency. "How's that?!" he shouted. "Go, Moskeeto!"

At his command, Moskeeto went diving at them again, his claws bared right for Jelldon.

"Jelldon!" Maggie shouted.

"H-Huh?" Barely hearing her muffled voice, the jellyfish turned his attention towards around. He saw the look on Maggie's face, and that was sign she was ready. Blinking once, he got the message with surprise. "…oh! Right!" He faced Moskeeto again, uncovering from the frequency that rang through the air.

Maggie smiled as she raised her Bakumeter. "Esther's not the only one with a new trick! Ability, activate! Jolt Eraser!"

The frill-like surrounding of Jelldon began to glow, emitting a small ring of red static that zapped the air around him. The static started to crackle at a much faster rate than before, until at last a red, electrifying discharge expelled forward in a fury of many red lightning bolts. They defended Jelldon from the frequency, as well as travel along the soundwaves, reaching Moskeeto and harshly zapping him. The Bakugan reached loudly in the red lightning that circuited through him.

Clawcer: 250 Atchibee: 400 (+200) = 600

Moskeeto: 450 (-200) = 250 Jelldon: 150 (+200 +200) = 550

As the electricity crackled around Moskeeto, and with Clawcer still incapacitated, this was the chance they've been looking for.

"Now, Maggie!" Esther exclaimed.

"Yeah! Jelldon and I got dibs on that bug!" she exclaimed. "Jelldon!"

"Got it!" With his ability stopping for the time being, the jellyfish Bakugan reached up and slipped his tentacles around Moskeeto. With a successful hold, the insect was rendered paralyzed and unable to maneuver. Jelldon thus grunted as he discharged more of his red lightning into his stingers, electrocuting Moskeeto further. The insect hissed in pain as for the second time in a row, he felt like a bug zapper. In his stupor, Jelldon brought his tentacles towards the ground, sending him into the earth beneath. Moskeeto hissed loudly as he plummeted into dirt, erupting in a burst of sand.

When the sand dissipated, the tentacles retracted, and Moskeeto was seen morphing into a green ball. Killian looked shocked at the display as his life gauge dropped to 40%.

Esther reached her arm out next. "Atchibee!"

"On it!" She zipped at the stiff Clawcer, passing him with her blades treading purple thin lines from them. The Aquos Bakugan shrilled a shriek as he morphed into a ball, plopping in front of a frowning Ariella. Her life gauge, however, plummeted to 30%.

"Miserable little crab." She huffed.

Both Atchibee and Jelldon reverted to ball forms, returning to Esther and Maggie's hands.

"Yes! We got'em!" Maggie chirped.

Esther nodded. "Yes, but it appears we still have a ways to go."

"Right!"

Both Killian and Ariella bent and picked up their Bakugan, with Killian getting up first. "Seems they've been practicing."

"So it would seem…" Ariella's distaste blossomed into a smirk. "But this makes it all the more worth it."

---

In the space where Shawn and Shuji were confined to, they were facing off against Hendrix and Cesar, both ready for battle.

"I hope you are ready." Cesar inserted a Gate Card into his armrest's slot. "Gate Card, set!" He shot the Gate Card from the slot of the armrest's side, shooting it outwards until it reached the middle. There, it faded into a yellow ripple across the bare battlefield.

Next came his Bakugan, shooting out of a slot. "Bakugan, brawl!" His armrest shot out Freezer, who popped open once far enough out. "Freezer, stand!"

Summoned forth was Freezer, who scowled with an echoed shrill.

Hendrix looked at his Rafflesian for a moment, before facing his opponents. Once ready, he threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Like any other Rafflesian that came before, the vines plunged into the ground, holding the black and brown Rafflesian up as he growled out as well.

"Shuji." Shawn said.

The Subterra battler nodded. "Let's do it."

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

"Go, Haos Verias!" Rising up first, Verias landed on his two feet, twirling his staff in front before jutting it out in readiness.

"Go, Subterra Fly Beetle!" A horn arose high before it anchored downwards, where there, it revealed Fly Beetle as his six legs held him up for combat.

Freezer: 450 Fly Beetle: 350

Rafflesian: 450 Verias: 350

Cesar held up his wrist meekly, showing an ability card ready. "Let's get this test started, shall we? Ability, activate! Brain Freeze!" From the triangle on Freezer's head, a bright, shining beam went at Verias, while his power level bumped to 650.

Shawn frowned as his ability showed. "Ability, activate! Heaven Solace!" Verias held his staff in front, where a radiant light shot down from above, twinkling sparkles and stars within its divine light. The yellow beam made impact, but it dissipated, nullifying the ability.

"Substandard." Cesar mused.

"Shuji, can you back me up here?" Shawn as Shuji.

The Subterra battler smirked. "Thought you'd never ask." He raised his left wrist, making an ability show. "Ability activate, Fly Arrow!" Fly Beetle's tusks unleashed a powerful twin beam of a bright brown shade at Freezer, making the opponent's G-Power drop to 350, while Fly Beetle went up to 550.

Hendrix showed a serious face as he faced Shuji. "Ability activate, Bud Bomber!" From the small bud-like top that Rafflesian possessed, the buds began to glow and enlarge. Asif like bullets, they fired in rapid fire succession with energy bullets that went to intercept the twin beams.

However, as it traveled closer, Verias reappeared in front of its course, twirling his staff in midair. "You'll have to get pass us first!"

"Ability, activate! Caroline Protector!" Verias' staff began to twirl so much that it was starting to make a small bright ring as it circulated about. The brown bombs went into the twirling stick, but like a blender, it was only chopped up and went barreling to the sides of it. With each bomb that pelted it, it only grew more orange and looked like an orange ring. Once gathered enough force, Verias finally twirled it around and swung the staff like a bat, sending the orange energy in a condensed beam that zipped through the rest of the bombs heading his way.

Hendrix covered up as the brown wave struck his Rafflesian, making a large smoke cloud muffle out his groans of pain. A short but strong wind pushed him back a few feet, but he recovered and look ahead with narrowed eyes.

At the same time, the bright orange beams struck the area in front of Rafflesian, making an explosion that sent him soaring onto his back with a gruff grunt.

Freezer: 350 Fly Beetle: 550

Rafflesian: 450 (-300) = 150 Verias: 350

"Haha! How'd you like that?" Shuji mocked with a raised fist.

Cesar, however, maintained his own smirk. "Not bad." He looked towards Hendrix. "Shall we?"

Hendrix nodded. "So we shall."

Cesar snapped his fingers. "Gate Card, open! Hate Gate!"

The Gate Card beneath glowed and shimmered a bright light. As the light was shining, a bright, malicious yellow and brown aura enveloped Freezer and Rafflesian alike. Their bodies convulsed as power surged into them, making Verias and Fly Beetle hold up their guards.

Freezer: 350 (+500) = 850 Fly Beetle: 550

Rafflesian: 150 (+500) = 650 Verias: 350

Shuji looked at the power levels shooting up and went wide-eyed. "Woah, their power levels just cranked up big time!"

"That's the effects of Hate Gate." Shawn explained. "For each ability anyone uses, the opponent Bakugan gets 100 Gs increase for each one. We've gotta end this fast, or else things won't be too sunny."

Hendrix raised his Bakumeter, showing an ability. "Ability activate, Mineral Plight!" The brown aura around Rafflesian deepened into an intense brown glow, one that was shimmering like diamonds and minerals from the earth. His power level went up to 850 to match Freezer's.

"Any idea?" Shawn asked. "I'm open to suggestions."

Cesar smirked. "Hmmm, how about this…?" He showed another ability card. "Ability, activate~! Cool Breath! Chill them out, Freezer!" The maniacal scientist laughed as though he had heard a really bad joke as his Freezer grunted.

The creature expelled a white, cold mist from his mouth piece, which went at Verias and Fly Beetle alike

Not wanting to take the chance, Shuji smirked. "Heh."

"What?"

"For every attack, you need a counter for it!" He pulled up his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Subterra Seeker!"

"What?!" Cesar paled.

Fly Beetle stood in front of Verias, expanding his wing shields and presenting the brown accents. The magma color appeared, and the heat resonated and repulsed the mist. As if going back in time, the cloud blew away from them, heading right for Rafflesian and Freezer alike. Both Bakugan grimaced with shocked growls as the white cloud passed them, swallowing them in its chilling wake.

When Fly Beetle closed his wings, he looked ahead, seeing both opponents covered in frost. "Looks like someone needed to chill out." He joked.

Freezer: 850 (-200) = 650 Fly Beetle: 550 (+100) = 650

Rafflesian: 850 (-200) = 650 Verias: 350

"NOOOO~!" Cesar despaired, having hands on his head. "What's the meaning of this?! We can't activate any abilities now! What did you rodents do?!"

Hendrix grunted in annoyance.

"Ready?" Shuji wondered.

"Ready." Shawn answered. "Ability, activate! Siba Feral!"

"Ability, activate! Horn Buster!"

Together, Verias pointed his staff and Fly Beetle aimed for Rafflesian. Verias made one big jump above, having his staff overhead and ready to swing. With a loud, shrieking howl, the simian unleashed a bloodcurdling roar that shuddered the earth and air alike. He slammed his staff down straight on the frozen Freezer's face, making the ice and frost accumulated on it shatter and break.

The bright brown electrical blast of energy shot straight from the horn, shooting across the ground from Fly Beetle towards Rafflesian's center. Like Freezer, ice and frost blitzed everywhere as he was enveloped in a ground-shaking tremor.

