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.

24. A Tough Duo

All life starts at one origin. When life becomes one, it splits into two. Those two thus multiply, creating a thread of generations that spontaneously branch off into parts unknown. Humans have evolved so much that their own origins lead to mere amphibious beings in ancient times. Complex cells evolved through mutations so much that no one really knows why they were made. This is no different from Bakugan and their story. The story of their origins. And it all starts a few millennia ago.

A sphere of energy was in an unknown part of space. It surged through the cosmos endlessly for reasons unknown, but it looked to be surfing along cosmic streams. This was Riaan, when he was still young, and admittedly mere energy wandering through the universe.

As he sailed like a comet, he passed by a stellar ring, taking a sharp turn into another reach of the dark universe. 'This place…this universe…' he thought. 'It's so vast. I have been from one corner already, and have seen many planets…but why are there so many? Where did it all come from?' As he was drowning in his thoughts, he almost lost track of a very weak glint on his right, lightyears away. 'Huh? What is that? Another star?' He stopped in his tracks and looked longingly at the brightness it carried. He shook it off. '…No. It must be another supernova again, turning to a white dwarf or something.'

He turned and started his trek again to confines unknown, but the light that was in the distance, something about it just made him feel off somehow. He couldn't explain it, but it felt attracting in a way. It was disturbing.

'…' He faced the twinkling star again, his nerves continuing to pull him. 'What is this feeling that I have? Is it something to do with that star…?' Wanting to get to the bottom of it, he opted to fulfill his curiosity. '…maybe just a short stop to see what's up.'

In lightyears speed, he zipped across the cosmos towards the twinkling star. He passed planets and galaxies far out in the open and zoomed towards the light. It was odd, because no matter how close he got it seemed so far away. Like it was intangible. Still, he kept going, to fulfill his uneased tensions.

Finally, he stopped, and ahead of him, after so many lightyears having been jumped, the twinkling star was within full sight. His light shimmered, and to his shock, behind a passing planet of asteroids, there he saw it…another ball of light.

This one twinkled so a million stars, and had a rainbow hue compared to his slightly darker one. He noticed the light remaining stationary, and yet he could tell it got his attention. To his curiosity's sake, he closed in, him and the sphere of light both twinkling.

Riaan first twinkled, then the other light did. Riaan began to circle, and the other followed. It was like they were observing each other, until finally coming to a halt.

"…are you…alive?" he asked.

The ball of light was silent, much to Riaan's confusion. He must've been mistaken, but something happened. "Yes…I am. Are you?"

Riaan gasped. "You…speak?" He watched light nod. "What are you…?"

---

"And that is how I have met Code Eve." Riaan explained. He was using a whole overworld projection around him and Armagedoid. The Bakugan was enamored until the vision ended. All attention went back towards Riaan. "She and I were of two different organisms who were different, yet so alike."

"So…different?" Armagedoid questioned.

"Yes, Armagedoid. Different. You see, you were wondering what I am, weren't you?" He faced his Bakugan with a serious look in his magenta eyes. "Well, I'll tell you…I, am Riaan…and I was the Father of all Bakugan."

Armagedoid tilted his head in confusion. "Fa…ther?" he repeated.

"Yes. Father. Someone who helps take care of younger offspring that have their genetic makeup…and as for Code Eve, she is the mother of all Bakugan."

"Mo…ther?" Armagedoid still didn't get it. "Mother…and Father…of all Bakugan?"

"That is correct. You see, Armagedoid, life starts at one origin. Everything begins somewhere, where something is born. A mother and father are what makes one new offspring…in most cases."

"In most cases?" he questioned. "But…if I am a Bakugan…doesn't that make you…my Father?"

Riaan fell silent at the implication, but he was nevertheless startled by Armagedoid's innocent questioning. His face showed an unnerved bead of sweat as he cleared his throat. "Well…er…technically, you're not wrong…so, I suppose so."

"I think I understand that…but…if you are my Father…then where is Mother?"

The second shocking question that left Riaan more unsound than before. The creature before him stared anxiously for an answer, but Riaan knew there was no easy way out of it. With a regretting sigh, he looked down in shame. "Armagedoid…I'm sorry…but your Mother is not here."

"She's…not here?"

He nodded. "Yes, Armagedoid. It's just me…"

"But…if she's not here…where is she…?" He could see the pained look on Riaan's face. Seeing him in distressed made him want to question even more. "Where is Mother then…?"

Rian's eyelids were left half-open as he frowned at the ground. "…Code Eve…she left me. She abandoned me." He bitterly said.

Armagedoid looked shocked yet again by this set of news. "Mother left you?"

"Yes, Armagedoid…and she isn't coming back. She forsook me and our dreams, after everything we have been through together." Using his powers, the floor lit up again as he projected another showing of planets and cosmoses. There, two stars were zipping at alarming rates, racing the other across Armagedoid. They looked happy. "You see, Code Eve and I. We were drawn towards the other in a unique way. One could argue it was destiny. Destiny…now that word, I can say is…complicated." He looked up at Armagedoid. When one thinks of destiny, they believe that it is a predetermined fate; knowing and accomplishing their future…but when I think of destiny, I think that it is a choice; a matter of which you can make for yourself. It's what you choose to be."

"My…destiny…" Armagedoid repeated. Destiny. For some reason, that word continued to rattle through the space known as his mind. He was born just the other day, and already he's learned so much about the world around him. Now he was dwelling deeper into Riaan's own personal mind. He himself didn't know why he was here, but perhaps listening to Riaan will solve the case, at least part of it.

"Yes. It was destiny for us to meet. However, as intertwined as we were, we began to see deeper into ourselves, and our potential." The images on the projection showed the darker ball of light in front of an organism. The light flashed, and the organism did nothing. Instead, it remained stiff while a clone of it appeared beside it. "You see, Code Eve and I learned to exhibit our own personal powers. She was able to travel to other worlds and follow their signatures. She could…how should I say this for you to understand…? She visited almost every planet she could find, and once on there, she knows where it's at, and she took me to almost every one she liked."

"She sounded like a nice lady." Armagedoid said. "Why would she leave you?"

"Please, allow me to continue." Riaan insisted.

"Sorry."

"It's alright. So anyways, while Code Eve was able to scope lie, I leaned my powers were to take life, and give it a replication. I guess you can say…I copied it." Armagedoid looked shocked, but before he could question, Riaan put his hand up, silencing the Bakugan. "The worlds that she took me too had so many varieties of life that I saw for the first time that she herself took great interest in…but while she was intrigued, I was more inclined to knowing how it all started. Where it all began. How that life started. That's when Code Eve and I talked about something."

"…what was it…?"

"…the promise that lead to the Bakugan. And you."

---

"Riaan, exactly how often are you doing this again?" Code Eve was asking Riaan something vital, very vital. She stared at him in question as she saw for the past two-hundred years at how he was replicating, or rather tried.

If he had a face, he'd be offended. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Why are you copying life from all these planets? You even tried to copy an entire planet itself. Is there a point?"

"…"

"Riaan. What is it that you aren't telling me?" Code Eve harshly asked. "What do you want?"

Riaan was quiet for a moment before he opted to quietly speak up. "…for the many hundreds of years that I have been alive, I wasn't taking the time to look around planets like you did, Code Eve." He admitted. "Something else drew me. I didn't want to question others, rather, I wanted to question myself. Who am I? What am I? Why was I created?...and who or where did I come from?"

"Riaan…"

Riaan faced the many stars out there. "I want to know one thing, ever since I was created…to know where I belonged. I wanted to know where the universe started, that way, maybe if I found the source…maybe I'll learn where I cam from, and learn why I was created. Was I a mistake? Did I belong somewhere? Where did I come from? Did any of this come to you? I just want to know where I belong, and why I was alone and searching by myself is all…"

Code Eve looked at the light in front of her out of some form of pity. She knew something about Riaan intrigued her, but this ambition of him finding his own home – where he belonged – it never came to her to know where or she was created. But she kept sailing about. Still, she had empathize with him. And she did.

"Riaan…" She moved closer to him. "You know you don't have to be alone. Maybe you were alone because of reasons…but so was I. But now look, we've found each other now. Maybe I came rom somewhere…but does that even matter?"

"It does to me!" he snapped. "I wanna know my purpose! Who created me?! Why was I created?! Do you know?"

She calmly shook her light. "No, I don't…" She moved even closer. "But all life may have started somewhere, but it brings us from there to here, and then maybe somewhere. The point is that all life starts somewhere, and maybe we did too, but we can decide for ourselves what we want to do. Whoever created us…that is their decision, but we have evolved our own conscience. We can make what we want, if we must." She looked away, her rainbow light showing hints of red. "And you know…after all these years…I…think we can actually make our own origins."

"What are you saying?" he questioned. "Are you saying…we can make life happen ourselves?"

The light faced him again. "We have seen life everywhere, haven't we? I think we can try making our own life. Our own origins. One place, where it can all begin."

"One place…just one place…" Riaan pondered.

She nodded. "Just one place, where OUR origins can be found. And we can call it something important, like…home."

"Home…home…" Riaan faced the light again, moving slowly towards her. "…a beginning for life that we never got…our new life's home."

"So Riaan…do you want to make this home? A place where it can all come together?"

"…okay."

---

The projection faded, once again leaving Armagedoid baffled. The Bakugan looked down at Riaan as he spoke. "And that was the beginning of our promise. The promise we made that would bring about our effort in creating the Bakugan."

"…so then…you didn't know your mother and father? And you and Mother wanted to make a place…where new life and origins can be created?"

"In one place, yes." Riaan turned away. "You see, Armagedoid, all life starts somewhere. And Code Eve taught me that because one's life is without guidance, it doesn't mean you can guide your own way. So that's what we tried. We marched on, and devoted ourselves to creating a new origin. A place…where it could all come together."

"Did it work?"

Another pressing silence fell before Riaan tried to speak again. "…" his eyes opened. "No, it didn't."

"It didn't? But why?"

Riaan's eyes glanced up towards the constellations on the massive ceiling. "Code Eve and I worked hard on our promise. I went from planet to planet, understanding how life is made. I learned much of reproduction, and I learned rom my powers of genetic duplication, but it's not pure. With my powers, I was able to create and mold as many replicated DNA sequences into one; an original that couldn't be severed. Code Eve and I thus chose to create our own home, but…"

He fell silent, instead sighing as he swiped his arm. In shame, another projection showed many cosmoses with Code Eve and Rian in the center.

---

"Code Eve, what is it that you are saying?" Riaan inquired. He was staring at Code Eve like she had lost her mind. He had no idea on what to say, or rather what he had to do now. He was listening to her as she kept going.

"Riaan, please, just hear me out." She insisted. "I just think that we should find a planet. These kids we are going to have, they need somewhere to grow."

"But what about our idea? Making our own home world? I just started making the sequences and processing how to make one."

"I know, I know…but what's wrong with one of the planets we were on previously?"

"Because those planets weren't of OUR making. We said we could create a home, right?" he reminded her so sternly. "What is the point of hitching off of something we didn't make?"

"I'm sure it'll be fine."

"And I implore you! Please, reconsider this Code Eve!" Riaan's sudden snapping left a brief silence to follow in the angst of the moment.

"Riaan…"

The dark light looked down. "We didn't have our purpose before, did we? We were wandering aimlessly until we've met each other. We saw many other planets…a-and saw life being made. Don't you want to make your own life like that? Don't you think these offspring you are carrying deserve their own home, that they can create their own tales from? I think it's possible. You taught me to believe we can decide our own fates."

"But not the fate of others." Code Eve bitterly countered. "Riaan, I still believe we can make our own origins, our own home. Nobody said it had to be from scratch. We've seen many creatures take others den and homes, and there are others who move in. We can find a planet that's hospitable to us. We just have to-"

"Have to think about the future, I know." Riaan snapped. "And what if the planet dies, or what if we are outcasted? Creatures who do not share the traits required cannot coexist so easily, isn't that what we saw?"

"Well, yes…but then how do you explain your powers? You took traits of others and copied. You say it's original, but aren't you merely borrowing THEIR originality? THEIR origins?"

"I-I…I don't…" Riaan wanted to make a comeback against Code Eve, but he was at a loss for words. He didn't even know how to say anything against her. What could he say? His powers were that of replicating an impure life, sire, but he was able to make a whole new DNA sequence from the strands of DNA he was able to copy over the years. And even if he tried, he wouldn't be able to break it. But still, all that originality wasn't his own. It made him falter in grief.

"See? It's no big deal. Deep down, all those creatures are part of this. Planet or not, we can make a home. It doesn't have to be by us. So then, what do you say…?" She waited for a response, but Riaan was giving a defiant glow. "Riaan…"

"…Code Eve…even if that is my fault, I still want at least SOME part of this new life to be made original. For these offspring. We…"

"Riaan…are you with me on making this home, or not?"

"Are YOU?! WE put all this work into going planet to planet, gathering up everything we need to know how to make a home, and I didn't do all that work just to make it so we had to pick and choose a residence, let alone a place where it all DOESN'T come together! You remember that? All come together in one place…all of it." He calmed himself, his dark light quelling yet again. "…and you don't want it all in one place; everything we've seen, and all that diversity…all in one place anymore? Code Eve…"

Code Eve's rainbow light drew a bit darker. She didn't respond, but in her heart, she did want that. But after being to so many worlds in hundreds of years, seeing all the stuff they did, all the technology, evolution and what not…she didn't know what to think anymore. With regret, she faced Riaan one more time, her light beginning to slowly erode away.

"Wait…Code Eve…what are you…?"

"I'm sorry, Riaan…but the creation of one world…it's so small…" she turned away. "Goodbye…" In lightyears speed, the light teleported away, leaving no trace for Riaan to follow.

"Eve…" he despaired. "Eve…Eve…EVE~!"

---

"…and that's how your mother left me." Riaan scorned, trying to mask his pain the best he could. "She went off and gave birth to the two Bakugan, Dragonoid, and Dharaknoid, and they created two universes instead of one…and left me and our dream of one happy world to die…at least that's how I saw it." He looked back at Armagedoid, who seemed to be at a loss for words. "But that is how Bakugan were created. I impregnated Code Eve and left. It looks as though she followed her own path."

Armagedoid was stupefied sort of speak, of course one couldn't tell from the deep magenta eyes he had. But he looked down at Riaan to try and process everything that he was shared. At the moment, his mind could only process so much before it falls apart. But for a 3-day-old creature whose mentality was substantial, he seemed to get the overall summary. "So then…Mother turned against Father and her ideals?"

Riaan shrugged. "That's hard to say, Armagedoid. Are you okay?"

