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.

20. Wrath of the Serpent

Within the world's unstable balance, there always had to be some form of conscience out there, or rather, a place where one could go and be free from everything crumbling about, or perhaps crushing them, chasing them, or trying to do both. But, whatever the painful image was that amused one's fantasy, that sanctuary happened to be a certain vehicle still parked outside of Troposphere's docks. And from the looks of it, it was still in one piece.

Jase, Shuji, and Maggie were all able to make it to those very docks, albeit with hasted breathing from all the running they had been through. With the vehicle in sight, many rejoiced.

"H-hey! I think I see it!" Shuji pointed ahead of the others, referring to the Trailer that was still parked along the waves.

"Well, looks like I wasn't the only one then." Jase replied. "What a surprise this turned out to be."

Atmos popped open on his shoulder. "It looks to be alright."

"Supposedly…but you may never know." Jase's eyes narrowed, looking around suspiciously. "Looks can be deceiving."

"TRAILER~!" Maggie made a beeline straight for the massive structure and scuttled towards its side, where she immediately went and hugged it with open arms. She began to spout pouty moans with whimpers of a lost puppy. "Oh god you're okay! I thought with all this chaos that you would've sunk! I'll never leave this thing again!" She whined loudly as comical wavy tears rolled down her happy face.

Joining her was Shuji, who hugged the Trailer's side as well. "I'm never taking this huge thing for granted again!" He and Maggie gratefully kissed the cold, stinky metal repeatedly, while Jase and Atmos watched from afar.

Jase shook his head while putting his hand on his forehead. "Good grief." He smirked.

"So is this what humans call 'weird'?" Atmos questioned.

"It's as the saying goes, 'beauty is within the eye of the beholder'…but perhaps there is a thing as a little too much." He walked up towards Maggie and Shuji, disregarding their pathetic actions. "Now then, shall we go in?"

"Yes!" Both roared. Jase sweat-dropped at their eager enthusiasm.

Within a matter of moments, the group found themselves inside the Trailer. They looked around to see if anything was out of place, or stolen perhaps. But from any means of observation, it looked to be in reasonable condition.

"The main chamber is still functional." Jase evaluated. "Within the attack, it seems that only the outside layer was superficially damaged. We should still be able to alter the Trailer if needed. How are things looking in the other rooms, Shuji?"

Shuji shrugged. "Alright in our bunk."

"It's like the place was vacant." Fly Beetle interjected.

"Yes, I suppose you aren't wrong about that…" Jase's brow furrowed at something that felt out of place. For some reason, something wasn't sitting well within his stomach, and that's when he figured it out.

Atmos looked over, seeing his partner's deep face. "Jase, what is it?"

"It's rather odd. I would've expected Shawn to have been back here by now."

"Wait, what?" Shuji gasped. "You mean that pretty boy isn't here?"

"Well we did check every room. And I think we would know what he looked like than something scrunched in their mattress." Fly Beetle explained.

"Hey, don't get smart now!" Shuji snapped.

"Esther~? Luke~?" Maggie's calls for the Aquos and Darkus battlers were as loud as could be, getting Shuji and Jase to change their attention towards the hall. "Guys? This is no time to play hide and seek now~? I'm kinda tired~! Guys?! GUYS?!"

The doors to the hallway suddenly slid open, showing Maggie rushing out with labored breathing. She looked at everyone like she lost a toy or something. "You guys…Luke and Esther, I think they're gone!"

"What?!" Jase gasped. "Them as well? Are you sure?"

Maggie morbidly nodded. "I even tried to crawl underneath all the beds to see if they were pulling our legs, but it was a tight fit. All I really found was that guy Shuji saved."

"I take it he's still in shock then?"

Jelldon opened his ball form. "We didn't find Abis Omega or Atchibee either. I think whatever happened to them, those guys followed."

"Okay, now this is definitely a problem." Fly Beetle stated. "First Shawn, and now Esther and Luke. I wonder what happened?"

Maggie's brow furrowed as she raised nose to the ceiling. "Well, I can worry as much as I want about Esther…but don't even get me started on that other guy. I can't even say his name!"

"Heh, damn straight sister! I bet he just ran off somewhere to cry." Shuji snobbishly chuckled. "Betcha he's still whining about somewhere."

Jase unemotionally frowned. "While I can't say I can ever condone what Luke did being reprehensible, that's not to say that we still should try and look around for them. This land is very unsafe with all the Bakugan seemingly after us sane ones. If anything were to happen with them leaving the Trailer, then odds are that they could be out there. Shawn included."

"That might explain why Shawn isn't here. Maybe he was backed up by Bakugan attacking him." Atmos stated.

"I hope he's okay." Maggie worried.

Jase took note of Maggie's worries and turned away. "Well then, suppose there isn't any valid reason to stay put then. If we're going to make it out of here alive, we'll need to find our missing castaways." He turned towards the main controls that were around the driver's seat – his seat. He began to put in coordinates and controls as a holographic green screen popped up in front of him. As he was typing at accelerating speeds, Shuji and Maggie gave each other skeptical looks of displeasure.

"Uh, Colonel? Not to be a party-pooper, but exactly how are we going to find them?" Maggie asked. "They could be anywhere for all we know!"

"Which is precisely why I made some alterations to the Trailer's radar." Jase answered. As he was typing, what looked like a modified map was map of the area, or rather geography, of the continent that they were on. There was a small red dot, with what looked like a dark purple marker blinking north several miles away. "It was last minute, but I managed to make trackers that each of our Bakumeters can be used to track our whereabouts. Since we can't communicate as we are now with a signal emitted, it appears radar is our only option."

Shuji smirked. "Well that's pretty handy."

Maggie gasped as she looked at the screen. She watched the dark purple blinker slowly go north, getting her to point at it. "Look, that marker right there!" she shouted. "Is that what you're talking about?"

"Precisely. And it appears to be Esther's marker. She's about 100 kilometers north from where we are."

"Man, what was she doing? Packing her luggage for a vacation here?" Shuji joked.

Jase oved to sit in his own seat. "We'll ask those questions later. For now, let's focus on following her."

"Right!" They all exclaimed. They hurried to their seats as Jase began to activate the Trailer's engine. Once ready, the whole vehicle shuddered before moving to the shore. The vehicle's tank mode activated, and the wheels went back to place as it made it to dry land. Everyone thus took off on the hunt for their missing comrades.

---

In the gathering chamber, where Rogue Zero and Hades Pillars always met and spoke, the dark room didn't have any lighting resonating from beneath. Rather, it came from the lighted floor. Along the edging of the chamber, bright blue crystals illuminated a meek glow to give the chamber a more secretive feel towards it.

It was here that within the center of the massive meetings center for him that Rin teleported. His chair he sat in bounced some as he got off it and stood in the center of the circle. The chair vanished, leaving him alone. "…come." He ordered.

In a split second, all of Hades Pillars appeared within their attributed circles, bowing their heads towards Riaan. Within the smaller Darkus circle where Rogue Zero's spots were, Maximus was on a knee as he presented towards his highness.

"Our liege, you have summoned us." Zion bowed. "Just as you have asked, we of Hades Pillars have come to our leader's aid."

"What is it that you want?" Amina, the Aquos battler, inquired neutrally.

Riaan's eyes closed as he began to relay his message. "It has come to my attention that our planet's security signal for the Bakugan has been working well. But, in light of this, we still suffer great resistance from the trespassers. From what I have been noted, it would seem that Cesar, Hendrix, and Killian have all been defeated." He looked back at the bald man. "Isn't that right, Zion?"

The armored man bowed once more. "Yes, your majesty."

Amina snobbishly scoffed. "What a waste. I knew those stooges would mess up."

Galilea lowered her head with a small frown. She seemed less than pleased hearing her subordinate was taken down. But alas, that's what was at stake, though to her, it didn't sit well.

Riaan turned to look down at Maximus, seeing his head bowed before him. Even now, he could feel a dominant aura emanating around the supreme leader. It tempted Maximus to put his hood up in shame. "Maximus Rogue, I understand that you and your colleagues have been at wits end with these intruders. I neither offer condolence for your defeats nor for the actions displayed against your efforts…but despite all this, being defeated within home territory, exactly how does that feel?"

Maximus showed no emotion as he had his head down. "The battle is far from over, oh great Riaan. I assure you, they did their best, but remember, we still have Xander and Ariella out in the field as we speak."

"Even so, there's no guarantee that the one that they call Esther Conland will have any means of a receiving end. I have become increasingly aware of them and their Bakugan's potential, no matter how little it is. Therefore, we are going to these coordinates if that is where they might be going." He snapped his fingers loudly, creating a holographic projection of a layout that they all saw.

Upon seeing these coordinates, Cyrus seemed intrigued. "Shi'imon Hill, sir?"

Riaan nodded. "Yes, I have reason to believe that's where they may try their escape. You all understand what's there, do you?" By the silence that everyone gave and their heads bowed, they knew. Nevertheless, Riaan spoke up. "If they time their arrival correctly, they will be able to use that to their advantage and transport off here. And as far as we know, they may contain data on Project Armagedoid. We can't let this setback be watched over any longer. It's time for action!" He swiped his arm, making his cape dramatically shift behind him. "Now, Hades Pillars, prepare yourselves! For Interacia and the new era, for Project Armagedoid, and for the lives at stake…do as you must when they get there."

"As you wish, sir." Cyrus bowed. "Hades Pillars, withdraw."

"SIR!" In a flash, they all teleported away, leaving only Maximus and Riaan left in the room. Both Darkus battlers had a stiff tension as it was them and them alone.

Maximus had his head down as Riaan turned away from him, facing the two Pyrus signs. There was an intense silence before Riaan finally spoke up.

"Maximus."

"…yes, my liege?"