Freezer: 650 (-200) = 450 Fly Beetle: 650 (+200) = 850

Rafflesian: 650 Verias: 350 (+200) = 550

Both enemy Bakugan started falling over, but they stopped when they instead morphed to ball forms. They plopped in front of their masters, each frowning as their life gauges dropped.

Cesar: 80%

Hendrix: 60%

Both Verias and Fly Beetle went back to Shuji and Shawn, who caught them with big smiles on their faces. "Yeah!" Shuji cheered. "How's that!"

"We got them that time." Shawn grinned.

Hendrix knelt and seized his Rafflesian. Cesar bent over and picked up his Freezer. The two enemies shot their opponents a grimacing look of annoyance; Cesar more so than Hendrix.

"Seems they've given us a fight." Cesar mused, smirking. "Good, very good. I do hope my expectations don't fall behind."

"I doubt it." Hendrix glared ahead, prepared for the next round.

---

Riaan was making way down the orange-lit corridor that lead towards the core chamber, at least to what knowledge he was aware of. He trekked nonchalantly, and yet at the same time, he couldn't help but feel so preoccupied with something the bugged him.

'It should be down here. This path leads solemnly towards the chamber…yet it's still so far.' Luke's master was mentally exasperating at how long the tunnel ran. He couldn't help but feel a sense of impatience take over him. It was rather nostalgic. 'Hm, seems as though Luke's behavior got to me. Speaking of Luke…' He stopped to look left and right, seeing that he was alone. Once he figured he was isolated, he could look down as he reached and tapped coordinates into his Bakumeter. Once they were put in, a small holographic projection of a screen showed over the Bakumeter. It revealed what looked like a battle happening at the moment.

S the battle went on, Riaan showed ample surprise. "Well I'll be…"

…

"Ability activate, Hermit Missile!" The plump battler with an Aquos Stug gave the command, which was followed with the hermit crab-like Aquos Bakugan remaining still as its four protruding spikes on the back of its shell lit up. They expelled from the shell, barreling in an arch down towards Abis Omega.

"Right! Counter!" Luke deduced aloud. "Double ability, activate! Diamond Shower, plus Fusion Ability, Blue Mega!"

Abis Omega's diamonds began to exert a lot of bright energy from them, and the bright blue energy around his body started to make the diamonds shine even brighter. "Alright you overgrown crustacean, how's about I make you wish you stayed hiding in that shell! HRAH!" Raising his head high, Abis Omega let out a loud, menacing shriek from his mouth. His body exerted bright blue diamonds in an expanding funnel. To add fuel to the fire, it was releasing a lot of bright energy currents, making every diamond look like a bright blue meteor with tails. The spiraling funnel was like a storm that enveloped the four incoming projectiles and powered through, striking both Stug and the Pyrus Verias that was the partner. Both Bakugan morphed into ball form and plopped to the two battlers who fell to their knees and looked down in shame.

Luke balled a fist, raising it high out of joy. "Yes! Another win!" he cheered. Behind him, Jase looked towards the side, adjusting his glasses so callously.

"Not so sublime as what I had expected."

"And with that, ladies and gentlemen, we have our first finalists for today's battle tournament!" the announcer above declared. Below him, the audience cheered loudly for Luke and Jase.

Luke waved his arms around, smiling wide while Jase stood in silent remark.

…

Master Riaan observed with little surprise on his face. If he was having a poker face of trying to mask any shock, then he was doing a good job at it. "Well this a first. Seems Jase and Luke are faring better than what I thought."

"You sound so callous about it that you seem to be lacking faith."

The voice made Riaan show some length of modest surprise on his face. He frowned as the familiar voice from behind made him come to recap on who had that voice in familiar aspects. To his own dismay, he figured out who it was.

Without looking, he answered. "Well I can't lie when I say I hold little expectations."

The figure behind stepped up. "I told you and your nuisances to stay out of my way, and look at what happened to them. They're gone now, and it's all your fault." The figure stopped several meters behind, showing a hostile look on his face. It turned out to be the same guy from last night, the one who has been keeping tabs on them. The savior in question, as well as affiliation unknown. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Riaan closed his eyes, looking down at the ground with a frown. "Last I checked, you were someone who insisted we minded our own business, did you not? So then why care what happens to us?" His eyes opened as he turned his head to gaze at the man before him. "Wouldn't you call that hypocrisy?"

The Haos man scoffed in light of this. "Hmph, coming from such a tongue. Speak so much and you just might bite it off yourself."

"Ah, but the fangs of irony bear at times of arrogance." At last, Riaan turned to face his unknown adversary. "If you have something to say, then wouldn't it have been best to say something before?"

"Just what are you intending?"

"That's for our own reasons. Who's to say we have to answer to just one?"

"And I say I'm sick of these questions getting us nowhere." His tone was more threatening than before. "Spill it, just what are you doing?!"

It was no use for Riaan's sake. He was in a time-pressed situation, and someone wasting his time refused to leave him be. He would've preferred to play more questions to where they could play with their own swords, but something more appropriate shed its light on the formality of it all.

Riaan sighed. "Then it would seem we're at each other's wits in this tedious game."

"So you think?" he arrogantly snapped.

"If you do not intend to stay out of our way in this situation, then this course can only be answered in the most appropriate manner. I think you know what I'm referring to."

As if reading his mind, the unknown man held up his two fingers, with his Haos Bakugan wedged between. "So be it."

Riaan brought a foot back as he glared daggers at his foe. "Then allow me to introduce myself in full. I am Riaan, of the head of the Revolutia family stronghold. My services are to protect and see the best in others, and it is here you shall face my judgment!"

The person in question brought his own foot back. "Then allow me to add to what I said to you last night. I am Luka Strider, and I am an avenger!" he fully introduced. "Now, if we're done acting so epic and divine, let's get this started, shall we?"

"You took the words right out of my mouth." They both shared glare, with magenta eyes narrowed against green ones.

Riaan: 100% Luka: 100%

From Riaan's sleeve, a Gate Card slipped into the fingers. "Allow me to set up ground. Gate Card, set!" He threw the Gate Card outwards, which faded into a purple ripple outward. Once set, he presented his Bakugan between his two fingers. He threw it in.

"Bakugan, brawl! Darkus Luxtor, stand!" Arising in a dark purple light from the floor, Riaan's Bakugan emerged. It hissed loudly as it arose on its hind for a short while, giving it some intimidation through its temporary height.

Without words to spare, Luka stretched his arm out to the side, giving a pause as his eyes shut. He fell silent as the anticipation arose, and once finding his center, his eyes flashed open. "Bakugan, brawl!" He threw into white and purple Bakugan. It rolled outwards to a stop, paused, and then popped open. "Bakugan, stand! Haos Alto Brontes!"

Arising into battle, the clown-like Bakugan emerged, cackling a laugh as he stood opposing Luxtor.

Luxtor: 600 Alto Brontes: 600

"I'll display what I impose!" Riaan lifted his Bakumeter, showing an ability. "Ability, activate!" He then reached out. "Eye-Ray Hammer!" From the three eyes that Luxtor had, three dark purple beams shot at Alto Brontes.

Luxtor: 600 (+200) = 800 Alto Brontes: 600

As the beams traveled towards Brontes' center, Luka showed no visible care. "A short start. Ability, activate! Shining Nightmare!" As the beam barreled closer towards Brontes, the Haos Bakugan crossed two of his arms, and then unfolded them. They emitted glowing energy that manifested into shimmering silver axe blades that he swung, making yellow trails arch that diverged the three beams into different directions around the Bakugan.

Luxtor: 800 Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000

"Hmph! A protector who can't even make me feel any less challenged isn't even worth being called a protector." Luka scoffed. "Just what are you protecting to begin with?"

Riaan held his arm beside him. "My very home of course. Ability activate…Silk Harness!" Luxtor raised his head and the small inner pincers widened a little. Expelling from between was a long line of silky, milky thread that shot like a beam at Brontes. The Haos Bakugan covered up using his axe arms, but they only ended up being enveloped in the silk. As the arms enveloped in the substance, Brontes' arms got heavy and lowered like cuffs. He looked back at Luxtor in question.

Luxtor: 800 Alto Brontes: 1000 (-400 -200) = 400

"You nullified my ability and lowered my power level." Luka sneered.

"Indeed I have. Now, ability activate, Alvert Impact!" Luxtor hissed loudly again, and from his eyes again, three more powerful lights began to manifest. Once charged and surged into full circle, a frequency was heard briefly before three dense beams blitzed across the ground, heading right for the incapacitated Brontes.

Luxtor: 800 (+400) = 1200 Alto Brontes: 400

The beam narrowed in towards Alto Brontes, but Luka bared his Bakumeter again, this time showing angst. "Quit it with stalling! Ability activate, Atmosphere!"

Brontes' eyes glimmered a bright yellow for a second, and then he began to cackle a laugh. His laughter was what was pushing his thin arms to pry loose and strain their way out of the hold they were in. They broke free of the binds, and his laughter went into segmented chuckles as his four purple hands were facing skyward, generating four silver gyros with bellow blades that sliced and cut as they shot at the beams. Two of them went spinning and met the three beams hands on, causing a stalemate between the clashes. Evidently, the remaining two beams bypassed the collision, heading towards Luxtor as his defenses were down. The two sharp small planets began to cut and graze his sides, causing him to hiss in retort.