He looked away. "Y-yeah…I mean, I think so." He glanced at Riaan. "But…what about you?"

Riaan shook his head and raised his hand. "It's no worries. I'm fine…but it feels better knowing I could share this with someone rather than no one.But you know, looking back at it…Code Eve and I were just too stubborn and selfish on our own ambitions. She was more open than I. But all wanted was to know where I belonged, or why was I created by the universe."

Then another philosophical epiphany struck Armagedoid. "But then…if you created me, then tell me, what is my purpose?"

Riaan ceased his sulking and looked up towards his Bakugan. Rather than frown, he gave a confident grin, despite the inwardly pain he still felt. "Well, Armagedoid, to be honest, that's for you to decide."

"Me?" he pointed to himself.

"Yes. I may have created you from my own DNA, but…after being with Code Eve, and spending time with a certain individual who knew nothing around him, I realized that it's best to allow your own innocence pace itself…it's what Code Eve would've wanted, and to that I can respect."

Armagedoid tilted his head. "So then…what is my purpose? Why did you create me like this?"

Riaan lowered his head. "I will detail what I think later. But I think I said enough for now. Why don't you think everything you learned over for a bit, can you do that." He insisted. "…please."

Armagedoid could hear the small pained feel in Riaan's voice. Talking about it made him feel graciously upset it seemed. He didn't know what to feel about it, but seeing a superior in pain made him guilty. He lowered his head, backing off. "…okay."

"Thank you. Do as you see fit for the time being." With that, Riaan teleported away.

Now alone, Armagedoid was left to think about everything from start to finish. As he raised his head and looked up at the constellations, thinking about Riaan and Code Eve's history. With his eyes, they refkected the projections that Riaan showed him, and everything spoken in them and what he said, he began to process slow. "…Mother…left father in pain…and his dreams to himself…" he said. "…mother…"

Meanwhile, in another room, a teleported Riaan stood in his isolated chamber, having eyes shut as his fists slowly balled. Before he lost his cool, he gave a gravely sigh and calmed down. He looked down, heartbroken. 'I know what she might be thinking right now, but even she has to understand…this is his choice now. Not ours.'

---

"CANNONBALL!" A body splashed into a large body of water that sprayed water everywhere. After several seconds of submersion, popping out of the water was Maggie. She spat water out of her mouth like it were a fountain. "Man, that felt good!" she laughed. "Hey, how're you liking the water?!" she yelled behind.

Arising from the water, Abis Omega in his true form spread his fins, exerting a loud shriek before diving under again. His long body flowed like the humungous pool did.

Maggie chuckled. "Well, looks like someone's enjoying the water." She sarcastically spoke before turning towards the shore. "Hey Jelldon, c'mon ya big party-pooper! You guys, too, c'mon!"

Meanwhile, on shore, the others comprised of Luke, Shawn, Verias, Atchibee, and Jelldon were all on the freshly tiled pool area. They had lawn chairs up with umbrellas everywhere. While the Bakugan were on a wooden table, Luke and Shawn were sitting in chairs. Luke had black swim trunks with orange lines going down either side, while Shawn had yellow trunks with black triangles on the bottom. Nobody looked to be getting up. Maggie, however, had a one-piece red swimsuit.

"Thank you for the offer, Maggie, but I'm quite comfortable here." Atchibee said.

"Yeah, and I don't wanna get my fur wet again." Verias swayed.

"Awww~! Big party-poopers! Booooo!" she whined. "Jelldon~? Wanna swim? It's shallow!"

Jelldon looked unsound but didn't decline so easily. "Sure. How's the water?"

Snaking his way up again, Abis emerged and faced the shores. "It's not half bad. You humans sure now how to make an Aquos Bakugan welcome."

Luke glanced away nervously. "Eh…thanks. We'll take that as a compliment."

Abis chuckled before he chose to submerge yet again, only his fin sticking out and gliding over the water. "Oh! Abis Omega, wait! Take me surfing!" As Abis swam pass Maggie, the little girl managed to paddle over and grab his head fin. She held on like it were a sail and held on. "Weeeee!" she laughed happily as Abis took a fast turn. "Woah! Faster now, yay!"

"Boy, I don't think I've seen either Maggie or Abis Omega relieved to be swimming again." Shawn commented.

Luke sheepishly rubbed his head. "Yeah. Guess I'd be too if I didn't get freshwater on my skin, too."

"That said, I'm surprised your family took time and money to build this huge pool outside."

Luke meekly chuckled. "Honestly, I just think they did it just so Abis Omega had some swimming space…I…think they forgot he's amphibious." He got a look back at Abis Omega, seeing the Bakugan arch his body out of the water. He grinned. "But you know…when I was swimming with Abis in Interacia…the water felt pretty…cool."

"Well, good thing you got this pool then, isn't it. Now you'll be paddling better with him."

"Yeah…hey, guys! Wait for me!" Without a second to waste, Luke jumped out of his seat. He raced up to the pool edge and dove right in, creating a small splash. Underwater, with eyes open, he could hear the water and how it churned. Even more so, underwater, when Abis turned, their eyes locked. Luke grinned before he attempted swimming underwater towards his serpent partner.

Shawn sat back with Verias, letting a sigh go out. "Now this is relaxing." Verias commented.

"Yeah. After all this running around, this is a pretty good breather." Shawn said. "Which reminds me. Atchibee. What happened to Esther?

"She said she would be out soon." She explained. "She needed to find something less…modest for her?"

"Modest?"

Abis slowly breached again, this time getting a good length of his body out and arching for Maggie to use as a slide. She slid down the whole back down the tail end, plopping into the water. Luke, however, remained on Abis' head, looking down at the atmosphere beneath him. "Looks like Maggie's feeling welcome." Abis remarked.

Luke solemnly nodded. "Yeah…" he thought back to when he saw her say goodbye to her mother. The scene made him a little guilty. 'I guess it was hard for Maggie to do that. I hope she's adjusting well here with us.'

"Luke." Abis got his attention. "That face you're making…I think it's gonna be okay. She has Jelldon and us after all, right?"

The frown on Luke soon turned into a smile. "Yeah…you're right."

A pair of feet stopped near the pool's edge. "S-sorry to keep you all waiting…"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned towards the sound. "Oh, Esther is that you…?" Shawn trailed off as he got a look. Maggie, Luke, and the others stopped and looked over, seeing with some comical shock, being that it was Esther. Although, what she wore would've blown Luke out of the water, literally. She wore a one-piece skin-tight black swimsuit. Sparkles were around her as her hair flowed down and she tried to cover up her massive chest, which stuck out well in her suit. It also added great emphasis to her wide hips and slender legs, although she looked more embarrassed than proud.

Noticing the stares she was getting, Esther's face turned red. "W-what are you looking at…?"

"…well I'll be damned." Shawn muttered.

"W-what? T-this is the least daring that I could find…honest." She implored. "It's nothing special."

On the ledge of the pool, Maggie shot her friend a look. "'Nothing special', huh?" she teased. "If so, then how come we're all looking at you, hm?"

"B-because I just walked in here, that's why!" she snapped.

Maggie rolled her eyes. "Oh sure, oh sure…you get points for trying at least, but it's hard concealing that figure." She sighed. "Man, I'm so jealous right now."

"Can't blame ya there. I forgot how well-shaped she's in underneath her usual attire." Shawn said.

"S-Shawn!" Esther squealed.

"Yeah, she's so lucky." Maggie looked up. "Hey, Luke! What do you think of her swimsuit?"

Esther had to suppress a squeal as she looked up at Luke. Atop Abis' head, she could see his stare at her, a small hint of drool on his lip. The way he looked at her was like the way he looked at a nice cut of steak. It made her feel even more disturbed. "L-Luke…?"

Abis glanced up. "Better pick your words carefully, pal, if I was you."

Snapping out of his shock, Luke looked down flustered. "Wha…wh-who asked you?!"

"Don't look at me. She's the one staring at you."

Luke looked back down, where Esther looked up at him nervously. "S-so…Luke. What do you think…?"

There was a small tint of red in his cheeks. "M-me…?" He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head "Well, uh…I…" Esther seemed to be looking a little anxious for an answer. "I-it looks well on you, yeah…"

"Y-you really think so?"

Maggie snickered as she saw the two. Having an idea, she whispered to Jelldon. When she finished, Jelldon nodded and she gave a thumbs up.

"S-so how is the water?"

Luke scratched his cheek. "Oh, it's pretty good. Not bad, right Abis?"

The Bakugan nodded slightly. "Yeah, gotta hand it, it's not bad. Why you ask?"

"O-oh. Well, I was hoping I could come in." Esther said. "You don't mind, right?"

Luke gave her a raised brow. "Huh? What are you talking about? There's enough space to even fit Abis Omega. You didn't need my permission."

Esther nodded. "Sorry."

Luke looked away. "It's fine. It's like some of those big fancy spas Mom goes too every month. Besides, if you ask me, what you really rock is a-!"

"CANNONBALL~!"

Luke's eyes widened. "What the-?!" Before he knew it, Jelldon got out of ball form and was in midair. His jellyfish-like body plummeted into the water with Maggie aboard, creating a massive splash that sent waves everywhere. Abis was so close that he was caught in it. Shawn gaped before he was swamped with a wave, along with Verias. Atchibee floated out just in time. However, with Abis so close, the wave knocked him over, and Luke went falling off his head and closing on Esther. As he fell, time slowed down between the two as her eyes widened from shock.

WHAM!

Luke groaned as everything was black for him. His head ached, but he landed soundly. "Gnnnngh…ow…" he mumbled. "Man, what just…huh…?"

Recoiling from Jelldon's splash, Abis shook his head and leered back. "What the…hey, watch where ya landing! Were you trying to flatten me or something?!" he snapped.

"Whoops, hehe…sorry about that." Jelldon nervously apologized.

Abis looked away, annoyed. "Tch, it's fine. Hm? Luke?" He looked where Luke fell, seeing trying to get up, though he struggled.

"Gnnngh…wait a minute…?" He looked up, seeing Esther almost immediately in his face. "Huh? Esther…what are?" He saw just how red her face was, but she was so frozen she didn't know what to do. Luke squinted awkwardly before motioning his hands, only to get a tight squeal. When his hands felt a deep warmth and something soft, and yet flexible, he squinted deeper in confusion.

"L-Luke…" Esther managed, her face getting redder with embarrassment.

"Huh, oh…" When he looked down at long last, he realized why his landing was so soft. It was on Esther. More accurately, on her oversized caboose. Immediately his eyes widened and the shock made him shriek and fall back into the water with a huge splash. "S-sorry! Esther!" he yelled. "I didn't mean to, uh…!"

Esther sheepishly covered herself, glancing away. "I-it's okay…"

Maggie snickered from afar, which Shawn amusingly chuckling. "S-shut up!" Luke stammered. "What are you guys laughing at?!"

Walking towards the pool, Claire was accompanied by Augustine. "Oh, good. You're all here." She chimed. "Is everything okay out here?"

"Huh? Oh, hey Mom." Luke was mentally grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, it's pretty good out here…right, guys?"

Maggie nodded. "Mhm! This is so cool, ma'am! Thank you so much!"

Claire nodded. "Our pleasure." She turned towards Abis Omega. "I hope this meets your accommodations, Abis Omega. We're sorry if it's a bit small for you at this time."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." He said dismissively. "Thanks anyway."

Augustine stepped forward. "Luke, you and your friends, I have something we have to tell you."

"Okay." Luke got out of the water, him and the others gathering up near the folk in regard to what had to be heard. "What is it?"

"It's about those signals Shawn is giving out. Thanks to our technicians. We were able to get another wavelength out via satellite. We were able to search for one of your other friends you mentioned."

Maggie gasped. "Really?"

Claire nodded. "Yes, but it's in Wardington City. That's all the way in Japan. We were able to book you all a flight there, if that's no trouble of course."

They all sweatdropped at her embarrassing notice. 'She really did that?' they thought in unison.

"The flight leaves in three hours." Augustine said. "You guys have an hour or so before we have to drop you off at the airport, understand?"

Shaking off his shock, Luke nodded. "Yeah, got. Thanks Dad; thanks Mom." He watched the two give their son a nod before they turned and walked away. Once out of sight, he looked towards the blue sky as the crisp June sun beamed down on him. 'Just wait, Jase. Shuji…we're counting on you both.'

---

A scrubbing brush and foamy soap met shiny plated flooring. It shined so vibrantly as chemicals carried by the product was dragged by Ariella, who was on hands and knees with an infuriated scowl.

The door behind her opened, slowly revealing Amina, who looked over towards her. "Well." She sighed. "That was a lovely shopping spree." She held no more than one huge bag of scented material, and as for the rest was left unknown. She looked down, noticing how her face was reflecting on the floor. "…hmph. Oh, Ariella~." She chimed.

"What?" she growled angrily. "I'm busy."

"You seem to have missed a spot over here. I thought I made it clear that when I get back, I'd wanna see my face on every tile that I step on."

"I did. And I went over it twice!"

Amina stuck her nose up. "Excuse me?" she sassed back darkly. "I thought I said no less than three times. Are you saying you have a better memory than me?" Her challenged glared only served to make the space around her darken. She looked like someone who wanted to pull a knife to your head. "You, little lady, have no idea how lucky you are to be in the position you are in right now! Anybody else I'd have kicked out…but unfortunately Lord Riaan just had to play the good guy and put restrictions just for you. Don't think I can still punish you the way I can see it fit."

Ariella would've said something, but she knew better to argue at this point. She looked down and cast a brow towards her scrubbing.

"That's what I thought. Now, if you ever speak up like that again, I'll have you polish my jewelry for the night." She snickered arrogantly before turning away. "Now then, be dear little maid and get the rest of the bags downstairs. It's quite a grand load, but I'm sure you can handle it. And don't worry, I've got the lightest right now…the only lightest."

"…yes, sister." She growled.

Amina smirked. "There's a good girl. Now be done soon and I might give you my scraps for dinner." She happily walked along, reaching the other door that opened like a portal. "Also, sweep up my bedroom. And make sure I don't see a single speck."

Once Amina was out of sight, Ariella was free to resume her work. She sighed defeatedly before returning to her impossible debt of chores. "Honestly, that little princess has no idea how the world works. She wouldn't know how to survive if it weren't for the expenses Riaan gives her. What a waste of life."

On a cleansed table, Clawcer was in open ball form. "Milady, do you have a moment?"

"What, you?!" she sniped. "Who gave you permission to speak?"

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but hear something." He said. "But, you and that woman, you both have similarities I feel…am I wrong?"

Ariella looked away. "Don't compare me to the likes of that sociopathic primidone. I have nothing in common with her."