"I hope you know what's at stake if you and your comrades do fail this task upon you. My patience with you and your team has been straining…of course I do admit that it is partially of Project Armagedoid's progress increasing."

"Worry not. If Ariella's arrogance doesn't kill her, I don't know what will, sire." Maximus smirked. "But as for Xander…I wouldn't be so humble as to call him out now, wouldn't you say?"

Riaan's eyes closed behind his back. "So I've been told. Just keep in mind, do not fail. I am entrusting this to you. You're the last defense before Hades Pillars. For your sake, keep in mind consequences." With those words, the supreme leader teleported out of the room, leaving Maximus alone.

The Darkus battler finally raised his head, giving a dark gleam towards the space where Riaan once was. The air around him thickened with his demeanor, but it wasn't of fear, no. It was of deep adrenaline. A malicious, toothy smirk showed itself, baring his sharp fangs.

"Sounds to me that he might be a little upset." Goblinball rhetorically sneered.

"Perhaps so. But then again, can't go calling the kettle black now, can you?" Maximus stated. "It's time that we stop that idiotic nuisance Luke and his friends once and for all. Come, Goblinball…it would seem we are to arrange for a farewell party to our guests."

"Yes, master." They finally teleported away, leaving the room vacant and meaningless once again.

---

Bakugan swarmed the area like there was a feeding frenzy. This was by no means a fair course for anyone, not even for the meal that was to be served. If this were a joke itself, Esther and Atchibee would be left with a bitter taste in their mouths. Cornered by the spread of Bakugan everywhere, including Xander and Ariella with Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer, the two were against the spread of a massive cliff wall with a huge spread of water and a couple Abis Omega and wild Stug, Clawcer, Freezer, and Jelldon popping out of the water. No matter where they turned, whichever way they looked, there was nowhere to run or fly off to for recovery. It's do or die for the both of them.

Ariella evilly smirked at Esther as she saw the tough look on her face. "Aw look, even in the face of defeat, the little earth brat is putting up a tough face. What a trooper." She taunted.

Esther returned the glare to the Aquos nemesis. "Ariella."

Atchibee hovered over Esther to protect her, her scythes and intimidating wing pattern bared against the spread of Bakugan. Of course this did little against Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer.

Hyper Dragonoid chuckled. "Is that supposed to be scary? Because I don't see anyone running around here. Do you, Clawcer?"

"No, I do not." Clawcer sniped his massive claw, the scissor-like motion looking like it would hurt. Both he and Hyper Dragonoid watched as Atchibee tried her best to remain calm despite the situation she was in.

Xander chuckled as he walked up a few paces. "You know, you should consider this mercy, Esther Conland. It isn't very often that one is at the mercy of overwhelming opponents such as ourselves."

Esther's glare was far from deterred. "Don't get ahead of yourselves. Whoever said you were merciful?"

Xander realized his mistake and put his hand to his head. "Oh, right, silly me. Sorry, it was Killian and Hendrix who are the mercy kind of guys."

'He's just taunting us.' Esther leered.

"You know, under normal circumstances, we would've given you and your friends a much more fighting chance." Ariella noted. "But you're on our turf now, and our patience with you all has run extremely thin. So if you think you have any fight in you, just go ahead and try." She snapped her fingers, motioning for Clawcer to step up in front and bear his pincer. "It'll be fun to watch you squirm and fail."

Esther balled her fists as she looked all around. No matter where she looked, no matter what or how she sees, there wasn't a point of exit. She couldn't contact her friends, and she's tried so many times while she was fleeing, and Atchibee doesn't swim or dig. It was one sheep against a pack of hungry wolves.

"Esther." Atchibee said.

Taking up her options, the Darkus battler held up a strong front to the fray. "We don't have a choice, Atchibee. I'm afraid there's only one thing we know we have to do." She paused, furrowing her brow. "We'll have to break through. No holding back, do you understand."

"Completely."

Ariella sneered. "Ha! Well isn't that a laugh. I think you should look back at your options and rethink that one before it's too late."

"It wouldn't matter. In the end, I know full well of the consequences with the decision to fight. This combat is unfair, and there isn't any real justice to what you're doing. I only wish that the heavenly father could somehow offer recompense for your actions."

Ariella's amused smirk turned into an exhausted frown. "Oh quit sounding so bold! Keep your phony beliefs for those who actually care! It's your actions that need recompense!"

"Ariella. That's enough." Xander sneered. "Quit bellyaching and let's do as Maximus says."

Ariella wanted to scoff at both the people she hated, but given the circumstances, she chose to hold her tongue this one time and smirked. "Hmph, well, if it'll get this over with…I suppose I can work with this situation."

"My thoughts exactly."

Esther grunted low, but she chose to take action. "Atchibee!" Atchibee got in front of her, lowering for battle.

Ariella: 100% Esther: 100%

Xander: 100%

Xander scoffed. "So you want a fight then, then we'll give you one! Gate Card, set!" He threw a Gate Card out to the area between them, which eroded into a red shockwave across the bedrock all around. "Now then, let the fun begin. Hyper Dragonoid! Ability activate, Pyrus Volting!"

Hyper Dragonoid spread his large wings and leaped into the air. Once up, he looked down at Atchibee with a smirk. "I'm going to enjoy this one!" His maw opened, expelling a pressurized blast of broiling flames at Atchibee.

Esther raised her Bakumeter to showcase a counterattack of her own. "Ability, activate! Scan Blaze!" Atchibee's red lenses glowed a bright red hue as the massive stream drew closer. Once close enough, heat-like waves radiated from the eyes all around. The attack launched completely dissipated when the radiation touched it, allowing Atchibee's power level to jump to 600.

"Big deal." Xander retorted.

Ariella lifted her Bakumeter, readying her own attack next. "Clawcer, go! Ability activate, Power Merge!" Clawcer's red eyes locked onto Atchibee and fired faint blue lasers from the pupils at Atchibee. They made contact at her abdominal area, causing a sharp, stinging sensation for Atchibee. The Darkus Bakugan shrieked loudly as she felt her energy siphoning away.

"Atchibee!" Esther exclaimed.

Atchibee groaned as she felt her power being sapped by Clawcer, her own power level going back to 400, while Clawcer went up to 550 and Hyper Dragonoid went up to 600. Once the energy was completely sapped, the lasers thinned out, allowing the moth to lowered even closer towards the ground to hunch over.

"Atchibee, are you okay?" Esther worried.

"Pathetic." Ariella scoffed. "And here I thought you'd be a lot tougher. What a waste you are."

Esther looked towards Ariella with growing anger in her stare. "You'd be wise to hold your tongue before you bite it yourself." With those words, Atchibee straightened up again, giving a loud, glistening shriek to the air above.

Ariella meekly smirked. "Try and act tough, but I can see you're still not up to cope. I'll show you! Ability activate, Star Lance!" Clawcer spread his many legs apart and moved his huge claw in front. The star-like pattern on it glowed bright blue before charging up energy. Once it was ready, a star-shaped blue blast shot from that point at Atchibee.

Clawcer: 550 Atchibee: 400 (-200) = 200

Hyper Dragonoid: 600

This time, not playing dumb, Atchibee brought her wings back and flapped once. With that, she ascended into the air, evading the blue laser that exploded in the bedrock right underneath. As the eruption of dirt eroded underneath her, the mouth's attention was completely adverted when she sensed something speeding her way. She looked up, seeing Hyper Dragonoid with arms bunkering him as he flew into Atchibee. The Darkus Bakugan took quick action and flew even higher, evading Hyper Dragonoid as he continued his course below.

"Lucky dodge." The Pyrus Bakugan snorted.

"They won't be so lucky after this one." Xander grew serious as his Bakumeter showed another ability. "Ability, activate! Flare Dive!"

Hyper Dragonoid continued towards the cliffs, but before he collided and did a kamikaze, he shot straight along the side and glided along the bedrock. When he got high enough, he twisted in the air and hovered right over Atchibee's head. Atchibee looked up to see Hyper Dragonoid eroding in voluminous fire and shot down at her. "It's over for you, Atchibee!" he roared.

"Not yet!" Esther warned, reaching off to the side with two abilities overlapping on the Bakumeter. "Double ability, activate! Scare Flash, plus Lavender Shock!"

Atchibee looked up at Hyper Dragonoid incoming at a steady rate. As he closed the gap, her wings spread, and the eyes began to glow. Without warning, a powerful radiance in glistening beams shot everywhere, purple light rays of which Hyper Dragonoid fell into. The Bakugan's flames and momentum both went out, and he grunted as he used his arms to cover up. Clawcer used his big claw to shield himself from the weakening light rays. With them occupied and vulnerable, Atchibee swung her tail from beneath and expelled a weak purple lightning blast that jolted at the ground in front of Clawcer, causing him to shriek and almost lose balance.

Clawcer: 550 (-200) = 350 Atchibee: 200 (+200 +200) = 600

Hyper Dragonoid: 600 (-200) = 400

"You're mine!" Atchibee soared straight up at Hyper Dragonoid while he was vulnerable. When he uncrossed his arms, he was immediately met with a scythe slash from Atchibee that raked a purple trail. It cut clean across his chest, causing him to recoil closer towards the ground.

"You'll pay for that." He sneered.

Down below, Clawcer grunted as he started to get up again.

"Hmph! This child's play is getting really old." Ariella stated. "I say we start getting a little more serious. What do you say, Xander?"

The Pyrus Rogue Zero member scoffed. "Don't get ahead of yourself. She's just biding room for herself is all. But let's see how much room she gets after this…" he swiped his arm in a long arch. "Gate Card, open! Pyrus Reactor!" The Gate Card beneath revealed itself, and in a bright red flash, the ground immediately began to heat up. All around within any space available, broiling flames began to billow up, making it look like a furnace. As the flames flickered bright embers below, Hyper Dragonoid floated directly above, his eyes glistening before he roared an empowering brace.