Luxtor: 1200 (-400) = 800 Alto Brontes: 400 (+400) = 800

The two cutting edged blades kept swiping and flying about, ramming into Luxtor. With little mobility, the Bakugan could only hiss in utter annoyance as his beam-like projections finally blinked off, just as the two other gyros disintegrated after finally letting up themselves. Finally, the remaining gyros dissipated, and Luxtor was relieved.

"You should try to be more prepared." Luka retorted.

"So you say." Riaan retorted. "Very well then, if you wish." He reached his arm out, commanding his Luxtor. "Go!"

"Brontes, you too!"

Both Bakugan either hissed or maniacally laughed as they launched at the other. As pincers met four arms, the two were close and were in a beef match, and neither looked like they wanted to lose.

---

In the depths of the corridor, a pair of footsteps was heard, two of them actually. Both resonated from boots and shoes of those individuals whose backs were shadows in the light. Even from inside, they could hear the many cheery people just aching for a battle.

"Seems the crowds rather excited." The taller of the two said casually. "You think they're expecting a blood bath?"

"Who cares?" the other figure said, though his tone was more of impatience. "We're here to be kicking ass, right?"

"…yes, I suppose so."

The Bakugan on the taller one's shoulder popped open, facing forward. "So it seems we'll be facing them once more."

"So it would seem. But luckily this time around, we have an understanding of what needs to be done. Right, Luke?"

The person turned, the light showing his face to be Luke as he frowned at the colonel. "I know. These guys are as annoying as before, and strong too."

Jase looked forward, smirking with hands behind his back. "Another understatement perhaps."

"It's not an understatement, it's the truth!"

Abis Omega popped open in the air beside Luke. "Alright you guys, let's just save the chitchat for after we kick these guys to the curb, alright? I just wanna make sure they got a message from us."

Luke scowled as he angrily faced forward. "Yeah, alright."

"And now, may both competitors please enter the ring!" the announcer from outside exclaimed.

"Seems like it's time. Remember the plan like we discussed?" Jase asked.

Luke gritted his teeth as his aggravation grew. "Gnnngh! Yes, I remember!"

"Well alright then…let's go."

Together, the two male humans walked out side by side, venturing into the light of the arena, where they were met with some cheers and applause.

"And here we are, folks, the final round of Troposphere's Tag Team Tournament Extravaganza! The surprising twist of turns that had made these two climb and swim in two different ways, throwing everyone in a tailspin, please welcome Jase and Luke!"

The two remained silent so as to stay on course. While Luke was pleased with the cheers before, he knew who their opponents were now, and he needed all his energy to make sure they got the full extent of his wrath.

As if on cue, through the cheering, another pair of feet entered the platform on the opposite side of the battlefield. Appearing as intended, Luke's eyes narrowed at the recognition of a hooded Maximus and a frowning Xander. They both still had some level of malice that annoyed Luke to no end.

"And now, their opponents, and the ones who have been knocking around others all bout, we have Maximus Rogue, and Xander Hellion, both making their ways to the finals with nothing less than pure extreme!"

Once again, the crowd cheered, albeit louder.

Maximus folded his arms, observing the two with a frown. "So you've made it all the way here then, Luke. After what happened last night, I thought you would've preferred hiding in a ditch until you sprung an ambush." He then smirked. "Unless you got too antsy."

The snarl Luke gave off intensified.

"Luke. Now is not the time to diverge." Jase retorted.

Luke backed off. "Yeah, sorry. We'll stick to that plan."

"Do you think Rogue Zero can handle these chumps by themselves, Max." Xander questioned.

The hooded man lowered his head. "We'll find out soon enough. Now I do believe the curtain is up, my friend. Take your place."

Xander stood still as the platform beneath them began to move skywards. The platform beneath Luke and Jase also went up, both escalating slowly until each platform was several meters skyward. They both were at the same elevation, with both sides ready it seemed. The crowd's cheering was louder than before as well.

The four faces showed. Maximus scoffed as he took his hood off, revealing his horned crown and wily, wicked expression.

Xander: 100% Jase: 100%

Maximus: 100% Luke: 100%

"Now then, without further interruptions, may the battle please…start!"

"Luke." Jase said.

The Aquos battler stepped forward. "Do it!"

Jase adjusted his glasses, giving them a ashine as the Gate Card went shooting from his hand. "Gate Card, set!" The Gate Card thus reached the island part of the battle domain, where it faded into a green ripple everywhere.

With Atmos in hand, Jase readied to throw. "Stay on guard, Atmos…Bakugan, brawl! Atmos, stand!" Popping out of ball form, a green light expelled from the ground, manifesting into a large wingspan falcon that cawed loudly.

Luke was next. "Okay, here we come, Rogue Zero! Bakugan, brawl! Abis Omega, stand!" Launched out onto the island first, the blue sphere plopped into the large pool in the center. There, it popped and enveloped in a blue energy that morphed into Abis Omega. He roared loudly as his slithery body arched in the water.

Maximus smirked upon seeing the competition. "Shall we present?"

"Absolutely." Xander scoffed.

"Then let's go." Maximus brought his arm back, ready to throw in his Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Goblinball, stand!"

"Bakugan, brawl! Hyper Dragonoid, stand!"

At the same time, both balls popped open, with the Pyrus one spinning. At that instant, a strong wind kicked up, prompting Luke and Jase to steel themselves for this big tussle. Abis Omega and Atmos both braced themselves as well, this time watching as a malicious black, wavy energy eroded from beneath, and a small, thin fire whirlpool expelled two Bakugan that took flight with folded bodies. Shooting into the air, both Bakugan unfolded, expelling another wind as Hyper Dragonoid and Goblinball surfaced for a shrieking start. Their bellows were so massive that they made the airspace around them tremble.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 Atmos: 400

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350

Looking at Goblinball, Abis Omega scowled. "Oh great, that ugly eyeball again." As if understanding, the Goblinball shrieked down in retort towards Abis' annoyance.

"Do not tamper with them just yet." Atmos inclined. "They are formidable foes. They won't be baited so likely."

"Yeah, I know…"

Jase looked calmly ahead, watching as the battle was to begin. "Luke, I believe that I can give us the start?"

Luke gave Jase a s look. "Fine with me. Let's go!"

Jase held up his wrist, signaling an ability ready to be used. Now then, let us begin! Ability activate, Typhoon Chase!" Atmos cawed loudly as his body was enveloped in a green aura. He flapped his wings profusely, summoning up a large gust that blew string winds to rebuff Hyper Dragonoid and Goblinball.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 Atmos: 400 (+100) = 500

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350

The wind blew about, but it wasn't enough to deter either the enemy battlers. Fighting against the wind, Maximus pulled up an ability. "Ability activate, Darkus Slave!" From Goblinball's wings as he flapped, many of bullet-like bright purple projectiles went shooting at an alarming rate, racing at Atmos as his power level dropped all the way towards 100.

"Not so fast. Ability, activate! Winding Winds!"

Responding well, the green aura around Atmos stayed put while the whirlwinds he was making condensed and turned green. As the dark projectiles blitzed onwards, they met the green winds, canceling the other out entirely.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 Atmos: 100 (+400 +200) = 700

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350

The winds this time were making a strong enough tempest that buffered Goblinball and Hyper Dragonoid. The distraction was what Abis Omega needed.

"Now, Abis Omega!" Atmos yelled.

"No need to tell me twice!" The serpent Bakugan arched into the water, his whole body vanishing deep within the wild blue yonder.

"And it looks like Abis Omega is taking advantage of the terrain once again." The announcer stated. "Just where will it come up to attack?"

Maximus looked calm, as to where his associate showed less than a displeased disposition. The Darkus leader glared ahead. "Xander, go."

The Pyrus cohort nodded. "With pleasure." He swiped his arm to the side. "Hyper Dragonoid, time to go fishing! Ability activate…"

As he roared out, Hyper Dragonoid expanded his winds to avoid being drafted by Atmos' green whirlwinds. He held his forefront and raised his head high, his body flashing a white aura briefly. In an instant, it all separated slowly separating into two.

"Dual Dragon!"

The two Hyper Dragonoid exerted a menacing roar as either took the sides of Goblinball, as if acting as a safeguard.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500/Hyper Dragonoid: 500 Atmos: 700

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350

As the three-to-two confrontation was about to begin, Jase held his ground with a little more lean into it. "Looks like we'll be needing to gain some ground after all."

"Just like you said, right…?" Luke drew himself away from the train of thoughts, his own track leading him to the plans he and Jase made earlier.

---

30 minutes ago

"Okay, so what was it again? You kinda lost me." A stumped Luke looked towards Jase as if he grew a second head. It was so much to take in that he even looked more pouty than ever.

Jase adjusted his glasses once more. "I'll explain it in brief again. I'm saying we must take everything we know about our enemies, and turn that against them."

Luke folded his arms in annoyance. "You make it sound so easy." He sniped.

"I assure you, it's not. Maximus and his associate are both whimsical battlers. It's as you said, they posses a lot of power that makes it too vulnerable for us to handle ourselves. We'll need whatever they used before and take notes."

Luke turned away. "Wait, now we're taking notes? Last I checked, I don't have any paper."

"Focus."

"I am! You're just making it more complicated than it should be!"

Jase sighed as he tuned his head about. "Well then if you're really desiring a brief summary of the strategy, then here's what I suggest." He pressed a few points on his Bakumeter, making a small projection screen show. Inside it were two panels beside the other. They revealed Hyper Dragonoid and Goblinball, both them and their readings showing. "Take a look at this, and tell me what you see."

Luke leaned in, giving it a quizzical look of wonders. "Hmmm…is this another trick question? Because all I see are just their pictures." He answered irritably.