"Okay." Knowing where he stood, Clawcer closed. He remained silent as he watched Ariella resume her chores.

The Aquos battler of Rogue Zero was completely quiet as she went to scrub another spot. However infuriating it was, no matter how impossible it felt, there was no easy way out of what she was in. 'Where is that narcissist Cesar with those new forbidden cards? Honestly, if it weren't for me, that girl would be dead right now from mental strain.' She glanced towards the closed door that the girl took to get away. Only one thing was seen as she looked at the pitch-black portal, her mind drowned into a really drastic setting…one that gave her a reason to fear this beast.

---

A dark night it was, with little light within the twilight hours. Everyone was fast asleep within the mansion, with staff not present as a white door opened, revealing a very young Ariella, no older than 5. Her hair was still growing, and her big eyes were squinted from grogginess. With a small groan, she gave a meek clap of her hands before a small row of illuminating nightlights shined its way to a door in the distance.

"Stupid potty. Why do you have to be so far away?" she whined. But her business forced her to go. She was a big enough girl now, so she couldn't pee in the bed like she used to. She took to her heels and managed towards the expansive bathroom, which had a huge tub and everything. The door shut, and the lights went off.

With the lights off again, something began to emerge from down beneath the stairway. Slowly rising, an odd figure with a small candle in hand was creeping. It loomed like a ghost, its dark silhouette slowly drifting pass the bathroom door.

Once the toilet flushed, there was a small run of the faucet before it faded. The door quietly opened again, revealing Ariella as she yawned again. "Now back to…" She trailed off when she saw some kind of light like a candle. It drifted with some dark silhouette that drifted, like a ghost. The odd figment rendered her silent and a little scared. But being the curious child she was, she maneuvered closer towards the light, keeping a safe distance.

She remained absolutely silent as she noticed the silhouette in the darkness a little closer. "…is that…sissy?" She watched the figure open the grand bedroom's door quietly. She watched it fade. "She doesn't bug mommy and Daddy this late…does she?"

GURGLE

A loud grumble went through her little tummy. She looked down annoyed. "Hmmmph! I'm hungry." She looked towards the open door to the bedroom, staring at it shortly before choosing to walk towards the staircase.

Making way down towards the kitchen, Ariella turned into the big kitchen, knowing some staff were assigned to cooking up ideas for breakfast in advance. "Excuse me, can I have gummi worms, or mac n cheese, please?" She called from the doorway, but got no answer. "…I said, can I have food please?" again, no answer. "Excuse me? Is anyone home?" She reached to push open the door. "…hello?" She went inside, but when she opened the door, the lights were off. "Oh, why are these off? Where are the lights?" She clapped her hands, summoning light again.

However, what she saw, it left her horrified.

"AAAAAHHHHH!"

She screamed at the top of her lungs, her eyes shrieking in horror as she saw many staff lying on the ground. Some had eyes opened, while others didn't have eyes at all, just bloody messes. Red was painting the floor and countertops, and gashes were in heads, as well as necks. Everywhere, littering the ground…was dead bodies. The sight horrified her so much she panicked.

"MOMMY! DADDY!" she cried throughout the palace. She turned and ran away as fast as she could back towards the staircase. She panted heavily and stopped at the bottom. She looked up, hearing some faint noises at the top, like groans and moans, with sounds of slashing. "MOMMY! DADDY!" The girl cried their names again, but she didn't get them to come down. "AMINA! MOMMY! DADDY!"

In a rush, she rushed again, but when she reached her parent's room, her face paled at the grizzly sight. It left her startled.

The room's nightstands, and the clothes lying all around, they were all getting whisked in growing fires. Meanwhile her eyes shrunk as she saw a dark silhouette around the flames bring its arm with a knife down for the umpteenth time, stabbing head yet again despite having already done.

"A-Amina…" Ariella choked fearfully.

The figure robotically got off the bed, staying turned away. For a few seconds, nothing happened until the figure turned, reveling Amina. But Ariella could only see the face of a devil overlooking flames with bags of dreary eyes full of loathe.

In a cruel, cold tone, the elder sister seethed one word as the flames started to roar around her. Like a cursed ghost, she spoke: "…Noooo…"

---

Ariella snapped out of her thoughts with a gasp. She looked down at the ground, her lips parted as she breathed breathlessly as goosebumps paralyzed her momentarily. She looked down and noticed how her hands and knees were shaking. She looked like a scared puppy. With shock, she realized something. "…the bags!" With that flashback making her feel adrenaline – and a reason to listen – she turned, only to find the bags were already at the base of the doorway. "What the…?"

"I'm sorry, was I intruding?" a deep voice asked.

Looking up, Ariella's relief was the salvation of Hendrix. "You?" she harshly whispered, before giving a seething sigh. "Of course, you'd always do something when asked. Just like that dog Killian for that big ass superior of his."

Hendrix wasn't moved. "I thought you needed help, so I carried these bags up here for you. Did you not?"

Ariella seethed annoyance at the Subterra battler, but she was still grateful. It saved her a lot of yelling from her superior. "This isn't your business. You're lucky Amina or Magnus care much for you."

Knowing that was as much of a thanks he was gonna get from her, he was humbled. "You're welcome." He turned and started down the stair way, leaving Ariella to stare down at him

"…honestly, why care for the pities. It doesn't benefit them. It only proves your own ego." She huffed.

"Oh servant~! Did you bring those bags up yet?" Amina chimed from afar.

Snapping back to reality, she turned towards her sister's wake. "…yes. I'll be right there." She got one of the bags and proceeded to walking closer. It was heavy. She didn't know how Hendrix could take it. But she had to thank him another time. Right now, it's saving her own skin.

…

Hendrix walked down the massive staircase, looking as usual as ever, with a stone-cold face. At the bottom of the floor, Magnus was against the wall with crossed arms, glancing over at him knowingly. "Got the ladies to notice you?" he mocked.

Hendrix lowered his head. "Their affections aren't priority. I'm just looking after my allies is all."

Magnus shrugged. "Suit yourself. Still say bagging that younger chick would seem like a mighty fine catch though, right?" His meek mocking was met with a stern stare from Hendrix. He seemed far from amused. It made Magnus glare bad. "…bro, seriously…I know what it's like little after yo familia, but let me ask you, why do the little details matter to you?"

Hendrix rolled his eyes, turning away. "That's none of your business."

Magnus narrowed his eyes. "Hendrix…you know where you would be without me?" he spoke coldly that it wasn't even remotely funny. "…you would still be out in those damned streets. You could be dead probably…especially after you abandoned us."

Hendrix's hands didn't ball. He held calm. "I didn't belong there anymore. It wasn't the right path for me."

"But we survived."

"No…we stole. We killed. We took other's dignity that they still persevered. That isn't surviving. That is anarchy." Hendrix looked over his shoulder at him. "And how could it be surviving, when it was just you who survived."

WHAM!

A harsh punch across the face sent Hendrix staggering back. He held his hand to his forehead, where it ached the most. He slowly recovered, looking back at Magnus who was all up in his face. He nodded like he was chum.

"Now you listen here, street rat. Okay? I stuck up for you, even when you were part of the boys. Okay…so don't go disrespecting our brothers after everything we went through."

Hendrix was dead silent.

"You remember, don't you? The way we stuck up for each other, just like you stick up for your team? Ring any bells?"

---

In Troposphere, as it was still developing a decade ago, it was still having ups and down, and like some urban cities, there are the good parts that you would like to shop in, and the really bad parts that people warn you to stay away from. Lurking in the depths of these shadows, there were many people who were running about with looting.

"HEHE!" A robber ran through the alleys, getting away with a bag full of currency. "Too easy!" he snickered. "Now where do I-?!"

BANG!

The guy's hopes were dashed when a bullet went clean through his head. His body went limp as he fell sideways, the bag of money dropping to reveal blue cards, a sign of currency. Deeper in the shadows, someone with a handheld laser shooter sat on a dumpster with a head raised, many figures surrounding him.

"…tch. Doofus." He scoffed. "Alright boys, take your pick."

Emerging from the shadows, guys with dark blue long drench coats with bright red flower-like insignias on the back walked out. There had to be at least ten of them, if not more. They all went for the bag and began to take their fair share of duo.

"Damn, this foo' had like 50,000 credits on him." One member remarked.

"Where the hell he get this kind of money?" another asked.

"A bank probably…" another member looked down at the body. "Wonder how much this clothes gonna sell for?"

"Forget the coat, the body's gonna rot. So we leaving this one or not?" he looked up towards the boss. "What do you think, boss?"

Taking a cigarette into his mouth, he blew out smoke the next instance. It revealed to be Magnus, younger, but no less of a mess with dreadlocks with brown eyes showing. He looked down at the body and knelt towards it. "Hmmm…check his wallet."

"Here." A guy reached and got the wallet, revealing his ID. He didn't see much other than that, and no companies, and no links or references. He shook his head and dropped the wallet on his face.

"Just leave him. He's a nobody. Right, Hendrix?"

Standing beside him at equal height, the brawn and the vice boss stepped out, glaring with a cold disposition at the mess made. He didn't seem to care; no mournful look whatsoever. He raised a foot, stamping his boot on the skull. The sound of cracking was heard. "Weak." He muttered.

Magnus snickered as he patted his back. "Atta boy."

Hendrix knelt and picked the body up with only one hand. Using his brute strength, he threw it like a ragdoll into the open dumpster, where it clanged loud before the lid shut. He faced the others and nodded. To all of them; his sworn brothers.

---

Hendrix stared at his former gang boss – now current superior again – with a stone-cold look. While he thought back it, no way did he feel good nor bad how he felt back then. He turned away in shame. "…I'm sorry."

Magnus groaned angrily. "Look man, I get it. You've changed." He put a hand on his shoulder. "But you're my sworn bro…the only bro I have…so c'mon, I got your back. Just put me before your team, and we won't have trouble. Got that." He patted his shoulders before he opted to walk away. "Now, I'm gonna go find me some grub. Be a bro and find something to go with a side, cool?"

With Magnus walking away, Hendrix watched him go. The one to a past he once had, now willing to discard. But in his mind, he saw the face of a little girl, happily waving him goodbye with her proud father and thankful mother. He then recounted images of the many bodies lying around, and how the gang was taking loot form their pockets. He gave a mournful sigh as he walked off, with Rafflesian on his shoulder. "…the past is all but dead…just like the innocence taken." He muttered.

---

Wardington City, the original home of Dan Kuso when Bakugan first started, and the monumental site of where the Infinity Core and Silent Core clashed. The tower had been repaired eons ago, and this was also the place to where Luke and the gang would come to find one of their much-needed confidants.

Wandering through the sidewalks through the city, Luke trekked with the group, taking in the sites around them. "So, this is Wardington City?" Luke questioned.

Esther nodded. "Yes. This is where the tale of Dan Kuso began – his original home."

"Oh…I guess that's pretty cool."

Esther grinned. "You can say that…and this is also where the battle of Drago and Naga took place all those years ago, when we were but young kids."

"So cool~!" Maggie's eyes sparkled. "So then we might actually see Dan and Drago here, too?!"

"I'm afraid not. This was their original home. They have since moved to Bakugan City…but, after the Mechtavius Destroyer incident and winning the finals…he and Drago both just left, without a trace."

Shawn put a hand to his chin. "Hmmm…that is bizarre. You think they're on Earth still?"

"That's hard to say. Even I don't know…I doubt even his teammates know…but we're here to find our teammate, and friend. Let's not forget that."

Maggie sulked forward. "Aww, I wanted to see them in person. It would've made my day."

"Maybe next time, Maggie." Shawn teased. She looked away with puffed cheeks.

Luke continued with the directions that their Bakumeters were synchronized with. They followed the signal through the city so far, and he'd rather not lose track of his thoughts. But after hearing that this was the battleground of the mighty Dan, he began to rethink back to his life in the mansion, in his room where he was secluded. '…it's been over a year since then, but it feels longer. I guess that's because of the time that's passed. It really does go by when you're actually doing something.' He looked around towards his colleagues, seeing Maggie pout, Shawn trying to cheer her up, and Esther taking the lead prominently. 'And to think it's only been a month…' he sighed. 'But dwelling on it won't help now. We gotta look to now, and what I can be from here on.' "His place, it should be over here somewhere, right?" he asked.

"Yes. That's the signal we feel." Esther noted. "Let's go."

"Right!" they all followed her lead.

---

In about an hour's time, the group found themselves standing in front of a small abode. It was a two-story house with a flat roof. It had a small balcony on the second floor, with a decent stairway with well-furnished shrubs on either side. They all looked up and down to scan the house.

"So this is the place?" Luke questioned.

"Well, this is where the signal leads to." Shawn said. "You think it's mistaken?"

Luke shook his head. "No…just wondering is all."

Verias popped open on Shawn's shoulder. "First Luke's home, then Esther's, then Maggie's. There's been a whole set of variety we've been coming across."

"Yeah, I hear that." Abis Omega said, turning towards the building. "So then, guess we should try at least?"

"Yeah…" Luke took the lead and walked up the steps. He went up and rung the doorbell. He and the others backed off and waited for a few moments to see who would come out, but they were taking their sweet time.

Maggie blinked. "Hm? Is anybody home?"

"Maybe they're not home." Atchibee inquired.

"Or in the shower perhaps." Shawn suggested.

Inside, they all could hear some muffled shouts. The volume of the shouting was substantially loud, but not to where they could make out what was being said. They all looked at each other in deep inquiry before the door finally opened, revealing a boy that looked to be around 14, if not 15. He had familiar dark eyes with a head of spiky messy hair. He adorned a plain green shirt with khaki pants and regular tennis shoes. He looked at them and blinked. "Sorry about that. My parents are outback, and the others are…wait, who are you guys?"

"We're sorry if we're intruding." Esther apologized. "We were just looking for someone, and we thought he was here."

He raised a brow. "Huh? Looking for someone? You mean like hitmen?"

"Do we look like those kinds of people?!" Maggie challenged. The kid backed off. 'Gee, what kind of a dense question is that? This guy sounds just like…'

"Yo, Akira! Who's at the door?" Emerging from the sides of the steps indoors, a familiar someone turned and stepped onto the lamented wooden flooring of the hallway. "I thought Mom put up that 'No Soliciting' sign again…huh?!" He gasped when he looked in shock at who was at the door, even more so with who was gathered. "W-wait…" his eyes widened. "Is that…?"

"Hey, Shuji. Long time no see." Luke grinned.

Shuji blinked rapidly, making sure he wasn't dreaming. "Luke? A-and Shawn? Maggie…and Esther?"