Clawcer: 350 Atchibee: 600

Hyper Dragonoid: 400 (+200) = 600

Everything alongside the massive basin and waterfall looked much like a bunch of Bakugan overlooking a bonfire, sort of speak. They all sneered as they swathe flames surround the base of Esther's feet. She looked down to see the hot embers and voluminous waves all gathering around for her specifically.

"Esther!" Worried for the sake of her partner, Atchibee sailed down in a long arch across the sea of fire. As she closed in on her partner, she tilted on her axis to allow her one wing to drop low enough for Esther.

Once Atchibee was close, Esther took a big enough jump to get between the crook of her neck and the wing and held on tight as Atchibee ascended in an arch across the air again. The Darkus girl crawled up onto the back as the arch took a long while, which allowed her extra to hurriedly crawl up the to the head,

"Thank you, Atchibee!" she shouted.

"You're welcome!"

Xander smirked.

Something in a blitz soared across the sky as Atchibee was arching along that way, and it was moving fast. Too fast even. Esther looked over with widened eyes to catch only a glimpse of it. "Atchibee! Look out!"

BAM!

Before she could even respond, Hyper Dragonoid flew his knee right into her abdominal region, continuing his soaring straight into the mountain's edge. Atchibee screamed in agony as Hyper Dragonoid's knee and her collided with the rock, making a loud rupture of stone and dust to fall towards the ground. As the dust cleared, it showed Atchibee embedded into the cliff's side, straining hard to get out as Esther held onto the head. As both strained, Hyper Dragonoid pinned his claw to Atchibee's throat, holding her against the wall as she groaned.

Hyper Dragonoid darkly cackled. "Where do you think you're going?"

Esther tried to hang on the best she could as she was faced against Hyper Dragonoid. She looked down to see Atchibee struggling, but she couldn't even move from the shock that was catching up to her.

Hyper Dragonoid looked at Clawcer. "Alright, do it. Before I change my mind!"

Clawcer aimed his massive claw at Atchibee, opening the pincers. "Got it!"

Esther eyes widened. "What are you doing?! Aren't you going to risk hurting Hyper Dragonoid?!"

Ariella maniacally smirked. "That's none of my nor your concern. What matters is how useful it'll be to see you and your Bakugan pay the price! Allow me to deal with this! Now! Ability activate…" Clawcer's claw began to draw in blue energy that became a sphere with blue electricity. "Aquos Cyclowave!" Clawcer pushed his huge claw forward, opening the pincers to expel a voluminous blue blast that soared over the fire below. It closed in an arch at Atchibee as Hyper Dragonoid held her in place.

Clawcer: 350 (+400) = 750 Atchibee: 600

Hyper Dragonoid: 600

The beam drew ever so closer, increasing in velocity and depth as it sailed and ripped through large streaks of the battlefield. Hyper Dragonoid held his position off to the side as he looked back at Atchibee, who was within direct lining. The Pyrus Bakugan gripped her neck tighter to assure a choking sound, in which he succeeded upon a gag.

"Atchibee!" Esther exclaimed.

"Heh, what are you gonna do now?" Xander challenged.

Esther only had so much time, not even a few seconds. She knew that she had to act fast, otherwise it wouldn't end well. 'Atchibee's head and neck are incapacitated…' She looked towards the wings, which were now practically free. 'But we still have our wings!' "Atchibee, hold on! Ability, activate! Night Wave!"

Atchibee gagged again, but she was still nevertheless conscious. Her wings mobile, she managed one small grunt before abruptly flapping them at Hyper Dragonoid, causing him to gasp. "Huh-?!" The next thing he knew, a powerful gust of bright purple winds in the form of a twister picked up, enveloping him within the center. The tornado went outwards, going at the middle and blocking the blue blast. Clawcer looked equally as shocked as the gust headed his way, expanding until it enveloped him as well.

"What the-?!" Ariella was cut off as the winds caught her and Xander. They both got to their knees to avoid being blown away, but the maelstrom was surprisingly strong.

Clawcer: 750 (-300) = 450 Atchibee: 600

Hyper Dragonoid: 600 (-100) = 500

The dark winds subsided, allowing for Clawcer and Hyper Dragonoid to be seen lowering to the ground. They all recollected as the atmosphere's darkness faded, revealing a pair of red eyes that stared down Clawcer and Hyper Dragonoid in their faces. The eyes revealed Atchibee, surprising them both.

"HRAH!" Atchibee cried out as she slashed her blades, raking them across their fronts. Both Bakugan recoiled, but not enough to drive them back into ball form.

"That little, stubborn brat…!" Ariella glared. Xander's own glare rivaled her own.

"I can understand your resentment." Esther said atop Atchibee's head. "But this is taking things too far! Are you even aware of what you are doing? How your very world is on the verge of collapsing, and you're here fighting something so meaningless!"

Her words made Ariella's eyes widened. "Meaningless, you say…meaningless…" Her anger began to drastically spike. "Meaningless?! What in the world makes you think that any of what we have done has been considered meaningless?! What does a no-good punk such as yourself even know about what we are doing?!"

"Enough to know that you're stealing life from more than just one world." Esther retorted. "You didn't come to New Vestroia just to make the Bakugan there miserable, your technology was trying to sap at the life of the planet. Sounds about right?"

Xander's eyes narrowed, trying to hide his disgust. 'Wait…how did she find out about that? Nobody, not even the population, is aware of that.'

Ariella scoffed. "You're bluffing. What makes you think that you really know that?"

"So then that is right." Esther clarified.

Ariella frowned. "Just who told you about that?"

"That isn't what's important here. What's important is that you know what's right and wrong. You're aware of depriving one's resources is beneficial to you, but in reality, it's nothing but a fake. Farce! What Riaan is doing is not salvation for anybody but for himself, don't you get that?!"

Atchibee sailed downwards towards them again. She let out a loud shriek as she swung one blade at Clawcer, who parried with his massive pincer. The sparks between vanished and Atchibee flapped her wings to ascend over the massive claw, where her tail released purple static into Clawcer's face, causing him to flail out of discomfort. He swatted his massive pincer to get Atchibee to drift back, and that gave room for Hyper Dragonoid to fly in between and stomp against her body. She crossed her blades just before impact, saving her enough damage as she went further back.

"If you know who Riaan is, then why do you follow him and his ambitions? What do you hope to gain from this venture, because all I see is potential slaughter!"

Ariella's eyes shrunk when a gasp escaped her throat. Even though the flames from the Gate Card receded because of the ability, the Aquos woman could still see similar flames. All around her, everything darkened as her mind flashed to very grim images.

It was vague, she could see a dark room, with blood on the floor. Red puddles lead up to a child-like figure in the shadows as she stabbed one of the two figures lying in a very lavish bed. She could see a sickening gaze within the darkness, and fires engulfing bodies across the hall. Even now, whenever she saw that image, that inhumane figure that maimed those two people, something inside of her makes her feel something she never liked. Fear.

Atchibee swung her tail, swatting Hyper Dragonoid into Clawcer, making a powerful enough thud to shock Ariella.

A shadowy figure looming above the 5-year-old Ariella had a nice and serious disposition about him. Though she couldn't see, she could make out the hand that he extended to her. "If you come with me, I will promise that no harm will come to you by her ever again." He assured in a fatherly voice.

A heart pulse went through Ariella, her figure silent for a moment before her eyes shrunk to anger points. "You…little…BRAAAT!" she snapped loudly, emitting a loud roar that Clawcer responded to. The Bakugan swung his pincer at Atchibee when she came close, cloaking it in blue static via Vice Snipper. The swung batted Atchibee backwards, staggering Esther.

"What?!"

"Lord Riaan gave to me everything that I ever needed! What could you possibly know about him to call him a monster?! If anything serves, spoiled brats like yourselves are the worst kind!"

Xander gave her an inquired look. 'Takes one to know one.' He then smirked at the battle, shifting focus.

She inserted another card, making another ability happen. "Ability activate, Shield Crush Delta!"

Clawcer closed his pincers and didn't wait for Atchibee to regain herself. He swiped his massive claw forward and opened the pincer, slinging a blue crescent in the shape of the pincer that engraved its one end into the ground. A crevice opened beneath the surface of its wake as it went on towards Atchibee. The Darkus Bakugan was recovering from the previous attack when she was struck by this one, creating a blue flash that enveloped her front.

On top, Esther covered up as Atchibee shook hard.

Clawcer: 650 Atchibee: 600 (-300) = 300

Hyper Dragonoid: 500

As the blue burst faded, Atchibee's frontal blades plunged into the ground, acting as leverage to keep her up. "Atchibee, no!" Esther exclaimed. She looked back at her opponent, seeing a dark look of challenge by Ariella. 'What just happened?'

"Ha! How's about a little salt to that wound!" Xander exclaimed. "Ability activate, Blitz Sparta!" Hyper Dragonoid was in midair as he scrunched up. When he finally flexed, his body was surrounded in a cloak of fire. He shot at Atchibee, creating a comet of fire that went behind him as he soared. He roared loudly as his head made full impact with Atchibee, sending her spiraling through the air.

"Atchibee~!" Esther lost her grip on her partner as she spiraled out of control. Both Bakugan and girl went falling towards the ground. Esther thudded painfully on her front, whereas Atchibee crashed nearby on her back, creating a powerful dust cloud that covered her.

Clawcer: 650 Atchibee: 300 (-200) = 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 500 (+200) = 700

Hyper Dragonoid went back to Clawcer's side, both Bakugan in black on their bodies glaring down the dust cloud. "Heh, these worms were less trouble than what we had thought." Hyper Dragonoid taunted.