"Their individual features make it so that a direct approach is considered suicide. We can't defend and attack as before, they know much better than that logic."

"So then you're suggesting guerilla attacks?"

"Well if you stopped to listen, then we'd know by now." Luke went silent as Jase aforementioned him to. "Alright then. What do we know about them other than their incredible powers? Luke, from what we've seen in your battle, Maximus uses more wits and attacks with force when the defense points are the weakest. When he can't cover his own defenses, he leans towards Xander, who has a more dynamic style of fighting it seems."

"So in a sense, as such the way you and Luke do, right?" Atmos questioned.

"Hey!"

Jase snickered. "Well technically, so it may seem. But let's jot down the abilities that we are familiar with. We know that they have a few abilities that can power themselves up drastically by at least 300 Gs, so those ones are to be weary of and to nullify. And as he have learned, the Darkus Slave subtracts 400 Gs…but also, there's the abilities that we may have not have seen so far."

Luke kept his arms folded, giving Jase a look. "Is this getting anywhere?"

"The Hyper Dragonoid has that ability combo that can make itself clone. That alone is a mess, and will have to be stopped. So Luke, if you can occupy Hyper Dragonoid for just a short while, I can divert Goblinball. Whoever takes the middle man will have to play defense until both their defenses are lowered."

Luke groaned angrily. "There! That's what I was looking for! Seriously, you take too long to explain all this!"

"I'm sorry, I thought you would be interested in knowing your enemy in detail. That is half the battle, right?" Jase smirked.

Luke grunted again. "Uuugh! But I know Goblinball already. I faced him like twice now…"

"And do you know much of Hyper Dragonoid?"

"Well…no."

"Well then there you go. Take down the support and leave it all vulnerable."

Luke grunted in annoyance. He really wanted to face Maximus again, but he didn't want a repeat like last time. It would just be degrading. If he was to make any efforts this time, he had to trust Jase's opinion. "Fine." He huffed. "…though I wanna take him on…"

"Well if you have a strategy, feel free to pitch in. I'm not objecting. I'm just stating facts."

Luke remained silent.

"So then we'll follow my strategy then. Just occupy and exploit Hyper Dragonoid the best you can. We'll group up and take them on evidently when we see fit they are vulnerable."

---

"Double ability, activate! Pyrus Volting, plus Blitz Sparta!" Following the directives, one Hyper Dragonoid howled as he reeled his head back, gathering pyrokinetic energy that surged and pressurized into a sphere of fire. Once ready, it was blasted in a pressurized fire beam that was aimed down below. It struck the inners of the pool water, making it steam and fizzle. The one Hyper Dragonoid flew over it, intensifying the blast and arching it about to smoke out Abis Omega, who was hiding beneath the surface. Meanwhile, the other Hyper Dragonoid was crossing his arms with fists balled. Once unfolded, a searing blaze enveloped the body. It lunged at Atmos at missile like speeds, and moving in admirably fast. It ripped right through the green whirlwinds, and Atmos glided off towards the side to evade the impact. However, the heat and the shockwaves that followed were what he rode on to gain some distance, even if it did sting some.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 (+300) = 800/Hyper Dragonoid: 500 (+200) = 700 Atmos: 700 (-200) = 500

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350

Underwater, Abis Omega was slithering about to avoid getting cindered and turned to fish food. As he maneuvered about with serpentine motions, he soon looked up, realizing that the real Hyper Dragonoid was straight above the water, opening his mouth to ready after blast of fire.

"Luke!"

Luke showed his arm, revealing two ability cards layered over the other. "Double ability, activate! Dry World, plus Sea Helix!"

As Hyper Dragonoid reeled his head down and released the blistering stream of fire, it surged at such a speed that it seemed impossible to get away from. It drew closer, but suddenly the water erupted in a pillar that surge into the fire, immediately putting it out.

"What?!" Xander exclaimed.

The spiral of water bolted upwards and enveloped Hyper Dragonoid. The Bakugan was enveloped in a swirling mass of water with a weaker spiral of water surrounding it. It roared out maliciously as its lungs were screaming from turbulence and water soaking it. It was forced skywards, spit out like a chunky piece of food at its peak. Once there, the Hyper Dragonoid howled as he slowly gained kinetic energy and slowly fell towards the ground. It crashed onto its back hard, making a deep thud erupt painfully.

Hyper Dragonoid: 800 (-100 -200) = 500/Hyper Dragonoid: 700 Atmos: 500

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350 (+100 +200) = 650

"Ouch." Maximus playfully said. "That looked like it hurt."

"That was just a fluke. Next time he won't be so lucky." Xander defended.

Jase held up his wrist next. "Ability, activate! Avianna Tempest!" Atmos cawed loudly as he once again found his momentum and flapped hard, stopping himself from gliding uncontrollably. The falcon took position and began to flap his wings for the umpteenth time, this time generating a pulsating whirlwind that picked up everywhere. A menacing, green cyclone started from the ground and kicked skywards. It swerved from below and swallowed Atmos, making him a silhouette from within. Within, his yellow eyes flashed.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500/Hyper Dragonoid: 700 Atmos: 500 (+200) = 700

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 650

Maximus snickered as he showed an ability. "I think I'd want to change that. Ability activate, Shadow Snatch!" Goblinball remained stationary as his shadow beneath blackened. He grunted low as a quick line of shadows went racing at the bottom of the tornado, where it found its way inside and spiraled up. It zoomed so fast with the tailwind that Atmos didn't catch it in time. He was snagged all around, his entire body withheld from flight. Atmos dropped to 500 again while Goblinball shot up to 700.

"Atmos, hold on!" Jase ensured.

"Xander." Maximus warned.

"Yes." He lifted his arm, showing an ability. "Ability, activate! Item Core!" Summoned in a fire that surged in front of the two Hyper Dragonoid, the embers dissipated to reveal the axe and shield combo. The axe went down to the real Hyper Dragonoid on the ground, while the shield went towards the one facing Atmos. Together, their power levels increased and combined to make 1400.

Xander reached out, commanding them both. "Now, sick them! Starting with that snake!" Together, both dragons went towards Abis Omega as he watched them close in.

Maximus smirked as he pulled up his arm. "Then by all means, go ahead. Ability, activate! Darkus Force!" Goblinball's mouth widened a little as he conjured up malicious black energy. Once set and charged, it was unleashed in a beam that went at Abis Omega. His power level shot from 700 to 1000 in no time.

"Luke!" Jase suddenly shouted.

"I know!" Once again, Luke shot him a look. "We got this! Ability, activate! Diamond Shower!"

Abis Omega exerted a loud shriek as he exerted a large mass of diamond-like energy in am expanding funnel all around. The attack surged with deep intensity, and the one Hyper Dragonoid shielded himself while the other covered up using its arms and axe. The blast wave heading towards him was also repulsed, but jut barely.

Hyper Dragonoid (x2): 1400 (-200 -200) = 1000 Atmos: 500

Goblinball: 1000 (-200) = 800 Abis Omega: 650 (+200) = 850

The enemy Bakugan were all covering up as they were left open as the showering funnel of diamonds surrounded them. Luke balled his fists, ready to strike. "Okay, let's do it!"

Jase reached down. "Gate Card, open! Freeze Enemy!" The Gate Card beneath shined and revealed itself. It glistened brightly, and light beneath was making the diamonds dissipate, relieving the enemy Bakugan. However, they suddenly froze in place, as if time stopped them.

The strain from their mouths were gurgling full of agony.

Hyper Dragonoid: (x2): 1000 (-200 -200) = 600 Atmos: 500

Goblinball: 800 (-200) = 600 Abis Omega: 850

"What?!" Xander gasped.

"We knew using this earlier wouldn't have as significant results in the long run when it comes to the energy discharge, so using it now was suitable." Jase explained. "Not only do your Bakugan lose 200 Gs, but they stop their movement completely, preventing them from activating abilities."

Slowly, the immobilized Goblinball and Hyper Dragonoid began to sunder. From their high heights, they dropped like lead weights.

"Now, Atmos! Ability activate, Cyclone Brave!"

"Ability activate, Fin Melee!"

Abis Omega let out a menacing shout while Atmos below cawed in deep obligation. As the enemies fell, Abis lunged ahead with his tail flinging about, making blue streaks follow its wake. Atmos, however, was enveloped in the same whirlwind as before, but as he soared at the two Hyper Dragonoid, his body expelled a green, spinning tornado like his Storm Chase Ability did, but he was completely straight, and the green cyclone following had green flaming spirals trailing behind.

Hyper Dragonoid (x2): 600 Atmos: 500 (+300 +100) = 900

Goblinball: 600 Abis Omega: 650 (+200) = 850

At the same time, both Bakugan either swung their tailfin skywards, or bypassed the falling Bakugan; either way, they were both struck at the same time. The two Hyper Dragonoid were enveloped in a small green explosion while a streak of blue went in an uppercut. The Bakugan all shrieked loudly in their agonies alike, and one Hyper Dragonoid clone faded away, and Goblinball and the real Hyper Dragonoid went to ball forms. They fell to Maximus and Xander's feet, rolling slowly.

Maximus smirked. "Nicely played."

Xander: 40%

Maximus: 50%

Abis Omega and Atmos returned to ball forms, caught by their battle partners as they showed pleasure.

"Alright, we got 'em!" Luke cheered.

Jase grinned. "As we've speculated."

Still waiting for their turn to come, the two were still strategizing thoroughly, and Jase was standing over Luke as he sat on the bench, looking down at the ground.