"You sound so surprised, Shuji. It's only been two weeks." Shawn casually said. "You forgot us so soon?"

Maggie waved towards him. "Hey big guy! You eating well?!"

Knowing there was only one person who could throw an insult like that, Shuji gasped again. "G-guys!" He ran over, looking at them completely shocked. He scanned all of them left to right. "You're all here? But how?"

Maggie snickered. "Well…let's just say we have an all-knowing eye with us."

Shuji sweat-dropped. "Very funny."

From his shoulder, Fly Beetle popped open. "Guys? That really you?"

"Greetings, Fly Beetle. How have you been?" Atchibee calmly greeted.

"Hey, pal. You look great!" Jelldon greeted.

"Atchibee, Jelldon, what up? Abis, and Verias, you guys too…wow. Just…wow."

Abis chuckled. "You took the words right of my mouth."

Shuji's stammering began to subside, his brow furrowing in seriousness. "So what brought you guys here? I wouldn't think it was to hang out or anything that special…"

Esther's face grew serious. "…you're right. We didn't come all this way to stop by. We're sorry to intrude, but Shuji…"

"Shuji?! Is that you I hear?!" a voice called from the back of the house.

Shuji flinched in place. The others raised their brows in wonder.

"What's that?" another voice asked. "Someone's here?"

"Yeah, and Shuji's talking to them."

"Hold on…" A pair of footsteps walked into the hall. They looked to be pink slippers. "Shuji, Akira, who's there?" Entering into view, it looked to be an average-sized female with dark orange hair that curled up into a massive overhead bud with swirly locks running along the sides. By no means was she in the best of shape, but good enough with a pattern dress underneath a white apron. She also had deep red lipstick. She gave everyone a raised brow. "And who just might you be?"

"M-Mom!" Shuji stammered. "I was just…"

"Hm? So this is your mother?" Esther inquired.

"That's right, and you can guess who I am!" Another voice chirped from nearby. When everyone looked, they saw a little girl that was about Maggie's age, if not older. She had a cocky grin and large purple eyes. Her peach-orange hair was on three ponytails, and she adorned a white blouse with a bright blue skirt. "Shuji, exactly what are you doing?"

Once again, the boy looked shocked. "Oh, Nene. What's up, sis?"

"Sis?" Luke and the others questioned in unison.

Nene beamed with pride. "That's right. And it looks like you guys are the group of misfits that wound up with our big brother, right Akira?"

"Uh, y-yeah…" he muttered. 'But you don't have to be so prideful about it.'

Shuji's mother stepped forward, immediately greeting the group. But the way her hip was towards the side was an indication of her displeasure. "So, is there anything I can help you with?"

Esther stepped forward. "Actually, miss…can we have a moment?"

---

They all settled down in the living room, where each took a seat calmly and assessed the situation at hand. As they caught up, their sides of the story was explained.

"…I see. So that's what's going on?" Shuji's mother – Bertha – processed the information.

Esther nodded. "Yes, ma'am. That is correct. All the worlds inhibiting Bakugan will cease to exist…that's why we're going around gathering those who stood beside us in these dark times. Isn't that right, Luke?"

Shuji's eyes widened after several blinks. "Huh…wait, this was your idea?!" he shouted at Luke.

Luke glanced away nervously. "Ehehe…yeah…"

Shuji rebuffed with folded arms. "Heh, could've fooled me. I'm surprised you of all people would do something like this. You is one thing, but how did you get the others in this? Especially after-"

"We know, Shuji." Esther interjected, silencing him. "We know what Luke did, and he knows that too…but things have changed, and you of all people should know that."

Shuji looked away unsoundly. "Well…yeah." He crossed his arms. "But you know we barely made it back from that place, right?"

Shawn smiled. "And look at us, we're back together. Doesn't that say something about what has to be done?"

Fly Beetle popped open on the armrest beside Shuji. "…guess you guys have a point."

"See? Fly Beetle knows. Shuji, we all have our faults, but we've stuck through them up to this point."

A tick mark popped on his head. "And you're saying I'm a fault?"

Maggie shrugged. "Mmmm…well, there's a few we can describe about you." She noted. "But you're not that bad, c'mon. Admit it."

"Yeah, you and Fly Beetle helped us out plenty!" Jelldon chirped.

Luke gave a serious look. "Shuji…I know we may not be the best of friends…we had a lot of issues between us…but if it's worth a shot, we wanna try again, and actually help. I know you might not believe me unless you probably see it, and I don't blame you…but you were more reliable and responsible than a lot of us." His brow furrowed. "So if you wanna step up, we would appreciate your fighting spirit."

"Shuji…" Fly Beetle faced his partner, seeing his pained expression. The way Shuji looked felt familiar to one who was about to constipate…if that was any means of a positive similarity. He had his lips sealed as he stared at the group ahead of him. They all seemed so determined, and Maggie's cheery smile was brightening up the air as it always did. Soon enough, as nervous as he felt, he began to choke.

"…heh, man you guys sure know how to get under my skin, don't you?" he asked defiantly.

Bertha interjected. "Sorry for intruding like this…but I'm not thinking we're all on the same page here." She questioned in a tainting tone. "It's not that I don't believe you…it's just that I find it hard to believe that you all think that Shuji has to think outside his own responsibilities."

"Responsibilities?" Maggie repeated.

Nene beamed with pride. "That's right. Somebody like you might not know this, but he's my big brother. After all, somebody has to watch Akira and I when Mom's out working."

"C'mon, Nene. You know that's not true." Akira nervously pointed out.

"But he has perseverance." Esther testified. "That's something we know he has potential of."

Nene beamed with pride. "Hmph. I'll believe it when I see it."

Bertha sighed. "Look, I appreciate very much how you're all claiming to be my son's friends, and I am very thankful for you coming all this way…" she looked towards her son. "But do you have any idea how messy things have been around this house? Around us?" her brow furrowed angrily. "I don't even know what your parents are thinking letting you kids go around so freely when disasters are starting to rise. It's dangerous."

"We know." Luke said. "But we-"

"Want to bring my son back into this mess." She defended. "I'm sorry, but I think Nene and Akira mean more than this 'mission' you kids are on. Isn't that right, Shuji?" She shot him a knowing look, leaving Shuji unsound with what to say.

"Shuji…" Luke stammered into silence as he and the others looked towards their bulky battler.

The Subterra of the group looked anything but certain. He looked down at his balled fists, looking intensely like he was angry at something. As his teeth began to grit, he could feel his heart race with the expectations coming down on him. "Gnnngh…!" He looked unsound at it all, but he took one look at Akira and Nene; the latter mostly who smirked, and his mother with crossed arms. He lowered his head, finally deciding. He stood up again. "…sorry guys, but I think it's cool if I hang back a bit."

Maggie gasped.

"Wait, you sure about this, Shuji?" Shawn questioned.

"Yeah." His eyes opened, his nature within his dark eyes showing annoyance. "Sorry, I get it…" his eyes narrowed. "But I didn't wanna be part of this to begin with."

Luke's brow furrowed back. "Well, none of us did either, but…" Shuji walked off, heading towards the stairs. "Shuji!"

Shuji traveled up the stairs, a dreaded look in his eyes. They shut as he reached the next leg. He wanted to go back and say more, but as he recounted the memories inside his head, he remembered the horror they faced against Rogue Zero, let alone the numbers they almost died from on Interacia. The adrenaline was getting to him again, and he gritted his teeth and scuttled back to his room.

As they heard a door slam, the others looked solemnly at their friend's misfortunate actions. Nene, however, continued beaming with pride. "Hm, you know if you ask me, I think you guys still came to the right place."

"Nene, not now." Akira insisted. "Please…"

Nene ultimately looked away with a sigh. "Okay…but what pity. And here I was going to offer some of my experience to help out. They could use it with how shabby they look after all."

Maggie leaned towards Shawn. "Boy, and here I thought Shuji was the boastful one." She whispered.

Shawn had a bead of sweat. "Yeah…"

"Hmmm?" Nene turned towards them, a gleam in her eyes that surprised the two. "Did I hear something from you, too?" Her eyes narrowed when she faced Maggie. "Huh? Hey, I know you!"

Maggie pointed to herself. "Me?"

"Yeah, you. You're that little girl who took on Logan Maverick just last week at the England Conventional League. You sure got some spunk coming here of all places, showing yourself before what will be the mightiest battler soon to be."

Maggie glanced away nervously. "Oh great…another Logan." She deadpanned to Jelldon.

Nene's ears twitched, but she snuffed her head up with pride. "Hmph! Well I assure you. I'm nothing like that wannabe you beat, okay? I may be small, but I got enough might to stuff my own skirt."

Maggie's brow furrowed. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing." She sniped a sharp look. "Just something top-ranked cuties like myself can get."

Maggie grew a tick mark. "Hey, no way your prissy face is cuter than my own!"

Nene smirked. "Well, I'm sure the world rankings have a say in that."

Maggie crossed her arms and looked away. "Hmph. At least I know when to cork it nice and tight."

"At least I know my own strength."

"At least I'm humble." The two little girls in the living room glared at each other with deep frowns. Each hummed as a green and red laser collided in the center. This of course made Akira sweat-drop as he shrunk in the background.

Esther stood up, interjecting the combustible stare down. "Listen, we appreciate what you have to say…but we didn't come here to be persuaded by someone else. We came because of someone who we've come to actually trust."

Nene puffed her cheeks. "Hmph! Even dolly over here doesn't know talent when she sees it! What shame." She shrugged.

Bertha stood up. "Nene, that's enough." She faced her guests. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Luke's eyes widened. "But…"

"I'm sorry, but I'm not having my son be part of something I don't think he can handle by himself. So please, thanks for the company. Now bye."

Luke was about to yelp, but a tug on his sleeve revealed Esther. She gave him a knowing look as Shawn and Maggie walked out. As much as he wanted to say something, just one look from her told what he needed to know. With one look back towards the family, he gave a solemn nod. "…okay. Thanks…let's go, guys…" He walked with Esther away,

As the front door closed, Nene huffed once again. "What a shame. I mean I would've loved to show them what I can do if that would help solve our problems."

"Nene." Akira sulked again at his bratty sister's ego. As much as he worshipped her cutting edge Bakugan capabilities, even he knew where to draw the line. He instead sighed and walked away. "I'm gonna go check on big bro."

---

Shuji laid in his bed, staring up at the ceiling as the stale fan remained in place, in contrast to his mind racing at aggravating speeds. He felt so annoyed, even more so with how everything has turned out or him now that he was back home. With everything happening, he didn't even know what to think anymore.

"Hey." Fly Beetle asked. "Don't you think that was a bit harsh?"

Shuji didn't seem to care. "Bah, what do you know?"

"Not much…but you know, those guys came all this way for us. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"…it shows how annoying they are. That's for sure." He put a hand over his face. "Aww man, it's good to be on an actual bed again. Not some crummy sheets and blanket. Heh…" In his mind, however, another flash of the Trailer with everyone having breakfast on the island showed again. His teeth grit and he turned towards his side.

Fly Beetle saw his partner's deflection but said nothing. Instead, he heard a knock and saw Akira creak the door open.

"Uh…hey, bro? You have a sec?" he muttered.

Shuji looked over his shoulder. "Huh? What do you want, Akira? Can't you see I'm trying to take a nap here?"

"Yeah, I can see…" he glanced away. "But you know…you don't have to do this you know. Don't listen to Nene, okay?" he glanced away nervously. "I-I mean even though she is right most of the time, and has a much higher rank than both of us…"

Shuji glared. He tucked back onto his side.

"…b-but she doesn't know everything!" Akira got back on track. "Look, if those guys traveled this far for you, don't you think that means something? I don't know what it is exactly you went through, but I'd be lucky to have not been alone...those guys are your friends, aren't they? Shuji?"

Fly Beetle turned once again to see what Shuji would say. The Subterra battler continued glaring at the wall with a poster of Fusion Dragonoid on it. He frowned heavily, but his eyes weren't visible. "…trust me, Akira. You'd be better off not in my shoes. You have no idea how messed up it was being with those wackjobs."

Knowing his brother, Akira could figure out his brother was too easy to read. He sighed heavily for his misfortune. "You know, I missed ya bro."

Shuji scrunched up a little. "…yeah, me too."

Akira took another exhausted breath as he looked at Shuji. He was pouting like a baby, but he wasn't outright bursting in his face out sheer embarrassment. "Well, Mom asked me to try and mow the lawn, so I gotta go." He took his leave, closing the door to have Shuji and Fly Beetle alone.

The Bakugan spoke first. "…wow, Shuji. Can you make it anymore obvious perhaps?"

Shuji's face flushed with embarrassment. "Wait, what?! What do you know?!"

"Beats me. But enough to know you care too much to show others how you feel. I get it. I feel ya too, bud…but if you ask me, those guys actually look like they care for us. Everybody does, don't you think?"

Shuji tucked in again. "Hmph! Yeah, but I didn't ask, so why bother with them?"

Fly Beetle sighed. "Yeah, I miss them too."

"Oh shut up."

---

Outside the humble abode, Luke sighed down at his feet. "Well, that didn't go as planned."

Shawn crossed his arms. "Yeah, I'm with you there. I knew Shuji was stubborn, but this takes the cake."

"Really, because I could've sworn he ate it." Maggie joked, giggling a bit.

"Very funny." Shawn said dryly, like it didn't make any sense.

"Oh c'mon, it was a little funny." She defended. "Besides, I'm sure we'll get that big baby out of his room at some point."

Esther brows furrowed. "Shuji isn't exactly the brightest mind out there, but even he knows what he's seen…I think he's just scared is all."

"I wouldn't suggest force of all things." Atchibee suggested. "I feel it'll only make things worse for us and him."

"Yeah, plus he has his family, too." Verias noted. "I wouldn't call this an easy situation for us nor him. It's pick one or the other."

Shawn put a hand to his chin. "Mmmm…this isn't going to be easy…"

Luke stared up at the balcony, his brow furrowed in anticipation. As he looked up at the window, he could picture Shuji there. With him acting out of denial, it sounded much like him, or rather his parents. It wasn't a pretty image, but he knew that Shuji knew what to feel right now. His fists balled on his sides.

"Luke?" Esther inquired.

"…I think I can try talking to him. It…might be our best course of action." He looked towards everyone. "Even he knows what's going on, and maybe he is trying to think of his family…and I know I'm not the best observer, but I think we need to help him."

Maggie snuffed her nose up. "Hmph! Anybody with that kind of a sister I can pity any day of the week."

"Which is exactly why we gotta break that tough guy out of his shell, is that what you're saying Luke?" Shawn inquired.