The dust cleared at last, revealing Esther coughing on the ground. Her attire had dirt and stains all over it, no doubt from the rumblings from earlier, and from the damage. She grunted as she got to her hands and knees, but figures looked over her, making her gasp.

"Poor little girl. Wish you had your mommy right now?" Ariella taunted darkly. "Well too bad, because this is reality."

"The real world is a harsh place, Esther." Xander smirked. "The sooner you learn that, the easier it is to feeb from others to survive. That's merely one principle ole Riaan's just exercising. Nothing personal against you of course…well, for him that is."

"But we're a whole other story." The former's eyes slowly lowered as she saw Esther struggling to stand. "Look at yourself. I can't believe I actually fumed over someone so ridiculous as to believe that they could change a fate that was meant to be. Face it, your time is up."

Esther's breath was labored. She shakily stirred to her feet, where she slumped forward and looked at Xander and Ariella. She then looked back to see Atchibee on the ground, trying to flap her wings, but little was being done about that. She looked back again, her blue orbs peering daggers into her adversaries.

"Even if…I was shown mercy…" she labored. "The divine sanctuary…that we all seek…will lie on another plane."

"What are you saying now?" Xander asked, his right eye scrunching a little.

"No matter how I probably see it, maybe I don't deserve to go up there. Too many grievous sins have been committed that I let happen…so even if not by you…or by my own folly…Hell won't rest until it has me in its clutches. It's a sin's true calling after all."

Ariella looked less than amused by her efforts displayed. If anything, it was more of a sight of pity, and even more so of delusional mumbo-jumbo that meant one's religion or something. Religion was never a thing Ariella respected, let alone cared for. But in light of all this, she opted to do something about it.

"Ha. Okay, I'll give you an A for your efforts…but F for the choices that you've made. Your stupidity is something even I cannot fathom. If you really want to go to hell that bad, then we'll grant you that request." She threw a triangular prism into the air. "Come, Bakugan Trap! Aquos Tripod Theta!" In a bright bolt that crash in front of Clawcer, it stirred up dust, which dissipated to show Tripod Theta ready and accounted for.

"So be it. It's not worth the forth the effort of our Bakugan anymore." He threw a red prism into the air next. "Metalfencer, stand!" Metalfencer opened, glowing bright red before appearing in front of Hyper Dragonoid.

Clawcer: 650/Tripod Theta: 350 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 700/Metalfencer: 400

Esther's eyes narrowed.

"So, Hyper Dragonoid, you ready?" Xander questioned.

The Pyrus Bakugan sneered back. "Hmph, I don't see a reason anymore. Let the Trap Bakugan have their playtime. That'll be a show." He stepped back as Metalfencer let out a mechanical screech.

Ariella smirked. "That would seem satisfying. Then how's about we make that fruition? Ability activate, Octo-Whip!" Tripod Theta's eyes glowed briefly before his skirt-like bottom shifted. The next instance, purple tentacles eroded and shot at Atchibee, with one tangling around tone scythe, with another on the other scythe, and lastly one around the neck area, where a tight squeeze was implemented. Once more, the inflammation around her neck where Hyper Dragonoid clutched earlier flared. A weak gag escaped her.

"Atchibee…" Esther found herself surrounded by Bakugan of wild species. When she looked around, even beside the water, a few Abis Omega were looming down at her. A Subterra Verias nearby pounded its chest in readiness, and many more were looming over her as her hopes were washing away.

"Face it. You never had the strength to fight back, because you never had the chance to begin with." Xander showed an ability card as his frown grew serious. "If you have any last words, say them now. Ability, activate! Mal Fender!"

Metlfencer's green eyes flashed as the tail-like stinger adjusted its settings to shoot at Atchibee. The inside glowed bright red as its power level went up to 700. Red swirling energy went into the inside and charged up incredulous amounts of power.

Once ready, Xander reached forward. "No words, huh? Fine by me…fire!"

Metalfencer leaned forward and released a bright beam from its stinger. It ripped over the ground and went glistening across the airspace as even Esther was unable to move by her loss of hopes.

"ESTHER!" Atchibee shouted. She tried to move, but she didn't have it in her.

As the beam drew closer, not only did all the Bakugan begin to lunge, including some Abis Omega arching down with open mouths, but time drastically slowed down for the girl. Everything moved slowly for her to process, but regardless her eyes shut as she saw anyways was bright red. 'I'm sorry everyone. This sin was too great for me to bare. Atchibee, forgive me for putting up in this. I only hope that you are somehow overlooked by heaven's eye, unlike myself for bringing you all to this.' Everything began to go white for her, leaving even the laser and snarling to go blank. '…this is what sins do to people. The people who failed to right their wrong…'

Nothing but white enveloped all, including her thoughts.

A massive splash came from the waterfall's basin. Rom it, something swift smacked its slender structure into two Abis Omega arching down for Esther. They were both smacked out of the water and into the way of the attack, making them shriek in agony before they glowed blue and shrunk to nothing.

Esther's eyes opened. "Huh…?" Suddenly a force grabbed her from the side, pushing her towards the ground. It was tough to make out, but for a split second, her blue yes caught traces of red.

"Get down!" The voice following the shove hit the floor with Esther. "Double ability, activate! Diamond Storm, plus Fusion Ability, Blue Mega!"

From the water, the massive splash eroded into a vortex that unleashed glowing energy shards that expanded outwards like a funnel. Anything and everything that the blizzard of hard diamonds touched was knocked down and out. It continued expanding, enveloping not just the wild Bakugan in the area, but it caused Tripod Theta to lose hold of Atchibee and cover up. As did the other Bakugan.

"WHAT THE-?!" Ariella was cut off when she and Xander got to their knees as bright blue shard raced over their head all around. The diamonds had streaky blue coursing behind like a comet, and they ripped and struck down so many Bakugan on standby.

As the attack finally subsided, everything went from red to blue; a cool color. Esther found herself on the ground and tried to make sense of it all, but it all happened so fast. She was blinking a lot too.

"Esther, you okay?"

Esther's breath hitched as the voice tingled. 'That voice…' She slowly glanced back up front, where her body was shaking as she saw a familiar head of red hair, with a familiar coat, with a familiar scabbard attached. Her eyes widened further upon recognizing said person.

Ariella uncovered, but she looked far from pleased. "You…!"

A familiar grin was seen, but the green eyes of said person had a passion in them. They were easier to look at. "I'm sorry, we didn't make it in time." He frowned. "And I can't guarantee that we'll be okay right now…but since we're here…" A fist arose, revealing himself to be Luke at long last. "We're gonna do our best and stop Rogue Zero, here and now!"

Esther couldn't believe her eyes. "Luke!"

Atchibee was still recovering from her lethal injuries, but even see recognized the sound of water splashing. A blue figment slipped in front of her, one with sins and a long tail. "Abis…?"

The Aquos Bakugan mentioned stared down his opponents but acknowledged Atchibee. "Sorry for the interruption, but sitting by like before isn't settling well right now."

Esther was still processing what happened. She couldn't even recognize Luke from before. "L-Luke…? Is that really…? Where did you…!" She saw his hair style, looking much shorter. "Luke, your hair! What did you-?!"

"There isn't time for any of that." Luke said. "Abis and I, we were around when we sensed a lot of negative energy. It felt familiar, and that's when I thought it had to be Rogue Zero. No one else expels this much negative energy from battles."

Though they recovered from their shock, Xander and Ariella took ease knowing who they were dealing with. "Hmph, so the spoiled brat decided to play peekaboo. I was wondering if it was Maximus who found you. Looks like that issue's out the window." Ariella hummed.

"Sorry guys, I haven't seen him." Luke said as Abis slithered to his side. "But what we saw was enough. There's been enough of this carnage around here, and I'm not standing by when others are at stake!"

Xander smirked arrogantly. "Look at Mr. Tough Talk over here. You of all people making a statement like that? That alone is painfully obvious. That's why we're doing this. So do you want to join your friend, too?"

Ariella chimed her own look of doubt. "You're hilarious. As if a dreck like you can comprehend carnage from one hand. Are you, or are you not aware of what you alone have done?"

"Luke…" Esther trailed off.

Luke's fist balled tight, his dispositioning growing firm. 'I can't get ahead of myself. I know why I'm here, but I won't have my doubts waver again. Abis and I…we're making it up to everyone we let down.' "Yeah…I made some really stupid mistakes, and I let people down. And yeah, I messed up bad…but that's why I…no, we're here! To make sure that stupid mistake doesn't happen again!" Beside him, Abis lowered his head and lowly roared.

Ariella smirked. "Well I hate to break this to you, but you ever showing your face again was a stupid mistake itself."

"So now you want to try and save your own friend's life?" Xander challenged.

Luke furrowed his brow. "We'll die trying at least." Behind him, Esther and Atchibee were at a loss for what to say or do in this situation. If they weren't around, they would've been dead by now. But right now there was so much to question, and so much to process. Where did they go? What were they doing? But from the looks they had on them, it was like a switch had been turned on.

'Luke…Abis Omega…'

"Esther, I'm sorry. I can't explain everything right now." Luke said. "But for now, please…let us be of some help. Just this once."

Esther fell silent at Luke's remark. Her breathe hitched and subsided. He was right. There was work to be done. At the very least, she could stand and catch her breath, but until then, Luke has the controls.

Luke spread his feet, while Abis Omega spread his two fins. "Okay Abis…" His green eyes hardened a glare against the opponents. "Let's do this. Gate Card, set!" He threw a card in the center of the whole terrain, fading into a blue shockwave across the area.

"You read my mind." Abis let out a roar challenge to them all, making the four Bakugan hold their positions firmly against the long water serpent.

Clawcer: 650 (-200 -100) = 350/Tripod Theta: 350 (-200 -100) = 50 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 700 (-200 -100) = 400/Metalfencer: 700 (-200 -100) = 400 Abis Omega: 350 (+200 +200) = 750

"Well then, be our guest." Xander sneered. "Hyper Dragonoid, ability activate! Ruby Wonder!"