Abis sat next to Luke, looking down as well. "Well, this isn't easy."

"And you're sure that's what you can remember about them, Luke?" Jase wondered.

"Well yeah, otherwise I was too busy trying to save my own skin." Luke retorted. "Why not ask Esther about this? She probably knows better than me."

"Well you're not wrong." Jase teased. He ignored Luke's grunts and eyeroll and looked down at his Bakumeter. He tapped its connections, but on it was nothing but static. "But as you see, we're hard pressed for answers right now. Something's jamming our signals out here. I'm afraid you're all I have for a primary source."

"Great…"

Abis raised his head. "Huh?"

"What is it?" Atmos questioned.

"Now that think about it…there was a certain style they had together."

"There was?"

"Yeah…I think so. Maximus was more of defense, and Xander was more of the frontlines."

Jase out a hand to his chin. "So the leader acts as support to pick up his lackeys? What a strange style."

Luke looked questionably in the opposite direction, his arms being folded. "You really think so? Is that because his powers are more defensive…?"

"…or maybe it's to conserve." Jase deduced.

"So it turns out that the leader is more conservative than just beneath that hood." Jase explained. "What their strategy consists of is a main attacker, with the leader waiting to be the killer blow. That's how some wild animal packs work. The underlings do most of the main attacking, get the prey to reduce their own strength. The alpha waits, and then when he finds the right points, he goes for the kill. Knowing that, it's a matter of psychological warfare. Fight fire with fire, or in this case, the pack leader making ambush strikes if needed."

Luke sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "I still don't get why you called Abis the pack leader. Wasn't this your idea?"

"But it was your Bakugan who got the information across first, right? He reasoned back. The comment was enough to make Luke blush in annoyance. "Why so shy? I thought you would be flattered."

"S-shut up!"

"Well no skin off our bones yet." Abis mused.

"Stop talking!" Luke whined.

Xander picked up his Hyper Dragonoid, giving a meek smirk. "Okay, so they've been doing their homework. Not bad."

"My thoughts exactly." Xander looked towards Maximus who was looking far more amused than he ever perceived to be. However, he could also see that underlying his smirk, his eyes were another story. They were starting to show some signs of irritation, and he could definitely see that the grip he had on Goblinball was equally as tight as his grip on insanity.

He held Goblinball close, giving him a meek leer. "Now then, I think that play time's a little over. These roaches are crackling my spine…I want to break theirs in kind. Shall you grant me that?"

The Darkus Bakugan growled weakly, as if trying to strain for words. "…creeeehh…CRREEeeeh…"

Xander watched with some level of shock on his face, 'His Bakugan is actually beginning to grow its conscience back sooner. He's allowing that thing to feed on his emotions, and in turn making its body get the strength to fight and adapt.' He looked down at his Hyper Dragonoid, which he held in his clutches with some sense of wonder. 'How interesting…is this what Killian was trying to explain about his battle with Shuji?'

"If it's all the same, I'll start us off this round. Gate Card, set!" With a grunt, Maximus threw a Gate Card out, which faded into purple throughout the ground. "Time to up the stakes! Bakugan, brawl! Goblinball, stand!"

Once more, arising from a ghastly purple light, Goblinball snarled.

"Here we go again." Luke said.

Together, everyone else threw in their Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"

At the same time, Hyper Dragonoid, Atmos, and Abis Omega appeared on the ground, ready for battle.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 Atmos: 400

Goblinball: 500 Abis Omega: 350

Kicking things off, Xander pulled out an ability first. "Ability, activate! Ruby Wonder!" Hyper Dragonoid, much like Abis Omega, held his own body's ground and roared out. Channeling outwards from the many edges in his scales, a variety of bright red, diamond-shaped energy shot at Abis Omega, reducing his power level to 50.

"I'll handle him!" Jase declared.

"Not so fast!" Maximus intervened. "Ability activate, Darkus Impact!" His Goblinball faced Atmos, opening his mouth a little and the eye dilating. As it did, the dull filament around it was looking a lot less bleak than what it was perceived to be. With a second's hesitation, the Bakugan exerted a beam of darkness that manifested in front, and it went soaring at Atmos. As it traveled, his power level bumped up to 800.

Atmos hurriedly moved out of the way, gliding towards his right. He narrowly escaped the beam as it passed on, and he looked back to see Goblinball giving him a deep look. 'What was that just now? Did he just hesitate there?'

Jase's eyes narrowed. 'What's this…?'

The red diamonds showered down, pelting the ground beneath like sparkles. The Aquos serpent was hissing loudly and squeezing out of the way, making serpentine motions until he could find room to make it to the water.

"Abis Omega, look out!" Luke shouted.

Abis continued to serpentine through the showering blast. "What do you think I'm doing?!" He moved his head around as he swerved, but even that was making things difficult. Red shards bombarded the space between him and the pool, making a powerful burst of red flashes that shot the serpent through the air and back towards the ground, thudding on his side.

Hyper Dragonoid finally backed off, seeing his adversary at his mercy already. The Pyrus Bakugan descended downwards to land in front of the large serpent, towering with his own might. Abis tried to get up, but that sudden lash of red shards threw him for a loop. He opened an eye to look up, but what he saw a meek blur. Shaking his head to snap out of it, he arose to do battle again.

The Hyper Dragonoid growled menacingly as he and Abis were in a stare down. The two were looking angrily at the other; Abis more so than the Dragonoid. "Whatever it is you're doing, I hope you're satisfied." He sniped.

The Hyper Dragonoid grunted.

"Being subconsciously manipulated rather than fight on your own free will. You even know what you're doing, pal? Because at this point, it's hard to tell." His body arched into an offensive position. "Wake up!"

Luke showed two abilities layered atop of each other. "Double ability, activate! Dry World, plus Fusion Ability, Blue Mega!"

"Maybe a little splash is what you two need!" Abis' body convulsed, expelling a mass of mist that engulfed Hyper Dragonoid. Using his instincts as a guide, the Pyrus Bakugan expanded his wings and backed into the air beside Goblinball. The two Bakugan looked down at the mist cloud with their somewhat less dulled eyes. In the mist was a glistening light, which almost looked like a crystal ball. Suddenly bursting out of the mist, the glistening water bubble with Abis in it went at both Goblinball and Hyper Dragonoid. Both looked mildly shocked at the rate he shot up, but even more so with the speed that it roared at. "Take…THIS!" In one fell go, Abis Omega charged with all his might into them, colliding in a massive gush of water that exploded like a midair bomb. A giant wave of glistening water fell in all directions from high up, shimmering like sparkles as time slowed down for everyone to take in. They all awed and gasped in shock as the air and battlefield from that sundering blow. Even Atmos had to remain a ways away so as not to get sprayed.

From high above in the explosive mist and drizzle, two misty missiles soared into the ground. Once impacted, they created two large eruptions of a mix of dust and mist, and the ground all around drenched heavily from the impact. Abis Omega dove back into the water, falling in like a long rope.

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 (-200 -100) = 200 Atmos: 400

Goblinball: 500 (-100) = 400 Abis Omega: 50 (+200 +200) = 450

Luke pumped a fist and frowned. "Like that!"

As the mist and smoke started to dissipate, it showed Hyper Dragonoid and Goblinball, both grunting as they arose to do battle once more.

"Looks like they still wanna play." Xander mused. "How sad."

Maximus said nothing. Instead, he glared ahead, giving Luke a very serious facial expression. He was seeing the excited look on Luke's face, and to top it off, he felt the surge of energy from high above. The white orb high above was channeling all that energy once again, just like before, and it wasn't to his liking one bit.

Slowly, very much so, the frown turned into a crack of a wily smirk.

---

"Go, Atchibee!" Esther announced. "Ability, activate! Vermilion Jet Black!" Atchibee's wings flapped profusely, shrouding herself and Clawcer in the combined darkness. With the shroud as cover and Clawcer blind, the red eyes glowed, expelling a bright shock of electricity that crackled around Clawcer.

"Ability activate, Power Sting!" Maggie reached out for Jelldon to go to work. Jelldon's tentacles surged with a high jolt of energy as the orange spots on the tentacles glowed brightly. The energy he emitted suddenly discharged when he pointed his stingers at a wily Moskeeto surging overhead. Two harsh jolts went skywards, expelling zigzag waves that closed in. Moskeeto shifted to evade one but the second struck him dead between the eyes. Like Clawcer, a powerful shock went through his body, crackling his joints in pain.

Clawcer: 450 (-300) = 150 Atchibee: 400

Moskeeto: 450 (-200) = 250 Jelldon: 350 (+200) = 550

Both Bakugan crippled towards the ground, thudding hard like shabby rocks. Both Atchibee and Jelldon towered with their own might.

"Alright!" Maggie cheered. "Wait a go!"

Esther nodded in compliment. "Be careful still."

Atchibee listened well, yet Jelldon was looking bashful at his partner's compliment.

Ariella glared ahead with greater annoyance evident in her scowl. "What lead weight." She scoffed. "Getting thrown around like a ragdoll, what pity."

Hearing this from afar, Esther began to grow defensive. "You'd speak to your own Bakugan with such a tongue?"

"How I handle my Bakugan is my choice, girly." She scoffed. "Mind your own business if you don't want to get pinched." As she spoke, her Clawcer was slowly getting back up. "We didn't come here to make idle chitchat with you bothersome fools, and we most certainly don't have anymore luxuries because you just so happened to be meddling upon coincidence. Now you've done it, and this time we're not letting you get away."

"Big words from someone who has a big head." Maggie retorted in a child-like pout.