Luke nodded. "Yeah. He just might be insecure, so, I don't know…maybe we can remind him how tough he is. Or rather, how tough he's gotten." He looked back up again. "But I still want to convince him without thinking he doesn't have a choice…like I did."

"Luke…" Esther murmured.

He faced them again. "So…I've decided. I don't care how, but I'm not leaving without Shuji or Fly Beetle. I know they want to save the world. He wants to defend everyone as much as I do. We can't do this without them. They mean that much…and I'd rather not take them for granted like before."

Maggie snapped her fingers and winked. "Sounds like we need a little backdoor exit, right? Leave that to me! I got a plan!"

Shawn smiled. "Thanks, Maggie. If anyone knows how to be sneaky, it's you."

Maggie chuckled. "Aww shucks." She refocused. "So guys, let's try this…"

---

The lawnmower buzzed loudly as its engine was kicked into high gear. Akira began to push with all his might, shredding grass blades neatly as he worked his way along the edges of the front lawn. As he was too busy with his chore, the doorbell was rung yet again, and the door opened to reveal Bertha yet again. "Yeah, what?" she asked rudely.

Esther gave her a calm face. "Sorry for intruding again. I just need a moment of your time."

Bertha gave an exasperated scowl. "I thought I told you all to leave. I don't want any of you here, understand?" she sounded like she was threatening Esther, but the Darkus battler persevered.

"Miss, please. I believe we got off on the wrong foot. At least hear what I have to say on behalf of your son."

The reluctant mother gave her an eyeroll and exasperated a huff. She pinched the bridge of her nose and opted to stand her ground. However, a small voice in her head told her to try and reach out. So against better judgement, she chose to fold her arms and give her a stink eye. "…okay, fine. But make it quick." She moved out of the way, allowing Esther inside.

"Thank you."

As Esther walked inside, the door closed. Unknowingly, on the side of the house, Maggie popped her head out and back. She rushed to the backyard, where she leaned to the side and gave a thumbs up. "Go, go!" she harshly whispered.

Shawn and Luke nodded at each other. Shawn crouched down, allowing Luke to step onto his shoulders and used his hands to grip Luke's feet. Slowly, he shakily stood up, getting Luke higher. "Gnnngh…man, you're heavier than I remember, Luke." He exasperated.

Luke wobbled a bit, but he kept persevering. "Heh, just like getting cookies when we were 6, huh?" he mused. "A little higher…higher…" he reached up towards the balcony, gripping both bars. "Okay, I'm there!"

Shawn let go, and Luke dangled on the balcony like his life depended on it. Both Maggie and him watched the Aquos battler jump over the ledge and sneak over to tap his knuckles against the window belonging to Shuji's room.

"Hm, what the-?!" Inside, Shuji perked up with Fly Beetle as they saw a massive figure staring at them. "AH! BURGLAR!" he wailed, jumping out of bed. "Hm? Wait a minute…?" he squinted, the lighting getting a better glimpse of who was there. "Wait…Luke?" he gasped.

Luke tapped on the glass again.

Shuji's face scrunched up again, Angrily, he walked over, opening the window up to stare Luke dead in the face. "What the heck man? I thought my mom told you all to scram!"

"We know, but can't you just hear us out, at least for a little bit?" Luke insisted.

Shuji folded his arms and a tock mark showed. "Heh, better be good for somebody so low as to ask me for something like this. Give me a reason not to call my mom?"

"Because this isn't about your mom." Luke said. "This is about you and me."

Shuji glanced away. "I thought I told you I want nothing to do with you."

"And we said we don't care!" Luke snapped. "So just give us a few minutes…please."

"Shuji." Fly Beetle said.

Shuji looked back at him, then at Luke. He could see the plea in his eyes, so badly it was like puppy-dog eyes. He groaned exhaustedly as he scratched his head. "Gaaah~. Man, you're so pathetic." He stepped aside reluctantly, allowing Luke inside. He faced him with crossed arms. "So what it that you want from me, an autograph?"

Luke didn't seem fazed. "Shuji, this is serious…" his brows furrowed. "Be honest, do you want to help us?"

Shuji's brow furrowed deeper. "Heh, what gave you that idea?"

"You didn't seem genuine when we spoke downstairs. You looked like you were in pain just thinking about choosing between us and your siblings. I know they mean a lot, but are you getting the big picture? I don't think you are."

Shuji scoffed. "No, but I can give you a knuckle sandwich for bugging me like this."

"Fine! Go ahead, punch me in the face for all I care! I deserve it!" Luke snapped. "At least I'm facing my problems now unlike you, who's running from them!"

Shuji was taken back by Luke's shouting. He was especially baffled with his comeback. Fly Beetle was also at a loss for what to say.

"What happened to that Shuji that was so confident back on New Vestroia, the one who took pride in his abilities with the very Fly Beetle he befriended? You weren't afraid to bark back against people or odds back then, no matter how insulting, or how childish it was at times…I should know, because we were that much in common."

Shuji's brow furrowed deeper. "Why you little…!" he wanted to strike, but Luke kept going.

"There's that confidence, but why aren't you using that to prove yourself?" his interjection left Shuji in place like a statue. Luke looked away regrettably. "Yeah, I know facing Rogue Zero and those guys…they were strong. Too strong…but our worlds are dying. We learned that with our own eyes, and I'm not going to deny that like Esther did when she came back, and I'm not letting you go through that, too. And because of me you see me as inferior, and I can accept that."

Shuji crossed his arms. "That's an understatement. You messed up big, you know that?"

"And that's why we're using what's left of our lives to fight the odds." He spoke. "Look, Shuji…I know that even when we first met, that we weren't on the best of terms…and we weren't the best of friends." He heard Shuji grumble in agreement. "But that time I shared with out and the others, as much as I could groan and deny it, you guys actually made me feel more open And I know you did, too."

Shuji's face feel in recollection. He began to recall all the times Maggie was indirectly calling him fat. He hadn't heard an insult like that in a while, and now it felt weird without those voices. Heck, he recalled when they were on the beach, and Shuji listening to confessions and training the next day felt pretty good. But his mind flashed again to Hades Pillars, and rewinding to how Keegan was hammering him. It was leaving him deterred.

"I hate losing. I know you do too…but do you know what I learned from you?" Luke managed to get Shuji to glare at him in inquiry. "I learned to persevere. Even if your strategies fell apart, you managed to keep fighting. I just kept losing my temper a lot worse than you did. Heck, I freaked out a lot worse than you when those Forbidden Cards showed…that's what I appreciate about you, and believe it or not, you can hate me for as long as you live…" he smiled passionately. "But whether I wanna believe it or not, you're my friend, Shuji. And friends stick together in the darkest times. That's something Shawn taught me. And Maggie, she taught me to stay loose. I learned a lot from you guys, and I can't thank you enough…which is why I learned to be courageous and stand up for others and myself…just like I did against my parents.

"Wait…" Shuji's surprise showed. "You what?! You…you actually…?"

"It's no lie." Abis Omega defended. "And Esther did, too. Because she followed Luke's example."

Luke stood his ground. "So what if they didn't accept at first? We knew what was at stake, and no superior figure was going to tell us what we don't know."

"Luke…"

"I showed them what I was capable of. I showed them how much I had grown with Abis Omega and you guys. Esther and Atchibee showed as well." He smiled. "Now they support me, that's how we got here, just for you. So no matter how inferior you think you feel, I know from seeing myself that you can show them what you are now. Just leave me at that, okay?"

"Luke…"

Fly Beetle floated between the two. "Well I don't know about you, but it takes a lot of nerve to pull a stunt like that. Color me impressed."

Abis floated next to him. "If we didn't step up, who would?"

"Heh, well I guess you have me there…" he looked back at Shuji. "You know, remember when we first met? You really didn't like me." This made Shuji feel guilty. "But look at us now. I'd rather not consider all that for nothing. And if this screwup can put his act together, why can't we?"

"Well…"

"Shuji." Luke insisted. "Don't listen to what your family says. What do you want to do?"

Shuji contemplated hard about Luke's question. It was tough to say, let alone answer for him. Maybe he wasn't better than his sister, and he was a big crybaby. But deep down, he didn't want to be put down like that anymore. He tried making a name for himself, and along the way, he met people. Actual people who acknowledged him. It made his face fell as he recalled the times they shared. "…and you really think I can be of help?"

"I know so. So how about it? You in?"

Shuji looked at Luke with a half-grin. But before he could give his answer, a small "Er-hem!" got their attention. Turning at the doorway, both saw Nene standing with hands to her hips and a knowing smirk on her face.

"Nene!" Shuji gasped.

"Oh crud." Fly Beetle groaned.

---

In the living room downstairs, Esther was on the couch facing Bertha, both deeply frowning. "Ma'am, I know there has been a lot going on, with the world's climates starting to disrupt balance. But we're telling you the truth."

Bertha furrowed her brow. "And I'm trying to believe, but how do you know it's not Global Warming? What if what you experienced was a dream?"

"If it wasn't that, then tell me where you think your son was the last two weeks." Esther got no audible reply, rather Bertha's face scrunched up. "If you feel like the world around you is crumbling, don't just hide. That won't save you in the end. He learned this first-hand."

"I am that boy's mother! What do you know about Shuji that I don't?!" she defended.

Now it was Esther's turn to get defensive. "That he is a capable person of holding his own! I should know. I've seen it with my own eyes!"

Bertha raised her chin. "I'll believe it when I see it."

The two stared at each other coldly, their intense eyes glaring at one another. Bertha was demanding for Esther to back down from her stare, but Esther's cold compassion was freezing her in her tracks. "You don't think he's capable, are you?" she finally asked.

Bertha finally gave into a sigh of exasperation. "Look, I don't know what you're saying exactly about Shuji, but he's been…complicated. He wasn't the best in class no matter…he has a lot of problems that needs to be sort out. The real world is a lot crueler than he believes."

"And he saw that first-hand…don't you think you're holding him back? What does that say about you as a mother, holding your child back from what he wants to do? Sounds to me that selfishness of yours will only hamper him more than you can imagine."

"You're not his mother, I am. And I am not having someone like you tell me how to raise my son."

Esther gave into another sigh. "…you're right. I'm not telling you how to raise him…I'm telling you how to respect him." Her leer against Bertha intensified. "Can you try and take him seriously with what he wants? The least you could do is hear him out."

Bertha wanted to abscond Esther for telling her what needed to be done, but in the thick of it, she knew there was some kernel of wisdom in the younger woman's words. But she found it hard to believe, especially with the flaws Shuji has that Akira and Nene don't have. Faith was never n easy thing to bestow, especially years back when he kept losing and whimpering when beaten by Dan.

But ultimately, she thought deeply and gave Esther a harsh look. "…you must be serious if you want to speak for him like this."

"He may not say it to you, but I can." Esther smiled. "Give him a chance. He can do it."

"Oh Mo~m!" A shout came from upstairs. "There's something you need to see~!"

"Yes, Nene? What is it?"

Esther's eyes widened, her heart skipping one beat. '…oh no.'

---

"I'm sorry!" Shuji bowed his head to his mother, earning a harsh stomp right in front of his head that made him shudder.

"You should be! What were you thinking, letting him in when you know that's wrong!" Bertha shot a glare at Luke, Shawn, Maggie, and Esther as they were on their knees sitting up. They were at the mercy of Bertha and Nene, with Akira standing a ways away nervously. "As for you, you've got some nerve making me believe that you could do that!" she yelled at Esther.

The Darkus girl's brow furrowed. "I was being honest. We didn't intend to truly deceive you."

Nene beamed. "Hmph! That so? Then how come your friend snuck in around the back? Sounds pretty deceiving to me." She faced a guilty Shuji. "As for you, mister? What do you have to say for yourself?"

Shuji felt a shiver run up his spine as he closed his eyes. He'd rather not face his mother or Nene in the eye.

"Hey, that's a bit off the line right there!" Shawn defended.

"Woah, Shawn." Verias muttered in shock.

Bertha gave him a stern glare. "Excuse me? What was that?"

"I don't think I made myself clear. Listen, I'm a friend of Shuji's, and I don't think what you're doing is fair to him. Seems to me that you aren't fully understanding him the way you want him to."

Bertha scowled. "So now you're saying you know Shuji better than I do?"

"We all do!" Luke shot up, along with Maggie and Esther backing him up.

"You guys…" Shuji murmured.

"I thought we went over this!" Bertha scowled. "This isn't anything concerning Shuji! Leave my baby out of this!"

Esther glare hardened. "Well ma'am, he's a man, in case you haven't noticed."

"I don't care what premature kids have to say! Leave my house, now!"

"Shut up!" Luke snapped.

"Excuse me?!"

"Geez, are all human parents this stupid?" Abis questioned.

Maggie stepped forward. "Look, lady. This bubbling sac right here is a lot of things. He's…well, he's crazy. He's loud…maybe compulsive…easy to read, smelly, offended a lot, whines, and pulls too much weight…" All these negative traits made Shuji sweatdrop with a sulk. "But he's like some idiot brother whose been looking after us this whole time! He stuck up when he had to!"

"And who let you go with these misfits, little lady?!" Bertha snapped. "I should give you a time out!"

"Well at least my mother had more common sense than you!"

Bertha gasped with a shocked look. "What…did you just say to me?"

Luke stepped in front. "Listen, all our parents wouldn't believe it at first, but it all happened. They knew what had to be done."

This only made Bertha angrier. "What kind of parents let their own children take action when they can't even find their own way?! How can I let Shuji go knowing he might trip and spill groceries?!"

"M-mom…" Shuji could feel the air around him dampen with sorrow.

"Maybe Shuji is a klutz." Luke said. "But I trust him…a lot more than what you can understand about him. He's tough, you're just not letting him see that."

"He's right you know." Fly Beetle floated overhead.

"Fly Beetle?" Shuji inquired. "You too?"

"Hey, what are partners for, right?" He faced the angry family. "Yeah, so maybe Shuji has his flaws, well so do I? I'm not that tough…or rather I wasn't until Shuji and I pushed each other. We're sticking up for him, and all you care about is yourselves? Where's the love here?"

Nene stepped up, scoffing at the insect. "Hmph! You sure got a lot to say…for a bug."

Shuji's inner angst began to settle. When he heard that line, something inside of him began to stir.

"What did you call me?" Fly Beetle defended.

Nene beamed with pride. "Oh you know. I scanned your power level when you first came home with big bro, and I saw how weak you are. Honestly thought there'd be a lot stronger Bakugan on New Vestroia. But what do you expect from someone who had to be taught from someone who's going to aim for the best battler now?"