Hyper Dragonoid crossed his arms and lifted them overhead, where many of red energy shards formed. "You'll regret this!" He warned, sending the many red-like diamonds at Abis, who waited patiently for them to come at him.

Clawcer: 350/Tripod Theta: 50 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 400/Metalfencer: 400 Abis Omega: 750 (-300) = 450

Luke raise his wrist, showing an ability to counter with. "Ability activate, Fin Melee" As the many shards went at Abis, he waited for the chance and swung his tail, creating a blue streak that slashed at one shard, deflected and other, and parried many more, until nothing was left when red sparkles glistened around him.

"What?" Hyper Dragonoid scorned.

Clawcer: 350/Tripod Theta: 50 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 400/Metalfencer: 400 Abis Omega: 450 (+200) = 650

"He stopped the whole attack, just by fending?" Xander wondered.

"Hmph. Well it's no big deal if you ask me." Ariella retorted. "Double ability, activate! Vice Snipper, plus Sea Curse!" Clawcer opened his claw, which had blue static line up against it. Meanwhile, Tripod Theta, raised his stave, twirling it overhead before he jutted it at Abis Omega, unleashing a blast of dark water at the Bakugan.

Clawcer: 350 (+200) = 550/Tripod Theta: 50 (+200) = 250 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 400/Metalfencer: 400 Abis Omega: 650

The jet of dark water sped up first, trying to meet Abis first, but the serpent serpentine around to dodge, and Clawcer came up to pinch at Abis Omega, and once again, his flexible body helped him elude of to the side, where he wormed around and wrapped himself around Clawcer, containing him nice and tight.

Ariella seemed unimpressed, but even more so annoyed. "Tricky as ever, I see." She waited for a response by Luke, but she didn't get anything. "Huh? What's the matter? Aren't you always the one who talks, or am I talking about that other friend of yours?"

"Hyper Dragonoid! Metalfencer, get going!" Xander roared. "Double ability, activate! Pyrus Volting, plus Mal Fender!" Hyper Dragonoid opened his maw to expel a pressurized blast of broiling fire, whereas Metalfencer aimed his mechanical stinger tail and charged up quickly for a bright red blast to expel. Their power level both went up to 700. As the attacks traveled, they came close to one another and began to rotate around the other, creating a vortex of flames and bright red energy turning at Abis Omega.

Noting the attack coming his way, Abis turned his head and began to twist. He moved his body to make the coils and Clawcer align with the incoming ray.

"What…?" Clawcer was left speechless as Abis literally threw him into the attack heading his way. He slithered off to the side as the combination blast struck Clawcer in the face, swallowing him in a heated eruption of flames.

Abis looked back, watching the tower of fire engulf the Bakugan he baited.

Ariella's eyes widened. "You sneaky little…!" She looked back at the dissipating flames, seeing Clawcer steaming. He stumbled off the side, where he groaned tried to cool off.

"So he used his enemy as a shield. Interesting." Xander grinned. "I don't know whether to call that dirty or clever. But not good enough either! Let's see how you like this then! Double ability, activate! Dual Dragon, plus Item Core!"

Hyper Dragonoid chuckled. "Here we go…" His body glowed a faint light before he split off to one side, while another appeared beside him. In the air above, a flame billowed and fizzled out to make an axe and shield combo. The two separated, allowing the shield to fall to the clone, while the axe went to the real one.

"He multiplied!" Esther gasped.

"That's right." Xander reached out, giving the command. "Now go, Metalfencer! Battle Unit Mode!"

Metalfencer's eyes flashed bright green as it shrilled a mechanical cry. It floated into the air, where it maneuvered behind the real Hyper Dragonoid and attached its body to the back. It aligned the legs, hands, and the stinger tail along the real one, and once fully assimilated, Hyper Dragonoid gave out a loud, boisterous roar everywhere.

Clawcer: 550/Theta: 250 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 700 (+100) = 800/Hyper Dragonoid: 700 (+100) = 800/Metalfencer = 700 = 2300 Abis Omega: 650

"What kind of a power level is that?" Esther gasped.

"Oh, you'll see soon enough. Now, attack!" Xander ordered.

Both Hyper Dragonoid spread their wings and went darting right for Abis Omega. The serpentine Bakugan braced himself as the one with the shield was faster because of not much weight. The dragonoid used the shield as a ram, but Abis was smart enough to duck. Once underneath, the dragon kept going, allowing for Abis to reach up as get a coil around the tail end. He pulled on the clone dragon, yanking him and dragging him around from the side like a bat that was swung into the other dragonoid with the axe.

BAM!

With the momentum, both dragonoids were slammed hard into the other, knocked off to the side. The clone thud into the ground, but the real one with Metalfencer landed on his two feet. "Not back with snake. How's about you try these one for size!" He pointed the arms ahead, where orange glowed on the inside.

"Ability activate, Red Valkyrie!" Xander's orders were followed up with Hyper Dragonoid's power level shooting up to 2700. He began to unleash massive volleys of red lasers from the arm pistols, which closed in on Abis at alarming rates. With his slithery and flexible body, Abis moved his whole body around to get away.

"Abis, stay calm!" Luke exclaimed.

"I know, Luke!" He lowered his head, avoiding a laser blast. "Now let's give these guys a surprise!"

"I hear you! Ability activate, Osmosis!" Abis Omega suddenly began to vanish, fading away from sight of the other Bakugan. The two Hyper Dragonoid looked around to try and get a sense of the area, but they couldn't find him.

Clawcer: 550 (-200) = 350/Tripod Theta: 250 (-200) = 50 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 1000 (-200) = 800/Hyper Dragonoid: 800 (-200) = 600/Metalfencer: 900 (-200) = 700 = 2100 Abis Omega: 650

Ariella sneered at Luke's attempt at defense. "Hmph! Hiding away like you were before?"

Luke remained vigilant on his course. He couldn't show weakness, not now. Abis knew this as well. Choosing to remain silent, Abis snuck his body and entangled a coil around the clone dragonoid's leg. He pulled, causing it to trip and fall on its back. He slithered off.

"How's about we flush you out then?" Ariella proposed two abilities, with one ability being Darkus, and another being Ventus. "Tripod Theta, double ability, activate! Sea Curse, plus Gale Malice!" Tripod Theta twirled his staff overhead once more, but instead of creating an aqua blast like before, a green gale whipped up around the area. Underneath him, the ground began to emit ripples of dark water across the area. The gale picked up waves of the water and splashed them everywhere, skimming across the ground, even bypassing Luke as he covered up from any miscellaneous waves.

Clawcer: 350/Tripod Theta: 50 (+200 +200) = 450 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 800/Hyper Dragonoid: 600/Metalfencer: 700 = 2100 Abis Omega: 650 (-200) = 450

The strong winds and waves picking up kept crashing against many of objects, including those invisible. Off near the real Hyper Dragonoid from behind, Abis Omega's invisibility began to dissipate through the waves. "I've got you!" The real Hyper Dragonoid turned and swatted his conjoined tails, crashing against Abis' side and sending him flying into the air. The Aquos serpent shrieked as he looked like a loose belt soaring into the skies. Hyper Dragonoid aimed Metalfencer's cannons at him and began firing away. The red lasers pelted Abis in many pairs, creating orange explosions through the atmosphere.

"Abis!" Luke shouted in worry.

Within the smoke cloud, Abis fell straight down with a strained look. The clone Hyper Dragonoid rammed his shield into him in midair, sending him crashing and tumbling across the ground to a pained thud.

"Hehehe. Well what do you know." The real Hyper Dragonoid scoffed. "This guy's a lot more entertaining than last time."

"This time for now." Xander corrected. "Still, as much as I'm having fun, I think we should wrap this up." He reached out. "Go now, my pets!"

Abis strained to get up, but he had a hard time doing so. As he shook his head, he found himself surrounded by the two Hyper Dragonoid, Tripod Theta, and Clawcer, who had managed to recover. He snaked his head around to see odds were well against him, as they should be.

Xander smirked triumphantly at the setup; Abis Omega's downfall. "So then, Luke. I'll say this once: Do you have any bright ideas?"

Luke's brow furrowed. "Maybe not…" he paused. "But I got one idea! Gate Card, open! Diffuse!"

"What?!"

The Gate Card opened, glowed a bright light as the rest of them. Nothing for the most part seemed to be happening, but Metalfencer was beginning to act strangely. "Huh?" Hyper Dragonoid looked over his shoulder to see his mechanical help get pulled off, pried off actually and shakily returned to all fours. "What's happening?"

Clawcer: 350/Tripod Theta: 450 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 800/Hyper Dragonoid: 600/Metalfencer: 700 Abis Omega: 450

Xander saw the power levels all sever for his Bakugan, rendering him speechless. "What?! But how?!" He looked towards Luke. "What did you do?!"

"I used the command card, Diffuse." He answered. "It's a card that splits up any and all combined power levels on either side of the field. And they can't reconnect for the rest of the round! Which means your Metalfencer can't use its Battle Unit Mode."

Xander's fists balled in rising anger. It was clear his annoyance with Luke began to rise.

"Careful now, Xander. Your ignorance is showing." Ariella teased.

Esther was still watching from afar, her eyes glued to the battle and Luke's latest play. 'Incredible. Did Luke actually anticipate Xander would combine his Bakugan's power levels again? He wasn't the kind to think this far ahead. When did he learn to get so experienced like this?' She remained quiet as she admired Luke and Abis' efforts, both her and Atchibee alike.

Getting over his initial shock, Xander managed a smirk. "Well, color me impressed. I didn't think you'd actually been able to figure that one out, Luke. I would've thought that Brainiac of yours would've thought this far, but you, you surprised me. Still, your power level is much lower. Numbers don't lie."