Killian snickered quietly at the comment.

"You arrogant child." Ariella snorted.

"You shabby witch."

A menacing, if not bloodthirsty, smirk grew on her face. Her lips were so tight they could've chapped any given second. The energy in the atmosphere began to crackle around her as she gave off a vibrant force. "Well child, you sure have some nerve…perhaps it's best that I remind you of some manners. The hard way…" She held up something in her fingers, something that was a lot more different in shape than what was spherical. In fact, it was tri-pyramid in shape. It was blue with lighter blue accents on it all around.

Esther narrowed her eyes. "Hm? What's that?"

"Something that Cesar and his little playing around brought to life. I'm sure you're aware of what these are called, right…?"

"Ariella." Killian held up his own, but his was green instead. The shapes were almost exactly identical, but the patterns were off. "Enough baiting."

Ariella snorted at him. "Fine." She threw the figure skyward, sending it spinning upwards. Everyone's heads followed it skyward as it rocketed towards the ceiling above Clawcer. Once it was at a high enough point, it opened up to reveal a helmet-like head with purple, green, and blue circles on the triangles.

"What…?" Esther trailed off.

"A triangle?" Maggie questioned.

As she looked up, the Darkus battler narrowed her blue eyes. She saw the shape as it unfolded, but she was telling then and there something was starting to fall apart. 'What's going on…?'

"Come, Bakugan Trap, Aquos Tripod Theta!"

Killian tossed up his Bakugan as well. "Bakugan Trap, Triad El Condor!"

From a green and blue flash high above the space between the two sides, the energy suddenly beamed sown in two green and blue static-filled beams. They entered the space in front of Clawcer and Moskeeto as they slowly arose. The mist and the dust created bloomed about and made a small shockwave race across the dirt. Esther and Maggie covered up to avoid being blown away by its untamed force. Together, they powered through and looked up. To their shock, they saw a pair of orange and white eyes glint through the dust. Once it dissipated, I revealed the two Bakugan Traps.

Tripod Theta was a humanoid, Neptune-like Bakugan with orange eyes and a silver brace over his mouth, lining with the purple face. He had a yellow crown with a bright blue helmet, which connected to a brace on the neck with yellow bolts surrounding it. His shoulders and upper arms had bright blue armor, where the biceps have purple skin. On the front and back were a total of three huge triangle that acted like a mantle. All of them had symbols of tridents in them, with the front being blue, and the back shoulder ones being green and purple. He adorned a blue skirt with bright yellow marks on it. To top it all off, he also had a similar large blue trident in hand like the one on the pictures.

The Bakugan Trap floating right beside him looked a lot like a Ventus El Condor. In fact, that's exactly what it looked like. The only difference, however, was that around the lower half of his body, the Bakugan Trap had a necklace of white beads, and on it were three tiki that resembled his face. One tiki was green, the other being brown, and the other being black and dark purple.

Clawcer: 150/Tripod Theta: 350 Atchibee: 400

Moskeeto: 250/Triad El Condor: 350 Jelldon: 550

Esther looked shocked at the arrival of the new associates. "Bakugan Traps?" she parroted.

"What are those?" Maggie questioned.

Ariella smirked evilly. "Believe me, you'll find out…ability activate, Power Merge!" Tripod Theta held up his staff high, where the whole energy line around his body began to emit wavy blue energy. Once he was ready, he brought his trident around, its three spokes stabbing Jelldon in his underside. The Bakugan shrieked out in raging agony as he was electrocuted and enveloped in the same energy rays as Tripod Theta.

"JELLDON!" Maggie panicked heavily as she watched Jelldon scream out in pain. She could see the shock running through him as clear as day, and it was frightening her more.

"What kind of power is that?" Esther worried.

"Hang on!" Atchibee assured. The only reply Jelldon could give was a trained grunt of his own.

Clawcer: 150/Tripod Theta: 350 (+400) = 750 Atchibee: 400

Moskeeto: 250/Triad El Condor: 350 Jelldon: 550 (-400) = 150

Ariella meekly chuckled at her enemy's expense. "Not so tough now, are you? Who was it that you called a witch again, little girl?"

Maggie balled her fists in annoyance. She could feel her own spine tingling in anger and frustration. "…Jelldon, hang on!"

"I'll stop them!" Esther reached her arm out towards the field. "Gate Card, open! Healing Up!" The Gate Card beneath was beginning to glow just then, and the aura began to ignite for Atchibee and the straining Jelldon.

"Nope!" Killian reached out in defiance. "Darkus ability activate, Black Hail!"

The El Condor's eyes glinted for a moment, and the green tiki in front rotated counterclockwise, revealing the black tiki in front now. The tiki shined a bright purple light, making a bizarre power that made dark clouds gather above. Materializing out of thin air, black vapor turned into a dark spiraling cloud that thundered and boomed. Coming down from it, small black comets with white and purple filament shot down like arrows. They bombarded the battlefield relentlessly, and the constant pelting even struck Atchibee and Jelldon. Jelldon practically fell over with a shriek as Theta broke off, allowing black streams to drop on him like rain.

"No!" Esther watched in shock as the black beams kept hammering away, continuously pelting the battlefield towards no end. The battlefield's glow faded, unable to give any power to Atchibee or Jelldon.

Clawcer: 150/Tripod Theta: 750 Atchibee: 400

Moskeeto: 250/Triad El Condor: 350 (+200) = 550 Jelldon: 150

"But wait, wasn't that a Ventus Bakugan Trap?!" Maggie snapped.

"Tripod Theta and Triad El Condor are two Bakugan alike." Ariella explained. "While they both can use their attribute's power, they can also use two more. For Theta, he not only had powers of Aquos, but also Ventus and Darkus. And El Condor can use Ventus, Subterra, and Darkus. So in essence, you're dealing with the power of all the attributes except Haos at once."

"This is bad…" Maggie grimaced. "We gotta stop them!"

"I rather not." Ariella mused. "Ability, activate! Octo-Whip!"

Theta's orange eyes flashed momentarily, and then from the bottom of his skirt, there was a ruffling about, giving hints to something beneath. Suddenly, the skirt flew open, revealing a swarm of tentacles that went at Jelldon.

"AAAH!" Jelldon looked in a frantic panic as he tried to squirm up. He tossed and turned to scoot upright, but ended up facing away as a tentacle entangled one of his back limbs. He looked back with wide eyes to see himself restraint, and then he saw his other stinger being wrapped around. Next came his two front ones, and then he was lifted in the air above Theta, dangling like a piñata.

Ariella snickered with a cold smile. "I'm sorry, were you trying to counter? I could've sworn that you had other plans?" she facetiously said.

Maggie grunted angrily. "You…!"

Ariella shot Killian a look. "Take care of that other one, would you already?"

Despite her angry tone, he complied. "Sure. Ability, activate! Needle Diffuse!" Once again, Moskeeto hissed as he dove straight at Atchibee. He was zooming at such an alarming velocity that Atchibee was caught off guard.

"What?!"

The insect hissed loudly as his steep tackle went nose first. The impact struck Atchibee's abdominal region, sending a deep shock through her body. The Bakugan screamed loudly as she was forced onto the ground, thudding loudly in pain. Her power level thus dropped to 100.

Esther and Maggie both gasped in worry.

Moskeeto stepped off towards the side, allowing El Condor to float upfront.

Killian held up his fingers, ready to snap. "Triad El Condor…go." He snapped his fingers, which echoed the signal. The eyes of the Bakugan glowed, and his mouth opened wide. Once open, a bright green blast of energy shot from the jaws, beaming and striking the down Atchibee swift and quick. Instantly upon impact, she hollered and reverted to ball form, scooting at Esther's feet. The Darkus battler looked surprised as her life gauge plummeted all the way down to 10%.

"Ability, activate!" Ariella held up her Bakumeter, another ability showing for Clawcer as he raised his pincer. "Vice Snipper!"

Clawcer thrust his claw into Jelldon as he dangled by the legs, the claw enveloped in blue static. The impact was strong enough to cause a deep enough jab to the face that it freed him of his binds of the tentacles, but it sent him flying back. As he sailed away, he reverted to ball form, shooting and stopping at Maggie's feet. Fortunately for her, her life gauge only went down to 60%.

"Jelldon…"

"What power." Esther looked back up to shoot glares at the four Bakugan before them. The Trap Bakugan were behind the main ones as they took their stand once more. "Were they really holding onto that trump card this whole time?"

All four Bakugan glowed, two of each returning to their respective masters. Ariella smirked, while Killian frowned.

"Good job, guys. We stuck in there." The Ventus battler praised his Bakugan.

The Ventus Moskeeto hissed loudly, groaning weakly. "Good…goo~d…" he said with a small inflex.

Killian nodded. "Yeah. Good."

"Hmph. Not to shabby for a start." Ariella glared daggers back at her prey, seeing them both glare back in defense. "But let's see just how deep we can dig this hole for them to fall in."

---

In the room where Shuji and Shawn were doing battle, a long horn and prickly tendrils collided in the center. The tendrils belonged to Rafflesian as he was subduing Fly Beetle, who was trying to force through.

"C'mon, Fly Beetle, hammer 'em!" Shuji encouraged.

"This isn't getting anywhere." Shawn said, supporting from behind with Verias. "Shuji, have any ideas?"

Shuji looked back at him, showing a rather annoyed expression. "Hey man, I'm trying to save my own skin! I can't think for everyone! I'm not Jase!"