Akira tried to approach. "Uh, g-guys, please stop." Nene shot him a sharp look, as did his mother. He immediately backed off. This once again left Shuji inside to stir yet again.

Nene faced Fly Beetle. "Now then, if you really think my brother is so tough, why doesn't he prove it?" Everyone looked solemnly at Nene as she continued to back-sass. Fly Beetle remained silent. "You all really know how to push buttons. No wonder why Shuji went to his room in joy the first moment he was given."

Inside Shuji's head, his thoughts began to race yet again, back to when he was talked down hard by Keegan. All that mean stuff he said, about his arrogance and flaws…and Shuji not being solid before, that is until Fly Beetle came to his aid…just like right now.

"Just listen! Look…you're wrong. I'm the one who should be apologizing. Not you. You may not be the strongest…but I think I get why now…at least I think so…You were right. I was in the wrong, and I admit it…I'm not as good as Dan or any of the brawlers. I just wanna win, but I guess I wasn't relying on you as I was in my strategy. I get that your power level is low…" he forced a smile. "But…I think I'll make this work for me."

"Shuji…?"

"Yeah, I think I deserve this. This is my lesson to learn, and I think now I know just who to rely on. So, what do you say?"

Beginning to really think, his brow began to furrow deeply. The look in his eyes showed deep defense as he slowly started to get back to his feet.

Nene sneered. "Hmph, well guess what, my brother has never won against me. You really hold faith in someone like him? You're a very amusing Bakugan that my brother has."

Bertha faced her son, who had shadows over his eyes and a deep frown. "Shuji, we're going to have a talk about this later, but right now, go to your room. Now!"

Shuji didn't shudder, instead, he glared ahead. "No."

Akira, Nene, and Bertha all went silent. His friends did as well. Bertha faced her son with a knowing brow raised. "Uh…excuse me?"

"I said no." Shuji shot back. He glared at hi mom dead in the eye, the two having a long stare down before the mom lost her cool. She got closer to Shuji before she raised her arm to slap him, only for Shuji to smack it smack it away. He got into his mother's face, getting her to back off. "Look, I never asked for you to treat me like this, okay?" he barked. "Yeah, I know I'm not good, but I'm trying! And if you can't see that, then I say good day, ma'am!" He turned away, huffing his nose up with crossed arms. He took Fly Beetle and walked over to his friends, standing right beside them and looked back with a scowl.

"Shuji…" Luke murmured.

Shuji glanced back, giving a confident chuckle. "Satisfied?"

Shawn nodded. "Yeah, thank you. Shuji." The Subterra battler nodded and faced his folks again.

"Hmph, you've got a lot of nerve talking like that to your own mom, Shuji." Nene teased. "And your own sister."

He shot a look at his sister. "Yeah, maybe…" his eyes narrowed. "But they hold more faith in me than you. Besides, what brother would I be if I didn't fight for you guys?"

Bertha glared. "Shuji~!"

Nene took charge for her and pointed at him. "Well fine, suite yourself mister! But if you really think you have what it takes, then how about you show your precious family just what you got, mister!"

"Fine by us, right Fly Beetle?!" Beside Shuji, Fly Beetle readied.

Shocked, Akira stepped in the middle. "W-wait! Hold up a sec! Shuji! Are you serious?! But you've never won against Nene before!"

"Maybe…but this way I can show just how much I've changed. And you'll see too, Mom."

Bertha pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperating. "If it'll solve this ridiculous phase of yours…fine. Just get it over with."

Nene smirked. "So what do you say, you ready?"

"Bring it." He backlashed.

---

The group was forced to a more open area, where the one place seemingly appropriate were the fields of the park, where Drago and the other Bakugan years ago fought the last Naga's minions. With this much open room, those not fighting were off to the side, while Shuji and Nene were on opposite sides, leering at each other as a wind brushed grass between them.

"So is this Nene brat that strong?" Maggie asked Esther.

Esther used her Bakumeter to figure out the details. She had a holographic screen projecting and scrolled manually and read the profile of Nene. "…hard to say. It says she's ranked 50th…Shuji mustn't let his guard down against her."

"Big bro…" Akira had a worried look on his face. He looked towards his mother, who had arms folded and observed quietly.

"You know, this is your last chance to back out, big bro. You sure you have what it takes to out-strategize me?" Nene boasted.

Shuji held his composure. "Heh, we'll just see now won't we?"

"It's time I show you why I'm the favorite in the family!" She held up a Ventus Bakugan. "Are you ready?!"

"Just say the word!" Shuji challenged.

Nene: 100% Shuji: 100%

Shawn's brow furrowed. "Looks like it's started."

"Yeah…" Luke frowned heavily as he waited for who would make the first move. 'Shuji…'

"Okay…" Shuji held up a Gate Card. "Let's rock. Gate Card, set!" He threw the Gate Card, which became a brown-orange shockwave across the ground. "Okay, ya ready? Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" In a bright orange light, Fly Beetle arose who a large howl. His horn arose as his wing shields lifted, and the yellow wings flapped and made him airborne.

Looking up, Nene wasn't impressed. "So, a Subterra Bakugan. I see. Then let's see you try this! Bakugan, brawl! Ventus Longfly, stand!" In a green flight rising skywards, a Ventus Longfly belonging to Nene arose with a shrilling shriek. It had lens-like eyes like Fly Beetle, with a long neck and tail with a plump midsection. Many sets of wings were all over the body to accompany its weight and balance. It leered at Fly Beetle like he was food.

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 350

Nene chuckled. "So big brother, wanna show us what you're made of?"

Shuji accepted the challenge. "Oh, it's on. You ready to rock, Fly Beetle?!"

In the air, the Bakugan nodded. "Just say the word!"

Shuji held up his arm, his Bakumeter showing two abilities layered. "Alright then, let's size it up! Double ability, activate! Fly Arrow, plus Sonic Wing!" Fly Beetle aimed his two tusks and unleashed two powerful bright beams, while his wings shot bright brown crescents shot from the sides. Longfly was hit head-on, engulfed in bright smoke bursts while crescents bombarded into the smoke.

Longfly: 700 (-100 -200) = 400 Fly Beetle: 350 (+200) = 550

Akira's eyes widened. "Woah, that's a pretty big opening!"

"Shuji doesn't look like he's holding back if he's using double abilities." Esther noted. "But still…"

"He's not that easy t fool." Shawn noted. "He knows it'll take more to beat her." This was confirmed by the serious look on Shuji's face, which mimicked Fly Beetle's own. Both glared into the smoke cloud, seeing a set of red eyes glisten inside with a low hiss.

Nene smirked. "Well alright, guess it's our turn!" She held up her own Bakumeter, showing a Ventus ability glowing. "Now Longfly, ability activate, Slid Pointer!" The smoke remained stable for a few moments before Longfly flew out in a high-speed rush. It hissed loudly as it stuck out its massive yellow stinger, attempting to puncture Fly Beetle.

Longfly: 400 (+200) = 600 Fly Beetle: 550

"Look alive, Fly Beetle!" Shuji warned.

Fly Beetle braced himself. "Got it, pal!" The Subterra Bakugan moved out of the way, leaving Longfly to continue going. It slid to a stop, turning around to meet Fly Beetle, who moved in and pushed his whole body into Longfly. The momentum of the Bakugan made it scowl as Fly Beetle's many toe claws dug into the skin, making it hard to let go. Longfly hissed as it flattered lower than before, but it put up a fight and whirled around in a full circle, sending Fly Beetle off into an aerial tumble, which he managed to recover from. Longfly went to attack again, aiming its stinger at Fly Beetle.

"Ability, activate! Exo-Shield!" Shuji's call made Fly Beetle's body exert a powerful shield while in flight. Fly Beetle held his own as the stinger and Longfly bounced off, recoiling.

Longfly: 600 (-200) = 400 Fly Beetle: 550

"So now you're going on defense I see." Nene huffed. "But let's see what happens when you stay that way for too long! Ability, activate! Sting Breach!" Longfly gave another shriek as it flapped its many wings. It gained some altitude before aiming the stinger down at the shield again. To everyone's surprise, the stinger glowed and expanded. It had a glowing green filament cover it before it shot like a laser down onto the shield. It made impact with Fly Beetle's shield, harshly at that.

Longfly: 400 (+200) = 600 Fly Beetle: 550 (-200) = 350

"Fly Beetle, hang in there!" Shuji encouraged.

Fly Beetle strained incredulously to keep his shield up. "I'm…trying…gngh!" The glossy green blast finally broke through his barrier, enveloping him in a powerful beam that shot him directly into the ground. The rumblings of dust and dirt scrambled about, and Shuji covered up from the waves passing.

"Gnnnngh!" He grunted heavily as the dust finally subsided. When he glanced through, he saw that Nene was holding a confident pose while Longfly hovered over Fly Beetle, who strained to get up.

"That was a powerful counter that was." Atchibee acknowledged.

"Yes, it was." Esther noted. 'How is Shuji going to get out of this one?'

Fly Beetle shakily got back up, standing on his six legs and looked back at Shuji. He nodded in assurance, and Shuji nodded back. They faced Nene again.

"Show big brother, got any other tricks you wanna show me?"

Shuji reached forward. "You'll see. Gate Card, open! Power Pressure!" The Gate Card showed, giving a bright light that made Longfly immobile. The more it tried to flap its wings, the more it realized it wasn't able to.

"What?" Nene gasped.

"Woah, he stopped her!" Akira exclaimed.

"The command card Power Pressure stops enemy Bakugan over 400 Gs from moving." Shuji said. "And your abilities are blocked. Let's rock this, Fly Beetle!"

"I'm with ya!" Fly Beetle raised his horn, taking aim at Longfly suspended in midair. Struggle as it could, it wasn't getting anywhere. "Sorry pal, this might sting!"

Abis and the Bakugan sweat-dropped. 'Seriously?'

"Double ability, activate! Horn Buster, plus Fusion Ability, Terra Surge!" As Fly Beetle charged up bright brown energy at the horn, the electrical energy began to bring up the dust particles that spiraled towards the tip. Rocks and other dust particles swirled at the tip, and once ready, Fly Beetle dug into his heels and fired the streaky electric blast, with a flowing orange and earth stream spiraling.

Longfly: 600 (-200) = 400 Fly Beetle: 350 (+200 +200) = 750

The impact soared skywards, making a bright burst in Longfly's stomach region. The Bakugan craned its neck high and let out a shriek as the attack's strength sent it slamming into the ground below, where it morphed to ball form and rolled back to Nene's feet.

Nene: 30%

"Alright, he did it!" Luke cheered.

Shawn grinned. "Yeah, that wasn't a bad play at all." He acknowledged. "He must've known her power level must've been higher than his own, so he set a trap to wear her off. Not bad at all."

Maggie snickered. "Well, that's our big guy! Having enough weight but enough to sink you down!"

Fly Beetle returned to Shuji's hand, which he caught with a swipe. "So what did you think about that?"

Despite the setback, Nene held a smirk as she picked up Longfly. "Alright, I admit you hd me there…" she spread her legs apart, pointing accusingly at him. "But next time, it'll be you who'll be the cocky one!"

Fly Beetle popped open again. "That brat's getting annoying…but she's right, She might be figuring us out now."

Shuji's brow furrowed. "Yeah…"

"But we're not giving up, right?"

"Heck no we're not!"

Nene pulled her arm back and threw a Gate Card. "Gate Card, set!" The card expanded outwards, creating a green shockwave across the ground. "Alright, here we come! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Once more, rising up, Longfly entered the battle, giving a shrilling hiss.

"Alright, let's do this. Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Shuji threw in Fly beetle, who popped open and arose to battle in midair this time.

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 350

Longfly shrilled again as it sailed at Fly Beetle. The massive insectoid was parried with Fly Beetle soaring in as well with his horn out. Longfly stuck the stinger out beneath, but Fly Beetle swerved sideways in a twirl. He nudged his horn, ducking Longfly in the face. "It's gonna take more than that to stop us!" Fly Beetle protested.

"We'll just see about that." Nene scoffed. "Ability activate, Slid Pointer!" This time, Longfly's reach was good enough. It swerved its tail from down under and tabbed Fly Beetle's underside, making him scowl painfully.

Longfly: 700 (+200) = 900 Fly Beetle: 350

"Fly Beetle, you okay?!" Shuji exclaimed.

Fly Beetle backed off with a pained winced. "Gngh! Y-yeah! But…does it feel lightheaded or is that just me?" He shook his head, trying to get himself straight. He was so distraught he was almost unaware of Longfly swooping in again. "Woah!" Out of instinct, he swerved to the side again, barely escaping another painful sting.

Longfly swerved back, with Nene waiting for Shuji's next move.

"Gotta hang in there! Double ability, activate! Fly Arrow, plus Horn Buster!" This time, Fly Beetle was the one going on offense. He shot more brown beams from his tusks, with electrical streaky brown energy at Longfly.

Nene held up her arm, showing another ability. "Ability, activate! Wing Cyclone!" Longfly's eyes glowed bright green as the wings began to vibrate intensely. They created a green tornado barrier that buffered the incoming attacks. The attacks completely faded, nullified and all.

"Drats." Shuji sniped.

"See that? We're well prepared to stop whatever power you're trying to take from us." Nene interjected. "Now try this! Ability activate, Poison Barrage!" This time, Longfly surged skywards and ascended high enough to where it hovered way above everyone's heads. Fly Beetle included. They all looked up, seeing the emblem on its stomach and back glowing green, and soon the horn. Once charged up, Longfly exerted a loud cry before giving a massive flap, sending shards of green poison like arrows down at Fly Beetle.

Longfly: 900 (+300) = 1200 Fly Beetle: 350 (-300) = 50

As it came down on Fly Beetle, Nene had a smirk on her face. 'Nullifying and then attacking is simple. Even Akira can do it. But I bet that Logan wouldn't know how. Let's see what he does.'

Seeing the attack incoming, he thought back for a moment to his rigorous battle against Killian and his Moskeeto, and the power that one had. 'If that guy had powerful moves at that level, then this'll be a breeze.' "Fly Beetle, let's give her a taste of our Subterra! Ability, activate! Subterra Seeker!"

Fly Beetle's wing shields exposed themselves, revealing the accents having magma coating. All the shards and arrows of green venom raining down shot so hard that they actually made him jerk down a bit, but they never hit him. In fact, they all shot back up, colliding with many more raining down, but powered through and continuously pelted Longfly.

Nene gasped in shock, while Shuji smirked. "How's that?"

Longfly: 1200 (-300 -300) = 600 Fly Beetle: 50 (+300 +300 +100) = 750

Nene looked admittedly surprised. 'He bounced my attack back…he waited until I pulled out a strong enough card to finish him, and turned it against me.'