"Maybe not." Luke stated. "But neither do I, and when I say I'm here to stop you, I mean it!"

"Such bold words. Care to back them up?"

Ariella stepped forward. "I think I'll handle this one, Xander." She insisted. "I've been meaning to give him a few payback shots of my own. Clawcer, get ready! "

Clawcer aimed forward, ready and willing. "Yes, ma'am!"

"Ability activate, Aquos Cyclowave!" Clawcer created his own blue hemisphere inside his pincer's grip once more. Once that was charged up, he pointed forward, expelling an erupting blast of blue that bolted across the area as his power level went up to 750.

Esther gasped in shock. "You guys, get out of there!"

Luke's stare ahead did not waver. He and Abis glared cold daggers at the attack. 'Not yet, not until…' It ripped across the ground, causing the earth beneath to shudder. 'It's time…to show them…' Both their eyes narrowed. 'Our power!'

Once it was close, Abis' pupils dilated. "Now, Luke!"

Luke raised his wrist high, revealing an ability that shined brightly. "Let's go, Abis! Ability, activate~!"

Abis Omega opened his maw, where like Clawcer, blue energy surged into a compressed hemisphere. It shined brightly like a glistening blue sun as its owner took aim as the blast wave heading towards him. "AQUOS CYCLOWAVE!" Abis Omega lurched forward, unleashing his own attack. As the blast made a ripple expel in all directions, Abis Omega's power level shot from 450 to 850. The two beams ripped across the earth, where they collided in the center. Clawcer tried to fight back, but Abis unleashed a powerful cry as more juice was made. He tilted his head indirectly, making the two blasts fighting instead deflect towards the clone Hyper Dragonoid. The Bakugan was enveloped in an intense blue eruption that expanded into a powerful hemisphere across the area. Everyone, including Esther and the Rogue Zero members, tried to cover up as the shockwave blew winds everywhere. The blast wave kept expanding, swallowing up Tripod Theta, Metalfencer, and the clone Hyper Dragonoid. The clone glowed red and vanished, while the Trap Bakugan reverted to their smaller forms. The shockwaves picked up Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer both, sending them both away, smashing into the ground painfully beside the other.

The dust and the shockwaves all subsided, but Esther's hair shifted as her eyes were wide with disbelief. Not only her, but Xander and Ariella were at a loss for what to say. The Darkus girl especially was shocked. 'Was that…?'

Xander uncovered, showing shock as both his and Ariella's life gauges fell to 20%. "Impossible. When did he…"

Ariella's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Just what exactly has been going on?"

A silhouette was seen within the dissipating dust opposing them. "A lot that I've been neglecting for a while now." The voice inside stated. "Truth be told, something happened to me that made me realize something, that I had to take action after." The dust cleared, showing Luke with his green eyes fixed on winning. "There's still a lot that Abis and I don't understand yet, but that's what we've been doing. We're not sitting around to wait for answers anymore. We're finding them out ourselves, and we'll use them on our own to make the rest of the lives we save meaningful!"

"Luke…" Esther trailed off at Luke's resolve. 'So…that's what you've been doing. All on your own…no, not alone. You had Abis Omega, didn't you?' She looked towards Atchibee, who looked back at her before both faced forward.

Ariella's shock subsided. "Heh, big deal. So you've learned a new ability. But that won't be enough to save you! Ability activate, Shield Crush Delta!" Clawcer closed his pincers as they glowed bright blue. Once ready, he spread them, sending a small crescent shredding across the ground at Abis Omega, while the serpent went down to 550 Gs.

Luke showed one more ability card. "Ability, activate! Coil Guard!" Abis Omega swirled his entire body into tight coils for defense against the incoming attack. When the crescent grazing over earth closed in, a blue burst of energy swallowed him up.

Clawcer: 750 Atchibee: 100

Hyper Dragonoid: 800 Abis Omega: 550 (+300 +100) = 950

"Abis!" Luke exclaimed. He watched as the dust surrounding his Bakugan began to dissipate, revealing the serpent undoing his coils. His whole body had scratches and scrapes, but more apparent to that, he looked just as dazed as Luke was.

"I'm…f-fine…" But he was far from it actually. He lurched forward, his eyes trying to keep open for as much as possible.

Luke's brow furrowed as he was seeing the odds far from his favor. 'This isn't good. We still haven't recovered from all those battles we've endured out in the ocean. And…' His thoughts went to the Megarus they had to defeat, and that took everything they had, and then some.

Seeing their opponent's staggering, Xander took the initiative. "Seems your luck's run out. Go!"

Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer closed in, charging at full speeds with the appropriate appendages brought back. Abis was too tired to move, but he was aware. However, as he brace himself, Atchibee slammed Clawcer in his side, knocking the crab off balance and into Hyper Dragonoid.

"What now?!" Ariella looked over, seeing Atchibee flapping her wings right next to Abis Omega. Her body was in a bright purple aura, meaning some power was pumped into her. "You!"

As Luke remained shocked, a figure walked up beside him. "Double ability, Correlation of Aquos to Darkus, and Diagonal Relation of Pyrus and Darkus, activate!" she announced. Her Atchibee howled into the air as her power seemingly returned once more.

Clawcer: 750 Atchibee: 100 (+300 +300) = 700

Hyper Dragonoid: 800 Abis Omega: 950

"Esther?" Luke gasped. He looked over, seeing the serious look she had on her face. "But I thought…"

"We'll buy you both some cover." She interrupted. "Now it's our turn to pay what we owe."

"Esther…" Luke couldn't help but feel touched by her words. But as much as he wanted to catch up, there were more pressing matters to attend to. "Alright then."

Esther nodded in understanding and showed her Bakumeter once more. "Alright, Atchibee! Let's finish this!"

"Right!" the moth Bakugan shouted before looking back at Abis Omega. "Thanks for earlier, but now it is my turn again."

"Atchibee…"

Ariella seemed far from amused. "How touching. Having each other's backs like that is so sweet. But exactly how do you intend to fight?"

Her dark purple Bakumeter showed two abilities overlapping one another. "Double ability, activate! Lavender Shock, plus Fusion Ability, Chaos Turnover!" Atchibee swung her tail at Clawcer and Hyper Dragonoid, unleashing a weak, streaky bolt of bright purple lightning. Meanwhile a glossy, bright purple and white ball of energy was made at the mouth. It was fired straight ahead, soon joining the lightning bolt to make it thicker and glossy. Clawcer covered up while Hyper Dragonoid jumped out of range. The glossy bolt struck the ground, making an explosion of dust erupt near Clawcer.

Clawcer: 750 Atchibee: 700 (+200 +200) = 1100

Hyper Dragonoid: 800 Abis Omega: 950

Within the dust cloud, Ariella swiped her arm to give a clear way. "Ability activate, Star Lance!" Clawcer kept his arm in front and aimed upwards. He fired a star-shaped blue blast at Atchibee, but she evaded it as her power level went down to 900.

Esther's face grew even more serious as she glared ahead. 'We need more cover, and quick!' "Ability, activate! Vermilion Jet Black!" Atchibee flapped her wings once more, creating a dark atmosphere that shrouded everything around her and Clawcer.

"How predictable." Ariella retorted. "You think we didn't see that one coming? Ability activate, Carapace Shield!"

In the darkness, a pair of bright red eyes glowed as they unleashed bolting blasts of purple lightning. They went and crashed into the darkness, making sparks fly upon impact. However, much to their surprise, there was no screaming, nor the sounds of thudding. Atchibee's attack lead up eventually, her shock apparent as darkness uncovered to reveal a translucent blue shield surrounding Clawcer.

"He blocked it. I should've known." Atchibee felt her power drop even lower to 800, while Clawcer's arose to 850.

"So, Esther, got any better ideas?" Ariella reached forward. "Go, Clawcer!"

Clawcer slowly separated the space between all his legs. He got momentum needed, and when he finally achieved it, he chose to show one more, much grosser, trick that he's been hiding. The shield over his mouth finally began to lift, leaving Esther and Luke startled at what they were seeing.

Never could they have thought, that a Clawcer's mouth was so…monstrous. Fangs were everywhere, gums were all that they were seeing. It was like looking at a void of massive proportions. With everybody stunned, Clawcer let out a bellow that made his gums ripple. He lunged up at Atchibee with all his might, closing the gap quite fast.

"Atchibee, look out!" Esther warned.

"HRAAH!" In a sudden twist, Abis Omega appeared in front of Atchibee, letting out his own roar. He slammed his tail into Clawcer, knocking him away with such an intense force implied.

"What?!" Ariella exclaimed. She looked back at Luke, who had a serious look of his own.

Abis Omega landed soundly while Clawcer fumbled down again. He locked eyes with Hyper Dragonoid, giving him a sharp glare before he slammed his tail around and into him. Hyper Dragonoid crossed his arms to block, but the force the serpent unleashed made him slide backwards and fell to a knee.

"Gnngh! Where is he getting this power from?!" Hyper Dragonoid grunted.

Clawcer: 850 Atchibee: 800

Hyper Dragonoid: 800 Abis Omega: 975 (slowly rising)

"We may be beat up…but we're not going down like this!" Luke roared. "Ability activate, Sea Helix!" As Abis was enveloped in a slow blue aura around his body, a spiraling helix of seawater eroded from beneath him. He lowered his head and headbutt Hyper Dragonoid in the chest, sending him flying backwards again, this time on another knee right beside Clawcer.

The sweater faded around Abis, him hissing as Atchibee floated close behind. Luke and Esther stood beside each other as their opponents looked shaken up.

"It's over." Esther warned.

Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer shakily got up. They were tired, exhausted, and they were just about ready to keel. But looking at their opponents, they seemed no less different. Whoever had the greatest power was going to be the deciding victor. And with that in mind, they knew what they had to do.