Cesar saw their commotion and took the initiative. Smirking with a low chuckle, he raised his left arm, showing another ability. "How impudent of you humans. Ability, activate! Dark World!" His Freezer, who was also keeping support, had all four of his eyes glint and glow to a brighter hue. As Rafflesian was wearing away Fly Beetle, one of his spare tendrils swung in from the side, smashing against his thorax and sent him flying back. Opening his wings as he flew back, Fly Beetle caught himself and reduced his drag, allowing a soft, stable landing beside Verias. Suddenly, both Bakugan were starting to feel the atmosphere around them get cold. Their bodies began to feel light as a dark mass slowly enveloped them from various angles. They were slowly closed off from Rafflesian, Freezer, even their own partners. They couldn't even move as some foreign gravitational force was pressing them together, the darkness looking like it was crushing them.

"Verias! Fly Beetle!" Shawn shouted in worry. In reality, what they were seeing was a large black dome surrounding them, black as tar and grimy as sludge. It looked even liquid to the touch.

Freezer: 450 (+100) = 550 Fly Beetle: 350 (-200) = 150

Rafflesian: 450 Verias: 350 (-200) = 150

Cesar snickered as he watched the dark hemisphere engulf his foes. He didn't look at all pitiful. "My, these advanced abilities for these Bakugan are just simply beautiful." He said as he flicked a lock of his hair over his shoulder. "With Bakugan as smart and strong as these, it's no wonder why you feeble misfits keep getting lucky. But now your luck's run out."

Shawn's brow furrowed as his yellow Bakumeter went up. "We'd appreciate it if you didn't treat us like an infestation." He retorted.

"Oh~? Then enlighten me, what is it that I call you?" Cesar hummed. "Lapdogs? Mice? Maybe grass snakes that are better off playing dead."

The line was crossed there. Shawn showed two holographic ability cards layered atop each other, ready to counter. "Ability activate, Simian Howl!"

The gem on Verias' head inside the pressure was beginning to glow, generating enough power for a big blast. "Cover your ears, Fly Beetle…!" he grunted.

The Subterra Bakugan continued to strain beside in, grunting heavily in stress. "Gnnngh…it's not like I have ears anyway…!"

The dark, perpetual hemisphere was wavy and so mystic in its features, something that was darkly captivating. However, slowly, a muffled screech was heard from inside, like a banshee was reverberating a loud voice from inside, or someone who was screaming into the face of horror itself. There was a yellow crack on the dome, glinting light from inside. Then quickly after, another one followed. Then another, and then another until they all began to pile up and accumulate to where it was to burst like an eggshell. In one go, it shattered like glass as yellow, pulsating soundwaves went flying everywhere, shooting far and wide to reach out at Rafflesian and Freezer. The Haos Bakugan turned away to lessen a direct debris blow, but Rafflesian was leaning back from the shockwaves that dragged out.

Freezer: 550 (-200) = 350 Fly Beetle: 150

Rafflesian: 450 (-200) = 250 Verias: 150 (+200) = 350

As the soundwaves reverberated, Cesar and Hendrix were covering up from both the strong winds and the howling noise. Meanwhile, Shuji was ready and willing as Fly Beetle stood a good distance off to the side, ready. "Double ability, activate! Horn Buster, plus Fusion Ability, Terra Surge!"

Fly Beetle growled as another discharge of energy started to coagulate around his horn. As it did, his body had a bright orange aura enveloping it, and bits of the earth and debris picked up from the battle began to surge and spiral from the base of the body up the horn and to the tip. When the beam was fired, a streaky brown bolt had fragments of stone and dust from within it.

Freezer: 350 Fly Beetle: 150 (+200 +200) = 550

Rafflesian: 250 (-200) = 50 Verias: 350

The bolt of stones and Subterra energy struck Rafflesian so hard that a large explosion of dust emerged, sending another shockwave and dust everywhere around. Hendrix used both arms to shield while the antigravity gyro beneath Cesar's chair momentarily lost its proportions, making it topple back and then forward like a rocking chair, as well as give Cesar the biggest backslap he had.

Once the dust subsided, it revealed Rafflesian and his vines conjoined through the cracked ground. He was groaning. Freezer was off to the side, but the shocks of the blast had also grazed him. Fly Beetle spread his legs apart, looking battle ready for more. "Who's ready for more here?" he challenged.

Beside him, Verias raised his staff. "We're not out just yet."

Recovering from his shock, Cesar managed to adjust his glasses and smirk, this one of sheer, wicked joy. His head lowered, giving him a dark hue over his face. "…well okay then…" he raised his head to show his dark glare from the low angle. "It seems mice it is. Hendrix!"

Hendrix stepped up. "I know. Now is the time."

The chair holding Cesar scooted up. "Yes, indeed."

"Hm? What are you guys talking about?" Shuji inquired with a raised brow.

Shawn spread his legs, taking a guard. "Looks like something big is coming." His eyes narrowed. "A forbidden ability?"

"Not quite." Cesar held up an odd-shaped yellow Bakugan in his hand. Without any further warning, he tossed it up skywards. "Now prepare yourselves! Remember well of this tale, as I bring a new twist to the art of battle! Dynamo, stand!"

The figure popped open in the sky, making a yellow flash.

Hendrix, however, opened his eyes and balled his fist. "Please bear with me." He threw a light brown cylinder into the sky, making it pop open as well. "Come forth, Bakugan Trap, Subterra Legionoid!"

In the sky, both a yellow and brown light beside the other, but they shimmered so well that it was almost blinding to a shock Shuji and Shawn. They both watched in awe as two more Bakugan descended onto the battlefield.

The Haos Bakugan resembled much like a white drone spider. It had six legs and a diamond-shaped core on the front of its somewhat cylindrical base. Its long neck had a gray underside and a familiar head from the room it was in when it was created.

The next Bakugan looked like a long, six-headed serpent. It had a thick base where the underside was a milky cream with lines, even going up the neck undersides. The backside had light brown in shade and had dark accents along the skin and going up each neck and down the long body. Each head looked identical with sharp fangs, yellow eyes, and a small horn on all of them.

Freezer: 350/Dynamo: 400 Fly Beetle: 550

Rafflesian: 50/Legionoid: 350 Verias: 350

Shuji stepped back out of shock. "WHOA! Wh-where in the heck did these guys come from?!"

Shawn held his ground, but the shock was clear on his face. "No idea…" He looked ahead in alert. "Verias, stay sharp!" In response, the simian raised his staff again.

The look on Cesar and Hendrix's faces spelled out nothing but a death sentence for these two. They were more than peeved at this point with what had happened, and now they were fixed to settle this.

Shawn reached out to the battlefield he laid at the beginning. "Now, Gate Card, open! Forcement Wind!" Beneath them all, the Gate Card shimmered open glowing brightly. With it, Verias and Fly Beetle started to glow and gain some power, their individual strength starting to rise drastically. "With this card, the Bakugan who are on my side gain 100 Gs times the number of Bakugan on the field with that same attribute." Shawn explained.

Freezer: 350/Dynamo: 400 Fly Beetle: 550 (+300) = 850

Rafflesian: 50/Legionoid: 350 Verias: 350 (+300) = 650

Fly Beetle and Verias raised their weapons of choice, roaring loud for the call to battle.

"Yeah! Now we're taking up down, even with those new toys of yours!" Shuji pointed ahead. "Show 'em, Fly Beetle!"

"Verias, hurry and take the support!" Shawn exclaimed.

Together, Fly Beetle spread his wings and flapped them. He took off from the ground, bolting at the opponents, as to where Verias grabbed his staff with two hands and ran on all fours at the adversaries.

Hendrix remained calm at this, and instead of acting callously, he held up a single ability card from his Bakumeter. However, the ability shined blue. "Ability activate…Clear Poison!"

One of the six heads of Legionoid hissed menacingly before it lurched forward, the mouth opening wide to expel a deep blue and violet beam ahead. It expanded out to envelop Verias and Fly Beetle, prompting them to stop in place. The two Bakugan faltered into place as their fronts were enveloped in the blue venomous energy. It quickly spread to cover their whole bodies and fading within.

Freezer: 350/Dynamo: 400 Fly Beetle: 850 (-500) = 350

Rafflesian: 50/Legionoid: 350 Verias: 650 (-300) = 350

Verias suddenly dropped to a knee as the blue beam receded. He could feel his muscles getting exhausted and heavier to manipulate to his will. "Gnnngh, what just…happened?"

Fly Beetle shook his head about, trying to get the haziness out of his eyes. "The heck?"

Legionoid scoffed menacingly at them, as if warning them first hand as all six heads poised for another prompted attack.

"We reduced your power levels back to their base levels. Now then…" Hendrix readied another ability, this one showing being of a glimpse of forbidden in it. Shawn and Shuji looked shocked as they knew what was coming next. "Rafflesian, prepare yourself! Ability, activate! Chaos Booster-X!"

A purple core materialized in front of Rafflesian, staying still until it shimmered a bright energy for a moment. Suddenly, it expelled the chords that strapped around the body as before, tangling everything around Rafflesian. The above average Bakugan growled low as the chords sunk into his body, whereas veins started to protrude around his body. The petals had numerous energy courses through it that were molding through the streams and power flow that ran through the plant-like Bakugan. Rafflesian's body grew a very ominous aura as his body thumped. His power level shot all the way up to 550 in less than an instant.

Hendrix reached outwards. "Now, go! Let nothing befall you!"