"You can't beat what you can't hit!" Shuji pointed forward. "Alright Fly Beetle, kick it!" Responding to his partner, Fly Beetle soared skywards, where he charged for the disoriented Longfly. He dug his horn into the Bakugan's stomach again, where the piercing tusks made a shrill cry exert from Longfly.

"How do you like that?!" Fly Beetle roared.

"Get 'em, Fly Beetle!" Shuji cheered on. As he commanded his Bakugan, Bertha was watching with narrowed eyes. She was observing carefully, against her own chagrin.

Despite the pain, Longfly persevered. With what momentum she had, Nene had to counter. "Gate Card, open! Flat Power!" The Gate Card glowed far below them, and yet the auras around both started to glow. Fly Beetle could feel his strength starting to fade.

"What's…happening…?"

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 350

"What? Our power levels went down!" Shuji exclaimed. He looked to Nene for answers.

"That's right. This command card brings all Bakugan to base level. So have anymore bright ideas?" she hummed. "Shouldn't underestimate your beloved sister now."

Shuji's brow furrowed. "Well we're not done! Ability, activate! Infestation Stigma!" Still as close as can be, Fly Beetle's body began to expel little orange buzzing comets from his body. Before Longfly could take a bite of Fly Beetle, these little insects began to swarm around the whole body, forcing it to back off and hiss in itching, twitching agony.

Longfly: 700 (-200) = 500 Fly Beetle: 350

Once again, Nene found herself surprised. "What?!"

Shuji's determination spiked. "Maybe you shouldn't underestimate me! Ability, activate! Horn Buster!"

Fly Beetle backed off, aiming his horn again at Longfly as the Bakugan struggled to find its momentum. With comets of energy insects nipping constantly, Fly Beetle knew this was his chance. "Let's do this…HRAH!" He fired another energy shot, this one being more intense than before. The attack went clean through the comets, throwing Longfly off as it immediately went into ball form, sinking to Nene's feet again.

Nene: 20%

Fly Beetle went back to Shuji, who caught him a smirk. "Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about!"

Luke seemed surprised. "Man, Shuji's really killing out there." He said amazed.

"I know. The guy's actually putting on a show for us." Shawn teased. "It's almost sad."

Esther, however, didn't seem so pleased.

"What's with the long face, Esther?" Maggie questioned. "You look like you're constipating."

"W-what?" Esther seemed unsound by Maggie's interpretation. She calmed. "Well…I just feel that something's wrong."

"Wrong how?" Maggie replied.

Esther looked back at Nene. For some reason, when she saw the look of shock, she could feel an underlying tone within those eyes. It made her suspicions arise.

Akira looked worried for both. 'Aw man, Shuji's in for it now…'

Shuji looked down at Fly beetle. "Okay Fly Beetle, let's do this. You with me?"

The Subterra Bakugan popped open, nodding with his horn. "Ready as you are."

Shuji flew a Gate Card into play. "Okay, it's on! Gate Card, set!" The card slid into place, spreading into an orange shockwave. "Bakugan, brawl! Fly Beetle, stand!" Once more, Fly Beetle arose into midair.

Despite the setbacks, Nene smirked. "Hmph! He has no idea." She murmured. "Alright, go! Bakugan, brawl! Longfly, stand!" Longfly arose yet again for combat.

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 350

Shuji raised his arm skywards. "Gate Card, open! Subterra Reactor!" On command, the Gate Card revealed itself, being the Subterra Reactor with the card's insignia in the center. The ground shook for a moment before pillars of earth arose around them. The land beneath turned to solid dirt and ground rather than grass, and Fly Beetle raised his horn high as his power surged.

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 350 (+300) = 650

"Ability, activate! Fly Arrow!" Fly Beetle didn't waste a second's notice to unleash two beams from his horns at Longfly. But as he they closed in, Nene once again smirked.

"…hmph. That'll do."

"What?" Shuji gasped. Fly Beetle also recognized the flaw, but it was too late.

Nene held up an ability card. "Alright, no more holding back! Ability, activate! Glide Streak!"

Longfly exerted a loud enough roar once again. The Bakugan saw the orange beams fly into it and readied. Once they were close enough, all the wings on its body flapped once, before it took off. Every wing showed a thick green stream behind its wake. It soared pass the beam, cutting it to pieces as it closed in on Fly Beetle.

"HUH?!" Shuji exclaimed.

Longfly: 600 (+100 +200) = 900 Fly Beetle: 850 (-200 -200) = 450

Longfly surged pass Fly Beetle, making him shout in pain as the many wings with green streams cut pass him. The many drafts made him spiral out of control, harrowing downwards in a spiraling pain.

"Fly Beetle!" Shuji roared.

Hearing his partners call, the Subterra Bakugan finally straightened out. He shook his head and tried to fix himself, adjusting to where he glared up at Longfly with a scowl.

Shuji also glared up, but didn't forget his sister. "Hey, what's the big idea?"

Nene shrugged. "Oh well, guess I'll have to put the pieces together for you, won't I?" Shuji suppressed a small, annoyed growl at her counter. "You really think I didn't know better? I thought you'd try and size me up. I made sure that every attack I made was to intentionally bring out this new style that you speak of. And really, it's not so impressive."

Shuji's anger began to spike. "So you were faking me out?"

"It's called observing, genius. And in case you haven't noticed, I've deduced almost all your abilities, so good luck getting a nice little again in before it use it for myself!"

Shuji balled his fists again, showing his anger. He could feel his frustration rise higher than before. When he looked back towards his friends, he could see the worried yet expectant looks they had. While Akira was uncertain but defeated. And Bertha looked disapproving at Shuji. He could feel himself get crushed with the emotional support provided.

Nene showed another ability. Okay, let's size this guy up! Ability activate, Sonic Missile!" Longfly unleashed another scowl before its eyes glowed green. It hissed and began to flap its main wings repeatedly, sending green crescents down at Fly Beetle.

"Shuji, look alive!" Fly Beetle warned.

"H-huh?!" he refocused. "Oh yeah, well, ability activate! Subterra Seeker!" Fly Beetle opened his wing shields wider and exerted magma-like reflective energy. It was fired back at Longfly, the green missiles going back towards its sender.

Longfly: 900 (-200) = 700 Fly Beetle: 450 (+100) = 550

Nene pulled up another card. "Not so fast. Won't work twice now! This should do it! Ability activate, Poison Flasher!" Longfly let out yet another shriek before it flapped its wings. It unleashed a bright green blast wave, which soared down and engulfed its own attack. It continued its path down towards Fly Beetle, whose radiant reflection was stopping this attack at all.

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 550 (-300) = 250

Fly Beetle grunted as he tried to hold on, but as the intoxicating light enveloped him, his shouting was muffled through the winds created.

"FLY BEETLE!" Shuji yelled.

The winds and wave pushed Fly Beetle into the ground, where a massive wave of dust enveloped him. Within the roaring dust, Shuji found himself staggering onto his back and Fly Beetle rolled to his side.

Shuji: 10%

Maggie gasped in shock.

"She completely overpowered him?" Jelldon inquired. "Then she was holding back!"

Esther's brows furrowed. "This isn't good. Shuji let his guard down there…now it looks like he only has one chance left."

Luke shared the same facial reaction, but he said nothing. His own fists balled in defense for his friend. He had to persevere. It's what Shuji can do.

Shuji tended to Fly Beetle, where he picked him up. "Man…" he muttered.

"Told ya not to underestimate me." Shuji looked towards Nene, who had a prideful and arrogant look on her face. "I keep telling people not to underestimate me and my awesome skills. Just because I'm so young means I must have no brain, right? Well you're wrong. It looks like it proves once again why I'm gonna be the next greatest battler to live!" she beamed with such a great boast that it came with a laugh. It was making Shuji's teeth grit.

"You little brat…!" he growled as he shuddered.

Nene's ears got comically big. "Hm, what's that? You call me a brat? And yet I'm not the one throwing a tantrum, now aren't I?"

Shuji's attitude was beginning to sour extremely. His disposition only served to sour as his younger sister kept taunting him, much to his own chagrin. It was leaving the others worried.

"Shuji…" Maggie murmured.

Before he could yell, Fly Beetle intervened. "C'mon…we're better than this, Shuji."

Shuji tried to lighten up a little, though it wasn't working that well. "Gnnngh…yeah, I know. But…"

"I told ya Mom should've had me get the groceries." Nene butted in with a shrug. "Just a simple errand, no big deal. And it had to be you of all people that had to get himself into trouble again. Should've come prepared, but now look. Guess I gotta show just how much capable I am. Gate Card…set!" She threw another card onto the field. Once set, she threw in Longfly without much words. The massive insectoid hollered as she smirked. "So, think your friends can rely on you now when they have a capable battler such as I?" She began to exert another uproarious hardy laugh to show her dominance, and it only served to make Shuji even more annoyed. So much that he couldn't even look at his younger sister.

"C'mon, Shuji! Don't listen to that primidone!" Maggie cheered. "She's just trying to get inside that goofy head of yours!"

"Right! If they're not helpful at all, don't think of them at all, Shuji!" Shawn agreed.

Esther nodded. "No matter what she says, we won't stand here and see you fall like this. Luke?" She looked over, waiting for what Luke had to say, only he offered no words. Only an anxious stare.

"Guys…" Shuji was touched by their continued support, even if it wasn't helping him much. But he had to go down trying. He gritted his teeth and faced upfront, his temper boiling against his arrogant sister. "Fly Beetle…let's do some damage, okay?"

"Yeah." He curled to ball form for Shuji to hold him.

He faced his sister once more, who was smirking. "This is it, Nene! We're hitting you with everything we've got! Bakugan, brawl!" Shuji threw Fly Beetle in, who roared and stood on six legs.

Longfly: 700 Fly Beetle: 350

Nene scoffed as she swiped her arm around and brought it upfront. "Hmph! This'll be too easy! Go!" At her command, Longfly did as told and went soaring into Fly Beetle. Using his instincts, Fly Beetle took flight and ascended, dodging Longfly's attack.

Once backed up high enough, Shuji knew he had to stop her, and quick. "Okay…you asked for this." He pulled up his Bakumeter, showing more abilities. "You've belittled us for the last time…say goodnight! Fly Beetle, ya ready?!"

Focused and fully into the battle, Fly Beetle prepared for his big attack. "Ready!"

Finally kicking up, Shuji let out a shout and reached his arm up. "Triple ability, activate! Horn Buster, plus Fly Arrow, and Fusion Ability…TERRA SURGE!" he roared valiantly.

Longfly: 700 (-100 -200) = 400 Fly Beetle: 350 (+200 +200 +200) = 950

Dust and dirt from below began to travel skywards in a helix surrounding Fly Beetle's front. The Bakugan exerted a low hum as brown energy surged into the horns and tusks, which looked like three massive spheres of energy ready to be fired. Once energy crackled, and the lighting intensified, Fly Beetle's eyes widened before he unleashed a loud roar, sending the cyclone attack from his front into Longfly down below. As the attack traveled, the three energy beams began to swirl and combine, and around that, a helix of dirt and debris fused. It began an intense funnel that shook the air as it pulsed into Longfly.

As the attack close in, Nene was far from worried. She actually smirked as she lifted another ability. "I've never seen that before…but we can top that! Ability, activate! Wing Cyclone!"

Longfly exhibited yet another shrieking hiss before its eyes flashed green. Suddenly, yet another green whirlwind surrounded the Bakugan, and the combined attack that swirled into it was spreading everywhere else besides Longfly. Dust and energy went throughout the air, but nothing happened. The whole ability effect was completely nullified.

"What?!" Fly Beetle exasperated.

"Look out!" Shuji warned. But it was too late. The swirling cyclone surrounding Longfly expanded outwards, dissipating into a powerful gust that knocked Fly Beetle out of the sky. The Bakugan went yelling as he spiraled and smashed into the battlefield. "Crap!" Shuji cursed.

Fly Beetle strained incredulously as that wind made him feel double vision. "Uggh…why are there two of…everything?" he strained.

Nene swiped her arm. "Gate Card, open! Silent Land!" The card revealed itself, giving a glow that immobilized Fly Beetle the strain automatically ceased the Bakugan's delusions.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Shuji outraged.

"Fly Beetle, hang in there!" Abis encouraged.

However, as much volume got to his head, Fly Beetle wasn't getting anywhere. He was hunched over and straining to come around. But nothing was working much. "Gnnngh…crap…can't move…!"

"You can't activate any abilities now. So now, think you're better than a grown-up, Shuji?" This was what she wanted, what her mother wanted. To know Shuji's place. Both watched Shuji expectantly as he was faltering in hopes. "It's okay, big bro. All can be forgiven if you just give up. No harm done, right?"

Shuji balled his fists tighter, so much that he could feel blood ceasing to circulate. He gritting teeth showed his angst. A memory of Luke's little speech ran inside his head yet again. The way he spoke in his room about him made him feel so hopeful…but the way he was at the mercy of his little sister – who was better at Bakugan than him – it was beginning to hurt him. 'Guys…' He looked back, seeing all their encouraging faces. It only made him feel more pain. '…sorry!'

Fly Beetle looked back at Shuji's pain, and it showed he was starting to give in. The Subterra Bakugan turned his head once again forward, now facing down, not out of submission, but out of thinking.

Flashes of images began to fill Fly Beetle's mind, and Shuji's partially. The Bakugan recalled the first time they've met, to their first battle together and how Shuji called him weak. Not long after, calling himself weak and both kicking butt in the Thermosphere competition. Their speech was what reignite the flames, and the way they trained, the way they fought with Shawn, to Interacia, to fending for their lives. Through it all, all those times, Fly Beetle had Shuji's back, and he was proud of it.

"We Subterra Bakugan hold our ground and prove our strengths! Now, let's prove our strength to this guy, what do you say?"

"You read my mind!"

Remembering that line and every harsh battle they went through, Fly Beetle knew where his heart lied, and by no means was he giving up. It's time to get stubborn. "GNNNNNGH…!" His body shuddered as he tried to lift his horn. "You think you can stop us?!"

Shuji looked shocked. "Huh? Fly Beetle?"

"What's he doing now?" Nene questioned. "I thought I blocked his abilities."

"Gnnngh…GRAAAHH!" His slammed his curved horn into the ground, making a loud shudder. He pounded so much force that it hurt. He raised it again. "You think you can tie us down?! With another grunt, he refused defeat and slammed his horn into the Gate Card, making it shudder, much to everyone's surprise.