Both looked back at their masters, giving low affirmative growls. Seeing their insistence, Xander and Ariella smirked in arrogant delight. "Oh, it's over alright." Xander sneered with a toothy smile. Him, and Ariella both presented their abilities, the ones with the purple cores to be exact.

Luke's eyes widened. "Those cards-?!"

Esther's glare hardened. "I should've known they still haven't played their best cards yet."

Xander's evil look hardened as he held up his Bakumeter. "Let's see just how you take the heat now. Ability activate…Fire Blazing-X!" A bright purple core appeared on Hyper Dragonoid's chest. The figment glowed briefly before it expelled the purple chords everywhere. They tangled around Hyper Dragonoid's whole body, restricting movement briefly before they faded into his body.

When they faded, a surge went through Hyper Dragonoid's body. He exerted a loud, bellowing roar as a heated flame began exhausting from his body. Heat waves radiated at such an astounding rate that Luke and Esther had to cover up from it. The massive bonfire that was Hyper Dragonoid exerted powerful shrieks of triumph and partial agony as he was releasing whatever Pyrus attributed power he possessed.

"Gnnngh…!" The heated shockwaves rippled across the ground, making it hard for Abis Omega and Atchibee to hold their positions where they were now. Still, they tried to hang on, even if the heat was erroneous.

"SUFFER BEFORE ME!" Hyper Dragonoid roared, ripples of flames exerting from his mouth.

Ariella was next. "Ability activate…Crustacean-X!" Next was Clawcer as he had a bright purple core envelop his body. The chords expelled over him quickly as the procedure went by fast. Once the tendrils were all around him, they faded into him, where veins appeared all over his body and a dark blue aura was released. He unleashed rippling shockwaves across the ground with his own roar. The shaking and the magnitude was finally enough to make Luke and Esther topple over, thudding hard.

"Luke!" Abis turned to look back at his partner, a bad mistake as Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer had flaming and dark blue auras eroding from them. Both released another roar, sending a bright flash heading Abis' way. He looked back in surprise, where an explosion of power sent him flying, along with Luke.

"LUKE!" Esther exclaimed.

Clawcer: 850 (+400) = 1250 Atchibee: 800 (-400) = 400

Hyper Dragonoid: 700 (+700) = 1400 Abis Omega: 98- (-500 -150) = 350

Abis crashed into the ground right in front of the massive sea basin. Luke wasn't too far behind as he fell to his side, grunting in pain. Both had scrapes, bruises and in Luke's case, some blood. He was a massive mess one might say.

"Gnnngh…Abis…!" Luke opened an eye, looking back at his partner.

"Luke…!"

"I say we finish off the snake boy, first." Ariella insisted. "He's even more annoying than what I imagined."

"For once, I can agree." Xander agreed. "I'm sure Maximus would be pleased to know we took care of the cockroach. Finish them now!"

Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer braced themselves as their bodies compressed pressure around them. "Goodbye, fools!" The pressure around them receded for a moment, before both their maws opened to released intense blasts of broiling fire and bright blue energy.

As the attacks ripped across the land pass Atchibee and Esther, they shook the airspace as Abis Omega was in the way. The snake's eyes widened when he saw his predicament.

Luke's heart hitched all of a sudden. In a gasp, he bolted to his feet. "ABIS!" Snapping out of shock, Luke rushed into the incoming blast of fire and energy. His figure faded with Abis as the hot flames and energy engulfed them both.

BOOM!

The spot where they were erupted in a hemisphere of swirling fire and blue energy mixing together. The erupting blast shook up everything as Esther looked with horrified eyes at the sight. No words could be said as she tried to process what happened. But alas, all she saw was explicit images of Luke rushing into death itself. It was like her hopes literally went up in flames. She couldn't even mutter correctly.

As the shockwaves passed, it revealed the spot where they were originally, now nothing more than compressed rubble inside a crater. Said crater was quickly enveloped by the seawater by the basin, washing and swaying up land.

Xander snickered in triumph. "There, that should do it."

"Good riddance." Ariella sneered.

Esther was to her hands and knees, unable to move from the grief she was feeling. "…Luke…" She was brought out of her shock when a pair of feet once again stepped, revealing Ariella.

"Now, where were we?" she hummed. "Oh right, destroying you." She evilly chuckled, much to Esther's dismay.

Unbeknownst to everyone, within the water, the waves didn't stop swaying, and a lone ripple went out from the basin ahead. A moment of silence fell completely, and all of a sudden, a massive splash of water erupted like a volcano, raining droplets everywhere.

All looked back at the basin, their eyes shooting wide as a loud, animalistic roar was heard.

"HRAAAH!" Luke shot up with Abis Omega from the water, making a surprise entrance on his head. They shot far high from the momentum they had, with Abis roaring from the thrill of combat. All around his and Luke's bodies, there were some ash and cinder marks, and Abis' wings were tattered. But even so, he kept fighting.

"WE'RE NOT DONE YET!" Luke roared loud.

Esther's eyes once again shrunk. "Luke!"

"What?! No way?!" Xander outraged. "Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer hit those losers with all they had, and they still want more?! Is this a freaking joke or what?!"

"You shouldn't even be standing!" Ariella yelled.

High in the air, Luke glared down at them. "We told you guys, we're in it to win it! If you want to get to Esther and Atchibee, then pick on someone twice your size instead!"

"Luke, say the word and we'll blow them to smithereens!" Abis exclaimed.

Xander took a shaky step back with Ariella, their composures breaking down. "No…you…you can't win! You're crazy! Both of you!" Xander fumed.

Luke grinned determinedly as he held up his Bakumeter, readying to show more tricks. "Okay, this time, we're pushing forward with everything we have. It's do or die, Abis!"

Abis Omega's glance went up. "Heh, well what do you know, I was having the exact same thoughts as you."

"That's right. We're going all the way, just like we swore. Let's give them a power level they can't trump!"

"Okay then, let's do it, Luke!" Abis Omega opened his mouth, charging up his next attack.

"Let's go! Triple ability, activate! Diamond Shower!" A raining funnel of blue diamond-shaped energy expanded as it swirled everywhere around them. "And…Aquos Cyclowave!" Abis Omega opened wide, unleashing a pressurized blast of blue energy that tore through the airspace. As it traveled, diamonds surrounded and swirled around the extensive blast heading for them both.

Ariella gasped in shock. "Does he really think he can do it?!"

Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer lurched forward as the aura around their bodies returned. Together, their massive maws opened, unleashing a voluminous blast of flames and bright blue energy. The air shuddered as the two attacks shot into Abis Omega's beam, making a three-way stalemate with diamonds expelling like a storm everywhere. All three Bakugan wanted to take control of the battle, and they all roared angrily as the stalemate wasn't going anywhere.

The air shuddered violently, diamonds ripping through fragments of the attack while shredding up the ground as well. Esther and Atchibee remained far away, with Atchibee hovering over Esther to protect her from the shockwaves that were to erupt.

"Just what are they thinking?!" Ariella fumed again. "We can't lose this! Clawcer!"

"Hyper Dragonoid! For Maximus' sake!" Xander shouted.

Luke's eyes sharpened as his face showed rage. "TIME TO END THIS! DIAMOND SHOWER!"

"AQUOS CYCLOWAVE!" Abis roared.

"…BLUE MEGA!" Both yelled in complete unison, unleashing the last of the triple ability. Abis' maw opened even wider as bright blue energy unfused with the beam exerting, making it expand even larger than before. The diamonds shredding up and breaking air glowed brightly as well. It was a bright cyclone with a monstrous beam against two smaller beams that began to slowly lose momentum

Clawcer: 1250 (-200 -100) = 950 Atchibee: 400

Hyper Dragonoid: 1400 (-200 -100) = 1100 Abis Omega: 400 (+200 +400 +200) = 1200

"GRAAAHHH!" Abis roared with all his might, forcing more and more energy to shove Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer back. His blast wave almost completely overpowered them.

The two Bakugan did everything they could and restrained as much of their power as possible. They pushed back harder, grunting madly, but that final push wasn't enough. Both screamed loudly as diamonds and blue energy swallowed them in a disastrous explosion, expanding at horrendous levels across the landscape.

"NOOOO~!" Ariella cried out as she and a dumbstruck Xander were swallowed in the shockwaves, blowing them away along with the dust as their life gauge's fell to 0%.

As the shockwaves came to a ground-shaking halt, Atchibee slowly uncovered, allowing Esther to move her hand away to look at the scene before her. Her eyes were wide in deep shock as blue erosions passed beneath her, and atop of it all was Luke and Abis Omega, still high in the air.

Looking down at the defeated fray, Luke managed to put up a big grin. "We did it, Abis Omega! We beat Ariella, and Xander!" He then heard his Bakumeter ringing, getting him to look at the small screen.

Abis Omega: 400

Luke's eyes widened as he saw the change. He knew something felt empowering about that last stretch, and now it's all paid off. He looked down at the serpent, who looked up with his own prideful look. They both fell back down, diving right back into the water with a big splash.

"Luke!" Esther scrambled to her feet, where she hurried over to the edge. She looked all around the edging for any sign of him or Abis Omega.

Suddenly, a big splash erupted, causing her to cover up. When she looked up again, she found Abis Omega looking down at her while Luke remained atop of his head. The latter smiled down at her.

"Esther."

The Darkus girl's initial shock was washed away, along with part of the dirt on Luke. She sighed in relief, a small smile crossing her face.

---

Luke, Esther, Abis Omega, and Atchibee all reconvened as the base of the waterfall. Abis stayed in the water as Atchibee looked over him and his many injuries.

"Are you sure that you are okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me…" he glanced away. "Not that we asked for it of course."

Atchibee looked confusedly at the last comment. While she was curious, she wasn't the only one who had that thought.