The Rafflesian gurgled as his vine slowly arose and positioned to strike the ground. "…yes…mas…TER!" With that sturdy inflex, he grunted loudly as he plunged his two tendrils into the ground. Two shockwaves ran across the ground in a straight line at Verias, kicking up a wave of dust as it followed along.

Verias was in no position to dodge. Much to his own surprise, the attack shot faster than what he projected. He meekly stepped back, but that wasn't enough as the two shockwaves burst beneath him. The shockwave and dust combo sent him soaring skywards, howling in distress and anguish.

"VERIAS!" Shawn wailed.

Verias limply fell in pain, heading back towards the surprisingly now leveled ground thanks to the burst of energy Rafflesian gave off. Before he could hit the ground, he glowed in his attribute color and rolled to Shawn's feet.

With the distraction and the thundering soundwaves still booming, Cesar held up his own ability. "Let us make this quick, shall we? Ability, activate! Gillian Cords!" The Trap Bakugan that was now known as Dynamo turned its head to face Fly Beetle. With the winds unable to move its sturdy legs, the three red spokes in the mouth region glowed bright yellow and fired a beam, raising its power level to 600.

Fly Beetle managed to hold his ground from the previous blow, but was shocked with what happened to Verias. "Oh man, Verias…" He felt something odd as a frequency was heard. When he looked ahead, a bright yellow rush zoomed in. "Oh crud-!"

A flashy bright explosion enveloped where Fly Beetle was supposed to be. Smoke billowed upwards as Shuji and Shawn covered up again. As they did, Fly Beetle shot back in ball form at Shuji's feet, right beside Verias.

Shawn: 60%

Shuji: 50%

"What the…?" Shuji looked down in shock, slowly tracing his eyes back up ahead. He and Shawn both looked astonished to say the very least. Both watched as the four Bakugan returned to their respective owners, their thoughts finally processing it all.

Cesar chuckled wickedly in amusement. "Now you see your flaw? You cannot win this time. Surely you know luck at this point can't match the power of Trap Bakugan. Hmm?"

"Trap…Bakugan?" Shuji repeated.

Shawn furrowed his brow. "Sounds interesting." His tone, however, said little of anything but.

Cesar, however, smiled as he whipped his arms up in joy. "Indeed it is! To have reconstructed Bakugan, the study of pheromones they once had, and to find the right surplus of tools to create such vivid extreme weapons! Wonderful, is it not?!"

Hendrix ignored his associate's ramblings and held his hand open, where his Legionoid and Rafflesian were placed. "You did well." He commended, slowly glaring up at the competition. "Now let's get rid of them."

"Yes…" the Rafflesian muttered. "If that's what we need to do…"

Shawn bent his knees to ready himself. "Shuji, watch your back."

"Yeah, same here." He responded defensively. "Looks like we'll need to kick up our gaming skills, too."

"Easier said than done…but let's do it!"

Cesar snickered once again. "Then what are you waiting for? Come!"

---

Luxtor and Brontes both hollered as they both their umpteenth stalemate. Both Bakugan turned and pivoted, and neither wanted to accept a victory for the other. Luxtor kept parrying using his pincers, and Brontes kept blocking using his four arms. Luxtor even managed to moved his many mandibles as a sign of intimidation, but Brontes' cynical laughter and smile was equally as bone-chilling. Truly, creepy crawly against creepy clown was a nightmare of its own.

Watching their battle, Riaan was being careful not to make any misplaced calculations. He made sure Luxtor was well raised to be as such, but this bizarre power spike was making his senses go nuts. His eyes widened upon feeling a small rumble go through the ground.

"You felt that too, didn't you?" Luka sniped. As he spoke, Brontes and Luxtor once again broke off from their next stalemate. "That rise in power, that wasn't just coming from us. No, it's from those guys as well."

Riaan grunted in the disturbing revelation. He knew everyone had to be capable battlers, but he didn't peg them to draw out this much strength. 'What kind of strength did they teach their Bakugan to harness? It's unlike anything I'm feeling right now…' He straightened his posture, giving him a harsh glare.

"Go ahead, act tough. But that won't save the core now, will it?" Luka reached out with his right arm. "Go, Brontes!"

The laughing Bakugan hunched over and swayed his arms as he swiftly stumbled towards Luxtor.

---

Back in the colosseum, the crowd was going nuts over the battle. However, they meant nothing as Maximus had his head down, his smirk showing his fangs. "Tch…hehehe…" He began to laugh low, but it was beginning to grow. His laughter slowly grew cynical, very quickly sending a chill through Luke and Jase's spines.

"Wh-what's his deal?!" Luke snapped. "Did we cork his screw loose or something?!"

"…probably." Jase determined.

Maximus whipped his head out, showing everyone his wide smile and menacing, evil face. He looked like he was laughing so hard that it must have hurt. "Yes, yes, YES! This is the rush that I cra~ve! Knowing that my foe bites back, with venom so puny yet so intimidating…to make my blood boil and to make me feel so alive, it's like a dream come true! This is what brings out the power from raging beasts that rise to glory! This is the art that will bring out the power of evolution! The power of infinite strength! This…is…GLORY!" Once again, he broke into a cackling laughter, one that again sounded so wily as his attitude.

Abis Omega backed up some, reeling his head awy. "I think he's long gone." He nervously said.

"This isn't good. He's out of control!" Atmos worried.

"Alright enough fooling around! Time to bring out the power you two! Say it! Scream it! SCREAM YOU WANT POWER!"

Goblinball and Hyper Dragonoid were groaning weakly as they were up on their feet. They growled ferally as they gruff out unclear vocals, but they sounded like they were speaking. A few coughs, and then their mouths began to move up and down, their sharp teeth chattering.

Luke and everyone could see it then and there, a demonic aura enveloping both Bakugan. As they stood, their eyes began to brighten fully, their anger felt and their powers against the bird and serpent making their wills burn up inside.

"We…we…" They muttered in unison. "We want…we…want…POWER!" Together, both Bakugan exerted a loud, bloodcurdling roar straight ahead, making the atmosphere and the battlefield alike shudder from its massive wake. Luke and the group covered up as they tried to hold their ground against the two deranged Bakugan.

After the echoes of the shockwaves emitted vibrated out of range, everyone in the stands were looking shocked, otherwise in a good way, like seeing something out of a horror movie.

As they both reeled back and snarled like animals, Maximus smirked with glee. "That's more like it."

Goblinball renewed eye blinked once, before taking in his surroundings. Once registered, he faced Abis Omega with a dark glare. "You…" he huffed.

"Not good." Abis Omega chimed.

Xander smirked as well. "Yo boss, buddy…ready?"

"You read my mind." Together, both held up two Bakugan, or what looked like them. One was like a black box, and another was like a red, many-edged dice. "Alright then, you want power?! Then Is hall grant you your wish! Come! Bakugan Trap!"

Both of them threw their Bakugan Traps overhead, making Luke and Jase looked up to see the new players added into the team as they opened in midair.

"Darkus Fortress!"

"Pyrus Metalfencer!"

Together, both Bakugan emerged on the ground, making the ground shudder beneath them. They faced Abis and Atmos as they stood side by side with the Bakugan they were helping.

Locked and loaded, another mechanical Bakugan Trap arose on its legs. It looked like an armed, robotic black machine gun with a visor on its head, where above was a huge cannon. The arms were nothing but two long guns positioned above the other. The whole body had holes to fire through, making it as deadly s an actual fortress with cannons set to fire.

The next Bakugan was mainly red, and more of a cross of a scorpion and spider. It, too, was also mechanical, and it had grabbing red pincers on either side of two small guns in the front and back. The arms and hind legs were identical and had bulbous red armor to defend with. The tail also had its own laser to fire from, making it look equally as deadly.

Luke gasped with widened eyes. Jase, however, frowned deeply.

"Welcome our latest arsenal…Bakugan Traps, artificially blueprinted by Rogue Zero." Maximus sneered. "You wanted power, my pet? Well now, here is your new best friend!"

Xander reached his arm out, smiling wide with his master. "Hyper Dragonoid, meet Metalfencer! Together, crush anyone who comes between you, and absolute victory!"

Hyper Dragonoid opened his maw and snarled ahead. His hands turned over, seeing his palms for the first able-minded time. He could feel power surge through him that he couldn't feel before. When he looked back, he saw the face of his master; his battle partner. He who offered strength he could harness. Realizing it all, he looked back ahead, his maw closing.

"…I shall use the strength you gave me…and crush them all!" he declared.

Luke took a step back out of fear. "Crap, I thought they lost their mentality or something?!"

Jase's furrowed brow remained that way as he shot a glare at them. "Looks like surprises are all over the place."

Maximus glared with a deep, dark shadow over his face, his demeanor as dark as those who wanted to see suffering. "Now then…who would like to be crushed first?" His shoulders moved up and down as he began to laugh again. Xander looked over and smirked wickedly as his friend and cohort was cackling up a storm. He looked ahead as well, giving them a wicked chuckle of his own.

Luke's pupils were small and started to shudder in the eyes. His body went stiff from the fear he was feeling that haunted him from before. Now, here and once again to strike terror, he had to face it with a beating heart.

Maximus' monstrous laughter roared throughout the airspace, reaching all the way throughout the entire colosseum.

---

Here's part 1 of the 2-part chapter. I was hoping this would be 1 chapter, but I thought this was long enough. So now Rogue Zero has Bakugan Traps in conjunction with their regular Bakugan, making this a really big challenge for Luke's group. Next chapter will not only be the fights' ends, but also the end of the New Vestroia Arc, and onto something very interesting to come.

Reviews are appreciated, and thanks for liking this story so far!