Shuji remained wide-eyed. "Fly Beetle…" seeing his Bakugan continuing, Shuji's fists began to ball. His own fire was ignited. 'Yeah, that's right. This bug and I are weak…which is why we're gonna crush whoever calls us that! Sorry Nene…but you won't get mercy from us!' He punched forward. "GO~!"

"HRAH!" Mustering his willpower, Fly Beetle slammed his horn into the card again, this time with so much force that it shuddered louder and before. Several cracks were visible beneath, before the card began to break apart.

"What?! No way!" Nene shrieked. She looked back at Shuji, who was giving an intense glare that scared her.

"You think you can stop us?! Think again, twerp!" Both Shuji and Fly Beetle roared in unison. With all their might, they roared out, and Fly Beetle used whatever strength to smash into the Silent Land Gate Card. To everyone's shock, the pieces scattered spontaneously, meaning it was nullified.

Fly Beetle glared through the shrapnel, leaving Nene terrified. "I…impossible…but he didn't even use an ability to…"

Fly Beetle's wings unfolded and violently shot skywards. With all his might, he rammed his horn into Longfly, sending an intense shock through the Bakugan's body. The Longfly was so off guard that it recoiled. "You think that's tough?! We'll we're just getting started!" Fly Beetle rammed his horn into Longfly again, sending his downwards. He kept falling, gripping his front claws onto it and slammed the Ventus Bakugan into the dirt. It slid across the ground, and Fly Beetle dug deep to ram him through the dirt trail created.

Akira and Bertha were at a loss for words with how Shuji's weaker Bakugan was fighting back. Akira pumped his fists. "Woah, what the heck is that?! It's that bug's gone out of control!"

Fly Beetle finally landed and dug in his claws. He lifted his horn and roared, sending Longfly soaring again. He took off again, roaring violently as he slammed his horn into Longfly's limp freefall. As he brawled and continued attacking, his power level started to rise. From 350…355…360…

Nene looked shocked as she saw its power level rising on its own. "How is he getting all this power?!"

Shuji glared intensely as he felt every intense blow. He refused to give up, not while his friends were giving up. 'Thanks for having my back guys…now it's time we repay what you've given us! Your faith!' He inserted yet another ability. "Ability, activate! Fly Arrow!"

In midair still, Fly Beetle flipped his whole horn, sending the huge fly skywards. He faced the sky and shot two projectile beams again, hitting Longfly square on the side. The Bakugan hissed in pain as it drifted downwards.

Longfly: 700 (-100) = 600 Fly Beetle: 395…400 (+200) = 600

"Bull's eye!" Shuji exclaimed.

Longfly drifted away and shook its head. It could feel a lot of recoil, and all those continual attacks against it wasn't helping. Fly Beetle launched even more projectile beams into it as he sailed in, screaming like a warrior.

Nene wasn't accepting this. She angrily huffed as she glared at Shuji. 'My older brother thinks he's so clever overpowering my Gate Card, well I still have one more trick up my sleeve…with this!' She pulled out another ability. "Let's shut him down, now! Ability activate, Glide Streak!" Longfly strained in the air a few more moments before it straightened out. It let out a hiss before sailing into Fly Beetle, green streaks flowing as it cut through his ability.

Longfly: 600 (+100 +200) = 900 Fly Beetle: 600 (-200 -200) = 200

Longfly continued it course, and Fly Beetle soared in as well, the latter roaring with all his might.

"GO, FLY BEETLE!" Abis and the other Bakugan exclaimed.

"Let's get done warming up, pal!" Shuji roared. "Ya with me?!"

"OH YEAH~!" Fly Beetle maintained his course as the adrenaline was surging energy into his horn. "BRING IT ON!" As he roared out and continued to close in, the two tusks on his main horn began to emit a powerful glow of bright brown. As he continued, he began to surge even more energy.

Esther's eyes widened at the sight. "Don't tell me…"

Fly Beetle gave a valiant cry as he lowered his head, the glowing tusks on the horn finally expanding to become twice as long with crackling brown static surging through them. Everyone had shock with no words as they saw the power, and Shuji looked down to find his Bakumeter glowing with a new ability. Looking back ahead, his brown eyes were dead serious.

"Alright, let's go…YEAH! IT'S ON!" He raised his arm, making the new ability shine. "Ability, activate! Kabuto Basher!"

Fly Beetle sailed in with everything he had in the elongated tusks on the end. He and Longfly were like two rockets of streaking green and brown that didn't slow down. With one final battle cry, the two Bakugan met.

BWOOSH!

In the last second, it was black with a green and brown slash intertwining. It showed both in midair and suspended with each facing away, their attacks still active and momentum making them drift. Everyone beneath was looking shocked as they waited to see what would happen.

Moments later, Fly beetle's attack gave in first, and he faltered towards the ground. Nene looked please, but then Longfly had a massive brown gash erupt suddenly, energy from Fly Beetle's attack finally kicking in and making it hiss in pain loudly before it plummeted too, albeit limply.

Longfly: 900 (-200 -100 -200) = 400 Fly Beetle: 200 (+200 +200 +300) = 900

Fly Beetle landed on the ground as calmly as possible while Longfly slammed limply. The massive thud rattled the area, and the Bakugan became a green orb and shot to Shuji, who caught it with a serious frown, leaving Nene and Akira totally stupefied.

Nene: 0%

Nene slumped to her knees, despairing. "How…how did he…"

Fly Beetle gave a triumphant roar as he returned to ball form. Shuji caught him with a smirk. Everyone who was with him began to cheer proudly.

"HAHA! YES! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT, YOU BIG OAF!" Maggie happily exclaimed. "Jelldon he won!" She began nuzzling Jelldon.

Shawn grinned as he raised a brow. "Well I'll be damned. The guy pulled his own weight, just like you said, Luke."

Esther sighed in relief. "He almost had me worried there for a moment…but he pulled through. Just like we wanted him too."

"…yeah." Luke smiled.

Shuji held onto Fly Beetle with a proud smile, but that pride was thwarted when Akira and Bertha walked up to him. "Woah, big bro…d-did you just seriously do that?!" Akira gasped.

Shuji snickered. "Bet your surprised, aren't ya." He faced him mother, a serious look appearing on his face. There was a long silence as he and his mother had a stare down. "…Mom…"

"Hey, you!" Attention went towards Nene. She walked up towards Shuji, an annoyed look replacing every bit of pride she had before. "Give me back, Longfly, right now?"

Shuji looked at the Bakugan in his hand, giving it a long, hard look before glancing back. "You really want this?"

"Yes! Now give it back already!" She held her hand out, looking away with puffed cheeks. "Well…"

Shuji ultimately made his own righteous decision. He clutched it tighter. "Sorry, no can do."

"What?! You can't do that!" Nene testified. "That's my Bakugan!"

Shuji glared back. "Well I won it fair and square…" his eyes narrowed. "So I can use it as I see fit, got it?"

"Why you…" A tick mark showed on her forehead as she pointed at him, but faced Bertha. "Mommy, Shuji isn't playing fair!"

Bertha looked towards her son with a scolding look, but Shuji gave one back towards her. The mother/son had a long stare down before one chose to back away. Bertha looked towards Nene, seeing how annoyed she was, and yet how calm Shuji was taking his own actions. She ultimately sighed. "…Shuji. If we say we're sorry, will you give it back to her?"

"M-mom?!" Akira gasped.

Shuji stared at his mother knowingly, calming down. Still, he persevered. "That's a start…" He faced his friends. "But I'd rather you say sorry to those guys over there."

"Shuji…" Luke muttered.

Shuji smirked and nodded at him. He glanced back at his mother. "So what do you think, Mom?"

Bertha held her tongue as she looked at her son a little longer, but she could see he found his own path. She finally gave up and looked towards Luke and company. She walked over, stopping in front and bowed her head in shame. "I…apologize. I'm sorry, for everything I said to you all…about my son. I didn't mean to doubt you. It's just…I wasn't sure he was mature enough."

Shawn smiled casually. "Well what do you guys think, sounds good to you?"

Maggie glanced away. "Hmmm…throw in chocolate chip cookies maybe and I can learn to forgive."

"Maggie." Verias chided.

"Alright, alright. Mr. Kill Joy." She huffed. "It's okay."

Esther nodded. Next was Luke, who nodded as well. It seemed all was okay for the most part.

Bertha looked back to Shuji to see what he thought. He looked satisfied and tossed Longfly back to Nene. The younger sister finally put in her place gave him a scowl, which he rivaled with a stale look made her look away sheepishly. He faced Akira, who gave a double thumbs up. Then faced Luke's group, seeing them smile. Then Fly Beetle, who looked satisfied. Finally, he gave himself a confident smile and nod, knowing what had to be done next.

---

As the sky was radiated with an orange sky by the setting sunset, the group took their time in readying their things for the next big trip. They all stood outside Shuji's home, where he faced his family.

Akira sighed. "Well that was a lot to take into one day."

"I know." Shuji chuckled. "But it's all good now, right?" He faced his younger sister, who still seemed pouty. She even hummed annoyed, but he just chuckled it off. "Hey, you'll get over it."

"Says you." She huffed before pointing up at him. "Just so you know, I was just warming up, too!"

Shuji blinked. "That so?" he grinned. "Well Fly Beetle and I will be happy to tussle a little more if you'd like."

She folded her arms and veered away. "Not a chance."

Shuji opted to leave her to figure out her own matters and stared at his mother. The two locked eyes again like they did before, though Bertha's was more lenient this time. "Mom…"

"…to think you'd take actual responsibility, just like the big brother you should be." She said softly. She leaned forward, giving him a soft hug. "I'm sorry I made you feel insecure. That was my fault…if this is what you've decided, then I hope you know the consequences."

Shuji held a serious face. "Trust me, I think I already know…" he looked over his shoulder at Luke and the others. "I'm pretty much stuck with these guys for the time being." He faced his mother. "But if I don't pitch in, these guys are gonna lag behind. Someone's gotta be the boss, right?"

Shawn teasingly chuckled. "Yeah, sure do…"

Bertha nodded in understanding. "Alright then…but please, be careful. I'm not sure what would happen knowing you might…"

Shuji's smile softened. "Mom…it's fine."

Bertha held back her tears. "You're right. You're a grown man now. You can make your own decisions now…but still, keep thinking about us, okay?"

Shuji pointed a thumb to himself. "Heh, no worries. That's a reason to fight after all." He started with the others. "Alright, see ya guys."

Nene puffed her cheeks and continued pouting, but Bertha and Akira waved them off as they walked away. "Bye, big bro! Good luck on your adventure~!" Akira exclaimed.

With that matter now behind them, the group walked down the street to where the house was out of sight. Once out, Shuji wiped away any strained tears that were beginning to bubble up. "Aww, does the big guy need a shoulder to cry on?" Maggie chimed.

Shuji immediately showed annoyance. "Hey, I'm not crying, okay?! It's just been a long day!"

Maggie stifled a chuckle. "Okay, whatever you say."

Shuji turned away and had his eyes shut. "Honestly…" he glanced at the others. "So you guys really wanted me then, huh? Heh, guess I should be flattered then."

Shawn smiled. "I'd be too if I were you. Glad you're back with us."

"Yup, we missed ya, big guy!" Maggie chimed.

"We all did." Esther noted.

Shuji gave a toothy smile. "Finally! A little appreciation! Now this is more like it!" He shot a glance at Luke next, but the Aquos battler looked away with a soft smile. Shuji gave him his own grin. He jabbed Luke in his shoulder, making him stammer. "That's for knocking on my window."

Luke rubbed his arm meekly and stifled a groan. "Y-yeah, I get it…"

The two again shared another smile before Shuji faced forward, his faith restored in all his pals. "So where to now?"

Esther started. "Well, we-!" They were cut off when the wind suddenly began to pick up. They all stopped in their tracks, shock and whirlwinds startling them.

"Gnngh, what?!" Luke covered up. "Where'd this wind come from?!"

"Don't know!" Shawn grunted.

As they all held on, they heard a powerful humming, reminiscent of an engine in the air. Maggie opened an eye. "You guys hear that?" she asked.

Atchibee popped open. "It's coming from above!"

"What?" Abis Omega stared up, his surprised matched with Luke as they all looked towards the sky. To all of their surprise, they had gaping expressions, if not mildly shocked ones, as they saw something massive as its shadow began to cover them.

"W-what's that thing?!" Maggie chirped.

High over their head and lowering, there was a large aircraft with propellers keeping it airborne. It was primarily black with silver trimmings. It looked like a hovercraft almost if not for the cockpit on the other end. It hovered over them with its large size and intimidating structure.

Shuji's eyes widened. "The heck is that thing?!"

Shawn squinted his eyes, seeing something atop of the whole thing. "…you guys, I think I see someone up there!"

"Who?!" Esther yelled.

Luke stared up at the transportation, seeing a silhouette looking down at them with no trouble standing. As he squinted and it lowered, the figure's spectacles shimmered sunlight. This made Luke's eyes widen. 'Wait…that can't be…!' His breath hitched. "Is that you?!"

The silhouette faded, revealing a familiar someone. "Well, well…looks like we're all gathered in one place." He said. "So on time then…good."

Shawn's eyes shrunk. "…Jase."

"Colonel?" Esther gasped.

Luke was at a loss for words. He just stared up at the Ventus battler adjusted his glasses one more time, an unemotional smile plastered on his face. "I hope you all didn't miss me too much…I didn't. I assure you that much."

---

And now we are done with Shuji's character arc! Phew! Almost a freaking 24K…well better than anything above I guess. I at least tried to make Shuji a little more mature and likeable compared to his anime counterpart, so I hope this fitted well. I also wanted to reestablish his and Fly Beetle's bond they grew over their time together, and how their wills made his new power level 400 Gs and learn a very powerful new ability. If you guys were wondering how he broke the Gate Card, it's because of his sheer strength and will. If you wanna question that, I suggest you rethink New Vestroia in Dan and Spectra's final battle with Helios smashing the card himself. Figured tough wills would prevail this time.

Speaking of tough, I gave Ariella and Hendrix the backstories you all were wondering about. Ariella and Amina are in fact sisters as you have learned, and Ariella's personality stems from her frustration, and Hendrix and Magnus were in a brotherhood before this time. More will be revealed about them later on, but hope this leaves you wondering more about them!

Now for Riaan and Armagedoid, we just have a couple more legs to go until Armagedoid finally makes his choice. He knows Riaan isn't lying, but there's so much to process.

And now, we finally reach Jase's character arc, the last of the Homecoming Arc. But before that, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to stop here for a short time now, guys. That was 3 chapters in a row now, so I'm jumping back to The Contender's Ascent and doing 3 chapters there. So maybe in about a month at most. So, until then, thanks for your support!