Luke was facing away from Esther as the well-endowed woman was giving Luke a soft but questionable look, like teacher scolding a student/ It was a difficult situation for either to be in, especially after that intense battle they took turns in. But eventually, that wall had to be taken down.

"Luke…"

Luke sheepishly rubbed his head. "Esther…"

"You had me worried sick. I didn't know what happened to you or Abis Omega. You had me believing that those Bakugan actually…" She trailed off, choosing to let the implication slide.

Luke bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry. Maybe I did worry you, and maybe I worried the others…but that didn't matter to me?"

Esther put her hands to her hips. "After everything that's happened, after arriving here, and the incident involving Thermosphere, and now Rogue Zero; Luke…exactly what's going on?"

"That…isn't something I…we can't talk about so highly."

Abis Omega looked down at Luke, frowning at his sentiments. He looked back at Atchibee, seeing her wondrous look, but he looked away in shame.

"Listen to me." Esther took another step towards him. "I know it may not sound so believable, but there's a lot that you need to understand. You running off like that needs a better explanation, Luke."

Luke's fists began to ball tight.

"Luke, listen to me."

"I am listening! Okay?!" he snapped.

Esther quiet herself. She had wide eyes at Luke snapping.

"I wasn't just asleep you know, please, just don't treat me like someone who needs extra lessons to catch up, because I see that no matter what I did, no matter what I tried…I could couldn't learn from my mistakes. I messed up bad, and…well…I guess I needed that from what Luka did to me."

"Luka…?"

"Yeah, he made me see through his perspective; him and Brontes. Really though, what he did made me see what I was doing was…well, selfish."

"And running off like that wasn't?" Esther retorted.

"Hey, who's telling the story here?" Luke snapped. Esther backed off. He calmed down and took in a long sigh and bowed his head. "S-sorry about that…but I'm not the kind of guy who understands things like others do, and I always just did what others said, rather than use my own thoughts for once. And you can see where that lead me." He snickered low. "It's no wonder why you guys left me and Keegan behind. Just dead weight I guess."

"You knew? That we left with Luka?" Esther gasped.

"Luka showed me through his eyes. He forced me to understand even is I didn't want to. I really am spoiled rotten."

Abis Omega meekly chuckled. "Yeah can't argue there."

"Up until recently, all I ever paid attention to was myself. I took everything I had for granted; you guys, Abis Omega…even Shawn, my best friend. He was there for me, even when I was alone. I bet even now he's probably making way towards the Trailer to realize I was missing, but…I think that's for the best."

"Luke…"

Luke turned away from her as he looked down at his hand, slowly balling it. "I don't know how you all are taking this and what I did. Odds are that knowing Shuji and Maggie, they'd want me dead from Thermosphere. If I could apologize a thousand times to bring back even one life, then I'd apologize, and if I had to die for them to come back…then, as much as it would be painful…we'd die. We'd die together, both Abis Omega and I." He faced Esther again, giving her a serious look. "But that isn't how things work, I see that now. I can't undo the mistakes that I've made, but I can at least try and learn from them. That's why we left. We chose the hard way of learning; it's the very least we deserve for being weak and a hindrance, to you guys, and to the both of us."

Esther looked at him with a shocked expression. Now it made sense why he wasn't on the ship. It made sense why the angry but determined expressions he and Abis Omega had sent a shiver down her spine. The hair that Luke cut was one thing, but through it all, she was honestly at a loss for how to approach him now. She wouldn't have believed him unless she saw it for herself, but the proof lied in the battle. She had to admit, she never saw Luke fight that hard before. He actually handled himself all too well, and defeated Xander and Ariella of all people on his own…no, with Abis Omega as well. That's what she saw now. She knew something was wrong about all this, and that was Luke having this renewed understand. Something that seemed rather prideful to her.

Luke looked up to Abis Omega. "That's why…we promised each other that if we die from now on, then we'll die together, to fight and understand what we need to know. We need to survive for as long as we can…that's one thing we can do to put the people we harmed at ease."

Esther blinked once, then twice, and finally she broke into a smile. "…you really have changed."

"You think so? I still think we're taking small steps."

Esther adjusted her stature. "Maybe so, but it's one step at a time after all. The Luke I knew wouldn't consider the consequences of his actions so carelessly. He wouldn't say the stuff that you just said now. He would've been impulsive, and, as much of a deteriorate term it is…pitiful. I'm sorry if you had to hear that."

"Hey, it's fine. I deserved it." Luke dismissed.

"But no matter what, the Luke I knew always tried. That's what you and that Luke have in common, and how I know it's really you." She stepped forward. "What I saw in that battle before was proof of what change you and Abis Omega have been attempting, and you saved Atchibee and myself. You put yourself in harm's way deliberately knowing the consequences of possibly failing, and look what happened."

Luke and Abis Omega looked at each other, seeing how much damage they took. If not for their new will and willpower, they'd fallen dead by now. Crapes, dirt, blood. They took it all deliberately to save Esther. And they thought that they deserved it even. And in a way, Esther couldn't argue with that. If she were in their position, she would've died. But Luke is proving to be more of a handful than what she had thought.

"Esther. I know what's at stake now, I see that." Luke said. "I relied too much on you guys, but maybe I may not want to be seen again, and I'm fine with that. Abis Omega and I will die alone trying if we have to…but if not now, then please, just wait…until we might be ready to face you again." He turned away from her, closing in on Abis as he lowered his head. "Abis, let's g-!" He was cut off when Esther cut into his path.

"Hold on, Luke!" she shouted.

"Esther, what is-?" he was cut off.

"Look, you and Abis did in fact make mistakes, and maybe you did come a long way…but is this what you guys want?"

"It's not about what we want." Luke retorted. "…it's about what needs to be done. That's one decision I can make on my own at least."

"I'm not sure myself if what we're doing is okay." Abis Omega said. "Maybe we did goof up by not telling anyone, and maybe that mistake itself is unforgiveable…but we messed up way too early, so it was too late for us anyway."

"Abis…" Atchibee muttered.

"I'm sorry, is what Luke and I are trying to say…but we're getting stronger the right way, and no one is having a say in the matter. Right, partner?"

Luke nodded. "Yes. It's our responsibility."

Once again, Esther's smile formed. 'He really means it.' Looking into his green orbs, her eyes were found being looked into by Luke in return. The two were at a stalemate for a short while until Esther finally finished.

"Luke…whatever you decide, just know this." She paused, allowing momentum to rise. "Whatever happens, as long as you've learned and taken responsibility as you have…I…I…"

"You're…?" Luke lead on.

Esther breathed a heavy sigh. "This isn't easy for me to say, but enough sins have been committed today. Luke…I'm very proud of you."

"Esther…" His eyes widened at her words. Looking at Esther now, he saw that the girl was finally accepting him as he was. She seemingly was relying on him one might say, and that was enough for him. "then it's decided. Esther, from here on, I want you to look after us, and then make up your mind if we truly are worthy of your acceptance. We may mess up a few times, maybe we'll make mistakes…but we'll do our best. That alone we can promise."

Esther's smiled softened as she nodded. "Alright then. I'll stand by you, and I promise that I'll be watching you from here on."

"Thank you. We appreciate it."

Abis Omega looked at Atchibee. "Atchibee, what Esther and Luke said. It implies to you. If I mess up in any way, do as you must."

Atchibee nodded. "Thank you, Abis. And also…thank you, to you and Luke…for saving our lives."

"It's a consequence we'd do a hundred times over."

Luke nodded at his partner's words. "So then, what do we do?"

"For now at least, let's try and find the others first." Esther answered. "I'm sure they're topside."

"Okay, but how are we going to get there?"

"How's about looking up for starters." A voice called from above.

Everyone turned their heads to look up the falls. Up on the high cliff overlooking them, they saw a familiar Bakugan in the form of a Haos Verias with someone with their foot on the very edge, smirking down at the pair. Luke couldn't be any happier when he saw the person's face.

"Shawn!"

"Hey there, Luke. Long time, no see." He casually waved. "…hey, you cut your hair? That's not a bad look. It's cleaner than your last style, that's for sure."

Luke stopped for a moment, his thoughts going back to Shawn leaving the group to go for Luke. 'It's just like what I saw through Luka. Shawn really did come back for me…' His eyes softened for his best friend. "Shawn…"

Esther stepped towards the cliff to look up. "Shawn, where are the others?"

The Haos battler shrugged. "Sorry, I left them topside." He looked back at the massive natural tunnel that he and Verias took, which was completely dark inside. "We took this massive cave that lead to the surface to get back down here. It was long walk…especially with all those Bakugan backing us up a lot."

Luke and Esther both looked shocked. 'Wait, Bakugan attacked him, too?'

"But if the others were left behind, I say if we're going to worry about them, we should at least try and see if they made it out. What do you say?" He grinned. "Besides, I think I found something you guys might wanna take a look at."

Luke and Esther looked confusedly at each other before dismissing their inquiries. They looked back at Shawn, definite looks on their faces.

"Alright then, Shawn, we're counting on you." Esther said.

Luke nodded. "Alright, if what you say is right, let's get everyone out of this alive."

Shawn nodded and grinned. "Alright then…let's go!"

---

3 days. That's how long it took for this chapter. I am not lying when I say that the entire battle from start to finish was a complete 10K. It was a lot to write, and I wanted to shorthand it, but I wanted to make this fight truly meaningful, and for a way Esther can truly see Luke and Abis Omega's development. Also, if you are wondering, yes, Abis Omega's power level went from 350 to 400 now.

Now Shawn is finally back in the picture and reunited. At least now we know he was held up by Bakugan, but don't worry, he will get his own big fight coming up soon, as per the finale to the Interacia Arc next chapter. For now, reviews are appreciated, and thank you sincerely for reading!